sweetly broken.

We have been serving with a ministry, SHE (Self Help and Empowerment), that provides an alternative for the women who work in the bars in Phuket. At every bar, there are Thai women calling for customers to come in to buy drinks and possibly sex so that they can make some money to send home to their families.

Among the army of teams flowing in and out of SHE, our team has had the opportunity to help pioneer a new street of bars in Phuket that hasn't yet been reached by SHE. Each team is responsible for going to a different street of bars in Phuket.  A few nights each week, we leave at around 8 p.m. after a night of worship, prayer, and deep intercession. When we first started going out, we would pray as we drove to our street that God would help us to form relationships with these women. We weren't sure of what to expect in the beginning of this journey. But as time has progressed, we have been able to make great friendships with some of these women and have even had the privilege of hearing their stories. We now look forward to going out and spending time with them, just as if we're close friends.

Each night, our team splits up into groups of three so that we can appear as typical tourists. Ivy, Jacque and I have been growing close with a couple girls from three separate bars. It's been encouraging as we've seen these girls welcome us back every night with anticipation. Not only do we sit and drink the pop or juice that we've ordered, we get to discuss every day topics and learn who each woman is as an individual and a daughter of our Almighty King. We have all had the opportunity to hang out with these women outside of our ministry nights. I am even learning how to crotchet from one of them!  Marissa, Katie, and Abbie form another team. They revisit their bars each night that we go out and continue to build relationships with the women. Katie has even been given a hair cut, had her hair curled, and had her nails painted by a few of the women who have become good friends with their team.  Marisa, Allysha, and Gulya make up the third team. Gulya, our "preacher" :) -  has been anticipating sharing about Jesus with some of these women. Since we're pioneering, we don't want to push anything too quickly onto these women and are aware that it will take some time. We realize that we may not see the immediate fruit of our ministry, but there will be a day when we will see this fruit and rejoice at what God has done! For now, we are here to form relationships, show these women God's love in us, and be their friends. Over time, we have been able to share that we are Christians, introduce SHE as an alternative to working in the bars, and even invite them for English lessons.

Through getting to know these women, our hearts have been so broken. They don't enjoy working at the bars. They have kids at home. They work to support and send money to their families. They provide sex to many farangs (foreigners) in exchange for a "good night of pay." They desire for a wealthy man to marry them and provide for them and their loved ones. We have even been able to befriend some of the ladyboys. All these women have dreams. They wish they had other options, but they need money and this job provides the most income. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, but sadly the police do nothing. Since it's a source of income and draws tourists to the area, it's "okay." There is such spiritual heaviness and injustice in this nation.

When we go to the bars, we drink pop and juice, talk with each other, play pool, but mostly talk with the girls. They notice a difference in us; it's God's love. They may not know that yet, but one day I know Jesus will open their eyes and reveal his love to them. He knows their concerns, their desires, their heartaches. He also hears our prayers for each individual. Our God is so big. He will break the chains of injustice.

Just over three weeks left, so bittersweet.



"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." 

Ephesians 6:10-13

-Catherine Willis