That sounds shocking doesn't it? I remember when I first started bar visitations 6 years ago, how my stomach was in knots, how I was shocked at the images I saw, distressed by the evil in the environment and how it would haunt me even in my sleep for several days afterwards. I saw that same look in the face of the young women who were visiting with us tonight for the first time.

 

Tonight was my first night back visiting in almost three months. I felt the oppression and the sensation of evil all around me and I began to pray for spiritual protection. Soon however, we were chatting with the children as they came to linger around us. "P" was serving in the same place and it was so good to see her again and find out that she would be visiting her children. We wound our way around the back of the stairs into a dark hallway and into a dance bar to find "Kt." She lit up when she saw us and wanted us to stay for awhile. She regretfully let us go with our word that we would spend more time with her next time. We made our rounds to visit several women. It was exciting to see them again and reconnect. On our way out of the area I saw "R" and stopped to greet her. 5-6 years ago when I first met her she was determined to make it through and remain pure. Tonight her eyes were hauntingly sad and disconnected from years of prostituting. She admitted she wasn't happy and was ready for a change. She's had enough of this life. Her children aren't coping well any more. She really wants to go to beauty school and learn to cut hair. I hugged her and told her I hadn't forgotten her and neither had God. We'll talk again and explore options. I saw a glimmer of hope and her face lit up with a smile. I said goodbye with a promise to be back soon. I left with the mixture of sadness and joy stirring in me.

 

I love being at the bars. I don't love the bars or the environment, or the evil that sucks the life out of these beautiful women. NO! I love being at the bars because I love these women. I love sharing hope with them and seeing the sadness and emptiness flee away even for a moment as they catch a glimmer of the light of Christ. "R" once said to me years ago, "when I first saw you come here, I noticed you and wanted to be close to you. There was something about you." "R" sees a glimpse of The Light but she doesn't yet understand what the light is. God is revealing himself to these women and drawing their hearts toward Him. I love to be there at the bars and witness the light of Christ chasing away the darkness and bringing hope.