NBA basketball player Jeremy Lin talked about his life changing trip to Thailand that changed his perspective. Along with Pastor Eugene Cho, he walked through one of the red light districts in Bangkok and witnessed the cruelty of human trafficking firsthand.
Eugene Cho posted a photo of himself and Lin on Instagram on June 6. In the photo, the two men are seen walking through a red light district in Bangkok where 10,000 sex workers, many of them children, are exploited on a daily basis. Cho and Lin expressed horror on their faces.
Cho said they have been traveling throughout Thailand during the past week and have learned about the various challenges and difficulties the sex workers face.
“I’ve been here several times before but it’s still as heavy and painful,” said Cho to the The Gospel Herald. “Many of these sex workers are from rural areas, the hill tribes, and migrants from neighbouring countries.”
On Twitter, Lin shared Pastor Cho’s photo with the caption: “This trip changed my perspective for real.”
Thanks bro! And thanks @OneDaysWages…this trip changed my perspective foreal https://t.co/1lFp785nAh
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) June 6, 2017
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Lin, the 28-year-old guard who was signed to the Brooklyn Nets last year, recently teamed up with two Asian-based charities: One Day’s Wages, whose mission is to raise awareness of girls’ education, and the Hug Project, whose goal is to prevent, protect and restore children from human trafficking.
“I’m deeply appreciative of Jeremy and his team for joining me this week,” Cho said. “Grateful for the various NGOs that hosted us to share their passion and heartaches. Can’t wait to share more as I make my way back home.”
In his Instagram post, Cho also expressed admiration for Lin’s willingness to help save this imperfect world– despite his successful NBA career and busy training schedule.
“We talked about taking a trip together but I honestly didn’t think his team would follow through,” Cho said. “Not that I questioned their heart but his schedule is crazy and he’s constantly training. Add my schedule – even without training. But by God’s grace, it happened.”
As reported, Lin donated his game check from the Boston Celtics game on March 17 to One Day’s Wages. He will do the same this upcoming season.
“Millions of girls across the globe are unable to get the education they need to provide for themselves and their families. This is due to unaffordable school fees, forced child marriage, lack of sanitary products when they reach puberty, and many other barriers. My hope is to shed some light on these issues, and invite you to join me in taking action,” Lin wrote on the One Day’s Wages website.
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RE: Jeremy Lin Shocked by Thailand’s Red Light District: Good! Reaching back to help others not because if makes him look good to others. It because it is the right thing to do and makes him feel! Proud of him. So glad he is bringing consistent awareness to a crime!