(just an fyi: this is me being open and
vulnerable.)
vulnerable.)
Apparently it is common practice for IJM (International
Justice Mission) to leave one room just as it was found when they raid and
break apart an operation of forced prostitution. One such place exists in
Cambodia. In case you’re interested, there is a book written about it called Terrify No More. This is where I got to
visit a few days ago. It now serves as a church-yes-the name of Jesus is now
praised in a place where it once was unheard. Oh the glory this brings to God!
Nothing is beyond His redemption! Not even room number 9.
Justice Mission) to leave one room just as it was found when they raid and
break apart an operation of forced prostitution. One such place exists in
Cambodia. In case you’re interested, there is a book written about it called Terrify No More. This is where I got to
visit a few days ago. It now serves as a church-yes-the name of Jesus is now
praised in a place where it once was unheard. Oh the glory this brings to God!
Nothing is beyond His redemption! Not even room number 9.
This is a small room with nothing more than a wooden flat of
a bed, kept in original condition (okay, its been cleaned a bit), but still
complete with a little dried blood and the drawings from the hands of the girls
who once lived within its walls. Three girls called this home. All three died
within those four walls. One of HIV. One of a treatable illness for which the
brothel owner refused treatment . One was literally raped to death. (I wont explain
that here-I actually had to ask what that meant, if you want, either google it
or message me and ill share what I learned.)
a bed, kept in original condition (okay, its been cleaned a bit), but still
complete with a little dried blood and the drawings from the hands of the girls
who once lived within its walls. Three girls called this home. All three died
within those four walls. One of HIV. One of a treatable illness for which the
brothel owner refused treatment . One was literally raped to death. (I wont explain
that here-I actually had to ask what that meant, if you want, either google it
or message me and ill share what I learned.)
The walls are adorned with a few simple drawings-a heart, a
few numbers where the girls tried to teach themselves English, some finger
prints in paint, and the face of a girl. These are the only semblances of
normal life these children experienced. Drawing on the walls during breaks.
Seldom.
few numbers where the girls tried to teach themselves English, some finger
prints in paint, and the face of a girl. These are the only semblances of
normal life these children experienced. Drawing on the walls during breaks.
Seldom.
I only got to be in this room for about 3 minutes maximum.
Do you have any idea how powerful 3 minutes can be? I do now. Looking at that
bed, so many questions and thoughts raced through my head. I won’t list all of
them. To share is the message of value and identity I learned in a short
collection of seconds.
Do you have any idea how powerful 3 minutes can be? I do now. Looking at that
bed, so many questions and thoughts raced through my head. I won’t list all of
them. To share is the message of value and identity I learned in a short
collection of seconds.
This is me being vulnerable and honest:
Self worth, self image, and identity are all things with
which I have struggled greatly. As a girl, it is all too easy to compare myself
with any and every girl around. Someone is always prettier, stronger, more put
together, or on whatever topic I am currently dwelling. ALSO…(this is where it
gets strange to put out there for the whole world to read but it wouldn’t be
fair to keep this to myself)…as a girl I have struggled with searching for
validation in guys’ opinions of me. I said it. I’m admitting that I have tried
to find my worth in what a boy thinks of me.
which I have struggled greatly. As a girl, it is all too easy to compare myself
with any and every girl around. Someone is always prettier, stronger, more put
together, or on whatever topic I am currently dwelling. ALSO…(this is where it
gets strange to put out there for the whole world to read but it wouldn’t be
fair to keep this to myself)…as a girl I have struggled with searching for
validation in guys’ opinions of me. I said it. I’m admitting that I have tried
to find my worth in what a boy thinks of me.
Until Room #9.
The Lord has been speaking identity to me for a while now,
then I came on the World Race and He turned up the volume on His voice and
words of who I really am. Once I walked into room number 9, every bit of
misconception of who I am was wrecked. Seeing the “bed” where little girls were
forced to do unspeakable things with men screamed to my heart a deep message.
then I came on the World Race and He turned up the volume on His voice and
words of who I really am. Once I walked into room number 9, every bit of
misconception of who I am was wrecked. Seeing the “bed” where little girls were
forced to do unspeakable things with men screamed to my heart a deep message.
These girls HATED what happened to them. These girls wished
that NO man would ever come near them again. They would have jumped at the
chance to be themselves, to be free, to hear that they are daughters of the
Most High King and would have bathed in the satisfaction Jesus offers. And here
I have been, trying to act like being a CHILD OF GOD who is ADORED and
PROTECTED by the Creator of the entire Universe means less than what a boy
thinks. Are you serious Tamara?! In that room, God reminded me so clearly that
I am SO loved by Him and finally I can say that I am fully satisfied with that.
I am so blessed to not have to endure the pains those girls suffered and so
many will experience this very day. Not because I am loved any more, but
because I am loved in such a vast way by my Heavenly Father.
that NO man would ever come near them again. They would have jumped at the
chance to be themselves, to be free, to hear that they are daughters of the
Most High King and would have bathed in the satisfaction Jesus offers. And here
I have been, trying to act like being a CHILD OF GOD who is ADORED and
PROTECTED by the Creator of the entire Universe means less than what a boy
thinks. Are you serious Tamara?! In that room, God reminded me so clearly that
I am SO loved by Him and finally I can say that I am fully satisfied with that.
I am so blessed to not have to endure the pains those girls suffered and so
many will experience this very day. Not because I am loved any more, but
because I am loved in such a vast way by my Heavenly Father.
I cannot really express the greatness of this impact. I hope
that as you read this, you insert YOUR name. YOU are SO loved. It may sound
cliché and like a re-run to you. Maybe you don’t grasp it just yet. I would
love for you to email me if that’s the case. It took me standing in Room #9 to
see how valuable I am, how precious my heart and body are, how intricately the
Lord fashioned me and how He has given me WORTH.
that as you read this, you insert YOUR name. YOU are SO loved. It may sound
cliché and like a re-run to you. Maybe you don’t grasp it just yet. I would
love for you to email me if that’s the case. It took me standing in Room #9 to
see how valuable I am, how precious my heart and body are, how intricately the
Lord fashioned me and how He has given me WORTH.
All in 3 minutes, I realized that I would fight for those
trapped in the sex trade, I would take a stand for the worth of their bodies
and lives, and at the same time, I will believe in that very same worth for
myself and every person I know. They were unable to guard their hearts and
bodies, who am I to throw my heart around when many girls would truly die for
the chance to protect themselves?? Seeing someone robbed of something that
precious imparts amazing value to ones self. So…if you doubt any of that…I will for sure share more about
Room #9. It changed me.
trapped in the sex trade, I would take a stand for the worth of their bodies
and lives, and at the same time, I will believe in that very same worth for
myself and every person I know. They were unable to guard their hearts and
bodies, who am I to throw my heart around when many girls would truly die for
the chance to protect themselves?? Seeing someone robbed of something that
precious imparts amazing value to ones self. So…if you doubt any of that…I will for sure share more about
Room #9. It changed me.
