I have spent the last month and a half in Thailand and have learned so many new things from the Lord. Some of those things are, finding connections through language barriers, caring for the young children, stopping and loving each person I encounter, the purpose for my testimony, but I think the one that sticks to me the most is finding and knowing that there is hope where there seems to be none.
Apart from working with TawSaeng, my team and I felt heavily pushed towards another ministry. We felt God calling us to enter into the streets of Thailand, specifically the Red Light District. For those of you who are not familar with the Red Light, it is a street about a 10 minute walk to go from one end of the street to the other end. This street is filled with bars, restuarants and massage parlors. A lot of these businesses are fronts for what goes on behind the scenes, a sex industry filled with prostitution and human trafficking. Coming into Thailand, we all knew the grip that lust and evil had over this country. Foreigners know about these streets and come to partake in these sad acts.
During Parent Vision Trip, we got to do ministry with the parents that came to visit. A minstry that I had the opporunity to do was a prayer walk down the famous street Loi Kroh, a big Red Light Street. In the center of this street is a boxing ring where there are famous Moi Thai fighting, which is another front to get tourists to come and to partake into the things being offered. It was early afternoon when I started my prayer walk. My group decided to walk to the ring and just to begin to pray and worship over the place. As soon as I stepped in, you could feel the heavy presence of evil. It was so heavy to the point where I felt like I could throw up. We spent time in prayer and worship, and continued onto the rest of the street. I introduced myself to some of the women that were outside and it has been sweet to continue prayer walking down the street and saying hi and growing our friendship each time.
The first time I went out to prayer walk and ATL down Loi Kroh at night, the peak and busiest time, there were no words to explain my feelings. We met this man from California who had just bought his own bar at the start of the boxing ring area. The words he said are still stuck inside my head. He asked us why were there after we explained that we were followers of Jesus. He described the street as “sin city.” He shared that it was traditional for men and women to get into this line of work and often times they would send the money they made back to their villages. He told us that it is not rare for some of these women to have 80 year old foreign boyfriends. He explained that it was a cycle that these women could not get out of. He even went as far to explain the upfront price to take a lady outside of the bar.
As he is sharing his story and speaking to us, we see sin occurring all around us. Men coming in and chosing which woman they want. Alcohol being consumed and smoke being inhaled. Children walking down the street selling flowers just to have enough to eat. More things, but I think you all get the picture. As I walked home, I was joyful because we got to have conversations about God and the Gospel, but I also felt hopeless. The next day as I reflected and processed on what happened, I began to cry. The reason being because I sat with the Lord and asked Him, “where are you in this place?” After everything I saw or heard, how can God be in that place? How can a place so dark and filled with evil, be brought light and repentance? I wanted God to show me where He was and how He was working everything for His good.
Each time I go back out and visit the Red Light District, I think that I am used to the scene, but I am always left with distaste for the sin that occurs. But, the Lord goes before us each time and fills conversations with His love. It has not always been easy, and it definitely takes strong people to do this line of ministry. As I asked God what His purpose was for sending my team, specifically me down this street, He showed me that it was to show others that followers of Jesus are set apart and to speak life and hope into workers. After the first night I know that there is hope found on that street and that is Jesus. Our hope comes from knowing that our God is good and has created each person and loves them. Jesus brings redemption, healing, and peace.
It has also been interesting to feel this pull towards this street because our ministry works with kids and teaching them English, life skills and Bible lessons. This is to help the students from entering into these lines of work and show them the love of Christ. The door next to our ministry is also another missions organizations. This organization helps women get out of that work and helping them in different capacities. It has been a blessing to help the next generation and praying that God uses these two ministries to bring light and hope into Thailand.
Please be praying for this street. Pray that chains be broken and that justice prevails. Pray for those working in the sex industry and that they can find healing and purpose in Jesus. Pray for Thailand and for the ministries present here are able to bring the Good News to the streets. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Blessings,
Joana Quintana
