hope

By Rachel Tiemeyer

Tuesday night I went for my first night of outreach in the bars with Bonita and Wan. I couldn’t help but feel nervous about what to expect. Thankfully, Bonita and Wan provided a sense of safety if I ever felt overwhelmed. Although the environment was unfamiliar and uncomfortable, the purpose of our mission outweighed any uneasiness.

Within seconds of entering a bar, we were met with smiles and genuine excitement and kindness from girls. While sitting in the bar, I felt I was a part of two different worlds at the same time. In front of me, there were girls trapped in a world that appears to be their only means of survival. Yet, when they were talking and smiling and making conversation with Bonita and Wan, I saw beautiful girls who remind me of my friends back home. It was both sad and intriguing to watch their ability to shut “off” their emotions on stage, and back “on” when talking with their friends once they were off the stage. As I sat there, I reminded myself time and time again to keep a smile on my face and not to make any expressions that would further shame them. It makes me sad to know that that is what they have to do every day.
Even though I prepared myself as much as I could for what I would see and experience in the bars, I was still shocked.

Bonita told me that the bar we went into was a good “starter bar” for me. While we were there, there were no customers, and Bonita said that was a rarity. A part of me was relieved and thankful.
I was told it was an unusual night because Ann and Wan both had appointments to meet with girls who had showed interest in Beginnings. It was wonderful to see that Beginnings’ efforts of planting seeds were being sown and girls’ interests were being piqued. Bonita mentioned that the most important thing that we could do in the meantime was to pray, pray, and pray!

When we left the bar we stopped at another because Wan was talking to two girls and Bonita explained to me that one of them was interested in coming to see Beginnings. We paid her bar fine and she came back to Beginnings with us that night. I was excited for her and prayed for her as we walked home. Everybody was welcoming to her when we got to the house. Ann talked with her and shared with her what Beginnings is about. Our job again: pray, pray, pray!

When Bonita told us about the appointments that Ann and Wan had with the girls who were interested in Beginnings, she had warned us to be hopeful, but also realistic. She had seen the excitement in our eyes when she told us about the girls wanting to learn more about Beginnings, and while this was something to praise and pray about, she did not want us to crumble with disappointment if they did not come and stay. Unfortunately, the reality is that many will not be able to at this time. I smile at how God has blessed us with this opportunity to be here and to minister to these girls. Tuesday night I experienced a very dark place but, in the midst of that, I saw hope. That is why we are here. Even if it is one meeting at a time, one friendship blossomed at a time, one seed planted at a time, one bar fine at a time, and one welcomed girl at a time, it is still one HOPE at a time. Thank you for your care and prayers.