of brothels and church planting

We get asked a lot about sex trafficking in Thailand. Questions like, is it that rampant? And mostly, are we doing anything to help curb the industry?  These are hard questions.   But, I think the simple answer is yes, sex trafficking is rampant in Thailand and yes, I believe what we have done and will do aid in the cessation of sex trafficking in Thailand.  Do I personally know girls being trafficked? Well, I probably do know the girls, but I haven't been told about it.  I am guessing that there are plenty of girls I have met who have been sexually exploited or who are being set up for a life of prostitution.  I hope that if you're reading this that you don't have the idea that these girls have chosen this life and so whatever comes to them is their own fault.  I have heard a lot of people say that about prostitutes even here in our own country.  There is often little empathy or love for these women and men who are slaves in this vicious world of sex for sale.  It is slavery.  Whether you think of it as such or not, it is, even if it seems like it's something they have chosen to do...it's still slavery because almost always there is a pimp involved and if a pimp is involved, you can bet that girl is in bondage.

So, what are we doing about it as missionaries in a country where sex trafficking/prostitution and the sex industry is celebrated and brings in millions of dollars every year?  Well, the simple answer to that is church planting.  We may not be in the red light districts saving boys and girls out of sex slavery every night of the week (there are several organizations that are doing this very thing) but our hope and prayer for Thailand is that as the the Spirit descends and changes and transforms hearts that those hearts transformed will lead to a culture transformed and as the culture transforms the idea of paying for sex with ANY one would be abolished and these women and men, girls and boys would be set free from sexual slavery.  We firmly believe in the power of the gospel.  Please join with us in praying for the hearts of the Thai people...that they would no longer sell their daughters and sons into this slavish industry.  And, don't stop there, please look below at the videos on sex trafficking, not only in Thailand but around the world.  It is an ever-increasing trend, please be a voice for those silenced and educate yourself on what is really going on in our country as well. As one of the men mention on The Pink Room trailer...this issue is one in which societies do not value people.  Our American Western society is just as guilty as this as a nation is South East Asia. When we look at people as those who have value, simply becuase they are made in the image of God, it changes how we treat them.  This, of course, if boiled down, comes back to Jesus' words in  the gospels "to love your neighbor as yourself."  Who is our neighbor, one asked the Lord, and he then shared the story of the Good Samaritan.  If we love people, truly love people, we will see the value they have...regardless of their socio-economic level or any other factor.
Annie Lobert, I Am Second
Annie Lobert was a prostitute in Las Vegas until the Lord got a hold of her heart.  She is now an advocate for those who are in slavery.  The content is not appropriate for children, please watch with discretion.
Nefarious, Merchant of Souls trailer
The Nefarious video is a documentary done by Exodus Cry, a ministry to get the word out about exploitation.  This is just the trailer. If you want to watch the video you will have to search around online for it.  The content is graphic, please view with discretion.
The Pink Room
Another documentary highlighting the life of young girls in Cambodia being sexually exploited.  Again, discretion is advised.
Please watch and pray...please watch and pray!

I just recently reread one of my favorite books by Francis Schaeffer entitled, The Mark of the Christian.  You know what the mark of the Christian is, my friend?  It is just what I wrote above....love.  This doesn't mean a blind kind of love in which there are no standards, no but a love that flows from Christ.  As Christians, (little Christs) we are to emulate His love.  So, I humbly ask you to watch, pray and love your neighbor as yourself.  Gain some empathy for those who have a very different life from yours, knowing that but by God's grace ALONE that could be you. May we all see our need for His grace daily and thankful for His mercy extended towards us.