The street is lit like Vegas, men in business suits and men that probably haven’t showered in days sit high up on their bar stools sipping on their beers. Watching these girls (anywhere from age 14 and up) walk by holding signs advertising Girls XXX, beer, music. We walk behind a curtain with our Thai translator and the girls come running towards us. They already know we are coming and can’t wait to sign up to come to the Christmas party. We have a seat between 4 men, 2 to our left and 2 to our right-ALL wearing wedding rings!!!! The manager comes over to us with her pen and pencil righting down numbers (because that is what they go by, numbers not names) as fast as she can. We look at the list…10 have signed up. There are at least 100 girls in the bar, quite possibly 200. They keep coming over…..20 girls on the list now! The men to our left lean over to us “What is going on over here?” they ask. “We are having a Christmas party for these girls in their honor” my friend replies. “Ooohhh, so you’re having a stripper party, huh????” “Not exactly!” “Is this a religious thing then?” “A religious ‘thing’????” We roll our eyes and lose the conversation. It has gone from simple inquiry to just plain stupid. I look down at the list 30 GIRLS!!!!” We look at our Thai friend “Time to go” she says. We exit the bar getting hugs from every girl on our way out “See you tomorrow” “See you tomorrow” they say!! Outside the bar our Thai friend says 60 GIRLS!!!!! That is 60 girls from 1 bar that our coming to the party to hear about Christ’s love and about a chance at real freedom!

-Stacey

This whole industry-no this whole country- just seems to me to be defined as a big circle. No matter where you start, the girls, the bars, the government, the justice system, the corruption-it all just circles around and around. There is no end and no beginning. Every cause seems to lead to another cause never to a resolution.

This afternoon we had the privilege to sit and talk with a young girl who has been working in the bar for 3 months, she is the middle of 5 children-2 older sisters and 2 younger siblings. She has a mother and a step-father back home (12 hours south of Bangkok) that she sends money to. She spoke very highly of her mother and step father and how he is a very good man. She says that she knows of step-fathers that are very mean and “force to have sex” but her step-father is very nice. Her mother is a wonderful woman but she says that “her mom like older sister and youngest sister best” you can tell in her face how it affects her, but she calls her mother everyday to make sure her she is ok. Her mother and father think she is a cashier in a bar, not taking customers. If they knew that they would think very lowly of her, yet they continue to remind her that they need more money. She speaks very good English, is very health conscience, knows a lot about fitness and has a bachelors degree in marketing from the university. I asked her if she liked her job (fully aware of the answer I would get) and she says “No No.” “Then why don’t you work somewhere else,” I ask? “You could work at the spa or at a store?” “I make more money here.” she says What do you say to her????? When did money become such a God? How did we ever get to the point that we sell our dignity, self-esteem and pride for big homes, fancy clothes and motor-bikes??? She says she wants to have babies so bad and she oogles over my pictures. Her desire for true love and a family are enormous. What she would give (her body and self-worth) to find a husband.

-Stacey

I walk down the street before lunch and already I have been overexposed to the culture that enables this prostitution and corruption and sadness 24 hrs a day 365 days a yr! Little girls sold by their families at the age of 10, young women sleeping with different men (sometimes multiple men) each night, the inescapable sadness that is in each of these women's eyes is just maddening. It is so each to want to cry out to God.."WHY?!?!?" "Why do you let this go on?" But then I come back to the realization that the Lord does not allow this but rather has given us the freedom of choice and in this choice the evil one can take hold. He died on the cross to forgive us for our sins and offer us eternal salvation if we only choose to do so. We, as a team, were selectively chosen, by him, to be here to share with them God's love and hopefully be able to share with them the value that they have in the Lord's eyes. It is so common for them to feel worthless and of such little value because that is what the world tells them each day, but because of the Lord's blessing we are here today to hold a Christmas Party and honor them and look them in the eyes and tell them they are loved by a man so much more important than a "customer." absolutely amazing how with the support of all of our friends and family back home with Run 4 their Lives and "Frocks 4 Freedom" and individual contributions at how many girls you have all given a chance to hear of God's love and opened up a door for freedom. Thank you to all of you that have helped in some way! Last yr 400 girls were given an opportunity to hear of God's love and I can't wait to experience an other yr with these women and girls and love on them once more!

-Stacey

There is darkness here. It is palpable and hits you in the gut when you walk through the red light districts...even through the streets. It is evident on the faces of some of the "customers," men who have empty faces and lustful eyes. It is evident through the imagery; neon lights flashing the disturbing names of bars, alcohol freely flowing, menus of girls and what they are willing to do for your American dollar, tickets written up much like you would receive at a specialty shop for a bouquet of flowers or necklace, except it is a ticket for a girl that was "purchased." All of these things have led us to tears and our knees as we ask God to intervene. All of this has made us question if we can really make a difference. If light can even shine here.

It can. We've seen glimpses of it. We see it in the faces of the girls that live at Beginnings. In their remarkable stories of redemption and hope. We see it in our conversations with the girls on the street when we speak about the opportunities that are available to them. We see it as a girl runs to hug us when we enter a bar. We see it as the doors of a bar are closed for the night because all of the girls have gone to a Christmas party in their honor. We see it in the faces of the 34 girls who received Jesus Christ last night. We see it. There is hope. Brentwood...it is worth it.

"Do not throw away your confidence, for it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of Christ, you will receive all that He has promised." Hebrews 10:34

He is in the darkness. He is in their faces. He is in their stories. He is sovereign over this city and over the hearts of the people here. He is King. He is light.

-JS

Christmas Visit 2010

As many of you know, each year, Freedom 4/24 sponsors two Christmas parties in Bangkok through our partner home, Beginnings. These parties provide as many as 400 women with a night to be honored, loved, and to be shown a pathway to freedom. One of our partner churches, Brentwood Church, sends a team each year to help throw these parties. This year, two members of our leadership will be traveling to Thailand with the Brentwood team. We are so excited to see God’s hand at work through the ministry at Beginnings, and through the faithful support you have given over this past year. We’ll be keeping you updated while we’re in Thailand, but in the meantime, here is an overview of how you can pray for us each day we are there.

Back row: (From left to right) Stacey Reighard, Jill Stroud, Sarah Mullins, Katelyn Bowers

Front row: Martha Heinlein, Amy Sabatini, Tammy Dupin

Prayer Requests for our trip to Thailand:

Thursday December 9th- Our team of 8 will be traveling from Washington DC to Bangkok, Thailand. Pray for safe travels and for smooth flight transitions. We will be switching planes in Tokyo, Japan. Pray that as we fly, we are able to get rest and that the 24 hours in flight would pass quickly. Pray that we are all able to stay healthy while in Thailand and that our hearts would be tender to the Holy Spirit’s leading during this trip.

Friday December 10th- We will arrive the night of the 10th in Bangkok. Pray that we are able to get through customs quickly and will have a good night of sleep upon arriving at Beginnings.

Saturday December 11th- As we wake, pray our bodies will be able to make an easy transition into the new time zone. Bangkok is 12 hours ahead of Lynchburg. Pray that as our first-time team members are introduced to the sex industry in Thailand, that they would be able to process what they are seeing and would be able to “save face” while seeing the evil that is going on around them. Pray that as we go over our plans for the week that as a team we would be unified, flexible, and ready to serve in any way possible.

Sunday December 12th- Pray as we start doing outreach in the bars that our hearts would be broken for the plight of these women. Pray that we would be able to communicate clearly, even with the language barrier, and that many would be able to commit to come to the parties. Pray that we will be able to continue to fight jetlag and transition into the time zone and culture in Thailand. Pray that we would continue to save face and to show the women we come in contact with the unconditional love of Christ.

Monday December 13th- We will be doing outreach during the day and at night. Pray that we will be able to continue to communicate clearly with whose we are inviting to the parties. Pray for favor with the bar owners and mamasans to allow us to spend time with the girls in the bars. Pray that we would not be numb to what we see, but that it would stir our hearts and strengthen our resolve to give these women a pathway to freedom. Pray that as a team, we would continue to be unified, and would be able to communicate openly and clearly with each other. Pray that we would be the hands and feet of Jesus not only in the bars, but to the residents and leadership at Beginnings. Pray for the residents of Beginnings as they will be helping with outreach and the parties as they are completing final exams at university.

Tuesday December 14th – We will be doing outreach during the day and at night. Pray that we will be able to continue to communicate clearly with whose we are inviting to the parties. Pray for favor with the bar owners and mamasans to allow us to spend time with the girls in the bars. Pray that we would not be numb to what we see, but that it would stir our hearts and strengthen our resolve to give these women a pathway to freedom. Pray that as a team, we would continue to be unified, and would be able to communicate openly and clearly with each other. Pray that we would be the hands and feet of Jesus not only in the bars, but to the residents and leadership at Beginnings. Pray for the residents of Beginnings as they will be helping with outreach and the parties as they are completing final exams at university.

Wednesday December 15th- We will be preparing the banquet hall in the morning and afternoon, and then going into the bars in Soi Cowboy, one of Bangkok’s redlight districts, to bring girls to the Christmas parties. Pray we have favor with the bar owners and mamasans, and that they will allow us to take many girls to the parties. Pray the girls who have verbally committed to attend will be able to come. Pray that all logistics with the party and transportation to and from will run smoothly. Pray for meaningful conversation and points of contact between our team, the residents and staff at Beginnings, and the girls attending the party (This is key for follow up and outreach after the parties). Pray that the girls will feel loved, honored, and respected. Pray their hearts will be open to the message of Jesus Christ that will be presented at the party. Pray they will consider moving into Beginnings and leaving the sex industry. Pray that we will rest well after the party and have energy to move forward with excitement for the next day’s parties.

Thursday December 16th – We will be doing last minute preparations for the second party, and then going into the bars in Nana Plaza, another one of Bangkok’s redlight districts, to bring girls to the Christmas parties. Pray we have favor with the bar owners and mamasans, and that they will allow us to take many girls to the parties. Pray the girls who have verbally committed to attend will be able to come. Pray that all logistics with the party and transportation to and from will run smoothly. Pray for meaningful conversation and points of contact between our team, the residents and staff at Beginnings, and the girls attending the party (This is key for follow up and outreach after the parties). Pray that the girls will feel loved, honored, and respected. Pray their hearts will be open to the message of Jesus Christ that will be presented at the party. Pray they will consider moving into Beginnings and leaving the sex industry. Pray that we will rest well after the party and be refreshed the next day to follow up with those we have met at the parties.

Friday December 17th- We will be resting in the morning and spending some time as a team re-grouping and sharing what God has revealed to us in the last few days, and doing follow-up with the girls we met at the parties in the evening. Pray we will be able to make meaningful connections with the women we met. Pray these connections would bring them to trust Beginnings, and that it would be the beginning of a long term relationship between them and Beginnings. Pray as we visit them, they would see a genuine spirit in us and would seriously consider making the difficult decision to leave the sex industry.

Saturday December 18th- We will be having a free day and will be getting out and enjoying the city. Pray for a fun, relaxing day for our team. Also, we will be packing up and preparing to head back to the US. Our flight leaves at 11:55 pm on Saturday evening. Pray for safe return travels, and again, that we would be able to rest on the flights. Pray that our flights would not be delayed, our baggage would arrive safely and on time, and for good weather in DC upon our landing.

Sunday, December 19th- pray for a safe arrival at Dulles. Pray specifically for Stacey, who will be driving us back to Lynchburg. Our team should arrive back in Lynchburg Sunday afternoon. Pray that we will all be able to rest and transition back into the new time zone. Pray that we would be forever changed by what we saw and experienced in Thailand.