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The Bialkes in Thailand
- It is estimated that around the globe two children
per minute are coerced or stolen into slavery and/or forced prostitution.
1.2 million children are locked into literal bondage each year. 70% of them are between the ages of 5 and 18 and are forced to perform sex acts no one wants to imagine. They are beaten, held down, and left naked and crying after their struggle is over. It's hard to think about. It's hard to get close to a stagnant, cramped brothel; it's hard to wrap your mind around 10 million children waking up today to do nothing but service men at their master's beckon call.
- The Bailkes and their team spent four weeks
in the city of Chiang Mai at orphanages.
Inside cement walls, bustling around tile floors were kids hungry for love. The evenings were spent catching geckos, bouncing basketballs, strumming the guitar, blowing bubbles, singing songs, holding hands.
Nate made friends with little Pahng. Pahng's mother had died of AIDS just weeks earlier. He was showing no signs of the disease, but was destined to live in the orphanage until he was too old. At that point, without family, he too might go to the streets to sell his body. We were there to remind him and the others that they are not forgotten...that Jesus made them and that they are so precious in His sight. Even in the orphanages where the gospel is spoken and the kids seem safe for the moment, there are still whispers of a bleak future.
In Thailand, school is free only for until sixth grade; after that, you must pay to go. With dwindling funds at the orphanages, these kids have little luck. Without an education, there are few jobs that pay better.
- These are the places where despair is meeting the
reckless love of a Creator and is turned to hope.
This is what God is doing in His world—every corner. He is showing up to establish His love and care. He is drastically changing darkness into light.
The Bible tells us that God hates injustice; He has compassion for victims of such evil as human trafficking, and He WILL defend them. He sees them, He hears their cries, and He does not delight in the way of the wicked. It's true, our God LOVES justice!
Until His kingdom comes,
Nathan and Brooke Bialke