Friends of Global Missions

Last night I went to a slave market. Perhaps they were not selling young ladies for a lifetime, but no doubt about it, they were selling them for whatever one wanted.

It was a big building- a warehouse type of space- decorated and air conditioned, but still a warehouse. In stark contrast to the noise and the busyness of life on the streets, this place felt quiet and peaceful. The lighting was dim and the only bright lights were focused on the merchandise.

In a large window display was the most unusual and degrading thing I have ever seen in my life: About 100 young ladies in bikinis, each with a number pinned at their shoulder, sitting there with very fake smiles trying to catch the eye of anyone sitting outside the glass.

In this place of degradation and humiliation of the human race, other humans- men of all shapes, nations, and tribes sat quietly as they selected their slave for the hour. I wondered if some of the American men sitting in that room had previously fought for the freedom of people in other countries only to find themselves now in this place of human trafficking and slavery.

The sadness of the moment was intense. There were no thoughts other than a deep realization that human life is cheap and expendable for too many of us as I watched the grotesque pantomime of money and exploitation play out in front of me.

It is hard to have compassion for those sitting on this side of the glass; those with the bills in their hands and their minds set on themselves.

And yet, last night God called me to compassion and mercy.

I always try to put myself in other people’s positions- in their shoes, if you will- and it has been hard. To feel like one of the girls, being taken by a man that is definitely old enough to be her grandfather. To be in the ugliness of the situation where pressing economic needs and pressures of family make a girl think, “It’s only for the money.”

It is harder for me to put myself in the position of the men- many of them old, unattractive, and all of them losers. The sad reality is that they are prisoners of a glass box as well. They don’t see it, but still, they are prisoners of low self-esteem, sexual addiction, and egocentrism.

It is easy for me to be compassionate for who I perceive as the weak, the neglected, and the victim. But, I acknowledge with my head and with Scripture that in both cases, Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost, to love them both and to give His life for their sake.

I wrote, “with my head” above because I have to confess I am not really there with my heart. I am praying about that, but not there yet.

I want to grab these guys by the shirt and say to them, “Do you know how ridiculous you are making the entire male race look? Don’t you know that you’re old enough to be her grandpa? Do you really . . .”?

I walked the streets of this city in Thailand, ashamed of what we have become, disgusted by what poverty and sin does to people, and how money seems as if it can buy everything except real acceptance and love.

As I walked the streets last night and saw thousands (literally- this is not a literary hyperbole) of girls selling themselves I finally got sick to my stomach. And I don’t want to cure that. I want to be sick for many days to come- to fight, to pray, and to keep seeking what the enemy of our souls has taken away from those on both sides of the glass.

A tee shirt sold by a street vendor summed it up clearly:

Good guys goes to heaven…bad ones goes to Pattaya.

That it said all, Yes, this is hell.

Hilario Pardo

Global Mission Pastor

Reporting about human trafficking in Southeast Asia

Pat Sween shared about ongoing work in South Korea. God continues to bring together the people and resources for His work among women and their unborn children in South Korea. Two of the leaders for Women’s Hope Center will be traveling to the US in March for an international conference in L.A. God is raising up young adults who value the unborn and are actively praying for change in their church and nation on this issue so close to God’s heart.

Glenn, Don and Jon shared about the first School of Entrepreneurial Leadership in India. They have 18 students who will take six classes which will culminate with a conference on entrepreneurship. Two of the students will come to Seattle for a business internship and stay with host families. In October the program will start again with two universities in the same city.

John Gallegos and his wife, Patti shared about their heart for their small group/Gospel community.

February 12th:
We are all very excited to see how the Lord has prepared R. for this next adventure in his life. He is taking the next step to prepare for what the Lord has in store for him. We will remember him in our prayers as he begins his intensive language study.

February 19th:
We are looking forward to hearing an update from Pat Sween on how things are going in Korea. We are also looking forward to hearing from Jon Sween and Don Kiel about their last trip to India as well as get an update on the next trip in March.

February 5th:
We watched the Cultural Component, part 2 in the Operations World View video series. We heard how God created our magnificent world, galaxy and beyond with specific details that rely on enormous precision. We are in awe of the beauty all around us from our microscopic DNA to the enormous universe. He longs for us to delight in Him. "God the Father is choosing for His son a Bride comprised of people from every tribe and tongue and nation." Werner Mischke

February 12th:
We are looking forward to hearing from Ryan C. He will be going to the Near East for language study and to receive his orientation with OM.

January 29th:
Juan Romero came and shared with us his vision to use his skills for the glory of the Lord. Juan  recently volunteered as an intern in Costa Rica for four months with Engineering Ministries International (EMI).  Juan desires to gain more skills as a Civil Engineer and return to the mission field.
"EMI is a non-profit Christian development organization made up of architects, engineers and design professionals who donate their skills to help children and families around the world step out of poverty and into a world of hope." http://www.emiusa.org/

February 5th:
Perspective Video – Please join us for the Cultural Component, part 2.  "Obedience" is usually associated with missions. How could it be that love, beauty, delight – and romance! – are also important for the Great Commission enterprise?  Come and discuss this and more from our next cultural component.