Sunday and Monday were a continuation of a huge learning curve. Back in Bangkok, we learned more about how to make a difference in the human trafficking industry. We met a YWAMer named Chris of MST Project (Male Sex Tours) who believes men as the main consumers of porn and as the traffickers of porn are the ones most responsible for the problem. MST is an intentional ministry to men, sharing God’s love with them in a way they don’t feel condemned.At the same time, MST Project does not compromise God’s truth and offers hope to men of breaking free form their bondages. On our last night in Bangkok, we went to the English and Moslem red light districts where men were on the prowl, seeking to find people open to hear about a God who loves them. I had good conversations with men from Iraq, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Canada.
Another unforgettable highlight was learning about NightLight, the largest ministry in Bangkok reaching out directly to rescue women prostitutes.
We attended a Thai church made up of former prostitutes on Sunday afternoon.
The enthusiasm in which they sang songs of thanksgiving to God was deeply moving. When I was served the communion elements by two former prostitutes, I pondered the mercy and forgiveness of God in a way I never had before.
NightLight workers go into brothels and bars seeking to save the lost. They befriend the prostitutes, and tell them of a way out. Because the women feel so hopeless and trapped, it is hard for them to trust people who promise a way out. Sometimes it takes a month or more before they are ready to really believe what they are being told is true.
NightLight offers prostitutes the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and prays for the women (most who have devoted themselves to idols) to be freed. NightLight staff take the women through a three-month course that provides them a foundation for training on the work and adjustment in lifestyle, teaching them God’s ways and how to live victoriously. While at NightLight, the women receive a living wage and health benefits while making beautiful jewelry that NightLight sells to finance the ministry.
In addition to the beautiful jewelry, NightLight also designs beautiful Christmas ornaments. What a great gift to put on a Christmas tree – a Christmas ornament made by a former prostitute who is now a radiant follower of Jesus!
We interviewed one of the founders of NightLight, as well as a former prostitute, who cried as she told us of her shameful past and the glorious change that has come into her life as a result of people dedicated to sharing God’s love with her when she was trapped in the red light district with no hope of a way out.
Yet another angle we covered is a new ministry called Speak Up for the Poor. Headed by Los Angeles prosecutor Troy Anderson who recently moved to Bangkok, Speak Up is dedicated to seeking social justice for the poor.
Speak Up helps women in Bangkok trapped by human traffickers to break free and provide a way of escape back to their country of origin. I met with Troy for church Sunday morning at Evangelical Bangkok Church. A highlight of the service was seeing five women being baptized and making a public commitment to follow Jesus. One of the women brought her Buddhist husband who was beaming as he took pictures of his wife who had chosen to follow Jesus. Also, a couple of the women were from China and each one had a compelling story of what God had done in their lives.
Following the morning church service, I treated Troy for a delicious lunch at a Middle East restaurant. Afterwards, my team interviewed Troy before we went to the NightLight church made up of former prostitutes.
In closing, thank you to all who gave to support my trip. I even received a $100 gift via paypal on my iPhone as I was stepping onto the plane at DFW to being my trip to Thailand! (Technology can be so cool sometimes!). Thank you to all who prayed. I daily sensed the power of prayer as God answered in most marvelous ways.
Many have asked me: Now what? How can they get involved? The four of us who made up the communications team is making a video documentary from the things we learned on this assessment trip. I will share it with you soon and will share specific ways you can help be a part of the solution to human trafficking … so be ready to be invited!
You’re the God of this city,
You’re the King of these people,
You’re the Lord of this nation,
You are!!
