The same day we flew to Hosanna & Angancha we went into the Red Light District of Addis Ababa. This is such a dark and sad place. During the day this is the market place...at night, the little doors that were closed during the day are now occupied by young ladies, waiting in front of them for business to come along. As we walked through the streets I felt a heaviness that was overwhelming and saw things I wish I never saw.
Pat started
International Crisis Aid (ICA) and one of his ministries is rescuing young ladies out of the Red Light District. He takes them to a home where they can get an education, learn a trade and no longer turn to prostitution for a living. They are also exposed to the Gospel. Many have come to Christ and desire to use their trade in the Red Light District so they can minister to the young ladies and potentially rescue them just like someone rescued them!
So, as we were driving through the streets that night a young lady yelled out Pat's name...he saw her and got out of the car immediately. After talking with her for some time, he gets back in the car and fills us in on this young lady. Her name is Tigist (We called her Tigist 1). She is 16 years old and was rescued a while back but because she got into an argument with one of the girls in the house, she ran away. In that time, she has a little boy. At this time, she has agreed to meet with us the following morning and go to another rescue shelter.
We continue on down the street and Pat is just itching to get out of the car and start walking these streets. So, we all climbed out of the car into an alley. It's dark but for some reason I wasn't scared- God gave me a peace and a sense of urgency to keep looking...I very much felt protected by Him. We continue on following Pat's lead...He just walks and follows the Holy Spirit's lead. We passed a few young ladies along the way and then Pat was lead to another young lady, also named Tigist (Tigist 2) she says she's 25 but we believe she may be younger. As I stand there and watch, Pat begins to tell her that this is not what God had intended for her life. He has better plan for her. He loves her so much that he sent these Americans into the streets to find her and tell her just how much He loves her. He wants to give her a better life. He then tells her about the rescue shelter and we make arrangements to meet her the next morning to take her to visit the shelter as well. I was overwhelmed by what I witnessed. I began weeping and praying for every single woman that was enslaved by such a horrible trade.
The next morning, we went back to meet the ladies, praying that they really would show up. You see, they've already had men come into their lives once before telling them about the most wonderful life they could have if they would come work for him. It takes a HUGE amount of trust on their part to listen to another man and go with him considering the last time they did that they were sold into prostitution.
I'm happy to report that Tigist 1 decided to stay in the shelter and continue to get her education and hopefully start a new life for her and her little boy.
Unfortunately, Tigist 2 asked that we give her 2 months and she'll come back. She said she had younger brothers to take care of and debts to pay. They offered to pay her debts but she just didn't want to stay. The shelter exchanged phone numbers with her and they were not going to give up on her.
Below are the pictures from the morning when we went to get the girls.
This is Pat & Mekonnen leading us
through the Red Light District
Tigist 2 and Ashely
This is where Tigist lives
and works.
Tigist 2 leaving the Red Light District
to come with us and visit the
Shelter.
This is Pat and Mekonnen with
Tigist 1 talking about her
option to come back to
the shelter she left a year ago.
Tigist 1 and her baby boy
She is 16 years old.
Isn't he a cutie!!!
Please keep these ladies and the many that still need rescuing, physically and spiritually, in your prayers. Keep Pat, ICA and the Ethiopian team that do this for a living in your prayers as well. Pray for wisdom, protection and guidance as they minister to these women.
