Easter Sunrise with a Prostitute

5:35 a.m.My alarm started beeping. I quietly got out of bed and showered, trying not to wake up the rest of the family. It was Easter Sunday, and I was about to meet other believers on the Vancouver shores of Kitsilano Beach and watch the sunrise.

6:01 a.m.The rain was coming down hard as I drove into the city. My Internet radio was blasting loudly in my car as I listened to praise and worship music. The songs had a unifying theme: Jesus conquered the grave! It was a euphoric moment. There was a bit of pride in my heart, knowing that I had woken up so early and that many of the people who had told me the day before that they were going to meet me at the beach were most likely still asleep. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is…

6:22 a.m.As I drove down Kingsway Avenue, I noticed a bright yellow umbrella. I took my eyes off the road and looked over at a young woman standing under the awning of a local business, holding an umbrella as a shield against sideways rain. My heart immediately became angry. I can’t believe there are prostitutes so close to my house. Why don’t the police do something about this?All of a sudden the lyrics to the music I was listening to enveloped me. “He is risen for you and me.” Yes, yes, He has risen for me… and her.

6:24 a.m.All of a sudden, my heart was broken. God had died for that woman. She is just as important to Him as I am. I made a U-turn and drove back to the scene of the crime. She was still standing there.

She bent down a little to see my face through the rainy windshield. What are you doing? You are crazy! You are going to get arrested!

6:25 a.m.I got out of the car as she greeted me.“Hey, honey, are you looking for a date?”

She was beautiful. She was young. Maybe 23 years old. She was wearing a very short skirt and long blond wig. She had a pretty smile, and I saw someone's daughter behind those hazel eyes.“I’m not looking for a date,” I responded. “How would you like to get off the streets?”

6:26 a.m.She looked at me with suspicion.“You mean for the night?” she questioned.

“No, I mean for good.” I extended my hand. “I am Pastor Kumar. I pastor a church not too far from here. I want to help you get off the street and start over.”

6:27 a.m.“My name is Laela,”¹ she said hesitantly.

“That would be great,” she said with suspicion in her voice. “I wish I could, but—”

I interrupted her. “Are you using drugs?” She shrugged and looked down to the ground. It seemed she was more embarrassed by her drug addiction than her prostitution.

“I’m hooked on heroin.”

6:28 a.m.“I’m heading to an Easter sunrise service right now,” I continued. “Why don’t you come with me? We can talk about getting you help.”

6:29 a.m.“Look, man. I left my purse in some guy’s car this morning. There was $240 in there. Now I have to start all over to make some cash.”

I wanted to offer her the cash, just so she would be able to go home. I didn’t. I asked her again to come with me to church. I told her that God loves her and wants to see her live a new life.

“Thanks, man. Maybe another time.”

6:41 a.m.I was standing on the shores of Kitsilano Beach. About 20 people from our church showed up. We sang songs about the resurrection and the saving grace of Jesus. There was a pit in my stomach. My heart had been broken.

6:49 a.m.The rain was coming down hard. As we stood on the wet sand overlooking the horizon, a young woman walked up to our group and listened weas us sang. One of my elders greeted her and asked her about her story. Her name was Macy.²

After an extended conversation, she told us that she had woken up that morning to take a walk. She was in search of God. Stumbling upon this group of people singing on the sand seemed like a sign to her. The elder exchanged phone numbers with Macy and promised to meet her later in the week to talk about her journey. God had reached this young woman.

Perhaps one day Laela would also be ready.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10, NLT).