The best part of doing God’s work is you don’t have to actually do anything. God is sovereign, so nothing happens that God didn’t already prepare, plan and set into motion. But we, as servants, can be there to gather when the harvest is ripe. Sometimes I am convinced God allows us to work in the fields as an act of grace upon us – because seeing God in full action is life changing, humbling and fulfilling.
This past Friday, while on the streets ministering to the men and women of Los Angeles, we saw one such harvest – and it has changed me forever.
For a good portion of the night we saw little fruit. Girls were running away, were being vague and skiddish, and we kept getting distracted by runners and other men who continually approached us.
But then we met M. She had been in the game for over 15 years and was in a state of desperation when we walked up offering her a gift bag. Her hallow eyes starred at the bag for a brief moment and then met our gaze. “Are you church people?” she asked abruptly. Yes, we answered. It was either excitement or fear that overtook her next as she requested for us to immediately take her off the streets.
Jen, our leader, started making a few phone calls as I took over praying for M. Almost instantly she started fidgeting with her skirt, switching her purse from the left shoulder to the right and rubbing the outside of her black puffy jacket for warmth. After I was done she stood still for the first time since meeting her, locked eyes with mine and told me her story.
She is the mother of three grown children and has never really had a relationship with them. She had been working for four days straight, with no sleep and no money after being robbed by her pimp. And finally after all these years, she was done; tired of her lifestyle and scared for her future.
Every time M reflected on her situation, her eyes would fill with tears and her chin would drop slightly to the ground.
But what gave her hope was simply seeing us, talking to the safe houses and knowing there was a place for her to go.
God brought her to the point of cross over. Her heart had already been softened. All we had to do was approach.
It isn’t always like this. In fact it is extremely rare to meet a girl and arrange for her to go to a safe house after one conversation. But God has yet again blown our expectations. God chose to use us at the moment of her greatest need. That is why we do what we do. We know we are nothing without God. We know our efforts mean nothing outside the Holy Spirit. But when God works to save prostitutes from their bondage, God wants to include us in the process. And for that we are all blessed.
M is now with a safe house, keep her in your prayers. Her road to recovery is just beginning and she will need warriors fighting for her during this difficult time. Please also pray for the safe houses: for their counseling and rehab and the wisdom and boldness they need to work with the men and women who come to them for help.
God is good. God loved M so much and arranged the perfectly designed intersection of our meeting. And God loved us enough to let us watch!
-Kristy
