East Asia (MNN) — Poverty in East Asia often drives women
into the city to find work. For many,
the jobs they find turn out to be not in hospitality and service, but in the
sex trade.
"Beyond Brothels" started when a Pioneer worker in Asia felt
called to serve the many women trapped in the sex trade. Many of the women this ministry tries to help work in
brothels called "pink light shops"–named from the neon pink lights advertising
their services.
While prostitution is illegal in this country in East Asia (unnamed for
security reasons), the practice is both accepted and rampant throughout all
levels of society. "Beyond Brothels" offers these women an
alternative way to make money: to make and sell jewelry for a living while being ministered to in
Christian love.
Women who work with "Beyond Brothels" regularly conducts prayer walks
through the city, and while on these prayer walks, they meet women desperate
for escape from that livelihood. Some
find employment with "Beyond Brothels," and many eventually come to faith in
Christ.
Recently, as two Pioneers partners prayer walked through one
of these neighborhoods, they met a pink-light shop owner who was interested in
hearing the Gospel. Some of the women
who work there also seemed open.
The prayer walkers plan to start a regular Bible study with
this group of women. It is important to
develop relationships with the women, because a series of casual encounters
will not likely break through their distrust and fear. Pray that the Bible study will bear fruit. Pray,
too, for women who are in the sex trade and want out.
