When someone says "Red Light District" what immediately comes to mind?
Maybe its just me, but that phrase just drudges up uneasy feelings corruption, malfeasance and depravity. Unfortunately in downtown Bangkok, there is a thriving crime syndicate of trafficking and prostitution that has festered and flourished into what is known as the "Disney World" of the sex industry falling within this said block. You know what the kicker is? Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, but do you think the cops will do anything if a girl is getting raped and beaten in this locality? According to the women behind the organization "Night Life," local law enforcement would be quicker to give you a ticket for not wearing a helmet on a tuk-tuk (taxi bike).
Today I was thrilled to get to hang out with some exceptionally bold women. Specifically Anne, Sondra, and Rebecca shared their mission of rescuing women from the chains of sexual exploitation through the micro-finance business of selling jewelry.
A few nights a week these women head down to neon lit streets and occupy the bars sipping on a coke waiting for girls to take a break from dancing. They say the girls dance for 4 songs and then get a break for 4 songs. How much can you fit in a 4 song span? Apparently a lot as the organization is currently employing over 80 girls.
Sondra told stories of a little boy they rescued found wearing a dress who had been raped and was suffering from severe anorexia. Another night a 60 year old American man sat next to her and as she told him about what she was doing there he was reduced to tears declaring that she had ruined his night. There are also stories of redemption and Buddhist girls accepting Christ.
Tourism is the #1 contributor to the perpetuation of the sex industry here in Thailand. Cambodia is the #1 country of pedophiles in the world. And the greatest majority of the "Johns" or customers come from America and Eastern Europe. The women shared how God has broken their hearts not only for these abused women but also for the men are the source of the demand.
Today was powerful and inspiring, but also incredibly daunting. The women of Night Life rest on the truth that the glory of redemption rests in changing one life at a time.
I took some pictures of the beautiful faces of the now rescued girls but for their privacy and protection I will not post them on this public site.
More to come soon {stay tuned}
