Sunday, November 18, 2007

Loving Thailand!





I am so happy to be here. These pictures are from, by far, my best night here. We were able to go to the bars and pay the bar fee to take some girls out. (for one night = $18) In total I think there were about 15 girls. The girls pictured here are from the same bar.

I contemplated for a while about whether or not I would post these pictures and talk about the night in detail or not. Here is why:

It's hard to watch these girls night after night being treated like animals.

The next view is coming from watching groups come in and out visiting NL.

It's interesting to see how people view these girls. I NEVER want to look at them or think of them as "oh there is the prostitute". I think sometimes there could be a similarity there in treating them as we would treat a picture of an animal at the zoo. Sometimes without even realizing it.
So I am just letting you guys know that I am very sensitive to the fact that I never want to talk, treat, or act like these women are some type of spectacle or something to parade around because 'I am so great because I ate dinner with a prostitute', and shame on me if I ever have anything close to that thought.

Instead I pray that when you look at these pictures you will join me rejoicing.
My friend and I have been talking a lot about what beauty is. In the midst of all this perversion and twistedness, I was able to see beauty.
We were able to share a meal with some friends who don't know Christ. We got to share His love with them in a great way and I never even spoke of His truth, but it was very much present there.
One of the girls pictured travels two hours to work each day by bus. She has 3 days off each month. She is only a server, but is at a very high risk for prostitution. She is always so joyful when I see her in the bar. She is very bright and speaks great english. We have been text messaging a bit and that has been such a blessing. I was unable to talk to the other girl very much because she spoke practically no english, but the Thai speakers we were with did. It was her birthday too, how perfect was that?

Thank you so much for praying and please continue to pray for all the work God is doing here. Particularly in the Nana district.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you. So glad you are loving the work there and serving Him. May he continue to receive all the glory. May you continue to be a useful tool in His hands.
love,
Angela Mooney

Anna Margaret said...

But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. Jer. 9:24

Jenni said...

Thank you for the pictures. I am so glad you were able to do that. He is good and can and will use whatever He wants to bring HImself glory. Love ya, Jenni

Adrian Martinez said...

Amazing. That night brought me so much joy. we miss you but more than that i am joyed by the work that God is doing in and through you all there.

Ethan Andrew Johnstone said...

Wow, Carly. Thanks for sharing! (not just for the pictures and the story, but for the perspective also)

Laura K. Moore said...

holy cow. I found myself so challenged by these thoughts. i went to bangkok in 2002 and was one of those stupid americans thinking "oh there is just another prostitue." THey almost made me angry. How much more beautiful they are and how aweful and misleading is a heart that rejects them. thank you carly. i appreciate your thoughts a lot. praying for you today.