9 months ago TODAY I hopped on a bus with 3 of my female teammates and the 5 women of Habibi. Little did I know that after that 13 1/2 hour ride to Phuket, Thailand, my life would be forever changed.
Our time in Thailand was far too short. If you'd like, you can read my blogs from that month.
The Lord broke.my.heart for HIS people in Thailand. He has such beautiful daughters who have been told that the only way for them to make money is to sell themselves to … dare I say, HIS sons who are so lonely, so broken that they believe that the only way to find "love" or "pleasure" in this life is to use these women they meet on Bangla…
Why do I bring all of this up? Well…instead of unpacking my office last night, I decided to read through some of the most recent World Race blogs. I think it's SO amazing to read blogs written by racers who are where I have been — who are watering and tending to the seeds that I have planted or watered/tended to.
I found this one that re-broke my heart for Thailand. I began to well up in righteous anger, and [as my squad leader Tiffany puts it], I put on my prayer pants once again for Thailand, the women, men, children, and ladyboys of Bangla.
Please read this angry prayer by current racer, Ruth Wilson.
Angry prayer for Bangla road. – Ruth Wilson
God I'm angry.
Angry at you.
with you.
for you.
I hate what I see.
I hate what I do not see.
Thank you for giving me your eyes but really?
I hate it.
I feel so small and helpless.
With your eyes my heart breaks.
While on Bangla road…
I want to collapse and weep.
It takes everything in me..
to stay strong.
The way I see satan being glorified.
I can see him laughing…
giving You the middle finger.
What can I do to shift this atmosphere of worship?
From him to YOU.
God my heart breaks for
the girls who have accepted the title of a prostitute.
Those who are so numb that they do anything
Who have accepted that this is their identity.
Most for the means to survive.
God the love of money runs the world.
Your Creation.
Lord my heart breaks for the girls I see up the the glass
Who are not there by choice.
The ghostly look in their faces
as thousands walk by nightly
Ignoring their silent scream for help.
God provide them a way out.
What am I supposed to do when there are evil people
watching our every move?
Wrap your huge arms around them.
God what about the "lady boys"
who have been taught and lied to since birth
that they are girls.
all the reconstructive surgeries they have had.
all the insecurities they face daily.
the lies that they can't be who you truly created them to be.
Give them rest.
I pray they will find their identity in you alone.
I pray for the young kids that sell the flowers and necklaces.
That are pimped out nightly.
that get "hit" if they don't sell 20 each night.
God I pray you will provide a way out.
I pray they will go home.
I pray for the sick men that think its alright.
I beg you to change my heart to a righteous anger
not just a bitter hatred.
God take the images out of my head that I have seen.
The way the men look at these women as a
a simple toy.
instant gratification.
No commitment needed.
One night stand.
Easy pleasure.
Holy Spirit make these men physically sick.
I pray for a deep conviction…
to where they can't even breathe correctly.
For those men who leave with these jewels
and think it's not big deal.
Those are your daughters…
and as much as I hate to say it: your sons.
I pray for those men who are on "vacation"
who look like the typical suburban fathers and husbands.
Convict them.
For those leaving nightly with multiple women.
Bring them to their knees.
For those worldwide that struggle with pornography.
that they will realize that by those "secret" choices…
they are supporting this warped sexual culture.
I pray for the team.
that walking through these bars nightly won't be a
walk down memory lane.
But that we will see your lost children.
Guard our eyes… and our hearts.
Continue to break us Lord.
We praise you.
We won't back down until your Kingdom come.
Mmm. That's good.
