The Women in the Windows…
Posted in The Women in the Windows on 02. Apr, 2010
When I left the house this morning, I had no idea how life-changing this day would be for me. It sounds simple. I was going to help six ladies (ages 19 to 50) hand out plastic, chocolate-filled Easter eggs to the women in the windows in the red light district of a large city in Belgium. (I’m not posting the name of the city until I clear it with the leader. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the safety of the girls in the windows.) Not too difficult, huh?! Pretty tame mission, right?! Wow. Was I wrong.
The day started with an hour of prayer. Then we talked about what we were going to be doing. The ladies discussed the women in the windows….who they were hoping to see today, who they needed to follow up with from last week, and who they had been interceding for specifically. These ladies visit the District every single week. The girls in the windows have gotten used to seeing them around. The vision is that they develop relationships with them, and that the girls realize they can trust them.
Last year I started getting a download of the heart of God for victims of sex trafficking all around the world, specifically in Europe. I started reading everything I could on the subject. It’s not easy to read. My heart started breaking for these precious women. In December of last year God told me that I would some day be part of a ministry to sex-trafficked women. I had no idea where or when. I just knew that it would happen. God would orchestrate it, so I didn’t need to try to make it happen. I basically put it on the shelf and didn’t discuss it with anyone.
Two months ago my son, Preston, and I were told to leave Israel by the Israeli Interior Department. Here is that blog post, if you’re interested. Even before we left Texas a year ago, we knew that Belgium was our destination after our time in Israel was up. We just didn’t know when that would be. Well, God made it plain by kicking us out of Israel! Anyway, I had been in Brussels for one week when my long-time friend, Margaret Gathright, introduced me to a woman at a home school co-op. As she introduced us she happened to mention that this woman heads up a ministry to sex-trafficked women in red light districts here. You seriously could have picked my jaw up off the floor! I immediately knew that this was the timing of God. As she talked about the ministry, I was having to fight back tears. I literally wanted to start sobbing right there, but I had just met this woman. I didn’t want her to think I was a crazy lady, so I used every bit of will power to keep from breaking down right in front of her!
So, to make a long story a little bit shorter, I met with her last week and learned more about her and the ministry, and she learned more about me. Then two days ago she emailed me and asked if I wanted to go with them today to the District. I jumped at the chance, even though I had no idea what I was doing!
Nothing could have really prepared me for what I saw today, although I DID google “red light district of Belgium” and found a YouTube video of what the windows look like. The video was ugly, ungodly and pro-prostitution, but it really helped me get an idea of what I was going to see. I’m so glad I did that, because if I had just gone cold turkey today, I would have been so shocked and distracted by it all that I wouldn’t have been able to even talk to the girls. The windows really are full-length, clear, picture-frame windows with half-naked girls sitting or standing right in front so as to attract the men who walk by. It’s really disgusting and degrading, and it makes me sad to think about it. I thought I was in a movie. Seriously.
My heart is gripped with love for these women. We divided into teams of two and each took a specific street to walk down. I walked up to the windows, motioned to the basket of eggs I was carrying, and asked if I could give them one. They all opened their doors to us except the ones where the pimps or madams were in the window watching over them. The girls looked sad that they weren’t allowed to take the eggs, but they also looked scared. I almost cried several times today but managed to hold back the tears. (That’s a miracle!) I started the conversation with them by saying we were giving the eggs out because of Easter this weekend and that there was a message in the egg and some chocolates. The message said, “Jesus is risen!” They loved it and felt special.
For obvious reasons I couldn’t take pictures, so I’ll try to describe a few of the women. Many were from Bulgaria and Romania. Some were from Nigeria and some from Brazil. One precious girl opened her heart up to us and said that she wasn’t really happy. She said, “And most of these other girls won’t admit it, but they are not happy either. They all want different lives for themselves. They don’t really want to do this.” That broke my heart. I just wanted to grab her and run! She couldn’t have been a day over seventeen years old. She was just a baby! Several women actually invited us into their windows. (Who would have thought I would EVER be in a prostitute’s window?!) One woman said she was ready to get out of the business. She said, “THIS will be the year that I leave. I am leaving in July. I am thirty-six years old! I want babies! I have always wanted 4 children, but now it’s too late to have four. I’ll probably just have three.” We asked if she was married, and she said no. She lives with her boyfriend and he has never talked about marriage, but she really wants children and doesn’t want to work in the windows anymore. I just wanted to grab her and run! Of course I wouldn’t really do that because that would be risking both of our lives, but I certainly had those feelings. This is not a quick-results type of ministry. You have to be in this for the long haul. It’s all about relationship and trust, and I SO want to do this!
I have many more stories but will save them for a later post. I’m still crying as a type this. It just broke my heart. I can’t bear to think about those sweet girls in the windows tonight. Next week we will be back there with another gift and another big smile. Hopefully they will remember my face and realize I really do care about them. Prayerfully the Spirit of God will touch their hearts with His lavish, overflowing love for them.
The precious women in the windows….this ministry is one of the things I was created for….
So amazing momma. I love you and your heart for these women. You are going to impact so many lives and I am privileged to be your daughter and watch it unfold.
WOW!! This is so awesome that you were prepared and then went. He knows what He is doing!! All I could think of while I was reading this was Redeeming Love. I believe and know that those girls will be forever changed when they experience true love from the Father – and of course that love will come through you women. I WANNA GO!! I would possibly grab and run so maybe I shouldn’t, ha – but I will PRAY! Love you Jerri and I’m excited to see this unfold too.
Thank you, Teddi! It truly is redeeming love that will draw them out and change them. I’m excited about this new season! Love you!
I don’t have words, Jerri, to say how heavy injustice ways on my heart. It’s overwhelming. I’m so glad you have this opportunity. I can’t think of anyone I would rather send to hurting and abused women.
I pray God increases you and allows you to influence and mentor a group of young women who will multiply your efforts.
Thanks, Daniel. I feel like such a rookie. I didn’t even know what a red light district looked like until a month ago! But I’m praying God will use me to show the women true love. Thanks for the encouragement!
Jerri, I’m so glad that God opened this door for you. It’s amazing isn’t it when God breaks your heart for these women. The girls I met at the strip club were the same way. Most of them have children even though they are very young. They want careers and want to get out but need the money to survive. They are so happy to see us and amazed that church people would care enough to come into their world to love on them. Some of them even cry when they’re talking to us because they hate what they’re doing. You will make a big impact on their lives. They can feel the love of God through you.
It’s amazing how unhappy these women are, yet they continue doing it because they don’t know what else to do. That’s what we’re trying to remedy. We want to give them alternatives. Thanks for encouraging me! Your obedience really inspires me.
Jerri, I admire and respect the maturity of HIS love that HE has poured on you for those precious girls… I do not think I could’ve even had the courage to go closer and even hear their precious hearts… it is HIS GRACE really transpired through you that is making the difference… Thank you for your LOVE and POURING unto the LORD and to the people that HE LOVES no matter where they are, thank you for following HIS CALL… we appreciate you Jerri, abundance of prayers to you and for the material needs you guys express (I am praying for the van…) you are a blessing!
Thank you, Eva. I would love for you to come visit me some time! You could go with me to the red light district!
Blessings!
Jer,
My heart was aching as I read about those women in the windows. I’m so blessed by you and so proud of you. Thank you for your heart to give others hope and for your heart to please Our God. BTW, He is also proud of you.
I love you,
Mom
Thanks, Mom! I love you, too!
What a wonderful opportunity Jerri! I was crying while reading this – my heart has also been burdened for many years for the victims of sex trafficking – especially children, but also young women. You will be in my prayers as you minister to these women. I can’t wait to hear the wonderful things God does!
Thanks, for praying, Michelle. It means so much!
Jerri, I could just imagine you standing there with the love of God on your face, as I have seen it. This is so hard to believe, especially that society allows it. Your writing was moving. I don’t know what else to say, but I am glad I read it.
That’s the hard part of all this. The city allows it to go on. They just look the other way. The city actually makes money off of it. It’s so sad.
Jer,
Tear roll down my face ass I even try to conceptualize what you experienced. I will pray that God continues to guide your heart with these women and that you will personally see and be instrumental in many women’s salvation and releasse from bondage. I miss you terribly. and you you had a wonderful Easter. Love you, Mark
Thanks, Mark. We’re praying for big things. God has opened the doors for a safe house right around the corner from the district. I’ll blog more about that soon! Love you, too!
Jerri,
I will be praying for you in more ways than one. I don’t know if you remember but the first years i came to the grove – I was doing media/pr work with several groups that were working with the victims of sex industry. Many a service I was in intercession for these women/children and individuals. I am so thrilled to know that the Father is openning a door for you. Side note the Womens Missionary Union of s.baptists is very active in this area – so you might find some more support and services. What an amazing journey you are all on.. and what new territory and testimonies are waiting for you. Cant wait to hear them. . . Shalom and much much more!
Lynn, you are always so encouraging. Right now, I’m more involved with what the Assemblies of God is doing here in the districts, but I will see what the Baptists are doing also.
I DO remember you being involved in this issue, too. It’s SO close to God’s heart. Love you!