So much has changed on Bangla Road since I was here last. Bars have opened and some have closed. There is a new mall opening up on Bangla and now there is also a building dedicated to hosting a “Lance Burton” type magic show. There is a gigantic new bar that has opened called “Tiger Live” which boasts four levels of entertainment. Some of the friends I’ve made have come and gone, and I can’t exactly tell if there are more or less girls working. But one thing I know for certain that hasn’t changed……
God is still there.
I may have left over a year ago, and ministry teams have come and gone from that road; but when I first stepped foot on Bangla the second time around I saw Him EVERYWHERE. I just envisioned Him standing around and saying “hey guys, welcome back. I’m still here doing what I’ve been doing. Loving each and every one of these people. Thanks for coming to help!”
You’ve all read about the darkness that stems from that area. The lewd acts, drunkenness, ping-pong shows, etc., but in all honesty there is JOY there. My dear friend Alek explained to me that when she ministers down Bangla, she always looks for the JOY that is to be had. That statement alone has spoken so much life into how I minister down there. I have chosen not to dwell on the darkness, but to seek JOY in such a dark place. I believe that where the Lord is-there is always JOY. And when you seek JOY in such places, the Lord brings JOY into your life.
I have had three separate occasions when God has set up some divine appointments and brought so much joy walking down Bangla. On two of those occasions I was just walking down Bangla and ran into some very good friends from my first time around. I am not able to go down the street where their bar is for safety reasons, so during ministry I wouldn’t be able to see them. The first night we went out I was disappointed I couldn’t go see my friends, and so I kept walking by to maybe catch a glimpse and maybe have them acknowledge that I was there and maybe they could come out to the street. No luck. So towards the end of the first night we went into the new Tiger Live bar and I turned around to ask my team if they were ready to go in and as I turn back to walk in there was one of my friends (name is Pla) from the bar I couldn’t go in to!! She was literally walking RIGHT in front of me. We both turned at the same time and I called her name and she immediately gave me a hug! She was just on her way to work and we got to catch up a little bit. My teammate Michelle said to me that she saw the look on Pla’s face when she saw me and she said it was the same type of face she has when she see’s her big brother!
The next cool thing that God did was we were walking down Soi Sea Dragon and I wanted to see if my friend Mam was there. Last year, she was usually behind the bar serving drinks while the other gals were talking with patrons. We approached the bar and I didn’t see her behind the bar so we just decided to keep on walking and just as we walked by one of their bar tables filled with a bunch of men, I hear “Hello Phillip!” She was in the middle of talking to some men and she stopped the conversation, said my name and reached her hand to shake mine from the across the table! To be honest though, I would not have recognized her if I was looking for her. Her hair was so much different and her facial complexion was different as well. She was even more beautiful than I saw her last! I saw that she was with customers so I told her I would come back in a bit when she was less busy and we would hang out. A few minutes later we were back at the bar playing connect four!
I praise the Lord for shining so bright through me that these women remember me. They meet hundreds maybe even thousands of people per year. I know Jesus is working in their hearts because otherwise they would not have remembered me. The Lord set those divine appointments to prove that JOY can happen in such a dark place. Think about it, there are THOUSANDS of people each night walking down the ¼ mile long Bangla Road. It’s a bit wider than a two way street, so there is plenty of room to walk. But, on those two nights when I ran into my friends on the street….the Lord guided our footsteps to the PERFECT exact location to where we were encounter each other. And when I ran into Mam, it felt as if the Lord’s presence was just so overwhelming as we walked by her that she had no choice but to look up and see me.
I don’t buy them lady drinks. I don’t bring them gifts or flowers. I simply love on them. Sometimes that’s all it takes for someone to remember you.
The nights that we go out we do our best to bring Kingdom. Bringing Kingdom looks different for everyone. In such a dark place such as Bangla it’s hard to see God move sometimes. Women are being bought right in front of your eyes, drunk bar patrons become a little too touchy feely with gals, and it’s just a crazy atmosphere. But amidst all that madness there is victory to be had. Personally, every smile shared, laughter had, every eye contact, and acknowledgement between the bar gals and myself are considered victories in my book. Because in those moments, even if just in passing, are moments when they gals get to feel the love of the living God inside of me. We only stop and visit 3-5 bars per night, but we walk by loads of them to get where we are going. As a male, I do get dragged and pulled by the gals to come into their bar, but even in those moments I just kindly smile and say no thank you. The Lord has taught me so much about using the proper tone of voice, so even then when I have to say no it’s in a loving/caring way.
It’s been such a blessing and a wonderful opportunity to have the Lord bless me with so much JOY in a place such as Bangla. Aside from continuing some former relationships we have also started some new ones as well. These new relationships have been hand chosen by the Lord and He had led us to them for us to love & minister in His name.
I choose NOT to let darkness win. I choose to push through and continue bringing Kingdom. I know some nights are going to be super difficult, but I’m ready for it. I will stand guard with the Lord’s armor to protect me. I once listened to an amazing sermon by Pastor John of Christ Chapel Sportstowne in Macon about spiritual warfare, and one of the quotes I love from it was when he talked about being ready for what the enemy is going to throw your way. He said that we must always stand guard and not let the enemy sneak in. The quote he spoke to the enemy was “……I’ve been waiting for you!” I think it’s wise as Christians to be aware that we ARE in a world ruled by the enemy, but we should not live in fear of the enemy because the Lord has given us the ability to stand firm on HIS spirit to fend off any attacks. Know what I mean? Kind of liiiiiike you need to be ready for an attack from enemy, but you shouldn’t be live fearful of it, but instead BE READY for when it happens so you don’t catch a surprise left hook. Sort of liiiike a tornado drill…..if it happens you know exactly what to do and you’re ready for it.
I’ve only been on Bangla a handful of times now. I already have so many great stories on how God is working there. I have about 9 more nights and there are SO many more great God moments to be had. Thank you for partnering with me in this ministry and allowing me to do such good works in the name of the Lord!
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JI love you all so much! I couldn’t have done this without you. People here in Thailand are feeling Christ’s love because of your prayers and contributions!
More stories from Bangla to come…….
