Beauty From Ashes

*Disclaimer...not for kiddos...  
     Beauty in brokenness. Beauty despite the sin, shame, exhaustion, stress, overwhelming odds against life. A huge desire for love, peace, healing, livelihood, prosperity. This is what my eyes notice as I walk through the red-light district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. One thing I don't see, a yearning to leave the lifestyle.
     God has placed a dream in my heart. A dream of healing and safe-haven for women and children who have been abused, trafficked, or worked the streets. When I found out IGo had a bar ministry program I knew that is what I wanted to be involved in. However, there were many reasons I would not be blessed with that ministry. Many of the girls who come to IGo want to be involved, and the administration has to make a very hard choice about who goes where. When I filled out the ministry night paperwork I prayed that God would place me where I would be most used, and grow the most. In my heart I did not think I would be placed with Ransom. Truly, I just wanted to be used by God, and I wanted His will to reign in my life.
     My Father is so faithful in my life. The desires He places on our hearts, he fulfills. I was placed with Ransom and already my heart for these beautiful ladies has grown. My friends and family, I plead with you, please lift us in prayer. Every night we go out the enemy tries his best to drag us down. We need extra coverage in prayer on Monday and Friday nights. For those of you in the states, this would be Monday and Friday mornings. We are fighting on the front lines, a battle we are so ill-equipped for. Only by the grace of God can we continue. So again I ask, please, please lift us before the Father.
     Imagine not knowing how to provide for your family so you resorted to selling yourself. The thing is, it was only going to be for a time. Just until things turned around and money was not so tight. However, you started to like feeling beautiful and desirable to men. It validated who you were as a women. Until the emotions you had been pushing down started to rise to the surface. Now you start to feel shame and guilt. You know something is missing but what is it? Maybe you just need to make more money. So you raise your price. Thats better, now you are not only providing for you family, you are prospering. In fact, a new car is just in reach, and maybe even a new home. Still, that does not take the feelings away, but at this point the money is too good, and nothing, nothing would make you leave that behind. This is all too real here in the city. In spite of that, I love these women, my heart brakes because they are in such bondage, and most don't even know it. What they need is Jesus!!!
     So, we walk, pray, sing, bless the streets we walk. We proclaim Jesus over buildings, individuals, and nights. The Holy Spirit is asked to move, convict, and breath in the lives of these women and men. Sadly, its easy to grow angry at the men. They need Jesus just as much as the ladies. Pray that we would see them as broken people who are looking for love.
     Also, my last ministry trip I will be going to southern Thailand. In this area women line up on the streets waiting for men. Its one of the biggest red light districts in this part of the world...if not in the whole world. Pray that God would prepare my heart for that trip.
    This next week starts exams and finishing up projects. Pray for sleep to be increased as I take late nights to study and cram. After that is when we leave for ministry trips. Please pray the Father prepares each students heart for what is ahead. Also for strength, courage, excitement, health, protection from the enemy, and open eyes, hearts, mind to the things Jesus wants to teach.
In AMAZEMENT of Him,
Bree
P.S. If you want to commit to praying specifically for us on Monday and Fridays please shoot me a comment or email. I will send you the list of all us girls going out and specific requests if they come up.