Tameka's Thailand Trip: A Hook and a Knot

We had a busy day yesterday. We started the day off by visiting Rahab's Ministry. Rahab's is one of the partner organizations that we work with here in Bangkok.

The organization has been helping the women of Patpong for 25 years. On any given night there are 4,000 women working the 2 Patpong districts. Rahab's serves as an oasis for these ladies to seek safety and a new beginning.

We went to Rahab to spend time with the ladies who currently work at Rahab and learn more about what they do. One of the job skills they learn there is the art of jewelry making. They then are able to sell the jewelry that they make to Westerners to support themselves and the ministry. The wages made at Rahab are not what they would have been making in the red light district, but Rahab realizes that many of these women are forced into the sex trade by financial needs. Typically they are sending funding back home to support their families in an area called Iassa. It's nearly impossible to get women out of the sex trade without providing them the life skills necessary to provide for themselves and their families. Rahab has a transition house which allows women to focus on entering the workforce and further develop their life skills.

Another craft they work on is crocheting. After lunch I planned to spend some time with 3 ladies watching them make animals with a crochet needle. Well they took this as a coaching opportunity. Two of the ladies thought it was now God's mission for them to teach me to crochet. For those of you who know me well, you know that I could never be a surgeon because my hands shake. Well they thought it was hilarious that I was so bad at this skill they had mastered and not only was I terrible, my hands shook while trying to hold the hook and make simple knots in a circle. The only animal I think I could have created was a worm. Every time I would make a little progress they would pull the string, laugh and say "start over."

We had a great time laughing and sharing some life experiences. We are going to go back in a couple of days for a party with more women who currently work in the bars. We hope this will allow us an opportunity to showcase the organization and make them aware that there are resources available to them and they can have a different life. Again, realizing this is a slow work that requires a lot of seed sowing.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to go to the other side of the city to check out one of the markets. I bought several pair of fisherman pants because the humidity has the heat index at between 105-110 each day. The wardrobe has definitely been challenging. I have drank more water on this trip than you can imagine and I still feel dehydrated.

We went back to the red light district last night. Business had picked up a bit. Few Americans are in the area because of the concern over the instability. Once you begin to see the people behind the problem here it becomes altogether more complex. You are grateful the demand has decreased because that means less abuse will take place. However, it also means that their livelihood has been impacted. That means less food for them and their children. The possibility of not paying rent. The need to do more and go further to get the same dollar.

We pray for a transformation of the area and people there. Without a transformation they will leave Patpong and end up in a similar situation elsewhere. Regardless which side of the industry the individual is on, it typically takes a transformation to get them removed from the sex trade altogether. We don't want them going from the sex trade to the drug trade for example. We realize that there is pain and voids in these men and women's lives. Without addressing that you are band aiding a problem that will reveal itself again and again.

One really sad encounter we had last night was with a tiny little 2 year old. She had her hair done in little braids. We were set up outside of one of the bars to create a safe environment for children in the district. The kids can come over and color and play with other toys. Because of business being down there are not as many kids in the area. However, you would be surprised how many people do not have a problem walking with their children through the district.

Many kids grow up in the environment. The little 2 year old that I mentioned before will likely be one of those children. While most 2 year olds are learning to point to their nose and ears and say "nose" and "ear" this little girl was already being groomed for a life on the catwalk. She had already been taught facial expressions. How to smile when greeted. Waves that one would do to entice a customer. She is 2. Much like seeing one of our players so proud that their son could throw a football and might follow in dad's steps, these women were so excited that they could be raising a future star of Patpong. You don't want to think about what age that future could begin.

Sleep has been a challenge because our time zones are so off but it has been a life changing couple of days and I continue to look forward to what is in store. As always, thank you for your prayers.