jim larson's thoughts

My daughter, the streetwalker

I haven't been able to do much outreach lately.  Our programs have been pretty much full, and up until recently others were going out at least weekly.  The other night I got to go again with a visiting World Race team.

We have known Bpuu, 27, since our family exploratory visit to Thailand 5 years ago.  She still works the same spot on Sukhumvit Road that she did then--night after night, waiting for a customer.  Bpuu is quite pretty--we like to say she has a the face of a china doll.  But she is fairly simple-minded, as best as I can tell the result of environmental deprivation more than natural unintelligence. 

For a long time, even years, Bpuu seemed convinced that she would one day land me as a customer or maybe even a boyfriend.  It didn't help that being on the street, she didn't always see me with my wife, and occasionally when I was out on an errand I would run into her alone.  

A couple of years ago Judy and I enlisted a few students from The Well to take Bpuu to dinner for her birthday.  Since I spoke better Thai at the time, I made arranged a meeting spot with Bpuu by phone, in the entry way of a Walmart-like department store.  We all got there ahead of Bpuu, but since it was crowded, could not sit together on the waiting benches.  Meanwhile Judy ran in to get a cake and candles.  Bpuu came in, saw me and beamed, then her face promptly clouded when our students came over to meet her.  The rest of the night she barely communicated despite everyone's best efforts, until we got out the cake with candles.  "Put them all on," she requested.

Over time however I began to get through to Bpuu that I loved her very much, but as a daughter.  She stopped the flirtatious smiles and whispers in my ear.  Seeing her on Thursday for the first time in a few months, I felt no qualms about giving her a genuinely warm, one-arm hug, and offering to treat her at the nearby McDonald's.  She accepted, along with a ladyboy friend.  

As usual, Bpuu had little to say so I talked mostly with her friend.  I simply repeated everything I have said many times to Bpuu--she is beautiful, lovable, precious, and doesn't need to be doing this.  She looked away shyly.

Her ice cream finished, Bpuu tried to get up.  "I'm afraid I will miss a customer," she complained.  "You're not going to spend any more time with your dad?" I lightly objected.  She hung on for two more minutes, then made another attempt at escape that I had to allow.  She made a beeline for the door.  I followed her outside and asked to pray with her, something she usually accepts as she did this time.  I kept it short, asking for her protection, for God to get through to her how much He loves her.  She bolted for the street on my "amen", and immediately ran into a guy she knew.  I didn't want to stick around.

I have no idea how long it will take Bpuu to give up her lifestyle, but I plan to be here until she does.  She claims to use protection, but so does everyone, until they trust you enough to tell the truth.  One way or another she will stop someday.

Ups and downs

It's a roller coaster sometimes.  Of course life in general can be like that, but somehow it seems that what we do has just a little more peak and valley than average.  This is essentially youth ministry, and perhaps every youth pastor knows the feeling.

There are days when you see someone "get it".  They make a good decision, show some insight, change their interests and behavior.  At the same time, someone else is careening madly downhill.  Sometimes a whole bunch plummet together.  Sometimes someone that just hit a peak one week completely dives the next.  Those times are when the temptation to pack up and go back to America comes to mind.

It doesn't last long.  We've been in ministry with broken people long enough to know that these kinds of trials do come, that most new Christians go through periods of testing and backsliding.  Last Sunday Mae, our 14 year-old, announced she was quitting school.  She took her things and went to stay with her mom across town.  Her mom agreed by phone that Mae should stay in school, but it is apparent from Mae's history that her mom does not stand up to her daughter.  Thankfully schools closed for a few days due to the protests happening in Bangkok (although far away from us), so Mae only missed 2 days instead of 5.  Through the prayers and intervention of several, including a couple of our own students, Mae will be back in school Monday. 

But otherwise it's downward momentum for quite a few, at least today.  Ae, 19, is a motivated student with a very bright mind.  She has been a Christian just long enough that the honeymoon has worn off and doubts are creeping in.  Today at church she had on a nightclubbing top--not terribly sexy, but unusual for Ae.  She had told me several times that she used to enjoy wild living, but not anymore.  Today however at church she was spiteful, saying she wanted her old life back. 

Joy has been sick and discouraged, pulled down yet again by her dysfunctional mom.  Jane has been extra self-centered and shallow.  Waw is tired and depressed.  June started worry about money again--probably her biggest weak spot. Wan left as quickly as she came back and obviously still needs more time.  Mint is just as stuck as ever in a sick codependent relationship. 

Sigh.  It's ok though.  We'll keep going, and God will use these slips and slides to teach and grow leaders.  The general direction is still upwards.

Write a comment

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Help prevent spam - enter security code above:
 

sallipod
Posts: 18

n
Reply #18 on : Fri January 29, 2010, 01:48:08

---

<a href=http://www.google.com> http://www.google.com </a>

John
Posts: 18

Bangkok Prostition on the Rise
Reply #17 on : Tue January 20, 2009, 20:39:34

---

As a foreign teacher in Thailand I came here to help children to improve their education in a developing nation but of late I have become increasingly concerned at the massive increase in prostitution especially in the tourist areas of Bangkok. It has clearly been here a long time but recently I have been totally stunned to see the massive increase in the number of girls stretching themselves in desperation to get money by any means possible. I have witnessed thousands upon thousands of women in these areas, especially Nana and the Sukhumvit around the Arab quarter, desperate to survive.
Forget the nonsense about stereotypical crack whore - oh no, these are Tesco girls, salon workers, beauticians, florists, fat girls, older women, short women, tattooed girls, ladyboys; every walk of life, desperate for money for a multitude of reasons. But nearly always the same basic reason - desperate for money and usually not themselves but their family. The price that many young girls pay, especially from Isan, is extremely high; attempting to live out the dream of coming to Bangkok to earn money for a desperate family is just all too familiar. The credit crisis really hits home here at the bottom of the pile-so many poor suffer for gross negligence of governments and big business. The human suffering at the other end has to be seen to be believed.
I find it incredible just to see bars filled to overflowing with women of all ages and less farangs than ever, as many tourists have cancelled flights (although the numbers of Arabs and other non-Anglo Saxon groups seems to be stable). Definitely less money from tourism, even if sex-industry based, increases the need for money for others as many poor lose whatever income they had and inflation continues. The money flow slows and causes a knock on effect for so many others. The result is a deep psychological impact on women.
I reject their claims of "oh it's just a job, or just don't think about it too much". Especially in highly conservative Thai society, these girls must suffer greatly. Yes it MUST be shameful to them when others find out, whilst they attempt to keep everything a secret to everyone else. If you push these girls to speak truthfully, then all the emotion comes out -none of them really want to do this work, they just hope they will get enough to overcome whatever problem they have. But the real problem appears for the long term effects especially in standards of their mental health and social status. Once they get used to the cash for “big” money (big by their standards, real cheap by farang standards) they get locked into a cycle.
Now the answer; well there is no quick fix! A police crack down is definitely not the answer and is open to all forms of corruption in any developing nation. No it has to be a combination of cultural change and governmental initiatives. The reality is until the Thai government manages to stabilize its long term political instability, improves rights and standards for low class workers, increases their leadership to look for visionaries not just bureaucrats, and then looks at improved fiscal policies with long term job improvement schemes; the poor, most of all will suffer. Combined with no real welfare system, it’s fairly obvious where especially desperate women will end up. I therefore applaud the actions of outreach workers who at least aim to assist in the interim and I can only wish them the best as my heart is heavy when I see Thailand going backwards in this area and hope the suffering of these women will truly one day be less.

Jeremy
Posts: 18

Project Rescue
Reply #16 on : Mon May 26, 2008, 08:33:14

---

Ever heard of Project Rescue? I just heard about it from a friend who went to college with the founders' daughter. Seems very similar to what servantworks is doing!

http://www.projectrescue.com/frontpage.php

Earn
Posts: 18

the latest postcard
Reply #15 on : Tue April 01, 2008, 13:12:41

---

I'm Thai and support The well a ministry of servant works through my pray, money. I am really appreciated what you are doing for those who have no opportunity in their live and live in the darkness. I am still support your ministries. But one of my concern and it is bothering me a lot is the latest postcard which I just received couple weeks ago. I truely understand what happen in Thailand about women and teenager. Of course they are disrespect to their body, mind, soul and God by exchange it through sex for money. Can you use another word instead of Thailand's sex workers. It's sound harsh and it is hurtful. I understand that you want to wake people up through this postcard but I think there is some way else to do it.
One more thing, in the picture I see young innocent teen. I don't know who they are. They can be one of them who exchange their body with money or may not. But if it is, they already have a poor live and why you make it worse by put their picture openly!! What going to happen when they grow up? We are adult suppose to protect them, aren't we?

Jan
Posts: 18

Concerns
Reply #14 on : Sun March 30, 2008, 13:18:43

---

Hi

My name is Jan. I'd like to thank God and you all( The Well ministry) for a wonderful work for Thai woman and children who are from dysfunctional families. I've been supporting The Well for the past 2 years, and also had a chance to visit The Well in Bangkok twice.

However, I have a concern. I have received 2 postcards of the Well Ministry. I came to my mails couple weeks ago. The first time I saw the card, I did not feel anything much. But the second time I received the same post card, there is the thought that came to my mind. I saw the picture of a mother with her two beautiful daughters. They are beautiful children. Then I read the card...Thailand sex workers! I know the intention of this postcard is good. However, I think the language is too strong. Although, it is the truth for most cases. I am concerned about these children in the picture. Unfortunately, the children have to suffer from parents' poor choices and decisions. They've already been damaged and wounded. We should try to protect them. I don't think the language is appropriate, especially when there is a picture of children on it. If they can read and understand English, I can't imagine how much damage it can do to them emotinally and psychologically.

Blessings,
Jan

alan
Posts: 18

God of this city...
Reply #13 on : Wed March 12, 2008, 11:32:09

---

hey buddy,
have you heard the new song, "God of this city"?

see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk&feature=related

for u-tube version of tomlin singing it...the band Bluetree from Ireland was actually in Pattaya not too long ago, and they somehow were invited to perform in a brothel...while they were doing a 2 hr. worship set, they said God gave them this song. it is POWERful!

miss ya dude,
alan

edwin
Posts: 18

awsome comiing
Reply #12 on : Tue March 04, 2008, 20:26:18

---

im with ya Jessica!
i really wanna be involved! i hate being lazy!!!

jessica
Posts: 18

hopefully coming
Reply #11 on : Tue March 04, 2008, 00:46:56

---

My name is Jessica Wood my sister and I are in contact with servantworks about coming to bangkok this summer. Thanks for all your hard work and the genuine way you approach people... I lay awake at night thinking about this stuff....i really think God wakes me up so I will pay attention to his prompting for me to do something or say something for those trapped in the sex trade...i want to help and not just so that I can sleep easy..but because there is no other option..and becuase i deeply loves Christ and believe he sets people free....anyways just wanted to show encouragement and introduce myself

Edwin
Posts: 18

Re: jim larson's thoughts
Reply #10 on : Sun January 13, 2008, 13:54:02

---

for "Win"

you are more than right..... those that follow Christ's really lay themselves low for other people... that is LOVE!

*hugs*

win
Posts: 18

=
Reply #9 on : Tue January 01, 2008, 03:40:30

---

i'm da random...n i'm a thai gurl,,n i saw ur friends or sumone who knows u post bout wt u did in thailand..it's gd mannn...


i donno wt to say bt i never heard bout whites do stuff for helping ppl who isn't white b4


most of them jt drop sum shit here destroy enviorment...


anyway keep it