When the guests arrived, our group went out to meet them, brought them inside and everyone sat down in a large circle.  After introductions, 2 of our students led some fun songs and games. Our women were in top form, smiling, laughing, drawing the others in.  Then after some worship songs, Ning stood up, slightly nervous but confident, and told how Jesus had completely changed her life, including removing various addictions.  Oi was next, describing the tragedy in her life that drove her to Soi Cowboy, then how she found love and new life in Jesus through The Well.  Mae told her similar story, then Mam got up and made a tearful appeal to each visitor to receive Jesus as well.  "Nothing can compare with God's love," she wept.

Visitors were clearly moved but I began to worry that they may feel on the spot.  Mam began weeping uncontrollably, prompting Khio to wisely intervene.  Khio calmly encouraged each visitor to think about what they had heard, and invited the whole gathering break into small groups to pray.

I'll never forget the picture of what came next, as each of our women joined  with a visitor, talking, listening and praying.  Here was Oi sitting knee to knee with one, holding her hands, smiling eyes full of kindness. There was Da, side by side with another, arm around her shoulders, praying.  As it turned out, 3 of the 9 guests prayed to receive Jesus, and others clearly opened their hearts for the first time.

When the guests finally left after lunch, our women chattered excitedly about how awesome it was to see God at work through them.  Ning, for one, was beaming.  Because of her difficult past, hers has been a long road with The Well, and over the last 6 months we came pretty close to losing her a couple of times to addictive behavior.  But she has held on, and more recently has turned a corner and is clearly in a growth spurt.  I mentioned to Ning how proud I was of her sharing her story.  She thanked me and pointed upwards with both hands.  "Proud of God," she grinned.


Reproduction like this is the paradigm in every part of our vision.  We intend to reproduce believers, leaders, ministries, businesses, and most importantly, churches. 

studying at the well

For example, rather than grow The Well into a big organization, we plan to help start new ministries working with bar girls in different areas, especially as new churches grow to support them. The first church we've started will not become big, but it will multiply as quickly as possible, even several times a year.  A second church in fact has already begun.

Here are the key reproduction goals for The Well in our 2nd year:

1. See our current group of women become leaders in discipleship, ministry, business etc.
   
2. Begin a similar work/study program to train men as leaders.
   
3. See trained men and women plant several new churches in Bangkok, and a few more in upcountry provinces.  
   
4. Help start at least one new ministry, hopefully two, with a similar mission, staffed at least in part by graduates of The Well.
   
5. Help program graduates start several new businesses that will support both women and men.

finale: a sneak preview

There will be a few more chapters, but what we're praying and believing can happen is for Thailand to be the next Korea, with rapidly growing and multiplying churches.  It is only when that happens that we can expect to see a real dent in the sex trade in Thailand. For now, we've clearly seen what God wants to do in people, and many are indeed hungry for His love.  In any case, it promises to be a fun story.

Thanks for praying and supporting us!

Jim for Team Larson