Patpong Market, one of the most infamous Red Light Districts
in Bangkok, is a seven minute walk from our guesthouse. Literally across the
street from McDonald's, where I ate a meal a day.
The thing about Patpong is that you wouldn't know it was
there during daylight hours. Before four in the afternoon, it looks like this:
And then they begin the 3+ hour process of setting up. This is what it then looks come night.
Our team spent a lot of time in Patpong, walking the
streets, meeting people, even going into the bars. Our focus is ministry to the
women and ladyboys. We've gone in with bracelets, given them out, and prayed
for those who allowed us to tie it on their wrists. We've order drinks (Cokes)
and watched the women dance so that we could spend a few moments talking with
them when they are allowed a break from the stage. So many of them wanted us to
pray for them. They wanted to share about their lives. When we told them in
Thai, "You are beautiful... Jesus loves you," they'd smile, hug us,
and their eyes would light up - a completely different demeanor than what we'd
see on stage.
Every time we returned to Patpong, we see something new: the
sign, higher than all the rest, of Lucifer, watching down on the entire
street...the men walking through, looking at all the goods to buy and staring
openly at the half dressed women dancing on stage and standing just inside
doorways... western women walking beside their husbands/boyfriends...the Thai
children peeking out from underneath tables, sitting next to displays of
lingerie... and walking holding the hands of western men... the dwarf who works
outside of the German bar...the ladyboys forced to dance in a cage high above
the street, so that everyone walking can see them, the fetish bar complete with
a bright red metal cage and leather handcuffs hanging just inside the
doorway.... the heartbreak, the depravity, the darkness the desperate need for
Christ.
It's hard not to be so angry and disgusted by the men. 60%
of Western tourists are officially here for "pleasure", but there is
also a high rate of Asian men who are customers as well. And it would be easier
to want to punch someone in the face, to wish them ill... but they are broken
too. They need godly men to show them what true manhood is and isn't. The same
for the ladyboys, who are officially considered Thailand's "third
gender" - female from the waist up and male from the waist down, literally
with no place they can feel safe and as if they belong.
We are very limited in what pictures we can post, and
stories to share, because of the nature of the Red Light District. Hopefully
these pictures give a hint of what we've seen without being too risque.
It can feel overwhelming, seeing all the need and knowing
you have so little time. And we found we had a lot of questions on things like
"etiquette"... could we just walk into a bar and star talking with a
go go girl (dancer)? What do we say? What can we say? How can we best share the
love of Christ?
Here is a story from Kristen Torres-Toro.
The
truth is, if we are open to where God is leading us, listening for Him, and
willing to obey, He will lead us to people to speak to... and bring people to
us. People like Nok Nok (below). Our first night in Pat Pong, I was wearing a
new pair of shoes I'd purchased just for this trip. Nok Nok came walking down
the street-- big hair, hobbling on her heels as if she had hip pain, and a
tired face. She walked up to me and said, "I like your shoes". That
opened a conversation for us. She told me her brother lived in Santa Ana,
California, and that she had been dancing at a bar for three months (for her
safety, I'm not going to say which one it is, but it's name is one of the most
degrading on the street... not that they all aren't in some way). "Many
baht," she said (baht is the currency in Thailand). Soon, she had to
leave, but not before I was able to hug her and pray over her silently. I told
her I'd look for her whenever I came back and I have. The thing that scares me
the most--for her--is that the bar she works in starts on the second level of
the buildings. We aren't allowed to enter a bar beyond the first level, because
the farther up you go, the worse the conditions/things you see are. What kind
of danger is Nok Nok in every night? What things must she do? Does she know
that God loves her?
The stories are endless. We came to build relationships with
the girls in the bars, but found new relationships everywhere. Women, men,
children...in the bars and out. They all need the Lord. I'll be sharing more of
these stories over the next week.
A benefit to the flooding, Patpong had been virtually empty
of customers for many nights, meaning the girls don't have their
"normal" work...and we were free to talk with them late into the night.
It was night in Bangkok and we headed out for a prayer walk in
the infamous red-light district in Thailand, Patpong. It hasn't gotten any
easier the more we visit. In fact, it seems to get harder. You notice more of
the little details...the small print in posters, the girls peering at you from
cracks in doors, and the sadness in their eyes.
It was the first night that while our team was walking, a
woman workingnear the Fetish Bar
twisted her ankle. I did not see the actual incident, but did see the entire team
freeze. Later while debriefing the evening, some of the thoughts going thru
their minds at the time were; "I'm paralyzed. Should I help? Do I touch her?
Will I get her in trouble if I reach out to her by her boss?" Many knew that
this was the moment in which they prepared for. After a few long seconds,
several ran over to help her to her feet. While the team moved forward, a small
group was convicted to return and pray with her. (You can see her in the picture below grabbing her ankle..while men turn back and watch).
Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro.
This was a test of faith for many. It was putting into
action what they did not know they could do. We are not sure how the girl is
now, but we walked away in faith believing she would be healed not just
physically but also spiritually. Her name is impossible to pronounce, so let's
call her Faith. Please pray for our friend, Faith. Kristen and I hope to run
into her again this next week as we continue the ministry there with our second
team.
Here is a group shot of our first team, minus me. This was taken the day before they unexpectedly flew out. By now, some of you may have heard about the terrible flooding in Thailand. Bangkok, being the capital is "protected" - this is commerce hub. However, they have begun a slow, controlled release of water into many areas or the dams will break. This means at any time we may or may not have flooding ourselves. Since the team has left, it's been just Kristen and I. From our second team, only 6 will now join us. They begin arriving tonight. The international airport is crazy but still up and operating. We greatly appreciate all your prayers as we too walk in faith that the Lord will protect and provide as needed. I have no concerns about the flooding, but we are preparing just in case!
I'm
waking up at strange hours, not yet adjusted to the time difference. All is
well with our first Thailand team. We are into our second full day of ministry.
I'll try to back track and give you a short update thru pictures.
We
arrived Thursday night after a 21+ hour travel day/plane ride. We spent Friday
and Saturday running logistical errands, learning the area, and soaking up as
much Thai culture as we can. Both of us noticed right away that there is a
reason why this country is called "The Land of Smiles". Everyone here
smiles and is so nice!
A couple
days after our arrival, "Team 1" arrived and we spent time getting to know
them. Sunday was the first day of ministry. We went to an Anglican church in
the morning, then prayer walking in a trafficked district in the evening. Then taught
on listening prayer and AIM's 5 objectives. These are important things we cover
on every trip and have a huge impact on our ministry times.
Our
evening was spent walking thru the streets where in late afternoon it is
transformed from a street to a shopping district...drawing visitor into the bars,
strip clubs, and more. This is a great way for us to ease them into the kind of
ministry we will do and to adjust to the time change/culture shock. While
walking, we prayed.
Tonight
we start going into bars and sitting with girls. Earlier today we went to the
Grand Palace (Royal Palace) and prayer walked. There are stories from our time
there I hope to tell later. Our second stop was to bring some joy and love to
those that have been displaced by the flooding, who were staying in a local gym. We
arrived to find they had been moved to higher ground, as they were expecting
that area to be flooded as well.
Some of
you have seen stories of the flooding in Bangkok. While it hasn't rained since
we've been here, there's been more rain here than there has been in the last 50
years. Parts of the city are underwater.... not the part we are located in.
However, the government is doing a "slow release" of the build up in
order to avoid the same tragedy NOLA experienced in 2005. Everywhere we go,
sandbags are stacked in front of doors and windows.
A picture
is worth a thousand words!
This tree
is wrapped with flowers and scarves because the Thai people believe spirits
live in this tree.
The
Floating Market is in a village built on canals. This is us on the "main
road".
I told
Kristen recently...I can never pass up the opportunity to do something "stupid". It
wasn't really what I meant, but we have had a good time with that phrase. I
LOVE adventures. I LOVE creating stories! I LOVE being a part of the big story...and
I crave some danger/risk. Got to live life to its fullest!
The more
I learn about this culture and the heartbreak of what's going on, the more I
pray specifically for the people I will personally meet on these three weeks...
that God will give me the words to say and that they will feel His love through
me.
Before I leave for Thailand tomorrow, I wanted to leave you with one last blog. Recent blogs have been difficult to share, this one...I take great joy in. I want to brag on my parents. This is a recent letter sent by Héctor Pivaral who is the director of the PEB program my parents started in Guatemala. It actually started way before they moved there. It was an idea they had in Bolivia. Years were spent pouring into the Bible Training Center in a village called Conception.
Guatemala,
October of 2011 - by Hector.
ONE MORE PEB FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
With the
blessing of our All Powerful Lord, the life of the Bible Education Program
(PEB) began in 1997. In the town of Xalbal, Playa Grande, Gary and Nancy
Lengkeek, my beloved Patty and I, alongside a group of 12 students and their
wives, launched into the beginning of Bible courses that we designed for this
community. At the end of two years and a half, the students graduated with much
joy. Thanks to the Lord, PEB began in 1997 and has continued. Since then, we
have seen 10 different groups reach their graduation day. Giving glory to God,
on the 8th of October 2011, the group of PEB students from San Pablo
La Laguna, Sololá, received their diplomas. 11 men and three women received a bachelor's
degree in Bible and Ministry, and four women also received recognition as
students of the Women's PEB Program. The celebration was huge. It was notable
that each one of the graduates could appreciate that they were loved by many
people as more than 1,000 people filled the church where we celebrated the
graduation.
This PEB group is a community of
men and women transformed by the Lord. I know this because with their lives and
teaching each of these leaders has impacted many people in their churches. We
saw trucks decorated with balloons. We saw how church leaders rushed to receive
their new pastors. We saw happy and emotional faces, and we perceived a
fragrance of thankfulness and adoration filling all that took place.
These moments of the closure of
this PEB filled me with much happiness because it has taken the offerings of
many brothers and sisters, their prayers, and even accompaniment for us to see
the fruition of this particular Project. May God bless you greatly, and may He
always cause you to prosper so that you can continue in your support and
continue seeing sheep transformed into disciples, and disciples into pastors. Also,
much joy is evident because our team SEPAL has participated to ensure that PEB
has functioned. It is precious to not be alone in the work. It is worthwhile to
mention the effort and special work that Sula, Marilee, and Beth have provided.
The most beautiful aspect for me, is to see my family, my beloved Patty and my
children, enjoying this mission that the Lord has given us.
From this group, there is no doubt
that many new stories about the servants of the Lord will arise. Over time we
will learn of these stories and will share them. At least three of these men
will begin new short term projects in the ministry, and others will disciple
many people, preparing them as new PEB students in the near future. With all of
our heart, we desire to push forward because we have seen that the work of the
Lord really is worthwhile. On the horizon, we see at least three new PEB
Programs. Approximately 8 men already our meeting in Panajachel, Sololá, and they
are establishing a group. At the end of November, we will be visiting the
church of Chisec, Alta Verapaz, and there is also a group ready in the region
of Nueva Tacana, San Marcos.
What can we say with all of our
heart in this moment? Praised is God, blessed forever and ever. Holy, Holy, Holy. Lifted up
are You by us all, your church. Thank You, Lord, because you make us worthy to
be your servants and allow us to enjoy what you do with so much love within our
rural churches in our country.
May the Lord bless you always and
thank you for all your love, your prayers and your support.
I leave Wednesday for Thailand and am excited! Last night I enjoyed watching Amazing Race...and seeing the beauty of the country, and I got all the more excited.They were in Puket, and we will be in Bangkok...and rather than "racing" around, climbing sides of rocks...we will be spending our evenings in bars and on the streets with those being sold/trafficked.
I just wanted to
thank you for your support and ask for prayer for the trip, particularly
a quick recovery from jet lag, safety as we minister, and for those we
will meet: for wisdom and that these girls will see, hear, and
experience God's love through meeting us.
Trafficking is quickly becoming one of the largest injustices of
our time. And it isn't just in Southeast Asia. It's in our backyards--
in Atlanta, Orlando, Portland, and many other cities across the US. It's
international and in our communities as well. Some of you have
contacted me personally and expressed interest in being involved in
ministry in anti-trafficking in some way. It's been exciting to share
with you ways to be involved, and in future posts, I will let you know
about anti-trafficking trips with AIM. However, today I have two BIG
ways you can help:
1). Prayer. We know the One who sets the captives free... and He is at work.
Seth Barnes, Founder and CEO of AIM, posted this on his blog over the weekend:
"Backed by corrupt government officials,
an orphanage we work with in Carrefour/Port-au-Prince, Haiti has been
trafficking its orphans.
Suspecting foul play, we've been investigating for the last year.
We've not been ready to go to the media until we had the facts.
As a result, the orphanage director is now in jail, but the 75
children left in the orphanage are still in danger. A worker said, "The
kids are in terrible condition - the doctor gave them some
prescriptions, but we doubt that the medicine will ever be administered
to the children. Instead, the medicine will probably be sold."
The problem is that those running the orphanage are still protected
by corrupt government officials. Our goal is to get this information to
media outlets in order to put pressure on the government to protect the
kids.
An AIM staff member just returned from Haiti and filed this report:
The situation at the orphanage is an EMERGENCY right now as kids
are sick and dying and still disappearing. We're trying to mobilize any
connections in politics and media to expose the corruption and put an
end to it. The lead investigator, said we "hit the jackpot of
corruption."
What we've discovered:
• Food gets donated to SOG orphanage, but disappears very quickly, while children remain malnourished.
• Reports by the children of physical abuse by orphanage workers.
• Reports by the children of sexual abuse by orphanage workers.
• Clothing when donated, instead of going to orphans, gets sold.
• Dozens of children have disappeared.
Another report about Katia illustrates the urgency we feel:
One five year-old girl, Katia was in the worst condition I have
seen of any of the kids. A couple of months ago she had mumps from head
to toe; a month later she was in a body cast that covered her from her
waist to her feet. When he found her on Saturday she had an extremely
high fever and like all of the other children - horrible skin
conditions. She was lying on a bench and someone moved a bench towards
her but she didn't have the energy to move out of the way. She has lost
most of her weight and she couldn't even lift her head. After pleading
with the "caretakers" of the orphanage, they released her to let us take
her to a local medical clinic.
The doctor at the clinic examined her and determined that the infections
are destroying her; she is nearing death. She only weighed 14 pounds.
He told us that if she doesn't get proper care right away she will die
of infections and malnutrition. He gave us a prescription and orders to
give her a high protein drink and medicine three times a day for the
next two weeks.
Recent reports indicate Katia now weighs a mere 11 pounds.
We can't waste any time as the kids are
in serious jeopardy right now. I have the complete file and can email it
to you if you'll contact Seth by email. Please distribute this blog by twitter. Use these hashtags: #cnnfreedom, #endslavery, #not_for_sale
You can also sign this petition. We
are petitioning CNN to bring their international media voice and
passion for ending slavery into the Son of God Orphanage. Please urge
CNN to expose the corruption within the Haitian government, and allow
international organizations to secure the children from the child
traffickers who are now controlling the orphanage."
Sometimes, the heartbreak and the injustice seems so big.
Overwhelming. But for these children, signing your name could help save
their lives. It takes 30 seconds to sign this petition, but our prayer
is that 10,000 will sign it. Please distribute this email to your family
and friends, encouraging them to add their names to the list.
At AIM I am surrounded by such great writers and bloggers that it
can often be intimidating. But I've been told I will need to do more of it...more as to why on a
later post. I'll be honest with you... I usually
send my blogs to a friend to edit. To fluff, unfluff, and check for grammar. I'm
grateful for people with this gift. All that to say is...there is so much more
I want and need to tell you about India, but it will have to wait. I have
another trip I'm heading off on and want to make sure it's on your radar.
This coming Wednesday, I head to THAILAND
for 21 days to lead two separate teams. Thailand..located in Southeast Asia, is bordered by Burma, Laos and Cambodia. This kingdom is home to 64
million people who primarily speak Thai and where most believe in Theravada
Buddhism. It's a beautiful place to visit and honeymoon with great shopping and beaches. Unfortunately, the red light district in some of the cities
attract an uglier form of tourism: women, children, and men from Thailand and
other nations are exploited as prostitutes. It's called - HUMAN TRAFFICKING...modern
slavery.
Here's what you can pray for during
this trip.
-Team unity.
-Don and I as we are apart.
-Health.
-Safety.
-There has been is severe flooding in
Thailand and close to 300 dead.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=619767
-The one and only God to be present,
freedom, and redemption!
I want to end by sharing Lee's story
from AIM's website:
Lee and her family sometimes go days
without eating. Her father has been out of work for months and her mother is
dying from an unknown disease. Lee is the oldest of six children who do little
more than exist in a small Cambodian village. She is eight years old.
One day a man from the city comes to
visit. He is a business man who wants to help this poor family. He offers to
buy Lee for 25 dollars. Promises are made that she will be put in school and
well taken care of. This money could sustain the entire family for months. It
could buy the necessary medicine to bring the mother back to health.
A deal is made and Lee is given only
minutes to pack her things and say her goodbyes.
When she crossed the border into
Thailand, she was taken to a bar. This bar acts as the front of a brothel. Lee
was deceived and forced into prostitution. At first, Lee tries to resist but
the brothel owner quickly beats her and threatens to harm and kill her family
if she doesn't comply. She is nothing more than property now, and the request
of every man who enters must be met.
Lee spent the next eight years of her
life caught in torment and fear before she was finally rescued. She has endured
unthinkable abuse and been exploited in every possible way. She now lives in a
shelter for children who have been sexually trafficked. She met a team of
missionaries last week. They came to sing songs and tell her about their friend
named Jesus. Lee saw something in the eyes of those missionaries that she had
never seen before: hope.
Before I begin this next blog, I'm sad to say the original AWESOME pictures I selected to use...something happened to them. Ugh. I hope you can read a blog without pictures. I can't. :) I'd love to receive your comments and thoughts. I wonder if anyone is reading besides my mom. (Love you mom) You can send me a private email if you would rather not comment...but it's nice to know we are not walking this journey alone. Thank you!
Wednesday we met the team at a second leper colony...this one
being tougher to be at than the last. The children were aggressive, a great
sense of desperation. Don and I were invited into one woman's home
"room" and pointed to all the 'gods" she has statues of and
asked us to pray. So in English, we rebuked Satan and all these 'gods' and
called out to the one and only God to fill this home and this woman. It was a
special moment... and a peace fell upon her. I pray that the only spirit in her
home today is that of our Father, the Holy Spirit!
Thursday, everyone woke up sad, not wanting to leave. The
children all stayed home from school so we could spend time with them. We'd
taken the time as a team to write cards to each child and staff member at Asha
House, and presented those to them. They, in turn gave us a framed picture of
the children of Asha House. I photographed each individual living at Asha...before
leaving. Next time I see them, I plan to do the same. I want to watch them grow
from children into men and woman with the same heart.
It was soon time to leave. We took off at midnight and
landed in Atlanta at 10:30am on Friday. Ten days on the other side of world,
ten days in India.
To all of you who prayed, all of you who sent in support,
THANK YOU so much. I hope to return again in the future and I would love for
you to come with us! Asha House would welcome you with open arms!
Saturday we went to Tikri Border Leper Colony, where we spent
some time talking with the people there. Some of the women took turns painting
each other's nails, while I preferred to play a new version of badmitten.
The men spent time "talking" and ended up playing games.
Everywhere we go, people want to feed Don.
My new friend...she had her first born about a month ago. She asked how many children I had and I shared that I could not have children. It bothered her so much... she clung to me and insisted that I hold her baby the entire time I was there. She gave me her stuffed teddy bear as a gift. I left her the flower I wore on my hat.
These woman missing toes, finger...continue to cook and care for their husbands and families.
I think I won.
Kristen captured these next few pictures...Here I was sharing a bracelet with this sweet woman.
Probably my favorite picture from the trip. I'll share more about the next few pictures in a later update.
Sunday was church...and we made sure to have our scarves
ready. I'm not sure if there's anything as wonderful as worshiping God in a
formerly closed country with little ones whose faith has no bounds. What an
incredible service! I've purchased from Asha house the rug (see picture below) they used to
kneel on. The hours of prayers, the tears... the smell. All captured in the rug that is now in my home. Come visit!
Then, on Monday - one of the seven wonders of the Ancient
World! Because we secured tourist visas, it was important that we did tourist
activities during our time in India. So we got up at 4 in the morning and rode
out to Agra to tour the Taj Mahal.
Tuesday, we returned to Asha House. But when the team
left for home that night, Kristen and I remained there to spend the night. We were
able to witness the children's routine from morning until night, from their
wake up at 5am, prayer, to their morning devotions, more prayers, their bus
ride to school, and their afternoon routines.
The bunks are 3 high. It amazed me that when it was time for bed, they knew without being told. They would lay on the one sheet fully clothed and were soon asleep!
Prayer before school. Brig, the oldest is in the green shirt. He is 18 and wants to be a worship leader.
It's off to school for all but 6 of the children. Sonu, the boy looking into the "bus" wants to go to school. When he was brought to Asha house, he was a little slow. He has improved greatly. His chores include locking and unlocking the gate through out the day, taking care of the dogs, taking care of the 3rd youngest and more. I love this little man. I wish I could have brought him home with me. He is happy at Asha house. When he grows up he wants to be Victors driver! Next year, if finances allow and he continues to catch up...he too can go to school!
Much has
happened since I've written. This is going to be long so I'll break it up over a few days.
I've been to
India and back. My role has changed at AIM (again)... and I'm preparing for my
next trip - to Thailand! I'll try to give a summary of what happened while in
India, but it's impossible. It requires a book.
First, do
you recall how we got to India?Kristen and I had begun making plans and dreaming about the day we would
go. I had forgotten to mention this to Don, but the next morning he shared with
us that he had dreamt about India... working with orphans and lepers.
Coincidence? Nope.
What we did
not know until we arrived was that...Victor, Simini, Linci, the staff, and all of
the children have been praying for a year for a team to come. The night we
arrived, the told us, "You are an answer to our prayers." Thanks to
YOU, our friends and family...these little children have seen God answer their
prayers! Isn't it nice being an answer to someone's prayers!
It had been
2 years since Kristen was last there... and this was my first time. As we entered the
gates of Asha House, the kids' faces lit up as they spotted us! "Kristen
Auntie!" from the ones who remembered Kristen...and "Connie Auntie" to me.
Later, they began calling me "Giraffe Auntie".
We left on
August 21 and arrived in New Delhi the next night, the 22nd. Our host, Victor,
picked us up and drove us to the team house. Victor's wife, Simini, was there
waiting for us when we arrived, and the four of us sat down to plan the trip's
schedule.
Tuesday
morning we went to Asha House. The day was filled with the children and arranging
some last minute details before the team arrived. We did the same the next day,
Wednesday, then headed to the airport to pick up the team. One participant
missed a flight due to previous delays and didn't end up getting in until 4am
on Thursday morning. That made 3 airport runs for us!
The team's
first day in India, we went on a tour of Delhi. This was a way for them to
acclimate to being in India, learn a little about the culture/history of the
country, and observe this new land they were in. We went to the Lotus Temple,
the Indira Ghandi Museum, the India Gate, Parliament/the President's House and
the Red Fort. It's really hot and by the end of the day we were all really
tired. Below is a blurb from Kristen...explaining how she felt.
"It's probably one of the things I struggle
with the most in India, how people just push and push and in order to move at
all, you have to push back. I found myself getting really frustrated, until
this one moment in the Indira Ghandi Museum, where I was claustrophobically
gasping for breath in the crowd of people and fighting aggravation... when I
realized that if for some reason something happened to everyone in the building
at the moment we were in it, it was likely only the people on our team would
spend eternity with Christ. Statistically, India is 3% Christian. Suddenly the
crowd didn't make me so angry."
The next
day, the team spent the day at Asha House. We walked in the gate and were
greeted by this:
While the
older children were at school, the team met with Victor and Simini in the all-purpose room, where they shared their testimonies with us and the vision of Asha
House. They thanked us over and over to coming, "we love teams," they
said, "And we've been praying for two years for another team to
come."
Above us on
the wall were the prayer requests the children have been praying for. And at
the top of one of the lists, "Pray for a team to come".
These little
children, with their immense faith, are being taught the beautiful truth that
God hears and answers prayer. They prayed, and if you ever get the opportunity
to hear them pray, it will change your life. They know God hears
them. On August 25, 2011, a team came... they saw God answer their
prayer, and you, my friends, my family, supporters... YOU were a part of that.
Kristen turned to me and asked, "How does it feel for God to use you to answer
the prayers of 27 precious Indian children?"
When the
kids came, they welcomed us with songs and orange flower necklaces. Then we
went outside for games, helped them with their chores, and study time. Soon it
was time to leave.
