This summer, I am serving an amazing God with an amazing group of women. These women have encouraged me, given me wisdom, but most importantly they have CHALLENGED me.
I have spent many months preparing for my ministry to these women on Bangla, but starting in training camp, God broke me down, using my team mates. Each night as we would pray or just share what was on our hearts, I heard so many of my team mates say that their hearts broke just as much for the men on Bangla Road.
“Love of my life, look deep in my eyes.
There you will find what you need.
Give me your life, the lust and the lies,
The past you’re afraid I might see.
You’ve been running away from me.
You’re my beloved, lover I am yours.
Death shall not part us; it’s you I died for.”
Those are lyrics from a Tenth Avenue North song that God has continuously written on my heart this week. At first, I thought those were words that I was going to pray over the women of Bangla. But as we began intercession for the team that went out on Tuesday night, my teammates shared again how their hearts were burdened for the men.
As soon as they started talking about the men on Bangla, God reminded me of those lyrics that had been playing constantly in my head. He began to break my heart for the men in a way that only He can. He showed me that just as the women on Bangla Road have been broken through many painful experiences, so have the men.
They are searching for acceptance, satisfaction, and love in a place that will only leave them feeling emptier. Many of them have feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness. They are chasing after alcohol and lust in hopes of finding even a few minutes of escape. It won’t work. Only God satisfies.
I would just encourage you to spend some time in prayer for the men walking the streets of Bangla Road. There is a brokenness inside every single person on Bangla that is impossible to explain. But they are LOVED so much more than they are broken. Pray that every person, man or woman, walking down Bangla Road is able to find the love they are searching so desperately for. A love that satisfies. A love that is unconditional, and a love that is eternal. A love from the Most High King.
