pontip's story
When I was in grade 9, I was raped by my half-brother and became pregnant with my first daughter. I stayed with him and we later had two more children. During that time my father was murdered by my mother's lover. Then my brother, who was living with me as my husband, was arrested for selling drugs. I married again soon after because I needed someone to provide for my children. I then had another son with my new husband.

Two years ago, my sister was also arrested for selling drugs and left her daughter at home. The responsibility for her care fell on me. Then in July 2004, my husband passed away because he had been working so hard to support the family that he grew weak and died. My mother and her new lover refused to give any money to help, and instead spent their money on my mother's alcoholism. My half-brother was now out of jail, but living with a new woman and refused to give any support.

I tried to find a job, but I could only earn 4000 Baht ($100 US), not nearly enough to support my family. I had left school during grade 9, and could only find work in low paying factory jobs. I had to support my sister in prison, my 15-year-old brother, my five-year-old niece, my four children, and my mother, who was now watching the children while I was working in a factory.

In September 2004, I made a decision to make money by working as a bar girl. I didn't like it, but this was the only means to earn enough money for my family. Sometimes I had trouble with some of the men who paid for me. Some forced me to drink, smoke, or take drugs I didn't want. One time a guest forced me to smoke something that I had never had, which turned out to be laced with an unknown drug. I found myself unable to breathe and feared for my life.

After that I wanted to escape my situation and even wanted to kill myself because that was the only way out that I could see. Only when I thought of my children I knew that I must survive so that they could. I met workers from The Well in November, and they said they were willing to help with my situation and my family. At the time, I had no idea about God. I didn't believe that people would offer to help unless they expected to get something back. My burden was great, and I feared that one day they would ask for something back from me that I couldn't give.

My goal was to one day buy my own vending cart and have my own business. I didn't join The Well because I still believed that I could save enough money working in the bars. Before long however I realized that my situation in the bar was worse and not going according to my plan. I wasn't making enough money in the bar, I was very unhappy there, my mother was drinking more, and a friend of mine who also worked in the bar began abusing drugs. Everything seemed hopeless. I needed someone to help. My life felt blocked, not only financially, but my soul was tired, so I joined The Well on January 23, 2005.

After I had been in the program for less than two weeks, The Well had showed me the love of God, how much He cares, what is most important in life, and how to support my family in the right way. I made a decision to receive Christ into my life. I am very happy to know that I have a future and that they will stand beside me to help me carry my burdens and care for my family.