The following blog is written by Alex Kuryan. Alex, along with his family, recently returned home after serving at Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC). BTC is an organization that fights human trafficking in Mumbai, India. Alex shares his experience of serving in the Red Light District.
Two years ago, I was part of Seven Mile Road’s first BTC medical mission team. I remember thinking at that time how much I wanted my family to be able to share my experience at BTC. Last month, I was blessed to be able to return to BTC along with my wife, Sara, and two daughters, Hannah and Grace. We were also joined by my brother John and his family. During our visit, it was wonderful to see the growth that has occurred at BTC over the past two years. One of the most amazing sights with the new medical clinic in Turbhe, which is a growing suburb of Mumbai. The clinic sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of Turbhe’s Red Light district. It is surrounded on all sides by active brothels that seem to run 24/7. The clinic truly stands out as a beacon of hope in an area full of darkness and evil. It was also inspiring to visit BTC’s new school and library, knowing that these were built with funds raised at last year’s Set Beautiful Free events in Philadelphia and New York.
Earlier this summer, a powerful BTC update was sent out, sharing the great news that 4 women and 17 children were recently rescued from the Red Light Districts. One of the things that struck me from that update was reading how former slave, Frederick Douglass, described the condition of slavery. He wrote, “I have observed this in my experience of slavery, that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free, and set me to thinking of plans to gain my freedom. I have found that, to make a contented slave, it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision, and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason. He must be able to detect no inconsistencies in slavery; he must be made to feel that slavery is right; and he can be brought to that only when he ceased to be a man.” While seeing patients in the clinic and watching the girls working on the street outside, I couldn’t help but notice the same “thoughtless” expression on their faces that Douglass described.
As a father of two daughters, I was especially touched by my visit to Jeevan Jyoti (BTC orphanage in the Red Light District). I remember being brought to tears two years ago when I saw the young orphaned girls, many of whom were the same age as my own daughters. I remembered thinking that under different circumstances, perhaps my kids could have ended up in the same place. When I returned to Jeevan Jyoti last month, I was again overwhelmed with emotion as I watched Hannah and Grace laughing, dancing, and playing with many of the same children I had met two years ago.
It was also great to see some familiar faces at BTC. Many of the same people continue to work tirelessly to help reach those who are trapped in this world of evil. There are also many new folks who have joined their ranks. It was especially encouraging to see our good friends, Jim and Leena, along with their 3 sons. They have devoted their lives to this great cause. It is truly inspiring to see God working through them and the rest of the dedicated staff at BTC. It is through their very hard work in this dark and desperate place that many lives have been rescued, restored, and transformed.
I was thrilled that my family was able to witness and experience BTC for themselves. A lot can change in 2 years. Though the brothels are as dark as ever, the light from BTC shines brighter today than it ever has. I am now even more convinced that through our support, this organization will continue to grow and many more lives will be saved.
by Ajay Thomas
Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.