Today I spent the afternoon visiting Thai “massage parlors” in a city near-by my home. It’s obvious that massage is only part of the treatment the women offer in these establishments. I went there for the first time a couple of months ago at the invitation of a Christian organization which helps women in prostitution to know of options for their lives. I was thrilled to be able to use my Thai. They were happy to have someone who spoke Thai! After going the first time, I realized that I needed some “gifts” to be able to give the women when I visited them. I immediately called one of my former staff members at The New Life Center in Chiang Mai and asked them to send me a supply of Thai Christian music CD’s and some good tracts in Thai which speak of God’s love, forgiveness, healing. So today I went into the clubs with gifts in my arms. I prayed that God would speak into their hearts through the gifts.
My “Sawadii Kha” (“hello” in Thai) brought smiles to the faces of the women who greeted my colleague and I at the doors of the clubs. And they laughed with delight when they realized that I could say much more than just the traditional Thai greeting! I was thrilled that I could easily use my very rusty Thai (it’s been nearly 9 years since I left Thailand!) In each place we were offered cokes and fruit. We found out about the families they are supporting and the homes they have dreams of building. Some shared a bit about the pain of divorce and loneliness. In the few moments we had with them (in between their phone calls and visits by clients) we gave them the CD’s and tracts and let them know that they could call the organization if they wanted help with problems in their lives. We let them know that God loves them.
As we were leaving one of the clubs, I went to say good-bye to the owner, who had been busy with visitors while we were talking with the women in another room. I handed her a CD and she took my hand and said, “you mean you’re leaving before we have a chance to talk about God?” I offered to call her to arrange to meet at another time, and she immediately gave me her business card—and then in a very un-Thai way, she hugged me. We will meet again soon.
Thank you for praying for this dear woman—and all the women who are longing to find peace and security.
Thank you… for your prayers and support, and for giving me the privilege of serving in Christ’s name in the global community.
My “Sawadii Kha” (“hello” in Thai) brought smiles to the faces of the women who greeted my colleague and I at the doors of the clubs. And they laughed with delight when they realized that I could say much more than just the traditional Thai greeting! I was thrilled that I could easily use my very rusty Thai (it’s been nearly 9 years since I left Thailand!) In each place we were offered cokes and fruit. We found out about the families they are supporting and the homes they have dreams of building. Some shared a bit about the pain of divorce and loneliness. In the few moments we had with them (in between their phone calls and visits by clients) we gave them the CD’s and tracts and let them know that they could call the organization if they wanted help with problems in their lives. We let them know that God loves them.
As we were leaving one of the clubs, I went to say good-bye to the owner, who had been busy with visitors while we were talking with the women in another room. I handed her a CD and she took my hand and said, “you mean you’re leaving before we have a chance to talk about God?” I offered to call her to arrange to meet at another time, and she immediately gave me her business card—and then in a very un-Thai way, she hugged me. We will meet again soon.
Thank you for praying for this dear woman—and all the women who are longing to find peace and security.
Thank you… for your prayers and support, and for giving me the privilege of serving in Christ’s name in the global community.