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