Love in the Red Light District

It could be easily argued that Valentine’s Day is one of the most commercialized days of expressing “love”.  You know the kind of love that’s in boxes of chocolates, around the necks of teddy bears and in candied hearts.  We often get caught up in the love-fest, buried under these outward and materialized moments, while forgetting that it’s a matter of the heart.

What is love?  One of the best quotes about love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

So, what do we do with it?  Advice was given by a man who knew no stranger and turned away no one.  Jesus told us to, “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (1 John 13:34,35).”
Tonight our team broke into pairs and took love to the red light district (specifically Nana Plaza) of Bangkok.  The goal of each team was to be present with the girls there: listen to them, offer kind words & smiles and shower them with love.

My partner, Megan S., and I did just that.  Well, and God. :)  We sat at the Pretty Lady bar and spoke with a young woman whom I’ll call Bin.  Bin is only 25 and has been working at the bar for a month.   She recently lost her job (a job that was her passion for two years) as a travel agent due to the recent floods in Thailand.  The agency where she worked tanked.  At the suggestion of a friend, Bin started working at the bar.  Here in Thailand, a girl can make about 7000 bahts a month in a bar compared to the average 300-400 bahts as a farmer.  She’s working so she can send her little brother to college and support her parents who are farmers in a province hours north of Bangkok.  Bin is the only daughter and in Thai culture the daughter is expected to provide financial security for her parents and additional immediate family.

Bin is young woman with aspirations to start back in the travel business as soon as she’s able.  She expressed faith that one of her friends currently working at an agency will be able to bring her onboard once Bin learns more English.  Bin’s eyes still have hope in them unlike some of the girls whose eyes are stormy, sad and have seen too much.  She sits across from Meghan and me in her 3/4 length Mickey Mouse shirt and jean shorts.  When she giggles, she covers her mouth and leans back on her stool.  She’s real and so is her story.

But sometimes faith and hope run short.  It’s said that love never does though. It never fails.  Of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest.  And thank God for that.  I hope that the love Meghan and I poured out on Bin tonight will be a love that lasts forever in her heart.  May it be a special Valentine memory that she’ll carry with her (along with the teddy bear we gave her) if faith and hope expire.

Despite our shortfalls, there’s a God who loves us no matter what.  We each fall short on our own, but He reaches out and always waits for us.  If there’s any sure argument, it’s that He’s the ultimate Valentine.