There are times on the World Race when I think to myself, “What in the world am I doing here?” Or thoughts like, “10 years ago I would have never thought that I’d be in “______________ doing ______________”:

Ecuador building a Greenhouse.

Bolivia laying a walking path.

Malawi giving a Christian brother his first Bible.

Malaysia sharing the gospel.

And there’s so many others. . . It can seem a bit random, but I know God’s hand is in it. However, I’ve never had one of those moments more than a couple of weeks ago in Thailand when I was sitting in a bar in the red light district . . .with my parents. Yes, with my parents! We were sitting there talking to a precious lady who was caught up in the sex trade, while, in the same bar, there were western males with other precious girls in their laps. Woe. Not something I would have thought I’d experience in my lifetime.

But pause right there. Let me first tell you what in the world my parents were doing in Thailand and why we were in this bar.

My parents braved traveling across the world (literally) to see me for our squad’s Parent Vision Trip. Parent Vision Trip is a week where parents can join us on the field and get a taste of what it’s like to be a Racer and join in the ministries we work with. It’s a time of worship, connecting, ministering, and for some families, a time for healing. We had the privilege of working with Lighthouse in Action, which is a ministry that works to befriend girls who have been involved in the sex trade, lovingly speak truth into their lives, introduce them to Jesus, and support them as they choose to come out of the sex industry. They gave us a thorough briefing on Thai culture and the sex trade that occurs in Thailand. And then, after worship and prayer, we went out to the bars in the red light district of Chan Mai to share the love of Christ with these girls.

But back to the scene with me and my parents at the bar. Which was, oddly enough, named “The Bar.” It was weird. Although, I would have never expected to be sitting in a bar in Thailand with my parents, it all felt. . . natural. We were just there talking to another human being, trying to build a friendship with her in order to show her the love that Jesus has shown us. I would like to add that in many situations around the world, and in some places in Thailand, this would not have been safe to do. However, the area in which the bars we visited was safe. We found out that her name was Emily and we had been sitting there for a while talking to her. We had ordered our Cokes. Ordered her an orange juice, which was the drink she chose. And had begun playing the game “Connect Four” with her (it’s in all the bars).

And Mom, as we were instructed, mainly did the talking. She did such a great job. She was able to provide such an unassuming presence, but a presence of genuine care. But, towards the end of our conversation with Emily, I got the sense from the Lord that Mom should tell her how beautiful she is. I then discretely whispered to it Mom while Emily was momentarily busy. When she came back, Mom said to her, “I can tell you have a kind heart.” Which, although this isn’t exactly what I asked her to say, it really was. It is that she has inner beauty. A heart that God cherishes. From my angle it didn’t seem like Emily said much in response. We told the girl it was good talking with her, and Mom gave her a bracelet (it’s Thai culture to give a gift as a sign of friendship). We said goodbye and left the bar. Later, I asked Mom about what had happened. Mom said that, when she told Emily that she could tell that she had a kind heart, she thought she saw the her eyes tear up.

And even though Emily probably didn’t leave the bar that night never to return, she got to experience a little bit of Christ’s love. And maybe next time when someone from Lighthouse Ministries comes she will experience it again and they will be able to tell her how there is a hope of another life and that there are people to help her. And eventually, the hope is that she is able to leave behind that enslaving lifestyle, and turn to Christ and the abundant life He has for her. Our time with Emily was a moment I never imagined that would happen, but it was a great moment. A moment I will never forget.

 

  

Original post by Tom Jones

World Race- J Squad (3rd Generation)