This is our ministry site, Patong.
White sandy beaches, blue water, warm sun, palm trees.
Rough, right?
By night, which is when we do our ministry (9-11pm our time, 9-11am back at home), Patong is a very different setting. Down Bangla road there are about 200 bars lining the side streets, with women (and some men, and some men dressed as women) at each one trying to attract and bring in customers. Many of these are prostitutes who receive meals and boarding through the bar but whose only income is earned though selling themselves to customers.
We go in to the bars, order cokes, and attempt to start up conversations with the women, get to know their names and stories in part to show them they are more than just a body to be used, but also offer them a way out of prostitution through learning English, making jewelry, or doing hotel training through the organization we are working with.
Half of our group stays back each night to pray and intercede for those of us that are out. There is a lot of darkness here, and depression, but also a lot of hope.
Your prayers was well would be especially appreciated this month!
Note: these photos are not my own, but taken from Google image search
