Rak Teh
If Jesus lived in Bangkok, where would he hang out? Who would he be hanging out with?
Rak Teh : serving and loving in the way of Jesus among young men involved in male prostitution on the streets and in the bars of urban Bangkok.
Bangkok’s Grand Palace at night is stunning. So stunning that it is easy to overlook the groups of young men hanging around, simply "waiting for friends." Indeed, if it weren't for the hushed whisper of "500 baht ($15)" or the cars that cruise by again and again, checking out who's for sale, then picking up their favorite guy, you might not realize these young men are actually waiting for customers - not friends.
The Silom neighborhood is equally stunning. But here it is impossible to overlook the groups of young men hanging around underneath neon lights, advertising the flashier side of male prostitution in Bangkok. While the many men working in the bars and massage parlors of these streets are also temped to believe the lie that they are only worth as much as customers are willing to pay, we know that each of their lives is priceless.
Whether on the streets or in the bars men who are selling their bodies for money - male sex workers - are not going to know about Jesus' love for them unless someone goes to them. We spend time with these men where they are, in the same way that Jesus did - by moving into the neighborhood, listening to their stories, helping meet real needs, and sharing God’s authentic love. Our prayer is that many of these men would meet Jesus, exit the sex-industry, and grow into the good plans that God has for their lives.
Photos courtesy of Fritz Photography
What is Rak Teh’s Response?
OUTREACH: EVANGELISM
On “outreach” we go to where these men work to build long-term relationships, establish trust, and communicate through street discipleship that God loves them and that their lives are worth so much more than any customer can pay.
NETWORKING: PARTNERSHIP
Through "networking" we develop partnerships with other ministries and Christian business people to create tangible pathways that will empower men to leave prostitution.
COMMUNITY: TRANSFORMATION
In “community” we provide holistic, long-term care and tangible support for men as they explore and grow in relationship with Jesus, and experience healing and life free from the sex-industry.
What Can You Do?
Pray.
- Sign up to receive our prayer emails.
- Commit one day each month to pray for us and Rak Teh.
- Start a prayer group in your church crying out for the economically exploited and sexually broken in South-East Asia.
Serve.
- Organize a short-term trip to come help out.
- Move to Bangkok and join our team.
- Start a business to employ former male sex workers.
Give.
On-line, but no tax-receipt (and a percentage taken by pay-pal): http://www.ywamthai.org/onlinedonations.php
Off-line, but tax-deductable: send a check to YWAM Montana Accounting, 501Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, Montana, 59922 USA
Please make checks out to “YWAM”, write”3588” on the memo line, and include a separate note that your gift is for “Iven & Kashmira”. Please don’t put our names directly on the check.
Contact
us at:
Rak Teh
Box 20
Thungsetthi
Bangkok 10263
Thailand
Skype Phone: 206.201.2134
www.ywamthai.org/bangkok/rakteh.htm
www.ivenandkashmira.info
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