I just returned from debriefing our world racers in Thailand. They saw some incredibly difficult things this past month. The following blog written by a Racer is an example.

80 girls, 2 stages...
XXX Shows...
Dancing girls....

"Come here, beautiful women!"

"Hello, Hello, Come here for lady boys!"

More than just the neon signs shout at me as I walk past. It is my first night to walk the open bars and I am overwhelmed by a sense of darkness.

With each level I climb, I feel more and more heaviness laying on my chest. At points, it is even hard for me to physically breathe.

There is really nothing you can do to prepare yourself to see the Red Light district in Thailand. It is even hard to piece together a thought, much less a prayer for these girls.

But I am broken.

Men are scattered inside and outside the bars. Men that look like they could be my father, my grandfather, or even my college buddies.

They are there for one reason: to take home a girl to do with them whatever they please. 60% of the men who come to Thailand come for a prostitute. It sickens me even as we pass them by on the street holding the hands of girls who can't be more than 16 years old. I am skeptical of every man I see on the subway, in the restaurant, and walking by. It is true that it is harder to love them than the girls.

But they are broken, too.

My prayer is continually drowned by the sound of thumping music. The atmosphere leaves me feeling more like a perverted 50 year old man coming to watch a show than a missionary. But my calling is clear. I refuse to believe satans lies that they are simply having fun or that they enjoy their work. I look up and see a girl whose eyes glisten with tears under the red light thrust on her body, exposing her for more than just her skin. She is broken.

I walk past a man, but he is not dressed as a man. Most likely he went under whole or partial surgery to become a woman and is now prostituting himself to men and women. At first glance he is even more beautiful than some of the girls I see there. But inside, he is incredibly broken.

Continued tomorrow...