Among many of Thailand's blemishes, the largest in my opinion is its well known sex trade. Exploiting the poor and broken women of a community for their bodies is one of the most retched things I can imagine. The thought of this kind of oppression has bothered me greatly since I first encountered it several years ago on the island of Saipan where sailors would come in for shore leave to partake in the "local experience". I suppose I have a great desire to rescue women who believe they have no other choice, who have been sold into this form of slavery. Most of all my heart breaks over the countless children who have been forced into this dark corner of social capitalism. So, when I found out that Bangkok was home to one of the largest and oldest Red light districts in Thailand, I felt that's where we were to begin. With hearts full of compassion and hearts fixed on Christ, Christian, Evan, Andrew and I walked the dark alleys of Pa tong Square.
I have never experienced anything quite like it. The streets were lined with "go go bars" and clubs. Tall buildings discolored by years of dust crowded the one lane roads. There was almost no room to walk between the traffic and people on the sidewalks. Men approached us every couple of minutes trying to sell us someone. We quickly learned that the only English they spoke were the words they were taught to say to men who came to Pa tong for only one thing. Apart from that they simply couldn't understand why we were there. We had come that night with surveys in our pockets with the hopes of speaking with tourists in that area about their faith, but ended up sitting across from the bars at a Starbucks in prayer. How can we rescue these women? God what would have us do? To enter back into the ally would be to step back in that dark corner of Thailand. To try and convince sinners of their wrong doing in the midst of them engaging in it. To be subjected to more pornography and solicitation. It was overwhelming. We sat there for ten minutes or so in prayer. Seeking direction. After some time, we decided to leave, taking with us the experience and sorrow of Pa tong. Someday I believe we
will find a better 
way.
I have never experienced anything quite like it. The streets were lined with "go go bars" and clubs. Tall buildings discolored by years of dust crowded the one lane roads. There was almost no room to walk between the traffic and people on the sidewalks. Men approached us every couple of minutes trying to sell us someone. We quickly learned that the only English they spoke were the words they were taught to say to men who came to Pa tong for only one thing. Apart from that they simply couldn't understand why we were there. We had come that night with surveys in our pockets with the hopes of speaking with tourists in that area about their faith, but ended up sitting across from the bars at a Starbucks in prayer. How can we rescue these women? God what would have us do? To enter back into the ally would be to step back in that dark corner of Thailand. To try and convince sinners of their wrong doing in the midst of them engaging in it. To be subjected to more pornography and solicitation. It was overwhelming. We sat there for ten minutes or so in prayer. Seeking direction. After some time, we decided to leave, taking with us the experience and sorrow of Pa tong. Someday I believe we
will find a better 
way.
