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Home Opinion

CHURCH NOTES: Rahab – God is at work on the streets of Reading

Guest Contributor by Guest Contributor
Sunday, July 23, 2023 7:01 am
in Opinion
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Chocolate is one of the gifts that Rahab presents to Reading's sex workers Picture: jacqueline macou from Pixabay

Chocolate is one of the gifts that Rahab presents to Reading's sex workers Picture: jacqueline macou from Pixabay

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In June 2023, the Rahab team had more than 100 meaningful conversations with women on the streets of Reading.

A meaningful conversation is when we chat with a sex-worker, and provide her with supplies such as a drink, chocolate, condoms and toiletries.

Over the month, we can have meaningful conversations with the same women but, without a doubt, more women are turning to sex-work.

We are often asked why women turn to sex work. When archiving Rahab materials last year, we came upon a set of poems written by one of the women ‘S’ which illustrates a story we hear all the time.

Asking Why?

I know one thing is sure, that ain’t no doubt

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I think things in my head that make me shout.

Let me explain to you how I am feeling

The reasons why I started drugs and stealing

It all started when I was very young

My step-dad did horrible things to me and my Mum.

He was a man who loved to drink

I suppose that’s why he did not think.

He was so mean, it’s hard to explain

All I remember is the pain and shame.

I wake up every morning and wish I was free

But all I can remember is what happened to me

I want these bad thoughts to just get out

Cos all it does is make me angry and shout.

I always ask myself that simple word ‘why’?

Sometimes I wish I could curl up and die.

Then I stop and say ‘Why do I think this way?’

Cos I’m still letting him get to me every day.

There were the ones who were wrong

So, I have to keep going and be strong.

One day I will overcome all the bad damage they have done.

‘S’

I have never met a person who has chosen this way of life. When one woman was asked when she began sex working, she simply replied ‘When I became addicted to heroin’.

Psalm 147:3 – ‘He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.’

Please hold these women in your prayers.

Christine Munday (Project Director – Rahab) writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

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