This month a fellow Adventures in Missions missionary visited us. It was about time for her to do a visa run and she made the most of it by coming to see what is happening at Wipe Every Tear in Manila. Jessica is learning the ropes at a coffee shop in Malaysia where the proceeds go to benefit different justice missions. She has wanted to see what is happening in the Philippines for a long time and this was the perfect timing.
Wipe Every Tear Philippines director Becky has had a dream of opening a coffee shop right in the red light district. Rescued women could work there and serve their former coworkers as they get off work or as they bring customers for a coffee. It’s a bold kind of vision that Becky has that would bring hope to a very dark street. A place that traps not just women in the sex trade, but also traps the men that come seeking out women. Jessica’s and our interest was sparked for a trip to the red light district as we wanted to show her Becky’s vision first hand.
We arrived in Angeles City around evening and readied for the night. Jessica had some experience in Thailand doing similar outreach so, we did not have to prep much. After the rain stopped, we set out walking down to the red light district. It was fairly busy this night with foreigners spilling into the streets alone and in groups. We had only passed a few bars when we ran into someone Chelsea and I knew. Out of the crowd, she popped smiling and saying Ate Melissa! She introduces us to her sister and we talk for a long while. I remembered how we had met her back in June on this street when a large American team had visited for the Girl’s Get Away.
We texted back and forth the weeks following our June team visit. She did not make the Girl’s Get Away trip, but she continued to ask many questions about Wipe Every Tear. Only three days after we met her, she quit her job in the bar. She is not able to afford school with the job she has now, but wants to pay off a very small debt so that she can come live at Wipe Every Tear and go to college.
We invited our friend to spend the rest of the evening with us. She did outreach with us and we had dinner together. I hope to see her soon. I hope that I am not needed very soon because this street is full of people just like her.
Chelsea and I will be going to Thailand at the end of the month to help with a safe house that is starting there. We are expectant for the same kind of favor. Please pray for the women in Thailand!
