Katie Olson, of the July 2013 World Race Q Squad, was ready to fight sex trafficking with all that she had. However, when she arrived in Thailand, she found it harder than she expected. Thailand was darker than she imagined and it was hard to form relationships through the language barrier. But through persistent prayer and love, Katie was able to shine a light into the darkness of human trafficking that she will never forget.

Let me tell you about a story about my squad mate Brittany. Brittany is the loveliest woman of God I have ever known.

In a short amount of time Brittany developed an incredible bond with a Thai woman named “Lily.” Lily was scheduled to work tonight, and Brittany really wanted to spend this last night in Thailand with her, so Brittany paid 700 Baht (about $23) to Lily’s employer in order to get Lily the night off. I stood there as the transaction occurred – it was one of the holiest moments of my life. In a city where thousands of women are being bought to satisfy perverted sexual fantasies, one woman was bought for love’s sake – real love.

And that’s my story. That’s your story. I was in slavery to a master who intended only evil for me, and then True Love paid my ransom with His own life.

Every day I pray for Thailand for hours. I walk the streets of Chiang Mai; I pray from the rooftop of my 7-story home. And I pray that the Thai people will accept the freedom that is being held out to them. Their ransom has already been paid. There is nothing left that needs to be done except for them to walk out of darkness and into the light. When Brittany bought Lily, Lily didn’t stay in the bar. She walked out of that bar and came to dinner with us, came to our home. Can’t you just picture Jesus doing the same—buying our freedom and then inviting us into His home to dine with Him and be with Him?

Katie found out in a physical way how Christ’s ransom could redeem others. Start your journey to be a part of redeeming this world. Apply for a trip today!

All photos via Robin Brooks