Red Light District:
An area of a town or city containing many brothels, strip clubs, and other sex businesses
This blog is going to be raw, revealing and even uncomfortable to some. However, the brokenness of this world needs to be brought to light and shared so that we can realize the seriousness of sin and be in constant prayer.
Arriving in Pattaya, Thailand was no random thing; God clearly wanted us in this city as a whole squad to be in unity as the body of Christ. There is a street here called, “the walking street”, this is one of the top tourist attractions named here in this city; yet one of the darkest covered up by false light. The devil is literally in sheep’s clothing. As a squad we set off in obedience to walk this street with a yes in our spirit to bring God’s love. Upon arriving I immediately was overwhelmed and by far was the hardest thing I’ve witnessed. I had the choice to let that brokenness overwhelm me or to let it call me into action. My perspective changed, I began to look past all the sex, drugs, exchanges, gangs, dancing and sin. I was full of joy to finally see them as God saw them: valued, worthy, loved. This sparked the beginning of many deep true smiles by just wanting to know their name and story. That they had a voice and I wanted to hear it. I noticed the people …what do they express in their face or their actions.
I will never forget the look of pain, literally stone cold faces as they passed by me. No smiling or laughing unless a woman was being bought or a lady was trying to please the buyer. Men and women acting like salespersons were shoving menus in my face, and not food menus to satisfy your stomach…menus to purchase people, porn and different services. I was in shock as I kept moving through this long strip of businesses all the while seeing everyone from three year olds to families to people in wheelchairs. I was hurt that these women give themselves no value and offer their bodies to be used only for the sake of money. Some of these women are sent from other cities by their families to make an income to support everyone. I was in pain to think about the men who come here from all over the world (leaving behind wives and children in hopes to fix problems) some even brought their sons, so they can fill their sexual cravings because they are lacking something deeper and that is the Father’s love. The men who bring the demand keeps sex trafficking in motion; they are hurting just as bad as the women and need just as much attention.
God sent us out in one of the darkest places, every step we took was a light shined in that place. The enemy knew we were coming he had his weapons ready but we also came with God’s mighty weapons…of prayer, love, hope, and proclaiming Jesus’ name in that street. We were amongst the wide path, we didn’t belong, and we completely stuck out. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” Matthew 7:13
We shouldn’t have been there from the world’s point of view but that’s what following Jesus is. He goes against the status quo he brings us to the broken places because he has restoration to come. Yeah I might not have seen someone fall on their knees in salvation but we were a part of what God is doing there. Maybe that same woman who I talked to about prayer will have more people in her life talk about the same things and planting seeds will eventually be watered and harvested.
A woman stuck out to me as I was on the street, she was in a glass case high above the road so that everyone could see her. Yet I’ll never forget her face the emotion that was expressed as she danced to please the sea of eyes. She looked down, lonely, so caught up in the emotionless act of doing the same routine and still not finding a deep love or affection that her heart longed after. Dance after dance, men after men, money upon money will still never fill the holes and wounds in her heart. I immediately felt God’s rescuing hands and had a sense of hope for her. God brought back a memory; I could have been that woman; no I would have been that woman three years ago if God didn’t intervene so abruptly in my life when I was in the darkest place he sought after me and completely redeemed my life through Jesus! All I can do when I leave is keeping in pray for those still stuck in this industry. Jesus says he is the Savior, truth, hope, love. He WILL restore all Nations, everyone will hear of his name. Revelation 21:1-8
It was beautiful to see God’s heart in a place that is over run by the enemy’s lies. My eyes were opened at how broken and sinful our world is…this happens everywhere, Las Vegas, Bourbon Street, and the bar on your street corner. God has been and still is sending his workers out with his living breathing Holy Spirit to restore those who are ready. Jesus already purchased and redeemed us on the cross.
