My Filipina friend Pam*, who only a year earlier had worked at this very bar, was leading our team as we wove through the tables towards an empty section right in front of the stage, where the girls danced in a line while scantily clad in blue and white sailors costumes. Pam is now a missionary in the very place that used to hold her captive, and she is determined that the girls who are still trapped there will have the opportunity to discover freedom, just as she has.
I caught her eye right away as we passed by her table. She sat on a stool, across from the man who had purchased her time. He was likely Japanese or Korean, in Angeles City on a trip with his buddies. He and his friends and were caught up in a game of pool, which pulled his attention away from her every few moments.
I smiled as we approached, and took advantage of the free window of time she had...I reached my hand towards her as we passed, and introduced myself. Hi, my name is Kimmy...what's yours?
She took my hand and hesitantly returned the smile. "I am Natalya" , she whispered back, before quickly turning in the direction of her customer, clearly nervous about his potential reaction.
We sat down at a tall round table nearby, and within minutes we had about seven or eight bar girls gathered around. Ordering pretty blue drinks for each of us so that the bar management would let us chat with the girls, we told them about Wipe Every Tear, and the opportunity to go to college. They were overwhelmed and excited about the thought of potentially dreaming for their futures...something that they had not done in a long time. They started speaking into one another's dreams...a group of friends each telling eachother what they thought their strengths were...nursing, teaching, business, hotel and restaurant management were all discussed. We talked about their families, their siblings and their babies, and we laughed together, just enjoying the moment.
Every so often, I would glance over towards Natalya's table, and as I did, my heart would start to pound. Every time her customer turned his back to her, either to take a shot at the pool table or to chat it up with his buddies, Natalya would turn her whole body to face our group, grip the edge of her stool seat tightly, and lean over to try and catch what we were saying.
Ever since that night, even now typing these words on my computer, sitting in the safety of Starbucks in downtown Oakville, Ontario, I am still haunted by her eyes.
Her stare was glued to our group, as if she was trying desperately to be a part of our conversation. Her eyes were wide and she seemed to be willing herself not to blink, for fear of missing a moment of our conversation.
She was desperate.
Suddenly, without really thinking it through, my feet started moving, carrying me in her direction, in spite of the fact that she had a customer. For the moment anyway, his back was to us. I reached into my purse, and slid fingers into the side pocket, feeling around until I touched the business cards that I carried on outreach nights.
Is I got closer we locked eyes. Her body tensed up ...but as I reached her and gently grabbed her hand, the tension began melting away. I placed the business card in her hand, and gave it a squeeze.
Her eyes remained connected to mine, I could feel the driving emotion behind them.
Trapped.
I smiled, and in a low voice, I quickly told her what I had come to say.
"Natalya...my friends and I ... We help girls who work in the bars get out. We help them go to school and start a new life...we can help you.
Her hand still was still in mine, and her grip tightened. She glanced down at the card and then quickly over at her customer who was now approaching us. One final time we locked eyes...
Thank-you she whispered. I squeezed her fingers and smiled one last time before turning back to my table as she returned her attention to the man now standing beside her.
While we were in the Philippines, we saw many girls choose freedom....they chose to trust us and chose a new life. Those stories are incredible, and I could tell them all night long.
But as I think about the future, about my next step, there is one thing that keeps driving me forward.
Natalya's eyes.
I am not sure what has happened to Natalya, not sure if she has chosen freedom in the weeks since I left the Philippines. When we went back to the same bar a couple nights later she was not there.
But countless times, when Im walking down the street, or laying in bed at night, or telling a friend about some of the things I saw on Kingdom Journeys, I remember Natalya's eyes.
Afraid. Desperate. Alone. Trapped.
Natalya's eyes represent the driving force behind my next step. Because of Natalya, and so many other girls, I am continuing this journey.
At the end of September, I will be packing up my car, and moving to Gainesville Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, for a period of at least six months. I will continue the work of bringing freedom to young girls, because that is what God is calling me to.
At the head office of Adventures in Missions, I will be participating in a leadership development program called the Fellowship. This internship will help make my future dream of opening a rehabilitation home for young teenage girls rescued from human trafficking a reality. I will have the opportunity to work alongside incredible inspiring people in the field, learning about what is currently being done, and taking steps towards what God has called me to...being a part of the END of Sex Trafficking.
I will also continue to spread vision of Beauty for Ashes as I support the development of this movement from North America, working to support both local and global organizations that wish to implement Beauty for Ashes. One of our goals is to take Beauty for Ashes to young girls in here in North America, and I couldn't be more excited! I have a deep desire for young girls to understand their true worth and value as daughters of the King, and I am so excited that God is letting me be a part of tis important work.
And so once again, I would like to invite you to be a part of what God is doing ! In order to make this move to Georgia possible, I am raising my own support. The total that I need to raise is 10 000 USD. If you would like to partner with me in this way, I would be so so so grateful ! Send me a message if you would like more information about becoming a monthly or one time donor, or click the "support me" link at the top of this page.
Thanks again for all of your support ! None of this would be possible without you :) I love you all and am so thankful that we are on this journey together.