Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Brevity of Prostitution... (copied from ccucostarica2010.blogspot.com)

I wrote the following on May 21 on our team's blog page so I apologize for the late post. However, this is a post about going out on the streets and ministering to prostitutes from my perspective. At times the voice changes from a third to first person, or vice versa, point of view but that is for the sake of the other blog. Just note that I am writing it from my perspective, kthanks. Also I will try to update sooner and hopefully twice before we leave. kthanksreaditbye..................

So our blog is one day old, but that is due to the fact that yesterday we (Joni, Michelle, Joelle and JT) went out on the streets with Mariliana in search of women to invite to Rahab for rehabilitation. We were also joined by two women in the program, Alejandra and Mayella, on our venture. We sought out women who were, in broad daylight, selling themselves to men. On the streets, in the park, in a brothel... broad daylight.

On the way to downtown we passed a brothel, which doubled as a casino, where outside stood two girls who looked no older than 16 or 17. They were trying to attract customers which, Mariliana said, by standing outside the men know that there are young girls in this place. We stood outside of a brothel for about 10 minutes while the three women acted upon the blessings God has bestowed upon them. The women we saw had no distinct age, race or body type. The only identifying feature was that they were selling themselves. Men would come and go from the brothel as if nothing was different from any other store. We were shocked to see no signs of shame or embarrassment on their faces. The women seemed to respond a little to talk of the program, however when prayer was mentioned they didn't want to pray right there with us. It was tragic to think that these women were working, trying to earn a living selling themselves to not just one man, but many, everyday. We moved on to a different part of town trying to find more brothels. Stopping to ask people, even police officers, where they knew a brothel existed. Along our search there were enormous amounts of prayer being lifted up for our protection because we were not in a good part of town. How incredible that I (JT) could feel the Lord working not just in the group of women seeking out prostitution, but also in me as I went with them. Never have I felt a presence of the Lord such as I did that day. We stopped by a woman and talked with her, although I don't know how much she actually understood at that moment because she was obviously very high on drugs. She did ask for prayer which was encouraging despite the situation but also very disheartening to see her in that situation. Right after our prayer several of us witnessed a woman on the opposite side of the street negotiate with a man and then leave with him. Never in my life have I even fathomed what this situation would be like and here I was, along with the group, witnessing it firsthand.

From here we went to a central park, more like a plaza, where crowds of people gather just to take a break. Scattered throughout the entire park were women soliciting business, if it can even be called that, from men just getting off work. It was encouraging when Mayella and Alejandra stopped and talked with women that they knew, however they knew them from their previous involvement in the world of prostitution. These two women were able to share their stories with these women and encourage them to come to Rahab to not only receive help but also healing from the Lord. The group stopped with a group of 4 women and we talked about Rahab for a few minutes but most importantly these women really wanted us to pray for them. After our prayer the two women with us gave a short version of their testimony and experience with Rahab which was very great to witness. It was very encouraging to see Mariliana make a point to touch every one of the women that she talked with. She would make sure to touch each of their shoulders or arms or hug them to not only tell them but show them that they are accepted. What an incredible woman she is and an inspiration to all who witness her work.

We were speaking with her when she took us home, afterwards, and she was showing us brothel after brothel that existed all over the city. She also told us about when she would go out by herself at night and see ladies and transvestites working outside. She said that it is mostly transvestites who work at night and have specific areas that they work in. They take ownership of that area and don't let anyone else work in that area. What was also interesting is that she said that these men wait for her and are very nice to her when she comes around to them. She does not discriminate against them and most certainly prays with them. They ask her to pray for their family, to find work, health and the like but especially for a shelter for them. The shelters that are set up are for women and children along with separate shelters for men, however these shelters don't accept gay men. Mariliana is trying to raise money for a shelter for these men but so far there has been little progress in this area. What she would really like is a facility for women and children and another one for the men however being diligent is also proving to require lots of patience.

The work that these women, Mariliana in particular, is incredible. Their passion is so incredible that it overflows into our lives as well. While our passions may not be exactly what theirs are, the passion they have forces our passion to grow greatly. Our faith is growing by the day and the longer that we interact with the women, employees and participants alike, we are seeing a change in ourselves that will remain a marked moment in our lives forever. It is with great humility that we are able to be here and with great pride that we do our work. the LORD is at work here. Every divine appointment is noted and we are accepting great responsibility with every little moment that He provides us with. Pray that our work, how little it may seem to us, provides great blessing for the women we are supporting during our trip. Praise the LORD for the work that these women do on a yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, hourly, minute by minute and second by second basis. Their example is one that the LORD will never forget.

Psalms 66:1-5
"1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah
5 Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf!"

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