Month two and I am writing from the magical city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Although this is my first blog post from Thailand, I am struggling to simply write about the basics of our ministry this month. It is difficult for me to put words in order because God is in the process of teaching me so much here. Knowing the full fruits of my lessons will come at a later time, I want to inform my friends and family back home about some of the more challenging things I am experiencing here.
The first day my team and I arrived in Chiang Mai, my teammates Addison, Kari Anna, and I ventured out of our ministry site to get something to eat and take in our new local surroundings. After some interesting directions, we found ourselves at a burger restaurant in, what we later found out to be, the “red light district” of Chiang Mai. This identification made a lot of sense, because in between the sporadic foreign restaurants were numerous bars and massage shops. Going to sleep that evening was difficult as the reality of sex trafficking’s intense influence in Thailand became real to me; no longer was I seeing images of women in bars through a screen in a documentary, but in front of my very eyes.
Processing all of these new experiences with Pii Emmi, our ministry contact, has been an invaluable blessing. Before my team and I began ministry this month, we were taught about Thai culture, the city of Chiang Mai, and the situations we would likely encounter during our time here. The facts were astonishing though…Emmi noted to us that Chiang Mai is indeed a very popular tourist destination, but often for the reason of cheap prostitution and goods.
Another eye opening experience for me occurred the afternoon a group of us went to the nearby slums. Our purpose was to go play with the children bringing hope, prayer, and life to them through a friendly game of soccer. While playing with several of the children on a small concrete slab, I was struck with a sudden thought, “Where are all the little girls?” Of all the children playing with us, none of them were girls…all boys ages six and up. It took me a few minutes to connect the dots.
The little girls in this slum were likely being trafficked.
I stood there shocked at this disturbing realization, and upon my return to our ministry site I asked Pii Emmi for an explanation. Sadly, she confirmed my recognition and said that some of the girls might have been staying inside; however most were likely being trafficked due to the increasing tourism season fast approaching. In Chiang Mai alone, an estimated 5,000 women and children are trafficked for sex. During the peak tourism season this number will increase to 20,000. Girls in slums or distant villages can be taken between the ages of six and ten to work as prostitutes in the city.
Again, I wish there was a direct conclusion or take away from my experience thus far, but I believe God is still bringing me to that specific point. Although a lot of these experiences are difficult to take in, I know there is still hope and redemption in Christ. Please pray for the three teams at Lighthouse in Action this month; that we would be able to cling to God in these challenging moments. The enemy has a stronghold over this city and country, but we know and believe that the victory is already ours.
Thank you for your continued prayers. They are highly needed during this month, and very important to our ministry here. Please continue to follow me as I share God’s growth in my next blog post.
“Our Father,
In heaven,
Lord hallowed be your name
Your kingdom,
Come quickly,
On Earth be done the same.
On Earth as it is,
In heaven,
Let heaven come to Earth,
As it is in heaven,
Let heaven come to Earth,
Let heaven come.”
(Our Father, Bethel Music)
