It was 7:00am on a beautiful day in Vancouver BC, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

 

We pulled around the back of the church parking lot, ready to start a full day of Executive Training for our urban partners and to wake up the CityConnexx short-term missions team that was sleeping in the basement. 

 

I was just coming to work, she was just leaving work. The streets were already busy and never sleep for a depressed neighborhood like this.

She was just leaving the front steps of the church after a long night of hard work. 

 

I was dressed in my work clothes and so was she. But she was more dressed up than I was, I have to admit. I wore jeans and tennis shoes. She wore a tight skirt and high heels. I had a black backpack with my computer. She had a red leather purse with the tools of her trade tucked inside.

 

I came looking forward to a great day. Her eyes looked sad and tired, like she didn't have a very good one.

 

While I had been fast asleep in a warm comfortable bed, she had been walking and probably found one herself but not so comfortable.

 

We have some things in common. We're both working folks, walking the streets. We both have customers. I'm trying to save some from the streets. She's also trying to grab some off the streets, if but for a little while. The difference is my services are free. Not hers. At least she hopes not. But you know how it is, sometimes you don't get paid for your services. And black eyes and broken bones don't count as collateral, just damage.

 

When she caught my eye, maybe I was just one more prospect. But no, it was quitting time and she looked tired. I'm sure she had no idea about my profession like I did about hers. I don't wear a black robe or a collar, maybe I should. It might have made a difference. She might have turned around to come talk or cry. But she just kept passing by.

 

There we were, a preacher and a prostitute, just going about business.

 

They're both legal professions in Vancouver BC you know. Or did you not know? I didn't until I asked my host Brian who is the Executive Director of Mission Possible on the Eastside. I was shocked that she could stand in clear view on the front steps of the church, which is a good place to be seen on that busy corner, while the police were sitting in their car across the street. Yes, Brian and the Pastor of this Church Grant confirmed that indeed the oldest profession is legal above the border in BC. In fact they went on to tell me that ladies in her shoes are starting to flood the streets and mark their territory in anticipation of all the tourists coming for the Winter Games, and it was only August.

 

This urban church and ministry does what they can but they are just a few. And what can you do when it's legal. Can't call the cops? Don't work in this town.

 

So what can you do? Come to BC on a CityConnexx missions trip this Winter for the Games. But don't buy tickets to go to the slopes. Bring some coffee, sandwiches, some love and compassion, stay and pray in the church basement with Brian, Grant, Linda, Kevin, Travis, Darla, and these dear disciples who are doing their part to end addictions and offer transformation and hope that we find in Jesus Christ. See Kevin's story of salvation from the streets of BC at www.youtube.com/cityconnexx.

 

There's another hidden and forgotten place that prostitution is exploding and it usually involves young teenagers. It's on America's Native American reservations. YouthPartnersNET is doing what it kind with gifts from faithful donors like you to help our partners provide safe church based programs as an alternative. Read the story on the next page to find out how your donations are helping kids on the Piney Ridge Reservation where one of our CityConnexx teams just returned from giving their time to serve this summer.