Hey MEN! Yes... you! I'm calling out to YOU! I am calling out to you to tell you that YOU were called to GREATNESS! You were designed to protect, provide, defend, and be strong.
One of the things that fascinates me the most about the sex industry is how contradictory it is to what really brings happiness, wholeness, and joy. The sex industry says, "Hey, sex is fun, it feels good, so why not do it? Who cares who you do it with? As long as it's consensual, no harm, no foul." It teaches you that looking at porn is harmless. It's just you in your room watching something on your computer...you know... doing your thing. Here comes the buzz kill: It does do harm and it won't bring your lasting joy.
I'm not even going to talk about this on the woman's (or supply's) side. I want to talk about the demand side: The men.
The men who come to Pattaya to take out a bar girl start to all look the same after a while. They all seem to be in the same latter years of their lives (between 50 and 80 years old). Many of them have been married before, have families, daughters, sons, even grand kids. They often walk around without a shirt on despite their giant pot-bellies and carpet on their chest. In my experience, they have been rude and ungentlemanly (not holding doors, getting up from their seat on the song teaw when an older woman gets on, not making apologies for knocking someone while walking, etc.). They are misfits. They are the kind of men who wouldn't get very far with any other self-respecting woman from their own country. They have been rejected, unloved, and emasculated by life's challenges. They are far from champions.
They come to Pattaya in search of one thing, but really it masquerades as something else. They come for sex, but what they really want is love, affirmation, something REAL. They will, of course, deny all of this saying that they want something easy and uncomplicated, but think about this: What kind of an ego blow is it to have to PAY for sex or a girlfriend? Talk about settling. These guys come to basically settle for something that has the facade of the "real thing" but is so far from it that they have to pay for it to continue.
Now, onto the porn. It's known that many of the women in armature pornographic images and videos are trafficked. They are moved around so fast that no one can tell if something is wrong or not. As spoken about in the video below... well... watch the video:
Jacob's Story from Unearthed on Vimeo.
Here is the point of this all: The demand is the biggest part of the problem. It's time to stop beating around the bush and take some responsibility. Every time you brush off this responsibility, you become less of a man. My blog. My opinion. Man up!! Do something about this. Stop the demand!
I have more to say on this subject so: TO BE CONTINUED...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Breaking the Silence
I am SO sorry for not posting for one month. Everything is good and it's been COMPLETELY eventful. Here is a summary of what has happened:
In short, It's been a good month but MAN am I ready to be home!
- My team from Seattle came to give a training in Khorat and in Pattaya
- More of my team came from Seattle to do outreach on the streets of Pattaya for two weeks.
- Many were brought out of the bars and shown the love of Jesus
- Many left the bars permanently and either came into our safe house or were sent home.
- Pattaya Praise happened with an emphasis on the slums of Pattaya
- People were healed and came to Jesus
- Awesome worship teams from Ireland, Australia, and Thailand came to perform.
- Some important steps were made in the business development
- The microfinance project is fit to launch soon
In short, It's been a good month but MAN am I ready to be home!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Pattaya from a Christian Man's Initial Perspective
This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting Josh Davis who is on a fact-finding mission in South East Asia in search of organizations and individuals making a difference to those who are trafficked and abused. He is an Australian who will shortly return home and tell his community about his findings. He also has a blog and wrote a special blog specifically about his time in Pattaya. I would like to share what he wrote on his blog (http://joshtbk.wordpress.com) about this city that has captured my heart.
Here is what he wrote:
Pattaya – sorry it’s a bit long.. I get passionate. (not really that sorry)
Entering the city of Pattaya, I knew I was heading to a dark part of Thailand. (if any if you have seen Furious Love’, you may be familiar with it.
Notorious for being both the sex tourism capital but also the pedophile central of the globe.
You can smell the darkness in the atmosphere. It’s disgusting.
My bus driver on the way, was wearing a shirt that said,
“Good men go to Heaven;
Bad men go to Pattaya!”
When I asked him about the sex trade in Pattaya he smiled and said, “Pattaya is not a city with a red light district, Pattaya is a red light district with a city”
Neon lights flood this city. “Live sex shows” “50 beautiful girls and 2 ugly ones” “horny girls” “men’s fantasy lounge” “no rules bar” “devils playground” and at the start of walking street is a big red neon picture of the devils face saying “Lucifers world”
You cannot walk down the road after dusk without different propositions less then every 30seconds. Blinded by the neon lights that attempt to entice you in like a mosquito to a bug zapper.
Open wall bars and clubs where you can see the girls lined up, ready to choose from the menu.
Often when there is nobody to watch the children at night, they will follow mummy into the bars, follow her when she has to see clients and work.. This gets me furious. Having a child vulnerable and exposed to such things at a young age.
In fact, one bar I was walking past had a young girl, possibly 6-9yrs of age, pretending to dance on the pole with all the ladies laughing her on in encouragement. That’s ridiculous!
As the bus drivers said to me on the drive in, Pattaya is the devils playground. And after seeing walking street, I agree with him.
It is by far the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. Bars, strip clubs, nightclubs lining the streets with thousands upon thousands of girl, boys and of coarse an abundance of ladyboys ready for sale like a commodity.
I had been told that the Russian mob had a heavy hand on the sex trade in Pattaya, but I was quite shocked to see thousands of European girls, beautiful girls, listening to their accents, I recognized Serbian, Polish, German and Russian amongst the rest. You cannot argue that any of these girls ‘voluntarily’ entered the sex trade in Pattaya, Thailand. They were trafficked, and judging by the fact that there were many Russian thugs keeping watch from the front of the bars, I believe they are either kidnapped or held at ransom.
Walking down that street was…something else.. I’ve never seen such darkness in one place as I did there. With each step, I felt more and more heaviness laying on my chest. At points, it is even hard for me to physically breathe, you can smell it.. I felt physically sick.
And the men, they are the type of guy, that at a bar, no girl would want to look at them, yet alone sleep with them. So they come to Pattaya, a place where they can live like kings and bring to life their wildest fantasies. And these men, they come from all over the world, and flood to Pattaya.
It is hard to not look at them and want to act out some of that righteous anger. To confront them and give them a good old fashion smack-in-the-head until they get that it is wrong, but as I look at them, and look into their eyes, I’m starting to see, that they are broken people too.
Maybe they were never loved before, never validated as a man, possibly abused themselves, whatever it is, something has happened in their lives for them to get to the point of paying all this money to get on a plane, fly across the globe and come to Pattaya just so they can find a warped version of what they believe love to be. They are the prodigal son spoken about by in the parable. They too need love.
As horrible as most of Pattaya is, there is good there as well. I met with a few groups who are doing remarkable things in the fight against trafficking. A couple of groups who focus on the business factor, training up girls who want to leave the trade, help them write a business proposal and guide and mentor them as they commence setting UL a business.
I also met with a group who work with the children. Teir drop in centre is right in the middle of the area notorious for pedophilia. This group. Currently in the middle of construction to build this drop in centre, is to be the light in darkness. And as all of us know, when your in a dark room and light a match, however big or small that match may be, it will brighten the room. And the darkness is no more. That's what these guys are doing.
When I look out over Pattaya, I am reminded of Ezikiels prophesy in chapter 37. In the JTSV (Josh’s Translated Summary Version)
Ezekiel looked out over the valley and he saw a place full of death. He saw bones, no life was to be found. As he stood there watching, his Master commanded him to prophesy to the land, and to the bones and to call it to life, Ezekiel did and the bones started to form together, muscles and skin began to grow, Ezekiel prophesied breath and as he did, they came alive and stood before him as a mighty army.
As I look out over Pattaya, I see the same.. Death, no life in these people. But I speak life into them, life into the city of Pattaya and country of Thailand. A nation whom is called to be the ‘Land of Smiles’ and I speak out that the day will come when these people can smile as they will be free. I speak against the death in Pattaya and I bind it’s power and authority and I loosen the chains upon it’s people. I prophesy the breath of life!
On a lighter note, looking forward to home. Heading up north for a few days then home by Sunday. Keep me in your prayers as its said that the floods are quite bad up there, also I’ve been having trouble sleeping at night. Not cool..
Cannot wait to see you all. Keep Thailand in your prays as the floods are quite bad. 350+ lost their lives in the floods, millions upon millions of dollars damage in a nation already ridden with poverty. There have been several thousand crocodiles escape from the farms and are roaming the cities. So pray for protection to these people, that food and water will be available and that the people will turn to God for their help.
JD
Here is what he wrote:
Pattaya – sorry it’s a bit long.. I get passionate. (not really that sorry)
Entering the city of Pattaya, I knew I was heading to a dark part of Thailand. (if any if you have seen Furious Love’, you may be familiar with it.
Notorious for being both the sex tourism capital but also the pedophile central of the globe.
You can smell the darkness in the atmosphere. It’s disgusting.
My bus driver on the way, was wearing a shirt that said,
“Good men go to Heaven;
Bad men go to Pattaya!”
When I asked him about the sex trade in Pattaya he smiled and said, “Pattaya is not a city with a red light district, Pattaya is a red light district with a city”
Neon lights flood this city. “Live sex shows” “50 beautiful girls and 2 ugly ones” “horny girls” “men’s fantasy lounge” “no rules bar” “devils playground” and at the start of walking street is a big red neon picture of the devils face saying “Lucifers world”
You cannot walk down the road after dusk without different propositions less then every 30seconds. Blinded by the neon lights that attempt to entice you in like a mosquito to a bug zapper.
Open wall bars and clubs where you can see the girls lined up, ready to choose from the menu.
Often when there is nobody to watch the children at night, they will follow mummy into the bars, follow her when she has to see clients and work.. This gets me furious. Having a child vulnerable and exposed to such things at a young age.
In fact, one bar I was walking past had a young girl, possibly 6-9yrs of age, pretending to dance on the pole with all the ladies laughing her on in encouragement. That’s ridiculous!
As the bus drivers said to me on the drive in, Pattaya is the devils playground. And after seeing walking street, I agree with him.
It is by far the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. Bars, strip clubs, nightclubs lining the streets with thousands upon thousands of girl, boys and of coarse an abundance of ladyboys ready for sale like a commodity.
I had been told that the Russian mob had a heavy hand on the sex trade in Pattaya, but I was quite shocked to see thousands of European girls, beautiful girls, listening to their accents, I recognized Serbian, Polish, German and Russian amongst the rest. You cannot argue that any of these girls ‘voluntarily’ entered the sex trade in Pattaya, Thailand. They were trafficked, and judging by the fact that there were many Russian thugs keeping watch from the front of the bars, I believe they are either kidnapped or held at ransom.
Walking down that street was…something else.. I’ve never seen such darkness in one place as I did there. With each step, I felt more and more heaviness laying on my chest. At points, it is even hard for me to physically breathe, you can smell it.. I felt physically sick.
And the men, they are the type of guy, that at a bar, no girl would want to look at them, yet alone sleep with them. So they come to Pattaya, a place where they can live like kings and bring to life their wildest fantasies. And these men, they come from all over the world, and flood to Pattaya.
It is hard to not look at them and want to act out some of that righteous anger. To confront them and give them a good old fashion smack-in-the-head until they get that it is wrong, but as I look at them, and look into their eyes, I’m starting to see, that they are broken people too.
Maybe they were never loved before, never validated as a man, possibly abused themselves, whatever it is, something has happened in their lives for them to get to the point of paying all this money to get on a plane, fly across the globe and come to Pattaya just so they can find a warped version of what they believe love to be. They are the prodigal son spoken about by in the parable. They too need love.
As horrible as most of Pattaya is, there is good there as well. I met with a few groups who are doing remarkable things in the fight against trafficking. A couple of groups who focus on the business factor, training up girls who want to leave the trade, help them write a business proposal and guide and mentor them as they commence setting UL a business.
I also met with a group who work with the children. Teir drop in centre is right in the middle of the area notorious for pedophilia. This group. Currently in the middle of construction to build this drop in centre, is to be the light in darkness. And as all of us know, when your in a dark room and light a match, however big or small that match may be, it will brighten the room. And the darkness is no more. That's what these guys are doing.
When I look out over Pattaya, I am reminded of Ezikiels prophesy in chapter 37. In the JTSV (Josh’s Translated Summary Version)
Ezekiel looked out over the valley and he saw a place full of death. He saw bones, no life was to be found. As he stood there watching, his Master commanded him to prophesy to the land, and to the bones and to call it to life, Ezekiel did and the bones started to form together, muscles and skin began to grow, Ezekiel prophesied breath and as he did, they came alive and stood before him as a mighty army.
As I look out over Pattaya, I see the same.. Death, no life in these people. But I speak life into them, life into the city of Pattaya and country of Thailand. A nation whom is called to be the ‘Land of Smiles’ and I speak out that the day will come when these people can smile as they will be free. I speak against the death in Pattaya and I bind it’s power and authority and I loosen the chains upon it’s people. I prophesy the breath of life!
On a lighter note, looking forward to home. Heading up north for a few days then home by Sunday. Keep me in your prayers as its said that the floods are quite bad up there, also I’ve been having trouble sleeping at night. Not cool..
Cannot wait to see you all. Keep Thailand in your prays as the floods are quite bad. 350+ lost their lives in the floods, millions upon millions of dollars damage in a nation already ridden with poverty. There have been several thousand crocodiles escape from the farms and are roaming the cities. So pray for protection to these people, that food and water will be available and that the people will turn to God for their help.
JD
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Did those fish have their faces still?
When we hear the story of feeding the 5k with fish and loafs, I would be wiling to bet that the American reader imagines artisan bread and cleanly prepared fish without skin, bone, and certainly no face. Oh and the fish is probably cooked. Here in Thailand, I'm constantly confronted with the fact that many of the fish, chicken, pork, beef, duck that is prepared to eat has a face, feet, and skin.
I'm constantly reminded of how white-washed, sterilized, prepared, preserved, and unreal my upbringing was. It was normal by American standards (at least in the urban west), but so far away from the way our ancestors and many other nations live(d). This makes me really reconsider how affective Americans/westerners are as missionaries. The bridge between how we used to live and how we must live to survive in a foreign place is much larger. Many Americans only know English (maybe a little bit of Spanish, French or German... but probably aren't fluent). How can we make good missionaries? I know that there are many Americans who have been able to bridge that gap, and each day I'm here I can see myself crossing that bridge... it's just takes more time. I wonder if there is a specific recipe that a person must embody to be a good missionary. Please understand that I'm even doubtful that I personally embody these characteristics... I just think it would be ideal to have the following:
- extremely flexible
- able to sleep on the floor, possibly in extreme heat
- not be bothered by food items that are of unknown origin or still has a recognizable face/body
- ability to pick up language quickly
- not be concerned with knowing every little detail of a conversation or event.
Maybe those are important and maybe there are other characteristics I've missed. Maybe the only thing that is important, all other characteristics aside, is that God called an American to a foreign nation. The only thing we have to do is follow His call and know that He will work out all the details. We don't make it happen, we just follow Him. I have followed Him here and I know He will bless me and those around me for my obedience. I've already seen His blessings in actions. Either way, I still have a really hard time eating things with their faces, feet, and skin still on. Maybe God will work on that with me. In the time being, I'll stick to fruit, veggies, eggs, and rice. :)
** Story of the feeding of 5k people can be found in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15**
This fact has even challenged my perception of this story. I realize that the bread was, well, bread... and the fish were probably handed out as cold, slippery, fully intact fish. Perhaps it was each persons responsibility to gut, clean, and cook their fish. Or maybe that was done by each family unit. Either-way, I keep thinking if someone were to hand me a cold, barley alive fish (for freshness's sake), I wouldn't know the first thing to do with it. Maybe cut off the head first to put the poor thing out of it's misery... Then I would probably become sad because I killed it. Let's be honest, I'd probably be pretty sad.
- extremely flexible
- able to sleep on the floor, possibly in extreme heat
- not be bothered by food items that are of unknown origin or still has a recognizable face/body
- ability to pick up language quickly
- not be concerned with knowing every little detail of a conversation or event.
Maybe those are important and maybe there are other characteristics I've missed. Maybe the only thing that is important, all other characteristics aside, is that God called an American to a foreign nation. The only thing we have to do is follow His call and know that He will work out all the details. We don't make it happen, we just follow Him. I have followed Him here and I know He will bless me and those around me for my obedience. I've already seen His blessings in actions. Either way, I still have a really hard time eating things with their faces, feet, and skin still on. Maybe God will work on that with me. In the time being, I'll stick to fruit, veggies, eggs, and rice. :)
** Story of the feeding of 5k people can be found in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15**
Sunday, October 23, 2011
How can computer geeks be sexy? Take down child porn sites & leak names!!!!
Step #1: Read this article.
Step #2: Read my raw reaction:
This hits me on so many levels. I love this. I love these men. Woah, control yourself, Collyn! Phew! Okay, so as you may or may not know, the future of human trafficking lies in the nooks and crannies of the Internet. These criminals are somehow smart and know how to use technology to harm the most precious and vulnerable: Children. Bottom line is that it pisses me off that they get away with it. It makes me mad that there is a demand for this filth. That's why we need our virtual white knights to come and save the day. *HIGH-FIVE*
I couldn't even reading through article (the technical parts) without getting a little lost. I'm not by any means a computer wiz, but I know my way around and can figure out how to do most intermediate tasks. I am not, however, able to hack anything other than a coconut (to get it's delicious water and meat... bad joke). I can't do those things, but I'm SO GLAD that there are people out there who know how to get it done. I applaud anyone who uses their skills, whether it be crazy computer skills or they know how to connect the right people, to do their part to end human trafficking. It's your job to speak out and SPEAK UP for the least and the lost. Yeah! I love these guys! I'd like to high-five them or hug them or something! WOO HOO!!!
**I wrote this very late at night, so please excuse the poor writing. Thank you :)
Step #2: Read my raw reaction:
This hits me on so many levels. I love this. I love these men. Woah, control yourself, Collyn! Phew! Okay, so as you may or may not know, the future of human trafficking lies in the nooks and crannies of the Internet. These criminals are somehow smart and know how to use technology to harm the most precious and vulnerable: Children. Bottom line is that it pisses me off that they get away with it. It makes me mad that there is a demand for this filth. That's why we need our virtual white knights to come and save the day. *HIGH-FIVE*
I couldn't even reading through article (the technical parts) without getting a little lost. I'm not by any means a computer wiz, but I know my way around and can figure out how to do most intermediate tasks. I am not, however, able to hack anything other than a coconut (to get it's delicious water and meat... bad joke). I can't do those things, but I'm SO GLAD that there are people out there who know how to get it done. I applaud anyone who uses their skills, whether it be crazy computer skills or they know how to connect the right people, to do their part to end human trafficking. It's your job to speak out and SPEAK UP for the least and the lost. Yeah! I love these guys! I'd like to high-five them or hug them or something! WOO HOO!!!
**I wrote this very late at night, so please excuse the poor writing. Thank you :)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Help Save Lives Via change.org
Everyone knows I like a good petition or protest, but I don't do it just for the heck of it. I do it because I believe in making a real and lasting difference in the world. I believe in not standing by while innocent children and women are mistreated, malnourished, abused, and looked down upon. Many people don't want to hear about the sad ills of the world, but just because you don't want to listen, doesn't mean it's not there. It's there and YOU have the power to do something about it.
My wonderful friends Phil and Dalene Hamer wrote a petition on change.org: petition the adhesive industry to add nasal irritant to glue to stop kids from inhaling their products. Phil Hamer was large part of the creation of the documentary Glue Boys which highlights the issue. The issue is very close to home as the Hamers have adopted two boys from Kenya who were formally street kids. They believe in a better tomorrow for all children, even the children society casts aside. I believe with them in their dream for a better tomorrow.
Please take a few seconds out of your day to sign this petition. There aren't any hidden catches, other than it pretty much makes you a better person. Please take a second out of your day to step outside of your comfortable situation to think about all the children out there who are huffing glue to escape their painful situation.
My wonderful friends Phil and Dalene Hamer wrote a petition on change.org: petition the adhesive industry to add nasal irritant to glue to stop kids from inhaling their products. Phil Hamer was large part of the creation of the documentary Glue Boys which highlights the issue. The issue is very close to home as the Hamers have adopted two boys from Kenya who were formally street kids. They believe in a better tomorrow for all children, even the children society casts aside. I believe with them in their dream for a better tomorrow.
Please take a few seconds out of your day to sign this petition. There aren't any hidden catches, other than it pretty much makes you a better person. Please take a second out of your day to step outside of your comfortable situation to think about all the children out there who are huffing glue to escape their painful situation.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
How He Loves Us
Since being here, I've been reminded so many times that there is a tidal wave of Grace and Love available to each person here on this earth. You don't see genuine forms of love out on the streets of Pattaya too often, but it's there. Most of the "love" you see is predatory and aggressive entitlement to what some of these men think is theirs... but it's not theirs and it's not love.
One of the songs that has been marinading in my heart is "How He Loves Us" by the David Crowder Band. I randomly came across this video and was very impacted by it's message. Please take a look:
One of the songs that has been marinading in my heart is "How He Loves Us" by the David Crowder Band. I randomly came across this video and was very impacted by it's message. Please take a look:
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