Oyuna

From the desert to living springs

“I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys, I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.” Isaiah 41:18

Imagine being raped by a drunken, abusive brother and fleeing by train to the Mongolian capital Ulaan Baatar (UB) 400 kilometres from home, pregnant and scared. Then living hungry and homeless on the streets with no friends and nowhere to go. And you’re only 12 years old…

It’s no wonder you turn to prostitution in return for accommodation. You’re not exactly sure what it’s all about. You don’t like it but it’s important to sleep out of the cold and rain and have food. It’s got to be better than uncertain street life.

The saddest thing about Oyonchimeg’s story is that it mirrors many girls in UB. There are no statistics about child prostitution but the US Department of State website says they documented 148 cases in 2003.

That’s 148 lives being destroyed by sex and abuse. 148 lives going nowhere. 148 lives lost to Christ. 148 barren and parched lives. And there must be many more.

Oyona, now 28, began prostituting at 16 years. She was living on the streets of UB and met some former street girls who were living with a family. They offered her somewhere to stay and asked her to ‘do’ certain things in exchange. She realised later they were exploiting her but it was too late – the family’s criminal activity was exposed and she ended up in prison too – aged 22.

She left the prison three years later and met a guy who abandoned her just before their baby was due. Despite feeling suicidal she had her son and went to live in a Korean Christian orphanage where she was first exposed to the gospel.

“When they said read I did,” she said. “Or if they said go to church I went. But I was not a believer and did not live with conviction.”

After two years they were forced to leave the orphanage and find somewhere to live. For three months they lived with friends drinking and stealing. But amongst the drunken stupors she tried to think of a way out this destructive lifestyle.

“I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together.” Isaiah 41:19

One night she found herself outside the Ulaan Baatar hotel ready to sell herself and drinking – only this time it was not alcohol but suutei tsai (Mongolian milk tea) – and talking to John Koehler from Streams in the Desert ministry.

Streams works amongst prostitutes and alcoholics to help them find freedom in a new life. John works with YWAM but in Mongolia under the banner of Joint Christian Services, a Christian development organisation.

“After talking to John about my problems I realised I needed God’s help to change my life,” she said. She also listened to the testimony of a former pimp and her one-time boss and realised if God could change her he could change Oyona.

“Oyona heard Enchincholoo’s story and began to cry,” said John. “She said she wanted out, tonight! So we arranged for her to live with Enchincholoo and she started going to church.

“The Streams in the Desert ministry is founded on Isaiah 41:18 where it talks about God turning the desert into pools of water. Oyona’s change of heart is an example of how life can be changed through God.”

John encouraged her to start a Discipleship Training School (DTS) to learn how to be a Christian. It began on June 1 and today, almost half way through the course, she looks at peace with the world. Her face is more lined than most 28 year-olds but she’s had a hard life. However her voice is soft, her eyes bright and she lovingly cuddles four year-old Edinbayer on her lap.

She said the DTS had taught her freedom comes through forgiveness and living for God. Once the DTS finishes she will find her family and forgive them, then work with John and tell her friends about Jesus. She said most were poor, alone and homeless and prostituted for money. Some wanted out but it would not be easy.

“Without God they won’t be able to change. God helped me make the decision to get out. Now I want to help others see change is possible and make the same decision.”

“So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” Isaiah 41:20

[Editor's note: Oyuna has had some ups and downs but now is working two part-time jobs with two Christians and is doing well.]