Which way ?

There we were, back standing on the corner of Soi Cowboy. I met and encountered two men from Europe, fresh off the long flight into Bangkok. I talked to them for a few minutes and was left with a revelation that I've had in the past, but this time it was made clearer.

They were eager to get their month long adventure started in the first few hours of their arrival. They explained to me how they had just met some other travelers down the street at another bar. These guys gave them a "road map" to maximizing their travel experience in Bangkok and around Thailand with instructions scribbled on a dingy napkin mapping out all the must see bars and places; which is what had led them to the red-light district at Soi Cowboy in the first place."Interesting", I thought as a great contrast was forming in my mind.

In the course of our time spent talking to each other we were actually able to get to a place of some depth, as they probed to find out why I had come to this place on this night. I explained that I come frequently but for different reasons than most which then led to deeper conversation focused on real love and purpose, eventually and briefly, faith. I was quite shocked as I received respectful and interested nods in return.At the end after wishing each other well, the revelation I had was clear.

It amazed me how influenced we can be -- either in a positive way or negatively. It was ironic to see them walk away having received two different views of life that night. One to follow the crowd into a successful experience of bar hopping and sexual encounters the other about taking the time to think about our lives, choices, purpose, and what we really want and need.
We are always being discipled, the question is: By what or by whom?

With this introduction I want to introduce you to the writer of this article, Chris Lenty from MST Project. (MST stands for “Men and the Sex Trade”)

As I had mentioned in my last blog entry I would tell you a little more about our visit to Southern California last week. It has been several years ago that I made contact with Chris, the founder of MST Project. What caused me to contact MST Project was an experience I will never forget.

Some 4 years ago I travelled with Henrietta to Cambodia to visit friends who worked there as teachers in an international Christian school. On our flight to Cambodia I sat beside a dentist from N. America who told me that he was exploring Cambodia to see if he could help the local people. I was impressed by his story and upon departing we wished him well.

The very same day of our arrival we spent some time in the city of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, to explore our new surroundings. It was very warm that day and as we sat on an outdoor patio of a local restaurant Henrietta observed the same dentist we had met earlier on our flight. Henrietta asked me, is that the same dentist you spoke to on the airplane? I said yes indeed it is. Here was the dentist with his beautiful story who now was accompanied by a local Cambodia girl with whom he departed shortly afterwards walking hand in hand. We encountered him once more that same week with another girl.

Many Western men of all walks of life can be observed in this fashion in many Asian countries where they prey on the local girls or children for sex. This encounter touched me deeply and as time went by great passion has grown within me to help these men. Men that are broken, men that have often lost their way in society, men that are sinners just like we all are, men that need Christ and need to hear the Gospel and the Hope that lies in it.

A year before I was diagnosed with cancer I searched for organizations that did exactly that kind of work. Bringing the Gospel to those who the world rejects because of their behaviour or orientation, yet it was those very people that Jesus had great compassion on. Just to name a few examples from the Bible brings us to the women by the well in John 4: 8-18 or the women caught in adultery in John 8: 2-12 when Jesus proclaimed "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."

My search brought me in touch with Chris and his wife Nui who started this small organization some 12 years ago. These folks have a heart for the lost, the ones that are rejected by the world. Chris and Nui were visiting in the USA in the last four months and we took the opportunity to go and meet them in California. It was a blessed time where we also had the opportunity to be at one of his presentations where he shared his calling from God to bring the Gospel to a broken people. Henrietta and I walked away with a renewed outlook and new perspective to this work. I am praying that God will give me the opportunity to one day join Chris in this beautiful but difficult work. In the meantime we are here in Chilliwack where God wants us to be right now.

I highly recommend you visit the MST Project website and view 4 short video clips or you can read about many other aspects of their work. Read about their encounters with men, read the blogs or see the prayer wall of those whom they meet. Maybe your heart is inclined to help financially or be part of this worthwhile ministry.

I truly believe we all need to look at our own lives and meditate on the words in Proverbs 20: 9 "Who can say, I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"? We all need heart renewing Grace each day again, if you don’t posses it, pray for it, repent and believe on Him.

Personally, I had a good week and was able to do some gardening and yard work. It made me feel good as the weather is so beautiful. God is so good, each day again He showers us with blessings.
On October 1, I will be going into Vancouver for a CT Scan and Bone Scan to see how things are going inside of me. It will be a busy week of testing and doctor visits. On October 4 I hope to receive the results of the CT and Bone Scan. On October 5, I will see a Cardio Oncologist in regards to my heart function. My heart appears to be affected by the Chemo treatments and I will hear how they hope to address this.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers. The text from John 16 : 16 is much on my mind “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
God be with you all, He cares for you.
John