Stacy Utecht first learned of the prostitution and sex trafficking in the red light district of Thailand when she was a student at Moody Bible Institute. At the time, she was working with an organization that reached out to male prostitutes on Chicago streets.
“I felt compelled to visit [Thailand] one day,” said the Canton resident.
She went for the first time in 2007, with a group of women who partnered with a ministry called Nightlight in Bangkok, which offered women work if they elected to stop selling their bodies.
“For about six weeks, I went with that organization to sit in the bars, talk with the women and form relationships,” said the 32-year-old. “After I left Thailand that first time, I knew I would return. As a resident director at Malone University, I knew the Lord wanted me to bring students with me to educate them on this unacceptable reality.”
She’s now been to Thailand five times. Last year, she was there on vacation and recalled an incident in a restaurant when she watched men pay and leave with two girls.
“I was reminded that prostitution and trafficking are everywhere, especially in Thailand,” she said.
The International Labor Organization estimates that at least 7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product is generated by prostitution.
In May, Utecht returned to the country with a group of eight women, including six Malone alumni.
“We spent two weeks ministering in the red light district, prayer walking and helping out at SHE [which offers similar opportunities as Nightlight in Bangkok to women] … The truth is, in two weeks it is impossible to change the reality that is present there. There is so much evil and so much darkness. However, I do think it is our responsibility to go, to learn, to educate others and to not forget,” Utecht explained. “For some, they will return and work long term there. My calling is to bring people with me to educate and have them observe and be a part in bringing light and freedom that only Christ can bring into those areas.
“In our time in Phuket [Thailand], we were able to talk to some women, pray with them and give them a bit of hope. It is a big task, and it will take many, many workers who will move to Thailand and be a part of a long-term solution.”
Utecht has traveled the world reaching out to others. Just last week, she left for Micronesia where she boarded a sailboat, launched by Youth With a Mission, that takes medical teams to islands that cannot be reached by plane.
“I will be on the crew, just making the boat run,” she said. “I’m thrilled to dust off my sailing skills and learn how to serve in this capacity.”
Thanks to this young woman and all others who give so freely of their time to help others. Because of you, there is hope for the mentally fragile and for children, women and men on the other side of the world who would give anything to escape living such wretched existences.
Book benefits symphony
Author Diane Laney Fitzpatrick says she’s loved all the places she’s lived in the United States, from Virginia to Illinois, New Jersey to California. But the mother of three has an especially fond memory of living in North Canton, Ohio, and volunteering with the Akron Symphonyc’s children’s programs.
That’s why she’s donating part of her book sales July 17-20 to the Akron Symphony’s Concerts for Kids, which provides a classical music experience for children in the Akron area.
Fitzpatrick will be the speaker at Akron Roundtable’s monthly luncheon meeting at noon July 17 at Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. She’ll share wit and wisdom from her book, Home Sweet Homes: How Bundt Cakes, Bubble Wrap, and My Accent Helped Me Survive Nine Moves, a collection of stories from her cross-country moves with babies, teenagers, dogs, frogs and goldfish.
Fitzpatrick will be signing and selling her book after the luncheon. All sales there and on Amazon.com during that time will result in a donation to the program.
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com. Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kim.honemcmahan.