La Zona Roja con Maria, Annie, y, Magdelena

As most of you read Annie´s blog about La Zona Roja, my experience was slightly different. As we were praying before going out on the streets I was still unsure of actually going out and building relationships with the prostitutes. However, I put my fears behind me and went out with Maria. The two of us separated from Annie and Magdelana in search of Nigerian women (who speak english).

We started off our journey and arrived in the streets where Maria normally talks with the girls but the police were swarming the place. They had African men cornered demanding papers to prove they were legally able to be in Spain. Maria and I turned the corner and the same with the other streets. Maria was very confused and reassured me that this was not normal. I asked her if it was a drug bust or something and she said they happen all the time and it was probably the reasoning behind it.

After walking a few more blocks one of the Nigerian prostitutes came up to Maria and started talking with us. I love how Maria knows most of the women on the street, it was an amazing sight to see her open up to Maria. The women took us to the rest of her friends (who also knew maria), and Maria asked them if they were willing to pray today. I asked to pray for them and so we stood in a circle and the girls asked me to pray for their families who are still back in Nigeria. I had such joy while talking to them. They looked like everyday beautiful women on the street. They weren´t skanky, but average women, women that desire the lifestyle that most of us have.

Maria and I continued onward. We saw Annie and Magdelena so we met up with them to see how things were going. They were talking to one of the girls on the streets so we joined the conversation. I didn´t say anything to the girl but she said good bye to us and as she was walking by me she said, "you´re different," and winked at me with a huge smile on her face. I was unsure of how to take this comment, but I chose to take it as a compliment and Annie confirmed in me that it was. That out here my innocence shows and that it´s not something that most people have anymore.

So Maria and I continued on meeting with a few other girls and gave a couple cd´s out that Maria made and met up with the other group at the big cat. (we´ll post a picture it´s awesome)

We went back to El Lokal to debrief, where Kelsey stayed praying for us. We talked a little about our experience and I emphasized on how beautiful the women were and how much joy they brought to my heart. I was surprised that most of them looked like average women walking down the street. I found it hard to pick out who was a prostitute and who wasn´t. This experience was very life changing and I can´t wait to go out next week. Keep praying for us, and for the girls we meet, for this ministry is powerful!

Love you all!

ash