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Serving in Bangkok

  • Step into victory

      2 April 2017
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    I still have to pinch myself that I am apart of such an incredible ministry; that God uniquely called not just me, but every single volunteer and employee from all over the world (14 nations represented) and is calling his daughters to us, he is pursuing them and we are seeing the fruit of this with the women and children we are assisting.

    For sometime we have been working to shift our program from our current 24 hour in-patient care to independent (out-patient) care. We provide what the women need and we will now offer a day program 5 days a week (YAY). A place of rest, joy, nurturing, training, skill development, vocational training and fellowship. We moved into our new centre last week and tomorrow (3rd of April) we will open our doors to the 6 women we are currently assisting. We have been praying for this for a long time. Annie and Pon (founders of Night Light) declared that this year was a year of breakthrough in different areas, how good is our God?!

    During our Night Light retreat we spent time in worship, prayer, fellowship and lot's of eating! Within the retreat we had 7 baptisms total. One of those being a women in our care, who has such a passion for the Lord. My absolute highlight of this retreat were the brave women that stood and shared their testimonies. To see one of our volunteers from a totally different part of the world be connected with one of our Thai staff because of their testimonies, displayed the power of love across two cultures; that we are indeed sisters. These testimonies are of women stepping into victory, walking in healing, being re born and never having to seek love outside of our Father.

    We held our first international medical clinic last month, where our nurse and on staff doctor checked 17 women, we had live worship and fellowship through out the medical clinic.

    God, all glory goes to you! The breakthroughs have come after the seasons of waiting and challenges, you deliver on your promises and have shown us such favor, Thank you!

    1 Corinthians 15:57

    "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

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  • "You really love me?"

      16 February 2017
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    "We love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19

    I knew her for 10 minutes, and I loved her so fiercely and with so much depth that I blurted out I loved her, and cared for her. It's as though I feel God's love in my veins for these woman as I encounter them and connect with them, I can't contain the overflowing feeling of love and it allows me to be joyful (which in the red light district that was the last emotion I expected to feel). This woman replied cautiously and looking at me intently to see any falter "you love me?" (like really, you don't even know me).

    It's hard for the word love to be accepted and received as God intended love to be, when the connotation with love for many women is pain, deceit, rape, sex for money, walks out on you, and uses. So I saw the doubt in her eyes, and I prayed silently in that moment that God would somehow fill the gap and she would for a moment experience his love as I told her again I loved her, and cared about her as I hugged her for a little longer.

    She was tricked here, the stories never get easier to hear even with the commonality of deceit and trickery in the similar stories. She was promised a job, she signed a contract, left her child in her mother's care while she hoped to work to provide a better life for her child. Trusting this person she was going with, she arrived and was told she owes $10,000 USD and she will be a prostitute to pay the debt and will sell her body. Like so many other woman this hope of creating a better life for themselves and families has become a avenue for traffickers to fuel into.

    I encountered 6 other woman last night with eerily similar stories. There are doors available to these woman for assistance thanks be to God for all He has provided, I pray these women knock at that door.

    I remind myself that I can continue to pour out and love because his love for me is everlasting, it never ends, never fails, never lies and is forever faithful. I depend on him, and am reminded that my strength and love fails but His doesn't, so I carry these women and their stories and entrust them to God. I am to intercede for them, fight for them in prayer.

    "We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him, throwing away all defensive armour, if our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as the way in which they should break, so be it." -C.S Lewis (The 4 loves)

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  • Happy New Year! 2017 update

      28 January 2017
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    I entered 2017 sitting with a friend eating Pad Thai from a street stall which cost $1.20 NZD, it was the best pad thai I have tasted in my 7 months being here (must go back)!!

    Our Night Light team just came back from beautiful Khao Yai (3 hours outside of Bangkok) we spent 3 days in 20 degree weather, I dug out my jumper for the occasion, frolicking in sunflower fields, eating every 2 hours (not joking), practicing my thai and spending time worshipping and praising God for 2016. I only spewed once from over eating so we will take that as a win.

    I am back in Bangkok 5kg heavier and probably unable to eat rice for a few months excited and on fire for 2017 and for the changes ahead.

    Looking ahead to 2017 here are some updates and what I am doing for this year!

    1. Our transition home has been closed for over a month now for various reasons and we are preparing for some change in how we offer care for women so this may look different in the months to come!

    2. I have joined our International outreach team where 2x nights a week we will venture into brothels, red light district areas, clubs and bars to build relationships with the women, pimps, traffickers, bar owners and brothel owners. We will be focusing on reaching women from Africa, Eastern European countries and Colombia (whilst any other nationalities we encounter).

    3. We are holding a medical clinic next week for women in prostitution to receive free health care and advice from our Night Light medical volunteers. This will be my first medical clinic experience.

    In other news, this kiwi girl may be trading New Zealand soil for Bangkok concrete for even longer......

    I am currently praying through a decision that could allow me to live here in Bangkok for another 1-2 years, the prospect of this opportunity makes me excited as God has softened my heart for Thailand and has set a fire in my soul for Bangkok. 2017 you are have already been full of surprises, opportunities and challenges.

    This Psalm has been stirring on my heat lately and wanted to close with this.

    Psalm 3:3-4 "But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain."

    Blessings to you all xx

    P.S photo from Khao Yai (what I wished Bangkok looked like)

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  • Transition is tough

      6 December 2016
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    I have been wrestling with some emotions that were unexpected... but then again not very surprising. Building relationships takes time, to build mutual love, trust, safety and joy takes time. Now working in a transition home, is just that. A transition from one place to another, it is for a season, for a time (usually 3 months).

    Fortunately for me both women I have had the privilege to meet and walk with in our transition home have been here 4+ months, meaning relationships were built with very deep rooted love and care. But as our last woman in care is about to return home, knowing that I may never talk or see these women again tears at my heart. Spending months with someone, being vulnerable, learning, over coming hurdles and caring for each other and cooking/cleaning the household, hours of prayer, bible study and praise. Maybe it's selfish to feel sad as these women step into their new life I am beyond happy and joyful for their return to their families.

    But I will always wonder... how are they doing? how are their kids doing? have they started their businesses we dreamt and talked about? how is God moving in their lives? are they safe?

    God has entrusted me with so much, why he has called me and allowed me of all people to walk with these women is the biggest privilege in my life. God has called me to Love these women for this season in our transition home, and although my heart slightly breaks as they return home, God has called me to be strong and to love.

    I am not here to change beliefs, I am certainly not here to be a "teacher" of life because I know these women have been enriching my life and teaching me about life. I am simply here to Love and IF God tells me too I will practice discipleship.

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  • Where is God in all of this

      18 October 2016
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    I realised a while ago that God fights for us, he protects us, puts us under his wing and puts a wall of fire around us.

    But this doesn't exactly mean we don't experience pain and hurt. because we have the freedom of choice (Thank you God) we still make decisions that can hurt us and we are also subject to others making decisions that hurt us directly and indirectly. This has become an absolute truth watching women escape from sex trafficking and even those who are still trapped in the streets. Working in such a industry challenged me of where God fits into the picture with so much violence, abuse, and pain. I came to understand that corruption started when Eve decided to eat from the tree of knowledge, corruption was born. The need to be powerful, independent and to play God only grew from this instance. There is a lot of evil, and pain but we are not to be the judges of what defines good and evil in which serves us for our good.

    I have witnessed women forgive the very person who sold them over and over, who raped them and beat them up.

    What I have learnt is that God can REDEEM the evil and pain to create something new from a terrible situation. And no, God does not require horrible things to happen to people in order to make a point but it just so happens that people make their own choices and these choices can severely hurt others.

    So while there is so much pain in this world, God is fighting for his daughters in the streets and I have seen this with the women in how Jesus comes to them in dreams, visions and through other people. Being here has not in any sense doubted God's love but has shown me just how much he loves and cares for his precious daughters and how his heart breaks for them. I am so grateful that God uses nightlight as a source of light and hope and I pray that he would continue to bless us so we are able to see more women redeemed by our saviour and mighty God!

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  • One woman prepares to return home after 5 years!

      15 September 2016
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    She has been in the house for a little over 6 months with her babies who are oh so cute! We are in the final stages of sending her home after 5 years since being in her home country. She arrived to the home not knowing Christ, where in Africa witch craft is a dominant form of spirituality applied, practised and believed. After 3 months, the Lord arrived to Her in visions and powerful dreams, the Lord was speaking to her, working in her through volunteers and dreams.

    Today, I am blessed to know This woman as a strong, passionate, joyful, compassionate and generous woman of God. She prays with strength and desire, she asks questions with hunger, she has visions and dreams and an intimate relationship with the Lord.

    I see God in both ladies, I see God graciously moving in their lives, healing, restoring, comforting, and loving. I have never seen him, not like this, not so close. I told myself, I have to stay, I have to get to know him. These women push, challenge, encourage me to press deeper into the Lord every single day, to challenge my intimacy with Christ, my obedience, leadership, and understanding of who God is!

    Gods timing is perfect, if She and her babies left before the 3 months (as our program is designed for) she would have returned home without coming to know God, although this journey has been tough for her being away from her daughter And family God has given hope for a better future, vision and dreams where she is able to share the word of God with her family and friends!

    Prayer requests:

    Prayer for Her over this next week leading up to her return home that God would make the paths clear and smooth for her return home (travelling with babies as a solo mum is going to be hard work!)

    Prayer for Her reunion with her daughter to be blessed by God, and guided by him that their reunion is one filled with love, and joy.

    Provision for Her during her time with an organisation in Uganda that will be caring for her and the babies and empowering her to start a new life.

    Guidance and wisdom for myself to speak truth to the ladies, to encourage them to turn to Christ in all things, that I can be a reflection of God for the ladies and wisdom to do this. Energy and rest during my days at the house.

    Blessings,

    Lily

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  • So... What exactly do you do?!

      2 September 2016
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    Q.What do you do in your role? What does it look like?

    A. Before coming to work in the safe house I envisioned it to be very different but at the same time it is the work I knew it would be. Because both women and the babies in our care have been here for over 6 months in our care, their journey during my time is a lot different to when a women comes straight from the street to our care. Both women are daughters of Christ, (they were baptised 3 months ago) have dealt with a lot of their surface pains, hurts and anger during their first few months in our care. Both women are still healing, which I believe will be a process in which we cannot put a time cap on given what these ladies have been through and the extent of what they have endured and seen. So for me, my role when I come to the house is to be an ear, be a support, be present, to bring fun, exercise and some nutrition awareness and share the word of God through prayer and bible study.

    My shifts are usually 2-3 over night shifts a week (9am-10pm) with 3-4 day shifts included in those. Our days look different each time, the women have medical appointments, counselling, job skills and learning opportunities outside of the house. We go grocery shopping as a family, we have a budget to stick to. We have a house cleaning day where as a family we clean all common areas. We take turns cooking lunches and dinners. We pray before we eat, and we pray before we sleep each night. We take day trips to different markets and parks to get the boys out of the house and ourselves as being in one place can sometimes be detrimental.

    We watch movies after dinner to relax, we talk about our up bringing, culture, family and if the ladies feel comfortable they will share their story with me. There have been times I have wanted to cry and weep hearing the horrible things they have endured, I can't imagine these women before me going through this and I still can't see it! I cry when in my room when we have powerful breakthroughs and prayer time, I cry with joy and a new depth of appreciation for life and a new capacity to love. I smile and feel protective over the two baby boys when they fall asleep on my chest after a long day and wonder what it would be like to have a family one day. I sometimes cannot say anything or give any advice, all I can do is listen and wait for God to speak to me for what to say. I rely solely on God every day to guide me and fill any lack, to provide sight in areas of life that I am completely blind too and have no experience in.

    The way I see it is my role is to LOVE as best as I can and ask God in prayer to increase my capacity and understanding for love, as I grow spiritually I am

    Able to love more like God. What we do isn't extraordinary or life changing (God does that) and doesn't require a stack of skills or experience (although these are helpful and we have staff that are trained specially in counselling and case managing). I just love as best I can.

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  • Is sex trafficking really that bad in Bangkok?

      1 September 2016

    Q. How bad is sex trafficking and prostitution in Bangkok? Is it really an issue?

    A. YES!

    I have not had a night out in Bangkok, I haven't been to any bars, and I am yet to partake in an outreach With our nightlight team where we go into bars where purchasing of women occurs.

    BUT despite this I have seen and heard very sad, dark, upsetting, dehumanising, objective, and felt the intense presence of sexuality.

    In my first week living in Bangkok I went with some friends to an outdoor food court. It was 9.30pm, a Friday night. The tables are relatively seated close together. I was eating my dinner and couldn't help notice a male in his late 40's early 50's with two Thai women who were similar age just I front of me. I saw the women handing their cellphone back and forth to the guy where he proceeded to say no or nod yes indicating some sort of interest. I was now curious... I was able to see the man hold the phone and see exactly what he was seeing...

    A series of photos of naked (young) Thai women. These two ladies were selling these women to this man where he could swipe through the ladies and approve of one for him to purchase! At one photo he gestured that her boobs weren't big enough.

    The women were telling him prices. I was so furious, about to jump out of my chair my new friends asked what was wrong. I told them what I had just saw, pointed the man out to them. They replied yes it's wrong and sick but the women (the photos of the women) want to do this, it's their only way to make income to support themselves and their family. I debated this saying that if a women were given a choice of employment that paid a decent wage I personally do not believe any women would sell her body!

    I was overwhelmed, angry and surprised at how "normal" and ok this seemed. I did not approach the man and women, what would I say? Would the women be mad at me for stopping business? Is it the right way to approach this issue? Do I just pray over the situation? God tell me what to do!!! I just witnessed a man buying a women via a cellphone.

    It felt like someone punched me in the chest, and kicked me down telling me this is the way it is, get used to it. I felt defeated.

    Within my 3 months I have encountered numerous (approx 10) western men with Thai women in hotel Cafes discussing prices, and how he must pay $2000 baht to take the women from the bar (bar fee) and from there he pays for the service on top of that. I heard many men try to barter the price down like the chatachuk markets in Bangkok. The face of one girl was total disappointment and despair. I could feel her emotions for a moment, the lack of value and self worth because this man wasn't willing to pay ($50-80) for her. He would pay for the lunch and they would leave together to the hotel.

    I just kept saying in my head "you are beautiful, you are special, so worthy and loved!" I wanted to scream this to her and hug her. But once again I was paralysed to do so. At this point I felt like I have failed in so many ways by not saying anything.

    My most recent experience was on the BTS train (main form of public transport) a Thai man forgot to connect his headphone to his phone....loud noises from the pornography he was watching filled the train. I was mortified, looking at him while he fumbled to turn the volume down I got off the BTS feeling dirty and defeated again!

    Sex and hyper-sexualisation in Bangkok is everywhere! The reality is people come from all over the world just to purchase women (men have freely admitted this to some male friends of mine) so yes this is an issue!!!

    the next time I am confronted with this I hope that I have the courage to say something, in a way that is not aggressive nor demeaning to the women but to let them know there are other ways, there is help for both the women enslaved and the men enslaved by lust and addiction, there is freedom for both !

    #freedomlooksgoodonher #realmendontbuywomen

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