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radioThe adventures of a God girl!
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Every woman is identified by a number, there are no names here. Each night they are forced to perform rituals that I am not even going to go into as the degradation is horrific.
Although we were sat in such literal and spiritual darkness and it was hard to comprehend where God was amongst all of this, it was obvious that our presence was stirring things. The mamosan of this bar was furious that we were allowed in and throughout the time that we were in the bar sat on the opposite side of the room from us performing rituals and curses against us. Yes, in this world you cannot avoid the spiritual!
On another night we went to an all Russian girls strip bar, the only one in Bangkok. All of the women here are trafficked and not allowed to leave the premises unaccompanied. There is another hotel that we visited full of Eastern-European women who are all trafficked and not allowed to leave the hotel. Men come and order a woman to their room; it's just room service.
Another hotel a few streets away from Nana Plaza is used just for the Muslim men in the area. In fact it was home to one of the 9/11 bombers for a year. It is a large hotel where again the men can order women to their rooms. In the basement are turkish baths where women are kept behind glass shop windows, each with a number pinned to their dress. You can order a woman for £6.
As some of you will know this is an area that calls for love in the long-haul and although we had some amazing encounters and moments of breakthrough with some of the men and women that we met, our time was spent simply giving out love and trying not to judge.
I think one of the most trying moments for me was when a white American guy came and sat next to me in a ladyboy bar and spoke with such degrading, sexual language towards those on stage and to me. However in those moments we have a choice to love above judgment, and I tried to see into who he really is rather than who he proclaimed himself to be.
There is so much more I could say about this trip but I am aware of the length of this blog! I know that the season that I now find myself in is one of breaking; having my heart broken for what breaks God's, not in a hopeless way but in a hopeful way. Broken so that injustice becomes unavoidable and action is the only answer.
This weekend I am starting outreach to the strip bars and porn industry in LA and will potentially be doing some undercover outreach work at the end of this month. I shall keep you all up to date on what continues to evolve!
To end with here's a promise from Isaiah 25:8 that God gave me this morning.
'And God will wipe the tears from every face.
He'll remove every
sign of disgrace
From his people, wherever they are.' 
Joy is originally from England and now lives between Los Angeles and New York with her husband, Phillip. She is the founder of the Beauty For Ashes Movement, which has begun in NY, and works with those that have been sexually exploited through the sex trade. Joy and Phillip are also heavily involved in the Broadway community and entertainment industry due to Phillip’s work. You can buy Joy's book 
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I thought this was a great article. I'm so glad you put that it is a long-haul process. I currently work with women who are in survival sex work in the North East of England and i think so many people often forgot how long a journey of recovery these women have to walk to begin living life to the full. I also love that you are now getting involved in stuff in your local area. It is loving people on purpose and seeing beyond the labels that they're given - sometimes from such a young age that makes the difference.I was so refreshed by your article as my heart is daily broken in the job i do. thank youfor reminding me to keep a soft heart!