One of our most seasoned veterans of Red Light District ministry is Connie Rock. This fearless woman leads trips to Thailand to bring the light of Jesus’ love to an exceptionally dark place. She also runs a non-profit organization calledthe Purchase Effect which sells products from artisans Connie built relationships with. We sat down with Connie and asked her some questions about ministry in the Red Light. This is what she said.
What exactly is it you do in Thailand?
Which version do you want? The raw, ugly truth or the sugar coated version? I think people want the truth, but it makes them uncomfortable.
Our days begin late and includes much time in prayer walking the streets, talking to vendors, and enjoying the food. Our accommodations are comfortable and we need that. It’s a highly draining trip in many ways.
Once it’s dark, we recollect for a time of prayer, putting on our armor, and seeking direction. It sounds so spiritual but it’s the truth. We can’t do another thing until that is done. I then break up the team into smaller groups. Those who will continue to pray – nonstop, either back at the guesthouse, in a specific area of the red-light districts, or while walking. Then there are those who will sit in the garden bars, buy Cokes or water and hang out with any children in the area.
We get a lot of attention by those who love us there and then others, who sit in a distance and shoot dirty looks our way. We interact with those who want it, and keep our distance from the rest. Often, we are approached by touts (men and women who stand outside and wave “sex menus”).
The other group will go into the bars with me. Our time inside can last between 15 minutes to an hour. It depends.
Our job is not to convict! I’m constantly reminding the gals that for this trip, we are called to the women, not to have lengthy conversations with the men. Occasionally a conversation will take place, but not because we seek it out. (And we need to remember that the same man who died for us, died for them. Ouch.)
What does it look like in the bars?
Not like your typical bar back home. There are three main red-light areas in Bangkok. We visit two of the three, Patpong and Nana Plaza.
These bars most often have bars with poles on which the girls dance. Sometimes there are tubs. Initially you stare at the shoes. It’s about the only thing you can count on them wearing. It’s dark, lights are flashing; there is always a shrine to the gods. On the outside walls, you will find men from around the world, even women, some by themselves, others with friends or spouses.
There are the mamasons – the equivalent to a “mother figure”. The boss or owner might walk around check on the status of things. We always pray for favor.
There are two bars that are my favorite because of the man who owns them. He grabs my hand and takes me from girl to girl and tells me to give them a bracelet. We are known for giving out “free, free” bracelets. One trip I gave him a Bible. Surprisingly, he was receptive!
We only go on the first floor bars in Patpong. The higher it goes the progressively vulgar it gets. It’s unimaginable. Nothing is off limits. It’s a dark, dark, dark place. It’s a dark, dark world.
What do you do when you’re inside the bars?
Here’s how it works. Someone comes in flirts – or just stares at the girls dancing on the stages, buys a drink, buys a girl(s) a drink, buys the girl(s) from the bar, and agrees on a price with the mamason. They disappear for an agreed upon amount of time. Sometimes returning within 15 minutes and others are bought for a weekend.
We come in, sit, and wait. We ask the Lord to guide us into a conversation with a girl. When the time is right, I wave a gal over. (Never call a gal on the stage or with someone already). I reach out with a bracelet.
“Free!” I say and she comes and sits down next to me. “Do you want a Coke?”
She says yes and snuggles up against me, sometimes grabbing my hand. (They get a percent of the drink money). We sit, holding hands, and attempt a conversation. Sometimes it’s so loud a conversation is impossible. Sometimes you get a gal who can’t speak any English. Other times there are girls who are very conversational.
We quickly pray over them if they accept and say our good-byes. Our evening ends around two a.m. with another much needed hour of prayer as a team.
Working in the bars can be awkward at first, but quickly you forget about everything going on around you and it’s just you and girl, building a relationship that is innocent and safe. It rocks them. We want nothing from them. If they don’t want prayer, then we respect that. But that seldom happens.
Is it worth going into the bars? Is ministry effective for short term?
Good question. I ask that same question every time we debrief as a team. Often, some team members do not return to the bars, but remain outside with the children and vendors or part of the prayer team- the very important prayer team. I personally feel more effective outside the bars where I can hear and am not on a time crunch.
However, we have seen over and over again on how the Lord leads us to someone at a specific place for a specific time and reason. In fact, one of the girls we built a relationship in the bars now works in one of the NGO’s making jewelry. We never mentioned this organization to her, but upon seeing and talking with us – the Holy Spirit guided her to leave. Please pray for her–she has been out for 6 months now.
Bottom line, each night is different and some nights we go in and others, we don’t. It’s learning to listen to the Holy Spirit, picking up on the environment around you, taking cues from the owners, and the “feeling” in the air.
How does Purchase Effect tie in with ministry?
Ministry is not a job; it’s a lifestyle. It’s when I eat, sleep, breathe and shop. I’ve discovered some of my best conversations happen while bargaining for a “special deal”. I ask questions. It becomes a conversation. Trip after trip, I return to these same artisans, these same vendors, buy their beautiful items, and sell them back here. Yes, you get a purchase with a purpose but it’s just a means to something much greater – something eternal. When these items are sold, their stories are told. This is the Purchase Effect!
All pictures courtesy of Connie Rock.
If you are interested in spending part of your summer in Thailand, visit our website by clicking here.
We look forward to working with you this summer!
