Present yourself as slaves of righteousness for holiness. - Romans 6:19
I have just finished washing many clothes by hand and hanging them outside to dry. It is the usual way of washing and drying clothes here. My friend really likes things to stay clean, and so, I am trying to show her Jesus' love and care by doing this. I am also trying not to be sad today. As such, I have tried to encourage myself by singing a hymn and reading back over entries in my Chinese memory book. It helped some. Why am I sad? I have been in China 15 days, and today I am really missing my American friends and family and the good cooking. Still have six weeks to go in China and almost a week in Japan though before I return. I know that if I don't snap out of this mood that I won't be as effective as I could be too, and today is an important day for me.
The past two nights I have been disturbed emotionally. It is good though; it means that my heart is soft to my Father. Two nights ago I saw something while on a walk with friends that I had forgotten for four years. What did I see? (Take this as a warning guys if you ever come to China.) I saw a pink light and several ladies waiting to prostitute their bodies. I learned in one of my last two trips that nearly always a building in China with a pink light means that the building is a brothel; it's like in America if you see a building with a rainbow sticker at the bottom you know it's a place of homosexual activity. I honestly had forgotten about pink lights, and I honestly think the only reason we (myself and two friends) stopped right in front of it was for Papa to remind me. It broke my heart! I prayed for the ladies and guys that would go in and out of that building.
I thought of what I could do. I felt helpless, extremely helpless. I wanted to run back to the brothel and scream not at the ladies but at the horror of this injustice to humanity. I wanted to plead with the ladies to be set free and come out with me, but honestly I didn't think any would know English and I don't know enough Chinese to persuade them to come out into Jesus' freedom. So, I walked on with my friends in sadness and despair. I asked Papa to show me how I could help them. Later that night, when I returned to Shelby's I noticed for the first time that there were three brothels near hear apartment.
Things didn't end there. Yesterday I met my friend Harriet. We talked on the bus about this. She shared with me more of how rampant this problem is. I learned that many places disguised as places of business are actually brothels too. Harriet mentioned in her talk with me that many hair salons are actually brothels. Thus, the idea --- get my hair cut for the sake of the Gospel. You see, I remembered Jesus and how he was a friend to the prostitutes. I honestly just want to be these prostitutes' friends and knew that if Harriet came with me that she could speak Chinese to them and if it be Papa's timing that she could actually share the Gospel verbally with these ladies.
So, last night we went to two brothels to ask about getting our hair cut today. We found a third place maybe a brothel or maybe not (but definitely right beside them) that will cut our hair. I am excited to get my hair cut for the sake of the Gospel for the first time ever in my life! (I was really sad though that the brothel I wanted to get my hair cut in wouldn't/didn't do hair cuts.)
Something else disturbed me too ... something that quietly exits worldwide but that you usually don't hear about. Today I saw this news story on Chinese television. I asked questions to understand because the newscast was all in Chinese. The story was about guys, some very young and some very old, that were being kidnapped and then sold in China to a slave factory. These precious people were sold for such a low price, 300 or 400 RMB. Then, they were forced to work day and night to make bricks from mud. In addition to these horrors, they were also beaten often very badly and some at least were terribly burned. One guy's face was disfigured; perhaps he was born that way and not hurt while working as a slave, but it was terrible looking. The media got the story out, alerted the police, and helped to set free all of these poor slaves/people. Their slave boss was arrested too. I asked the guy that was answering questions for me if this was common in China. He said, "Yes. It is common in the provinces where there are coal mines." I can't remember the province that he named, but I think he said Shandong Province.
I have also been disturbed emotionally by something else I forgot about. I forgot about the beggars in China. They are abundant and most are definitely in need. Some do cheat people, but most would probably take your breath away if you saw them. For instance, the first Sunday I was in China I unexpectedly went with Spring to a Good Book study. Right near the gate were three beggars. The first was so horrifically burned all over that seeing him or her brought tears to my eyes, many tears. The second beggar was about a 30 year old lady with twisted legs and I think maybe cerebral palsy. She was there last time too ... in the POURING rain! These are only a few of the beggars I've seen in a mere 15 days.
This morning I saw a boy (I think) who was so incredibly dirty all over and whose shoes were amazingly tattered. He wasn't begging, but he was just sitting sorta dazed near a bus stop. I knew I had to help him, so I returned a few steps back with Harriet and gave him 10 RMB. I am glad that my heart breaks for these beggars and for the child. I know it is good, as I've had a hard, cold heart at times and know that this time I don't. Thank you Papa!!! Thank you for letting me give your money away to beggars in China!!!
I tell you all of this because after seeing the first brothel, my first solution of how to help them was to speak out and make you all aware of the problems and some groups that help. I was also reminded of a talk I had over dinner the Sunday before I left. One of my friends made a joke about mail-order brides, and I honestly spoke too harshly to him in front of others. (I asked for his forgiveness the next day so that I wouldn't further embarass him over dinner.) Why I spoke too harshly is related to the problems of prostitution and poverty though. You see in America, I've studied these problems a little, and so I knew that it was no joking matter but rather a horrific injustice against humanity. Poverty and prostitution (forced or consensual) and slavery are global problems affecting thousands if not millions of folks. And so, if you like me desire to fight such evils, then I ask that you check out the websites and organizations below. May God bless all of our fighting for righteousness' sake!
Love you guys and miss yall very much now!
--- Amanda Kay
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. - Matthew 5:42
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me ... And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. - Matthew 10:37-39
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Comments
By Michael James Craig on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:59:38 GMT
wow... that is just nuts. i've seen the occasional begger/hitchhiker along i-10, but never like you described. never seen a brothel, much less a barber shop that doesn't cut hair. lol. that would be odd. we miss you here too. take care of yourself. -hugs-
By Sonjia Lou Johnson on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:54:59 GMT
We love you and miss you too. Make a difference where ever you are (China or Marianna or any other place). JC said that the widow gave more than all the others even though it was the least of coins. Little is much when it is for the Lord. Love you much. Mama
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