It has been about a month since our team of parents and World Racers entered the girly bars in Angeles City, a month since images of young girls trapped in the sex industry became permanently embedded in my mind. The lies that they want to be there, or they enjoy it, or it’s what they chose, don’t hold up because I have personally talked to those who have left and those who doubt they could ever leave due to fear. These girls have names and faces, children and dreams. They have a heavy burden because they have been sold a lie that this is the only way that they can eat or live. As if, the men who are abusing them are doing them a huge favor. A lie that says they have no value, when in truth their lives do matter, they deserve to be treated with dignity and love. They deserve a future, they deserve freedom, they deserve to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.
The problem to me is the enormity of the issue of sexual slavery. The justice in me wants to torch the establishments that sell these girls, do away with the bars completely. The truth is they would spring up again filling the void with more evil. I’m all for the bars shutting down but if nothing good comes to replace them it would all be for nothing. As you walk down Walking Street there are bars upon bars with lights flashing filled with partly dressed girls/women “entertaining” the tourists. Part way down the street is a Hello Kitty cafe, completely standing out of place in this dark, oppressed area of town. We stopped and laughed at the bright pink cafe with children and parents inside looking as out of place as we were in this street of darkness. But honestly that obnoxious pink cafe gives me hope. What if more businesses that were family friendly moved in?
Bella Goose is a coffee shop in Wisconsin Dells, WI that is in the process of opening a coffee shop in Angeles City. They are hiring former bar girls to be their baristas! They are not just talking about the injustice of human trafficking but they are offering hope in a practical way. If you want to be a part of this in even a small way I would recommend you join their coffee club. Every month you get freshly roasted coffee sent to your home and 100% of the gross profit will go towards fighting human trafficking in Angeles City. ( http://bellagoosecoffee.com/) Bella Goose has partnered with Wipe Every Tear to help these beautiful girls start over with a safe home, education and a future. What if more businesses took the risk and set up shop where these girls could work doing something that is not degrading?
It costs about $300 a month for each girl that comes out of the bars to live at the Wipe Every Tear homes – that covers a roof over their head, food, education, tutoring, care for their children and a small allowance. They are learning to walk in freedom. They are introduced to Jesus and discovering their identity as children of a loving Father. The lies that they have no value are being erased. Their future is being rewritten and light is pouring in as they have a new found HOPE. There is not a pressure to perform, these girls are experiencing the life changing power of the Holy Spirit as the staff of Wipe Every Tear loves them – Just Love. It has been a thrill to meet girls on the street and tell them about the opportunity to leave the bars and find life. The houses are getting full as more and more girls are trusting that mercy really does win. Please consider giving to Wipe Every Tear so that more houses can be rented and staffed for these precious people.
The last night that we were on Walking Street felt very heavy to me, this cloud of oppression pressed on me as the problem seemed so big. Our team was just leaving the block walking towards the archway announcing “Walking Street”. I saw 2 thin young sisters (maybe) coming from the terminal where the Jeepneys come to Angeles City. They caught my eye because they looked different – long, leaner bodies, poor, dirty, brown teeth, a scarf loosely flowing over their heads, flip flops for shoes and one small plastic bag of belongings. One looked to be in her 20’s, the other maybe 12, I wondered what their story was. As they passed by and were in my peripheral vision, a man came out of the shadows towards them. In a cheesy, loud, salesman voice he said “What do we have here? I see Sexy and Sexier… come with me ladies I have just what you need.” My heart pounded in fear as if the devil himself had spoken. When I turned around they were already gone like a mist. Those faces haunt me.
Every day that scene plays itself out in city after city all over the world – the vulnerable meet the face of evil. The problem seems so big I just want to hide my head and try to ignore it. Then I think of the sweet girls that I have met, the ones who have been rescued. I know that every single one of their lives were worth going in and rescuing. We can rejoice in that! This is a war where mercy can win. We need to be in battle for these girls through prayer. Stand up in your city, fight against the slavery happening right under our noses. Say no to pornography. Fight for these girls as if they were your own daughters.
Ways that you can fight:
- Pray!
- Give to Wipe Every Tear or other organizations that are fighting human trafficking in your area.
- Buy your coffee from Bella Goose Coffee Club to help support girls coming off the streets.
- If you are one who wants justice: give to International Justice Mission or get their updates so you can be aware of what is happening in the world.
- Raise awareness and don’t hide your head in the sand.
- Go! If you are able to go on a short term trip with Wipe Every Tear or would like to serve on their staff – it will change your life!
This is my final blog on serving with Wipe Every Tear:
Part 1: Unqualified
Part 2:Chosen
Part 3: Lady Boys and Love
happytobeahousemama 