Today was the last day together as a team, which was bittersweet, but a great day nonetheless.
We went to Svay Pak today, an area that used to be known for their trafficking of little girls. Since then, IJM has raided brothels in the area, and Agape missions has come in to the village. They provide kids program, kick boxing/working out, and employment for many of the women of the community in which they are paid better than they would be as sex slaves. I didn't know how I would feel when I got there, but when we got upstairs, all the kids were singing about Jesus, and it was the most beautiful thing I have seen on this trip. I literally cried and just felt the presence of God wash over me as I observed these kids singing and dancing and acting silly. It was amazing observing that ministry. We also toured the Lord's Gym, where they run kickboxing and weightlifting. Some of the boxers are on tv, and nationally known, which is awesome. It was cool hearing how that ministry is working, especially on the pimps and men in the community. We then went to a factory, which used to be a brothel, where women work as seamstresses and make jewelry. The jewelry (3 strand is the brand name) is sold in boutiques in the states, as well as the tshirts. The women that work there are either all rescued or at risk, which is awesome as well. This provides them a way to make a better income than they could ever make in the sex trade, which is another incentive for them to leave the trafficking world. From there we went to the first building the ministry used, where the pastor now lives. They kept one of the rooms exactly like it was before it was raided, and it was a room where the men would rape the young girls. Just seeing that dirty, small room and thinking of the atrocities and injustices that occurred there was enough to make me feel sick. The pastor and his wife lived in the "pink" room, which is where the young virgin girls were kept (virginity is a prized and coveted commodity in the sex trade industry). Thinking of the things that happened there disgusted me, but seeing how that village is being transformed was absolutely beautiful and inspiring. God is doing amazing things there, and I ask that you guys would be in prayer for this ministry. Something about it really touched my heart today, and I don't know why exactly this one really stuck out to me on this trip, but God really put them on my heart today.
After getting back we went to the market, then decided to go to Romdeng (the restaurant where we ate tarantula) and swim in their pool, but it was closed. So we tried another at a hotel where the group in June swam, but they wouldn't let us :(. Thankfully it rained and cooled things off, so it was fine that our swimming plans had been thwarted.
We then went to dinner as a team, and invited the 2 tuktuk drivers that have been working with us the whole trip. We heard their testimonies, which were amazing, and enjoyed a last night of fun and fellowship. Tomorrow is going to be rough for me, especially since everyone else is staying longer and decided to plan a trip to the beach, for which they are leaving in the morning. I will have to take one of the tuktuks alone to the airport, which will be lonely, but good I guess, since there will be no one to witness how emotional I get. I still don't know why God has called me here, but I am content to pray about it and be patient for God to reveal it in his own timing.
No comments:
Post a Comment