Honorable prostitute
Once in a while we meet someone working the bars that, while I could never actually condone what she does, I have to say deserves honor, even high honor, for her dedication and sacrifice, doing something she hates to do in order to help her children and family. I met one such woman tonight.
I was out at Nana with short-term volunteers Beka and Nicole. I had briefly met "Ae" a couple nights ago, and promised to come back later with Judy. Judy had gone out last night, but we hadn't been able to go together. I wasn't particularly expecting anything--Ae had been friendly and talkative, said she was 34 with 3 children, and my first guess was that she was a seasoned professional who was more or less fine with her line of work.
Ae spotted me first, and quickly offered seats for the 3 of us. We ordered Cokes and a drink for her. The music at this bar is not too loud, so conversation was not so difficult. Right away Ae began to tell us, in pretty good English, how she really did not like working at the bar at all. "I send home, sometimes 4 times a month, for my children, and my father and mother who are getting old. Nothing for me."
Her husband left her 3 years ago. She started selling life insurance, but the income was too inconsistent. Finally Ae started working at night, while still selling insurance during the day. Now she works at the bar from 5pm to 2am. Then she goes home and knits scarves which she sells, going to bed around 5am. She wakes up about noon and goes to work selling insurance--commission only.
Several months ago Ae's dad had major surgery, wiping out the $2500 she had saved, and adding on a $3000 debt. Plus she says the family house is a shambles and leaks in the rain.
Of course we don't just believe this stuff offhand--we check it out, but based on what we see so far, it's most likely that Ae is telling the truth.
I made a tentative appointment for Ae to meet with Judy and I on Sunday. At this point I don't have an answer for her debt and housing need. Eventually I'd like for us to have sort of a Habitat for Humanity for bar girls, where teams would go and help families like hers build houses and provide low payment, no-interest loans. We have other women already at The Well who also have high-interest debt and housing need, so it's hard to know where to start. If anyone has a contact with Bill Gates or Warren Buffett....
Most importantly, when I explained our purpose, that we are here because of Jesus, and we loved her because God made her beautiful and precious, Ae responded with genuine interest and appreciation. She seems ready for the Kingdom of God. She said she has been acquainted for some time with outreach workers from Rahab Ministries , and they have offered assistance as well. She clearly has leadership qualities, and when I explained our purpose to train leaders that would go back to their villages and stop the flow of girls coming into this industry, Ae was all over it.
For me, meeting such women is an incredible honor. i couldn't help thinking that, if indeed her story is true, Ae is one to whom God is saying, "I hear your cry. I am going to make you my daughter, and you won't have to do this anymore." May that time be very, very soon.
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Reply #1 on : Sat July 21, 2007, 22:46:44
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Reply #2 on : Sun July 22, 2007, 00:03:58