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