Sex and Prostitutes in Morocco.

Due to high unemployment in North Africa, there is a thriving prostitution industry. Girls, boys, and transexuals are easily available in the big cities as well as small villages. Foreign tourists typically look for them in big cities and locals go to the smaller villages. Recently, two American missionaries decided to go into the mountains where the prostitutes lived and give them literature. They packed their bags and headed off to the area where the prostitutes were known to live. The missionaries had heard they often surround men and pull them in their houses by force.  It was good the two missionaries went on their mission together. When they arrived, they told the girls that we brought gifts for them. The two missionaries were soon surrounded by a crowd of young women and they began to distribute Bibles and audio and videotapes. The prostitutes were very happy to get them and sure enough, they grabbed one of the missionary's arms and wanted not only the books but also their "business".  The two young missionaries made it clear they were not interested (one of them had to inflict a little pain by twisting a girl's arm to get the message across) but they finally got the message.  The missionaries eventually left leaving behind books that held truth that they hoped would result in a spiritual new birth for these women. 

Morocco needs Christian missionaries who will reach out to the prostitutes and give them a message of hope. No one else cares about these young girls. Most of them were married and divorced before they turned twenty. Their families forced them into a life of prostitution in order to bring in money. Girls have been known to cry and ask for mercy while engaging in sex with their customers. Some have even pleaded to be taken to the homes of the men and offered to be their slaves. Grasping at anything to provide hope, these women live in a dark world of misery and despair. 

Prostitution in Morocco is rampant. In large cities as well as in smaller villages, it is the "solution to survive" as seen by many families and even communities. Everyone knows it exists and there is plenty of demand, so the problem continues to grow. The result of this out-of-control activity is the spread of HIV/AIDS, increased abortions, and many unwanted children who are abandoned. 

Short term Christian missions teams don't typically approach the places where Moroccan prostitutes live or work. Long term resident missionaries need to make the effort to reach out to these women. Foreign women probably have better opportunities to have long term relationships ans conversations with these women. Who will go?