I have heard about the sex-trade. I have known about the end-it movement and the fight for justice, and it always excited me. But nothing prepared me for the moment I was saturated in its midst.
There I was 20 yards away. I was right there.
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A few weeks ago our team had 3 days off of ministry, so we decided to take a trip to Phuket, Thailand for a little extravagant vacation. It wasn’t long after we landed in Phuket until we realized why so many people were there. Not for the beautiful beaches, but for the beautiful ladies. We stayed in Patong, Phuket which is the biggest sex-trafficking hub in western Thailand. We were unaware of this when we booked our hotel, yet it only took a few moments of walking around to see the purpose of this city. I have never seen so many men vacationing together. So many white, old men. The reasons were obvious and heartbreaking. On the first night my teammate, Makayla, and I stayed in at the hotel. We were chilling down by the pool when I saw a 30-year-old white man lead a stunning young Thai girl toward his room. She wore a short red dress, silver heels and an empty smile. We watched him sit her down on the bench outside of his door to give her a smoke and beer. She let out flirtatious laughs and smirky smiles as she glanced away. She was professional. I could tell by her demeanor that she did this often. She did this for a living.
There I was 20 yards away. I was right there.
I have never felt so powerless. I could prevent what was about to happen because I was right there. But I couldn’t. She wouldn’t want that because she would lose this money. And she needs this money to support herself and her family. She genuinely believes this is the only way. He wouldn’t want that because HE WANTS SEX. Sex-hungry men are dangerous. This industry is dangerous. I knew I couldn’t act recklessly.
He slid his hand on her tiny back and directed her inside the room and the curtains were quickly ripped closed. It was 8:02.
Makayla immediately turned on her worship playlist, so we sat there by the pool, crying out to the Lord. That was the only thing we knew to do in that moment. When we are weak, He is strong. When we feel helpless, He is working. This is hope I have to cling to. The song “Break Every Chain” played. It sings, “there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain”. We prayed those verses over the city of Patong. Over this night. And over this girl who is being used in the room only steps away. Then the bridge of the song invaded the moment: “there is an army rising up to break every chain”. As those words leaked from my lips my soul began to believe it. There is an army rising up, and I am a part of that army! And an army wages war. An army fights for victory. And in the name of Jesus victory is ours!
So we stood up, and marched down the street in search for a florist. We bought 6 roses. The first for Nam. The beautiful girl who finally left that hotel room at 9:06. She was in there for 64 minutes. Sixty-four. For 64 minutes her body was being used because that is how she finds her worth, her talents and her beauty. If only she really knew how beautiful she is. We waited outside by the pool, and when she finally escaped that room and walked by us, I handed her the 1st rose. I told her how her beauty stunned me. At a time when she may feel covered in filth and shame, I wanted to shine freedom on her. She is still beautiful and worth more than a rose.
The 2nd rose for the gal walking the streets to find business. We turned back to glance at her as she walked away from us, and she was smelling the rose with a sweet smile.
The 3rd rose for the girl with that contagious laugh. She was staked out on the corner bench. When I handed her the rose, she hesitated before accepting it. She pointed to herself, looked down and said “me?”. “Yes you! You are beautiful. Do you know that? Do you know that you are so breathtakingly beautiful?” She giggled that striking laugh and received the rose.
The final three roses for the three Russian girls outside the bar advertising for the girls inside. They did not want to be there. They looked miserable. As we put those roses in their hands their demeanors repositioned. They stood taller. We spoke their beauty over them.
I could tell that these 6 girls didn’t understand why two random Americans were giving them roses and telling them how beautiful they are. Confusion was the first glare their eyes conveyed. They did not understand why we walked away afterward and didn’t want anything in return. We told them that they were beautiful for who they are, not what they have. Oh if only they could believe that. If only they could see Jesus’s love for them. Get lost in his wonder and drown in his love. I pray that those roses rattled their hearts for more. I pray that God will not stop sending people to startle those 6 hearts.
This week, my parents flew to Thailand for the Parent Vision Trip. For 6 days in Chiang Mai, we teamed up with a passionate ministry called Wipe Every Tear. A brand new safe house was just bought, and this is the only safe house for women over 18 in all of Chiang Mai. Our mission for the week was to fill these new empty beds with girls who need a refuge. We went into the bars in pursuit of rescuing them from the trap of prostitution. We told them about a home they could come live in for free. Free housing, free meals, and a free education! On wednesday three girls decided to leave the bars to come live in this safe house we call “The Joy House”. Three girls! HALLELUJAH!! These three girls can finally live in joy and walk in freedom. No longer do they have to sell their bodies to provide for themselves! And this is only the beginning. This mansion can hold dozens and dozens and dozens of girls!
These experiences have shaken my world. Watching sex-trafficking go down before my eyes breaks my heart. This world is so broken. This world is so pain-stricken. These girls and these men are starving for a Savior. He has quenched my pitless hunger, and Our God can do the same for each girl and man in these bars. There is an army rising up. There is an army rising up to break every chain and to wipe every tear. My brothers and sisters reading this, please never forget that YOU are a part of this army. You are a solider, a warrior. So suit up and believe you are fit to fight. He has created you fit to fight, because you are a holder of His power. HIS MIRACULOUS POWER. Wait what..this is incredible!! Let’s fight and experience the victory together!!
If you want to learn more or support Wipe Every Tear click here. Join the fight against sex-trafficking!
