Our ministry in Thailand consisted of day bars, and was also one of the hardest things I’ve had to encounter. Beautiful daughters and sons of God painted and masked with smiles to hopefully lure a man for a price. Needless to say, my heart ached.
In the morning, we prayer walked the street praying for the men, women, children, and then returned that afternoon, and sometimes evenings to form relationships with the women. Though we only spent one ministry week in Thailand, God was present and the Holy Spirit was constantly our comforter. Evil was also present. The first day we prayer walked, there was a heaviness in the air. Different spiritual attacks manifested in physical pain, and also, in my case, many nightmares. God speaks to me frequently through dreams, and I knew it was the enemy when I woke up constantly sweating or breathing heavily after a nightmare. But thank God, the Spirit is in me, and there is no fear in love.
In that one week, we formed relationships with a few of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. The ladies we met had not worked in the bars long, and maybe that’s why their eyes shined and their smiles gleamed. I know, I know…Thai people smile all of the time. However, I’m referring to the life inside of them. They were alive, and unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the myriad of women we encountered that week. Many women and men we passed on the street seemed almost porcelain. Painted and jeweled externally, but hollow internally.
As the days passed, we learned Thai, and the ladies learned English. I couldn’t help but wonder about their stories. How did they get here? What is the story of their heart? Honestly, I had never engaged in ministry like this before. I have friends who have visited red light districts, and are involved heavily in fighting sex trafficking. As for me, I was always nervous. How would I connect with the men and women in this industry? How could I relate? How could I share?…That was my first mistake.
I viewed them as a one dimensional person. Relating to them by their work rather than who they are. Yes, some have chosen this work, but it is not who they are. They are women who have children at home, are experts at pool, vibrant and full of life, are kind and sweet, and are world travelers. They are daughters and sons of God, and He yearns for them to come out of bondage. I want to share the Gospel because I love them. Because they’re just like me. Because I don’t want to see them harmed. Because I want my sisters and brothers to come home.
Please continue to pray for the men and women trapped in sex slavery. Also, please pray for the men and women who are patrons. If there is no demand, there is no supply.
