When God Isn't Real

"Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide Yourself in times of trouble?" -Psalm 10:1

Stories from the Slum

Following a children's program at a church in a poor neighborhood, I stepped outside and saw an elderly woman sitting outside her home. Upon seeing me, she began waving her hand excitedly to call me over. Once I arrived at her side she held my hand and started speaking many sentences in Thai as if I understood. When she revealed a long scar on the outside of her thigh, I remembered. Last summer we met this woman at a different house, and at that time she hadn't been able to walk for a year and a half, so we prayed for her.

One year later, she remains lame. So again, I prayed that God would give her strength to walk in the name of Jesus. Nothing happened. Instead of God showing Himself to be the Most High, she will continue in the cultural religion she has followed her whole life.

In the same slum, a young girl around the age of ten escaped an attempted rape by biting the man and running. Children here lack safe places to play and often lack love. One can easily say "God is love" and that He is ever-present, but the reality remains quite different in this place, and numerous others around the globe. God may dwell among the nice churches and loving homes in America, but here, God is not real.

 "O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear? Or cry to You 'Violence!' and You will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?" -Habakkuk 1:2-3

While wrestling through these questions and thoughts could potentially dismantle a person's faith, the Bible describes many individuals with similar doubts. I find it both interesting and comforting that God's message to us includes examples of people questioning where He is as they struggle to understand His ways.

Where was God when upright Job suffered great loss? When God's so-called chosen people remained enslaved for 400 years in Egypt? Or when David, anointed by God to be king, spent months running for his life? Or when Christ, the Holy One of God, was brutally whipped and nailed to a cross...

 In reading these accounts, we have the advantage of knowing the outcome. When personally experiencing those circumstances, however, the questions tear at us with greater intensity.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:9

Will I humbly trust and continue to seek Him, even when He doesn't show up the way I want Him to or would expect? Or even more challenging, when I see injustice and evil in the world do I take responsibility for making God real in places far from His love and hope? Is that not what we are called to?

Children come to the program at church because it's safe as well as a place where they experience love. In the slum, God is becoming real because followers of Christ give of themselves to spread light in a dark place, enduring harassment from some villagers to make Christ known.

Perhaps God wants us to experience how He feels and that by sharing in His compassion we have the privilege of knowing Him more intimately. Perhaps He wonders why we don't take Jesus seriously when He says in John 20:21, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." Why are we living here on this earth if not to advance the glorious kingdom of God by bringing goods news to the poor, binding the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1)?

 

"O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." -Psalm 10:17-18

We forget God often chooses to use us to do His justice and mercy.

Letter to a Prostitute

During a night of outreach in a popular red light district in Bangkok, I felt helpless in reaching a prostitute we met with at a bar. After leaving, I wrote the following:

                    

Dear Miss, I wish there were words I could say.

Wish I could guide you to go a different way.

You think the money makes it all alright

To compromise and stay with him all night.

Sex sells and you know how to flirt.

Smiles with make-up to cover up the hurt. 

Dear Lost, longing for a life

Free from bondage and empty strife;

The night life has treated you well

With alcohol to forget it’s hell.

Oh God, I don’t know where to start

To reach this fragile, broken heart.

 

 

Dear Whore—not anymore;

See what love the Father has in store.

Dear Adored, could you open your eyes

And see the beauty found in Christ?

 

Followers, Not Fans

Recently, I attended a college football game in the student section. Sporting events, concerts, and the like clearly display what it means to be a fan. A fan cheers ecstatically for the team or person they admire. At the football game, fans even (rudely, of course) point out those who aren't supporting the same team. After failing to convert on a 4th down that appeared crucial for the home team to make in order to maintain hope of a comeback win, many fans exited the stadium. People were less excited to be fans when the object of their admiration failed to perform as they wanted.

It seems many have taken this approach with regards to Jesus, as well. We love to sing songs about Him and tell of His love and mercy, and we get riled up at those who aren't "on our side." We love to admire Him as the good shepherd who seeks after the lost sheep. However, our enthusiasm fades when He does or says things we aren't too thrilled about. Yet Jesus demands followers, not fans:

"If anyone serves Me, He must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also." John 12:26

It'd be much different for someone in the stands to go down to the field, put pads and a uniform on, and start taking the hits. Most are much more comfortable cheering from the stands, avoiding the hard work involved and the nasty hits taken. But again, we are called to be followers of Jesus, not simply fans.

"For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." John 13:15

So often we base what we do on what we want to do, or what we feel like doing. Yet look at Jesus' example:

"Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father save Me from this hour?' But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name." John 12:27-28

Think about it. Jesus was about to take the sins and guilt and condemnation of the entire world, face extreme physical suffering and death, and be spiritually separated from the Father. Sound like something a person would want to do? Jesus even asked that He could be spared of going through with it. But He acted according to the Father's will, not His according to His own wants. Should we be any different?

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps." 1 Peter 3:21

"As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you." John 20:21

We are Christ's representatives. We are to follow what He did. And He has every right to demand it of us, because He bought us with His life, setting us free from sin. Yet see how He loves us! His commands come with promises. Just as Jesus "endured the cross, despising the shame...for the joy that was set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2), we also have joy set before us. If we can put on the mind of Christ and give up earthly treasures and pursuits, the reward is great. It doesn't matter how many hits we take; we know the final outcome - victory:

"If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him." John 12:26

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

"[To the rich young ruler:] Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me....Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:21, 29-31

Brothers and sisters, rise up out of the stands. It's time to march onto the field, counting the things of this world as rubbish for the sake of His Name. Be a follower, not a fan.

 

"Something's Missing Here"

After spending one month in Bangkok, Thailand, we had the opportunity to visit a closed country for 10 days to help with an English camp, but our time there mostly allowed us to observe the body of believers.

Experiencing Christianity in a place where publicly sharing your faith in Christ will get you arrested was refreshing and challenged the Christianity I am used to in the US. When I look at the general body of believers in the US, I can't help thinking, "Something's missing here." What is the norm for Christ-followers in that country is much more uncommon here. Honestly, the book of Acts recorded in the Bible came to life for me, as it seemed I was witnessing similar works of God through mighty men of faith. Christianity feels real there, while here it seems to be more based on appearances of godliness and piety.

To explain what I mean, here are examples of observations I made or stories about people I met:

One leader in an underground organization was jailed for sharing the message of Christ. He spent one month in a dark room not much larger than many of our living rooms with 25 men and one toilet. Due to the small space they could not lie down but slept standing. Although since his release spies continuously watch his house (where he houses several university students, some who have been rejected by parents for becoming Christian), he continues to share the message of Jesus with others. In fact, while we were there 2 boys received Christ after he shared with them, and we got to pray over them. "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you [the authorities] rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." -Acts 4:19-20

During the time he was in prison, another pastor/business owner woke up early to drive his wife and baby nearly 3 hours to visit him.

While Paul was shipwrecked while traveling as a missionary, this man and others miraculously survived a bus wreck on a mountain side as they were carrying the gospel, and also saw a paralyzed man walk after praying for him.

Another pastor adopted several children whose parents (pastors and their wives) were rounded up by authorities and never returned. During a meeting we attended, a widow gave an emotional and passionate prayer; her husband knew he would likely be killed if he continued to tell others about Jesus and was brutally martyred on the side of a road when he didn't stop. "For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die...for the name of the Lord Jesus." -Acts 21:13

Unity. Leaders of Christian organizations, churches, and Christian business leaders have humbly set aside their different interests and methods for the sake of Christ's church. It pains me realizing the potential impact of being of one mind and one heart in establishing a vision and strategy for reaching the lost and transforming lives in the name of Christ missed in the US due to our many divisions. In John 17, Jesus prays for unity among believers, and Paul often (seriously, I was blown away when I went through and underlined all the times he mentioned being one) wrote of his desire for this in his letters to churches. Perhaps we need to pursue this with more tenacity.


Forget perhaps. We need to. The Christians in this place of persecution are transforming the country because they set aside their differences to achieve the common goal of seeing the name of Jesus Christ lifted high. I see why Jesus prays for this and why Paul longs to see this. We must as well.

Billions of people do not know Christ, and we split because we can't agree on disputable matters. Christians, we are one body! Let's start functioning as one and fulfill the mission of God to reach all peoples. For His glory and for His kingdom.

Last Night in Bangkok

Buying a prostitute was not on my bucket list.

Our last night at Samaritan Creations they had a very special goodbye for us

However, our last night in Bangkok we decided to buy a dancer and take her out to eat. Similar to the servers in bars, a customer will select a dancer he wants and she will accompany him. Dancers receive a higher salary than servers but must go out with customers, whereas the servers can choose not to. After we had witnessed the very visible unhappiness of dancers previously, we hoped to talk with one. No bars were open, though, due to a Buddhist festival. Which is how we decided to stop when we saw a dozen or so prostitutes outside a hotel.

As groups of men came by to select the one they wanted, two of us approached a woman and asked if she wanted to go with us to dinner. The price for an hour was close to $70, and she didn't seem too interested. We talked to another. Same price, as determined by the pimp (who was an older woman) standing next to her. This woman, though, seemed to curiously wonder why we might want to just buy her dinner and talk with her, and looked like she longed to find out. But we walked away, not expecting that high of a price.

While walking away, I kept picturing the way she looked at us. Is not a soul worth any price to save? I reasoned that if I only knew the result of the conversation it would be an easy decision whether or not to invest that money. What a great expression of love it could be, to buy her dinner, listen to, and care for her, rather than use her for sexual pleasure.

So we prayed. God, keep that woman there if you want us to take her out; otherwise, take her away. We walked back.

The ladyboy we purchased. Pray for his growth as a believer!

She was gone. I was ready to leave, but the girls pointed out another girl. I agreed and we walked up to the ladyboy (which I assumed based on his height) and took the 21 year old to McDonalds. We got to know him and how he was working to support 8 family members still in his hometown and hoping to save money for college. He didn't like the job but felt he had no choice due to the money. He felt ashamed and often wasn't treated well once a customer found out he was a guy. We shared the love of our Father and that Christ came to forgive his sins and make him new. Growing teary-eyed, he prayed with us to receive Christ. We gave him the number of a woman involved with a ministry for ladyboys in Bangkok and encouraged him to call her the next day.

Trying to keep the kids occupied while we talked with an adult

We witnessed a lot of heart breaking circumstances in Bangkok. Women feeling trapped and resorting to selling themselves, others enjoying the money that comes with those jobs, broken men searching for intimacy and fulfillment as customers of these women, neglected children in the slums, and people attempting to reach enlightenment through "making merit" by buying alms for monks or giving money to temples.

A spirit house, outside most homes and many businesses with the idea that the nicer they are the more likely that bad spirits will live in them instead of their homes. Incense, drinks, and fruit are offered on them.

Yet hope exists. We saw women transformed by Jesus Christ and living with joy at Samaritan Creations, children experiencing the love of God at the slum church, and other signs of the kingdom of God transforming places of darkness. May that continue.

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." -Matthew 9:37-38

Red Light Districts

I sweat the entire day, everyday here. It typically rains at least briefly everyday, but never for most or even half the day. I consider this a good thing. The rain brings some relief from the heat, but once it stops it becomes difficult to tell if you're wet from the rain or sweat. Perhaps I'll become more accustomed to the heat as the month continues...

 You could spend a fair amount of time in Bangkok and remain unaware of the world that exists in the red light districts, but in certain areas ignorance quickly disappears. I won't go into much detail beyond what I personally witnessed, and I'll even spare sharing some of those due to not wanting to describe some of what took place. Instead, I'll share what a typical time of outreach looks like.

We go to the bars in the mid- to late afternoon, because the bars aren't too busy and the servers will have time to talk. They typically are applying make-up and getting ready for the evening. We'll go and buy something to drink, and offer to buy them a drink, too, as they earn a certain percentage made off of the drinks purchased. If we don't buy something the owners wouldn't want us there, and the servers would have no reason to spend time with us. The system is set up in a way that highly encourages these servers to spend "additional time" with their customers outside of the bar. Many massage establishments and even salons offer other "services" so you have to know what to look out for if interested in going to such places.

We offer the women (girls may be a more accurate term) alternative work at Samaritan Creations (SC), where they can make jewelry, dolls, and apparel. They hope to offer more work in the future, as finances allow, such as selling baked goods. Let me share my experience.

"Go-go" bars are those with dancers

 


















Our first evening out we met a server named Maggie (not really her name) who is 18 years old and has worked in the bars 2 months. She seemed to enjoy talking with us and we offered her another job if she was interested along with telling her why we were there in the bars: Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation. We gave her contact information for SC and told her we'd try to meet her again.

A couple evenings later we went out again and saw Maggie. She seemed excited to see us and we sat and talked with her more. However, the conversation eventually grew sad. The previous night she had gone out with a customer and made extra money, and as more potential customers sat in the bars she was losing interest in us. The lure of money and the possibility of marrying a wealthy foreigner had a higher priority.

The area we spent most of our outreach in

The complexity of the situation makes it difficult to adequately explain in a concise way. I'll provide further examples in the coming days and would ask for your continued prayers. You're welcome to check out more of my day to day activities at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U7sk8yy0Lma0JqVzCoP_MKEA9wsRcFo_wAGXamoi3Kc/pub, which I will do a better job of updating!

*Pray that God would redeem those working and paying in the red light districts. 

*Pray that we would be a light in the darkness - even in our hotel! We're staying in the same place for the whole month so we've had a chance to meet many of the staff. We will even try to meet with one of them to teach English. So many people here have never heard of Jesus and how His sacrifice allows us to have a relationship with God.

*Pray for our health and protection. 

Blessings.

CT

Back in Thailand

Bangkok. A city of 8-12 million people (depending on what areas you include). A city of extravagant shopping malls too numerous to want to count. While wealth increases, those who have money to spend find new ways to spend it. As in most cities, those without struggle to survive and find shelter in slums.

Slightly hidden from the shopping malls and plain sight are red lights districts boasting a far greater number of prostitutes. Who would want a job offering their bodies for another one's pleasure? The answer may be no one, but when there are mouths to feed and parents to please, for many it can often seem like the best option.


Perhaps the better question is who would purchase another person for their own pleasure? Unfortunately, the answer is many, which is why the salary is hard to beat.

I've now met several women who have come out of such circumstances. Instead of selling themselves in the bars, they are now providing for themselves and some for their children and families by making jewelry and apparel at a place called Samaritan Creations. Many are also finding redemption and joy in Jesus Christ as their lives are transformed. Much of our work during the week will be with them, which will include doing outreach in the bars 2-3 evenings each week.

One of the women showing Parker how to make a necklace, a task he won't be doing.

Workers at Samaritan Creations

Some living arrangements in the slums

 Additionally, we will be serving at a church in a slum area, helping with the children's program and doing community outreach. 

Children's program at the slum church

Interested in reading more about my daily activities? Check out the link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U7sk8yy0Lma0JqVzCoP_MKEA9wsRcFo_wAGXamoi3Kc/pub

Prayer requests:

• Ask our Father in heaven to bring more women out of prostitution and into a loving relationship with Himself.
• Pray for our time serving in the slums and that the church there would be a light to the community.
• Pray that my team and I would have God's heart while we are here, and for our health and His protection.