Yesterday, I experienced my first night on Bangla Road, Patong's red light district and the site of ministry this month. Here are a few short glimpses into my night.
A girl walks down the street trailing a man well into his 60s. She couldn't have been more than 20 years old. He walked with an arrogant stride knowing the layout of the evening. Also knowing how the night would end, her eyes darted back and forth unwilling to rest in any one place. Clutched tightly to her chest was a beautiful black leather clutch which surely held the same things that are in your clutch at home: a few dollars, lipstick, and a phone. But her's held something different too. It held hope that the night would be lucrative and quickly erased from her memory just so that it could be repeated again tomorrow. And then she passed by me unlikely that I would ever see her again.
A ladyboy (a man dressed as a woman who may or may not have had a sex change) dances on a stage, body twisting and moving to the music beckoning others to join her hoping for a couple extra dollars. We prayed and continued on; however, as the evening progressed, I saw her again. Same skimpy jean outfit bearing more skin than you would believe. Same beautiful manicured fingernails resting firmly in the hand of a young man as they quickly exited Bangla Road.
Our contact walked us down Soi Sea Dragon where we were accosted by men and women with drink menus and others in provocative outfits trying to entice you into visiting their particular bar. I repeatedly smiled while saying "no thank you" and walked past. All was progressing as expected in my emotions until I saw them. 2 young white children (probably ages 6 and 10) close to their presumed parents who were joyously sipping on cocktails while their children giggled and played with a Thai prostitute. She was clad in tight leather hot pants paired with a matching leather top and heals so high I'm still trying to figure out how she hasn't broken an ankle. This was the first time that night where my emotions resembled a violent hurricane destroying everything in it's path. I wanted to cry and laugh and dance and join in their game and punch that parent in the face all at the same time. Then God spoke. He said, "I sent those kids for her so that she could find joy tonight."
