Rahab Newsletter Vol. 4
www.rahabminsitriesthailand.org
Rahab shows God’s love
to Patpong on Valentine’s day.
On Valentine ’s Day, we visited most tomer had tried to strangle her. She
of the bars in Patpong. In the past we got away when he slept, but was
have given out roses, but this year, frightened and traumatized by the
sadly we had to cut down our expens- experience. Sadly when Yaw spoke to
es. We bought sweets and made little her about leaving the bars and com-
cards on the computer saying God ing to Rahab, the pull of money was
loves you in Thai and expressing the too strong. She wants to buy a house
pleasure in giving. On the other side and other things. These women are
of the card we offered a 50% discount victimized by the bar owners who
on a shampoo and blow dry. The sa- employ them, the men and women
lon remains very quiet following the who pay for them and often by the
new salon opening downstairs so we families who through Buddhist tra-
needed to do some kind of promo- dition which speaks of gaining merit
tion. Many of the girls we spoke to by providing for family. Husbands
were touched by someone taking the who desert them and their children
time to visit them and I think “saw” as if they were a disposable item and
the love we had for them We were money lenders who charge families
struck by the contrast of Patpong’s huge amounts they may struggle with
attempt to promote love for Valen- for the rest of their lives all play their
tine’s day amongst the darkness and part in keeping the women trapped
squalor and what God’s love really in prostitution. In Thailand this is a
is. Many of these women have been huge problem that is fully accepted
On Sunday 16th March
5 women from Rahab abused in so many ways by so many on one hand and on the other, it‘s ex-
Ministries were baptized. people as they keep the sex trade go- istence is denied by many. Although
One of their husbands also ing in Thailand. A woman Yaw spoke prostitution is illegal in Thailand, it
came to know God that day. makes too much money for the law
Praise God.
to at the salon recently, phoned her
the next day to tell her of how a cus- to be enforced with any sincerity. In
Thai culture what is not nice, “does
not exist.” It is estimated that a sig-
nificant number of men arriving in
Thailand on their own are here for a
“sex holiday.” When praying for these
women pray against the spirit of
Mammon that has a huge hold over
prostitution.
New Leadership Structure
The new leadership structure of Maam, Prai and Margaret is working very efficiently. They meet at
least weekly on a more formal basis to discuss things of Rahab, but of course speak together each day.
The monthly meetings with the advisory committee are proving to be a good source of support and
accountability for Rahab. Jaisaman church is very supportive and are holding a worship and praise service
at Rahab once a month.
I have seen the heart of God Jenny Nagy
In January we had a team of 15 American women visit Rahab for a week. Their visit was
a blessing to all of us at Rahab. Donna Paltrow one of the women did a moving devotion
about Rahab the prostitute. The circumstances forcing women into prostitution are no dif-
ferent today than they were in Rahab’s time. Another of the women, Jenny Nagy wrote this
poem which summed up her experience during the week.
I have seen the heart of God, where it I have seen the heart of God in the
lives within the borders of Thailand. faithfulness of two missionaries;
As part of the population of a city fully led by His Spirit alone; I have
known as Bangkok, on a street seen it in their utter reliance on His
called Patpong, beneath a coarse and provision, in their commitment to
crass sign that reads “Super Pussy”, His Kingdom, and in their love for
within the drab and dirty walls of a those enslaved.
building.
I have seen the heart of God like
I have seen the heart of God in a dark a beacon in the night that shines
and disturbing place; I’ve seen it break brighter than neon signs and lights
at the loss of innocence and mourn the shadows cast by an enemy that is
for men being eaten alive by desire always hungry and never sleeps.
and consumed by the wickedness of
their flesh. I have seen the heart of God and
heard its low and bitter wail crying
I have seen the heart of God as it louder than the music in the dance
weeps through the tears of Thai bars and calling out to the lost, the
women who have been cast out, lonely, and the despaired, “Come,
thrown away, disposed of, worn follow me!”
down, used, abused, demeaned and
redeemed. I have seen the heart of God in eyes
that were formerly vacant, in names
I have seen the heart of God as instead of numbers, in smiles and
these women lift up their songs and in laughter, and in games that bring
pour out their souls with voices back childhood.
that transcend language or speech,
and ascend into heaven through the I have seen the heart of God where
power of their prayers. it melted and remains within the
borders of Thailand. As part of
I have seen the heart of God in the the population of a city known as
bold, courageous steps of those who Bangkok, on a street called Patpong,
take up their crosses and leave behind beneath a coarse and crass sign that
family, friends, income and all in the reads “Super Pussy”, within the drab
desperate hope of finding a better life and dirty walls of a building.
or any life other than the ones they’ve
ended up with.
Rahab Bazar
Rahab House
Rahab house is a lot more homely
now thanks to some generous dona-
tions. The home was almost emptied
out last year to provide for those
moving to Phortaram and we have
had to nearly refit the whole house.
Introducing Eff... Eff helps Prai with the running of Four of the new women who have
Rahab Bazaar. If you receive jewelry from Rahab, Eff will left the bars have moved into Rahab
have packaged it up, taken it to the Post Office and sent Home. One of them burst into tears
it. She collects orders from Sarah (who checks the emails when she saw her room—it only had
each day) and is responsible for checking them off. She is a mattress on the floor and some old
as particular as Prai with quality control. Eff often helps faded sheets, but to her it was special.
with selling our jewelry at the Thai craft fair we attend Thanks to the generosity of our do-
once a month and can be found the day before preparing nors, her room now has a bed and
everything for the sale. She has a 10 year old daughter new bedding, bright curtains at her
named Gluay. Gluay used to live at Rahab House, but window and a small Japanese style ta-
now lives with her grandparents in Isaan as she likes the ble where she can read her bible and
country lifestyle. Gluay is a bright, energetic girl who study. Another couple gave money
loves school and dancing. which we used to purchase bibles for
This month the husband of one of the women came Rahab which all the Christians have
in and taught all our Thai family to make a new style on loan and it is exciting to hear them
of jewelry using fine Austrian crystals. They spent the all going off to their rooms at night to
whole day making bracelets and rings with his help. read their bibles. They are hungry to
Everyone had a lot of fun and were proud of their know more of God.
achievements. We hope these new designs will appeal to Maniwan is our Thai speaking House
many people and hope to introduce these new designs Mum and she lives there with her
at the next Thai craft fair on 1st March. The atmosphere daughter Nang. As well as being busy
in the jewelry room is always a lot of fun, but on this day helping the girls settle in, Maniwan
their faces showed a lot of concentration! They made is an important part of the Outreach
some beautiful jewelry and enjoyed the challenge. The team and is another strong prayer
photo below shows one of the bracelets they made and warrior for Rahab.
its intricate workmanship.
Nang makes jewelry and has helped
at the Thai craft fair where we sell
and promote our jewelry each month
with other local artisans. She speaks
good English and is always cheerful.
Introducing Paul
In our last newsletter Paul was mentioned as working with his wife Margaret at
Rahab. However, Paul is much more than just Margaret’s husband. Paul is a vital
part of the team as he is responsible for promoting Rahab and looking after all our
visitors who come to visit from overseas. Paul’s powerpoint on Rahab reflects the
many hours he has spent researching the history of Rahab, Thailand, Thai culture
and prostitution in both Patpong and Nana. He is a keen photographer and many
of the photos in the presentation are Paul’s work. Paul along with Margaret look
after short term volunteers to Rahab and are responsible for all visitors. Paul also
designed and made a banner we use to promote Rahab Bazaar at the Thai craft
fair and other places we sell our jewelry. Before coming to Rahab, Paul worked in
local government until entering the Presbyterian Ministry in 1985. His pastoral
heart remains evident in his caring for all at Rahab. Paul is available speak at
Church services or groups within Thailand or overseas by sponsored invitation.
Please place your orders by
contacting our representatives in the following countries
Thailand rahbazar@loxinfo.co.th
Australia Ms Lyn Harwood St George’s Cathedral, 38 St George’s Terrace, Perth
Western Australia 6000
lharwood@aapt.net.au
Ireland Aileen Jervis 10 Belmont Road, Belfast BT4 2AN
aileen@cfc-net.org
New Zealand Valerie Walker 31 Pokohiwi Road, Normandale, Lower Hutt
Phone: 04.569.7615
UK Beverley Samways 60 Kenilworth Court, Coventry CV3 6JA
beverleysamways@yahoo.com
United States Sarah Symons The Emancipation Network,
21 Crestview Drive, East Sandwich MA 02573, USA
Rahab Ministries Financial Support
Please make cheques payable to World Outreach and ear marked Rahab Ministries for Patpong, Sponsorship,
Rahab Bazaar or general—please send to the World Outreach Office nearest to you.
Australia PO Box 5000 Sunshine Coast MC QLD 4560
Canada PO Box 172 Lambeth Stn., London, ON N6P 1R1, Canada
Malaysia PO Box 8541 Kelena Jaya 46792 Selagor Darual Ehsan
Netherlands PO Box 2549 2002 RA, Haarlem, Holland
New Zealand PO Box 72448 Papakura 2244, Auckland:
Singapore PO Box 048 Ghim Moh Estate PO, Singapore 912732
South Africa PO Box 180 Halfway House 1685
United Kingdom PO Box 7973 Reading RG6 5WY
United States 615 East 9800 South, Sandy, USA