Life in Thailand is so much more than I expected—and, in a lot of ways, certainly not what I thought it would be. I live in the modernized capital city of the country with hundreds of other foreigners, or “farang” as the locals like to call us. It might not be my hometown and I may stand out a bit, but it’s never uncomfortable, at least not in that sense.
Stacie AguilarActually most of the discomfort I experience here comes from the anti-trafficking ministry itself. My co-worker Rebekah and I have experienced a lot of growth while we have been here, and I don’t believe it has ever been easy. These past few weeks and the next few weeks before us are a testament to that.
Aside from teaching English at the massage parlor, I also am in charge of tutoring three of the boys at least once a week. So, typically each week, I have to come up with English lessons for four or five sessions, and each boy’s ability can range greatly from understanding verb tenses to learning how to count to ten in English.
This is the sign outside of a park. The owner once had several bars and clubs on this property but after becoming a Christian he tore it all down and had this park. We walk past if every time we do outreach in one of the red light districts and its a great reminder that God can change even the hearts that seem farthest from him.To be honest, I’m not sure I have all the qualifications to be an English teacher other than the fact that I can speak the language and that I love these boys. It’s not extremely difficult, but I do find myself playing catch-up all the time, and improvisation has become my best friend. It can be stressful at times.
Recently, Rebekah and I have volunteered to help out another organization, while many of their staff are out of the country. We have been working at a safe house at least once a week this past month to help care for a Ugandan woman who was trafficked into the country and who is now on her way home. She is a sweet and soft-spoken woman who loves worship music and baking. So, it’s been nice to spend time with her. It does, however, take a while to travel there, and the hot weather can suck out all our energy before we even get there. Pray that we can always have the energy to give this woman the love she deserves.
Recently, we were able to take a break from all of the stress when our staff went on a retreat together. We got to hang out at the beach, take late night swims in the pool, ride bikes to lunch and enjoy each other’s company. It was especially nice to get to meet a new couple who will be working with our organization here for five years. We also got to celebrate Songkran, which is known as the water festival or Thai New Year.
April 13-15 is Songkran, the Thai New Year/ Water festival. Kids have water guns (adults too) and throw water on anyone that walks by. During those days I could not leave the apartment building without getting soaked within 2 minutes.Unfortunately, that relief was short lived. Our executive director, Celeste had to make an unexpected trip to the States to be with her family in Oklahoma. Her father had a bad fall. He passed away April 19, surrounded by his family.
It’s been especially hard for Celeste and now for us left here to keep the foundation running without our executive director. Our office manager and our café manager also have had things come up, and neither will be with us for a few days. Rebekah and I have had to take on a bit more responsibility, and it can feel a bit intimidating at times.
In the last few days, I also attended the funeral of my friend’s mother. She had been battling cancer. It was hard to be there, especially knowing how I had been praying for her healing. Being at that temple, I was reminded so much of the hopelessness of this place. I felt so hopeless and heartbroken for this family. It honestly left me confused and saddened to not have my prayer answered in the way that I wanted it to be. But I believe God is in control and that it is OK to come to God with raw emotions and be truthful to him about our hearts and our confusion.
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I don’t have to pretend I like what God is doing in me. I don’t have to pretend that it doesn’t hurt, or that I’m not afraid, or that I’m not upset. He is the One who created our hearts, so there is definitely no point in trying to hide any of it from him. That’s one thing Rebekah and I have been learning here. I think being in a place like this will do that. It shows you parts of your heart you never realized you had within you. But it also shows you parts of God you never knew of before either. I still believe God is sovereign and that he is at work.
We went on a staff retreat and it was fun stepping away from the city. Here’s a cow joining us during our evening bike ride.Even if the growth is uncomfortable, it’s growth, nonetheless. And good things are happening every day here, as well. During our Easter holiday, we observed a Jesus Week. An American friend who visits twice a week to teach Bible stories to the boys in Thai came every day that week. He worked to help the boys understand the severity of sin and the power of God’s grace.
On Good Friday, we held a party and made confetti eggs for fun. Then we watched The Passion of the Christ together. A couple of our boys love Jesus and have a relationship with him, but the others are still trying to know him more. As they watched the movie, they were upset with how people were treating Jesus and could not understand why all this was happening. It was a good way for them to see what Jesus had done for them, the suffering he endured that one day he could win their hearts. We ended that week on a great note the Monday after Easter when two of our boys were baptized.
One of those boys, who has been with Celeste for years, has just been admitted into a prestigious culinary school here in Bangkok. It’s so incredible to see this individual who was once drug addicted and working in the bars, now able to follow his dreams of becoming a chef. This is how I know God is at work. This is what encourages us to continue our ministry every day.
Stacie Aguilar, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, is serving with an anti-trafficking ministry in Thailand through Go Now Missions.
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