Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the darkened room located in a popular port town nestled along the French Riviera. The aroma of stale alcohol and cigarettes overwhelmed me. I was greeted by a blonde woman who eyed me suspiciously.
“This is my friend, Beth, from America,” Tara Chaney introduced me. “She’s visiting me for a few days and wanted to come on our little tour to see you all tonight.”
Instantly the blonde woman’s demeanor changed. She oohed with delight and embraced me in a friendly “bisou,” or kiss — a French greeting not usually offered upon a first meeting.
When Tara first asked if I wanted to join her and some other women to hand out chocolates to local prostitutes, I was tentative. What would I do or say? Could I truly embrace these women for who they were? What about the language barrier?
I spent the day prior to our tour asking Tara a barrage of questions about the history of each lady and how this all began.
It started with two International Mission Board (IMB) missionary women who saw a need and an opportunity to show the prostitutes in this popular port town they are loved and valuable. Five years ago they began handing out small, quality chocolates to the women. Each chocolate had a Bible verse taped to it. What started with these two IMB missionaries eventually grew to include women from other evangelical missions organizations and a few from local French churches.
Honor and trust
On the day of our outing, we met early at a fast-food restaurant to pray and plan our route — and for me to bolster my courage with a strong cup of coffee. Later that day we started our tour, which consisted of visiting establishments along four specific streets. The women stood in the doorways waiting for clients. When they saw our group coming they let out squeals and offered plenty of “bisous.” Initially the ladies weren’t quite sure what to make of me. After a quick introduction from Tara though I was accepted as one of “the Chocolate Girls” (a nickname lovingly bestowed upon the group by the women). One woman even told me her real name instead of her street name — often viewed as an expression of honor and trust.
I asked Tara what her dream was for this ministry; what do the Chocolate Girls ultimately want to see happen?
“We want to learn,” she said, without hesitation. “We want to learn how to offer a way out of that life for those who want it. The majority of the ladies we minister to have advanced degrees, are trained for good, decent jobs. However, they are unable to make enough money in those jobs. In order to offer them a way out we need more than just a program to give them skills training, and we just don’t know how to do that.”
Tara said she and the other Chocolate Girls desperately want to see a church planted for these women or at least a Bible study formed that they can attend. Even better would be a network of churches that would welcome the women when they decide they are ready to see what church is all about, she noted.
In order for the Chocolate Girls to obtain their desired training and partnerships they need someone who can network full time with churches and other organizations that can help reach the women. They’re requesting groups to prayerwalk the streets during the day, ahead of the tours at night. They also are seeking other evangelical believers to walk alongside them, learn the ropes, pray and go.
Pray a church will be planted among the women.
Pray God will send someone to be the full-time networker and administrator of this ministry.
Pray the Holy Spirit will reveal more opportunities for Tara and her colleagues to learn how to best reach the women with the hope of the gospel.
(Baptist Press)
EDITOR’S NOTE — Names changed for security reasons.
Share with others: