We began our first night at the Nancy Ross Training Center in Bangkok - home of YWAM (Youth With a Mission) - to get some great orientation. From there, we travelled two hours to Pattaya, Thailand went with our YWAM/MST (www.mstproject.com) hosts, Chris and Keith. Our first night out on the aptly named "WALKING STREET," where hundreds of 'customers' come to drink, eat and get sex with young girls or boys.
We split into two teams and made our way, praying the whole time. My team met several men walking the streets looking for a variety of escape from their loneliness and satisfaction for their emptiness.
I met two men about my age from Wales who stopped to talk with us. They had two 18 year olds with them. Both of the younger men were sons of the older ones. Their fathers had brought them to Walking Street to buy sex from young women. It wasn't the boys' first time there either. They were eager to talk with us -- and also eager to get on with why they were here.
There was another gentleman from New Zealand who remains heavy on my heart. He stayed to talk for a relatively lengthy period of time and took the information we had. I'm praying he returns for a follow-up.
There were others, too.
What I love about how our two MST contact leaders are leading us is that there is so much emphasis on prayer. We're praying before we go out on the streets, we're confessing our thoughts and holding each other accountable - and then praying for one another, we're stopping in mid-ministry when a thought or feeling pops up inside of us, to pray - then after the late night ministry, we're downloading it and praying some more. Then around 2 a.m., we get to sleep. The great thing about it is - after all that - and BECAUSE of all that - the sleep is sweet.
It's not easy to love the way Jesus loved. You can't do it without Him. It isn't natural, you don't do it by working hard at it, anything less isn't recognized or received as love. Only JESUS' love is real love. Everything else is a terrible facsimile - destructive even. All other loves are sadly lacking and woefully ineffective.
Jeremiah 33:3 - "I have loved you with an everlasting love." God, give us THAT kind of love when we go out again tonight.
Keep us and MST in prayer. We all need it.
And be blessed.
4 comments:
A big thank you to you and the Gent's with you. Men who rent these women never stop to think that what they are doing is wrong...only that they might catch something...it's always about them. I doubt simple humans explaining the real facts of life would have any impact. But real men PRAYERFULLY reaching out will have an impact. Again, THANK YOU.
hmc:
Thanks for the encouragement. It's going to take both. People PRAYING and people GOING. We can GO all day long, but without the PRAYER, it's simply GOING. We can PRAY all day long, but without MEN going as God's hands and feet, those in bondage will never know His power. So YOU keep praying .... and WE'LL keep going. A powerful combination.
As I read your e-mails and Blogs, I thank God every day for a son like you. The tears are flowing as I write this, thanking and praying to God for the witness you will have on these people. You and Joelene are such a committed pair, and the stars you will have in your crowns will be numerous. I love you both and am praying for all of you.
luv ya, MOM T
Hi PK,
We are praying and fasting for you and your group. We? The Krams, Mayers, Kevin and I. You are being lifted daily. God's blessings... PK. -Kelly
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