Discovering True Love

The week of Valentine’s me and a couple of missionary friends prepared some special gifts for the women working at a massage parlor. We wanted to give out some Valentine’s Day cards, rice-crispy treats, brownies, and a painting I did for them. The night was a success because they loved everything we brought to them. One lady even read the Valentine’s Day card out loud and was reading a scripture from 1 Corinthians 13.

Making a painting for them was something that was in my heart but I honestly wondered if I could start and finish in one day. I asked for divine help and prayed while working on it because I knew it would be something that would speak to the women there. It took me about 5 hours to complete it. The painting has Thai scripture, 1 Corinthians 13 & John 3, glued to the canvas, acrylic paint, and gold leaf. The painting also has the Thai word for love. For me, this painting is a prophetic declaration that they will one day discover and experience true love and as a result their hearts will be transformed into the likeness of their Creator. The painting was placed in the make-up/smoking room the night we took it to them. Since then, the painting has been temporarily placed in the storage room due to an upcoming holiday in Thailand. I’m praying and believing that when this painting is placed in that room it will continue to bring life in ways that I can’t fully see or understand. I’m excited to see how our relationship with these women will go deeper in the coming months!

What Does Light Invading Darkness Look Like?

For three nights I was blessed to lead a group of young women with YWAM out to the bar area to pray in our spirits as we built relationships with the women working there. We split into two groups and went to two different bars to connect with the women. At the bar I was at, the bar owner was happy we were there and even encouraged us to go again. As we were there I found out that there were a couple of new girls working there and they didn't talk as much with us. We still tried to make conversation with them and attempted to talk in Thai. While there, my eyes were opened to the fact that not only are the women there in bondage but men like the bar owner are in a state of despair.

On the last night I was with the visiting team of young ladies, we went back to the same bars we targeted to bring smiles to the faces of many women. We had some flowers for them with a special note. Some had a confused look on their faces when a flower was handed to them but regardless of their emotions, they all smiled at us even the ones that were very quiet the first few nights. The bar owner was touched by our act of love for women working at his bar. The last place we went to was the most impacting to me. We went to a massage parlor that is normally very strict with who goes in. We still tried anyway and had some flowers as a reason to being there. To make a long story short, it was a surreal moment for me as I, unknowingly, talked to the manager about giving the flowers to the women. He allowed us to go behind the display where the women were waiting to be picked by the number on their clothing to give them the flowers personally! Not being too conversational in Thai yet, boldness overpowered me to talk with the women and share about why we were there. From the inside looking out, the women can only see their reflection and can’t see who’s on the other side looking at them. We gave out all the flowers and noticed how some were very excited to get their flowers and some didn’t seem too impressed. Before we left a friend of mine who lives here asked the manager if we could keep coming back to bless the women and he reluctantly said yes.

By the end of the night I was left in awe at how God gave us divine favor to go into some of the darkest places to be His light and leave seeds of hope planted in the hearts of men and women. I am one who believes that no matter how dark the night may be, even one flicker of light expels darkness!