Music fills the hot, sticky air as the neon lights widen my eyes to see all that surrounds me. We turn the same familiar corner, bringing us to our usual spot in the Red Light District in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Previously our team had spent time in prayer crying out for God to move. We were all so tired, and not really wanting to go out for the night. But as we sought Him in prayer, we knew that He was ready with an incredible plan and purpose for the night. He is big. He is love. And He transforms lives. We were ready for a big God to do big things, so we strolled down the string of bars with a heart rooted in Him, eyes ready to see through His, and the mind of Christ prepared to fight in His name.

The women are lined up in a row in front of each bar, looking absolutely stunning in their mini skirts and flashy tops. Still their smiles out shine any of their glitz and glam. We are invited to sit with some of the girls at one of the tables. Soon, our laughter overwhelmed the noise coming from the bar beside us where 6 women were dancing on the bar for a man probably somewhere in his sixties. The men here are just as in need of a savior as the women.

Stepping into the Red Light District was especially difficult tonight.
I’m not quite sure what it was that pushed me over the edge, but exhaustion set in deeply as I sipped my caramel macchiato- hoping for a burst of energy before the night began.

Our team walked across the street into a fairly empty, somewhat quiet parking lot so that we could pray before entering the bars. It was a fight night, meaning that there would be at least 5 times as many people as usual. They have a Thai Boxing arena in the middle of all of the bars. As we sat there and prayed, the spirit reminded me to pray that in all things, God would be glorified. That the people we met wouldn’t even remember us, but that they would be transformed by God. It’s not about me. It’s all about Him.

While we were walking, God put it really heavy on my heart to stay back and pray while some of the other girls went inside to have conversations.
So I sat down to pray. And that is when Andrew almost tripped over me.

From the time we started talking, he went on and on about how he respects that I believe in Jesus, and that he knew all about what I believed. The most amazing thing about that though- was that I never even mentioned what I believed in. He assumed it all, and he was dead on. I was blown away.

He couldn’t remember my name, he couldn’t remember where I was from, he couldn’t remember ANYTHING about me. But he never once forgot that God’s love was covering me. We talked about purpose and hope. God wanted him to know that there is only hope in HIM an d that He has a perfect plan for Andrew’s life. God was answering prayers. It was like Andrew couldn’t even see me- all He could see was Jesus. He is so big, so gracious, and so glorious. And I am HIS. God has a hold on Andrews heart. I know it. He saw God in us before I was even aware that he did.

We were in and out of the bars that night, making sure to visit with our friends that work there. As Marissa came out, she told me that the women at one of the bars had been asking about me all night. I walked in through the entrance. When I ran into Kristin and Jess, they told me that the women at one of the other bars were asking about me, and wanted me to come say hello. I was blown away. Who am I, Lord, that your beloved daughters would see your love in me? They see His love. They see it in us. If they didn’t see it, there would be nothing different about me. There are a ton of tourists that come in and out of those bars all night. They see the difference. They ask about us, they have given us their phone numbers to hang out after work or on their days off, they notice. God is glorifying Himself and His church in the middle of the darkness. I knew a church would break out there.

We could not stop talking about how amazing God is. He is so faithful. He says He is a big God, and He really is. Being at the bars has been an incredible opportunity to show His love. They see it, and they are longing for it.

GOD IS LOVE.

-Tiffany Berkowitz, World Racer