independence day

I didn't see any fireworks on the 4th this year. I was going in brothels instead. Half of the group did go to the section of the city known for drug addicted prostitutes as I had mentioned that we would do. The other half of the group walked to a different district and talked to Romanian, Albanian and Bulgarian girls working in the brothels. I didn't think I would be able to go in the brothels with the team because those girls speak their respective languages so I wouldn't be of much use (how many times do we find ourselves telling God that). But our team leader Viorika-who fluently speaks 6 languages or more, told me I could go inside with her.

Brothels are just your average apartment complex so the layout is something you'd expect. Compared to the pictures or my own ideas of what a brothel would look like, it wasn't much of a surprise. I think I was just in shock to actually be somewhere that I never thought I'd go- I couldn't believe I was seeing this in real life. My heart was pounding as we walked up the stairs to the first brothel, but once I got there I remembered that it's just an apartment, and these are real people.

There weren't any 'customers' in the waiting room when we initially went in. We walked back toward the kitchen which is where the madame and the girl sit and wait for clients. The kitchen was bare besides having a large TV showing the security cameras of 3 different parts of the house, a mirror, and a foldout table. The table was home to a CD player, lipstick, and a costco sized supply of condoms.

The madame (who is usually an older woman who manages the brothel and makes sure the clients pay, etc) happened to be a man wearing yoga pants, a pink T shirt, a ponytail and arched eyebrows recognized Viorika  and was happy to see her. He introduced Viorika to the prostitute as they had never met. It was cool to find out that as the madame was explaining who Viorika was he was gladly telling the girl what Nea Zoi is and had nothing but good things to say.

I couldn't understand what Viorika and the girl were talking about as they spoke in Albanian, but the conversation was going well for it being a first contact. Every few minutes a potential customer would come into the waiting room and the madame would go out to tell them the services offered and the prices. The madame would come back in the kitchen and the girl would walk out in her bra, thong and pink heels to showcase herself so that the clients could decide if they wanted her. This happened probably 4 times, mid conversation she would excuse herself and walk out to be evaluated and then return.

I cannot imagine my worth dwindling down to men deciding if I look good enough for them to be willing to pay to have sex with me. That's what it comes down to, people. Here I was, on Independence Day, walking in and out of the places that represent bondage and anything but freedom.

So now what? I also learned that night that there comes a point where talking about it and bringing awareness to something like this only does so much. As christians we are called to GO and DO. So I gladly and reluctantly announce that I feel the burden to do something about it. I'm writing it here to kind of keep myself accountable, so anyone reading this is free to (join me) and make sure I keep the promise that I WILL NOT IGNORE THIS. I don't know what that will look like yet, but if I'm willing, I know God will open doors.