Mississippi Team Day 3

Day three of the Mississippi Mission team was possibly the most challenging for me as well as my favorite. We began the day bright and early in the Tenderloin. For those of you who don't know this area got it's name because the cops who worked this area had to be paid extra as an incentive because the area and crime were so bad. Therefore those cops could afford a more tender piece of meat. Hence the tenderloin got it's name. Today the Tenderloin is still one of the roughest parts of SF. Many of the city's poorest live here including homeless as well as many drug dealers and prostitutes. These are the people we spent most of or day ministering too.

The group in down town SF.

Because Justice Matter's is an offshoot ministry of YWAM and is located in the tenderloin. their primary focus is ministering to those who have been sex trafficked to work in massage parlors and Salons. We teamed with them in the morning to pray for those all around us being held as prisoners to do this work. They gave us an orientation on their ministry where my heart was just broken for the girls it affects. Many times pimps look for girls in the wrong place at the wrong time who are essentially courted into this lifestyle. They give them gifts and then guilt them into paying them back for the things they have been given. Other girls who are brought from other countries are promised a better life. Over 40% of all trafficked people coming to America come through the Bay Area! Once they arrive they are then told that the government is corrupt and will hurt them if they are caught. These images and lack of self worth are enough to keep many girls from reaching out for help. Another huge problem that leads to the high percentage of sex trafficking going on in SF is there is only one health inspector. On top of that he has to have three warning signs of illegal activity before a business can be shut down. BJM asked us to pray for stronger laws that will make sex trafficking much more difficult. Another prayer request they shared was for the women's minds to stay clear and not be infiltrated by false information.

After a few things to look for we then ventured out into the Tenderloin to find massage parlors and salons to pray for. It was sickening how many we easily spotted that illegal activity was likely taking place. Being that this is the second most organized crime after illegal weapons we did not enter any but we know that regardless our prayers were powerful.

After lunch we then shifted our ministry to the needy of the Tenderloin. Two of our friends Spencer and Carlena helped lead the group in this because they are a part of a weekly ministry to the homeless in this area. Each of the 4 groups we split into were able able to share the gospel with about 4-8 people. We also helped to meet physical needs with giving them socks, water, and fliers of where to find a free meal. 

My team was made up of Spencer, Lindsay and myself. We met two Davids, George, Mary, Denis, and Larry. I was super impressed with both Lindsay and Spencer's boldness to share and was blessed to have them with me.

Here is a picture of our whole group with the first David we met. He's a Christian and a Veteran. He asked us to pray for his foot which was hurt. Please lift up David along with us and the many other's that we met.

After a long day of ministry we headed to the Pier for a treat of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It was a great way to end a great day!

Anna and Ashley at Bubba Gump.

Lauren, Molly, and Sarah at the Lefty's store.

Trying to stay warm in cold San Francisco.