Love and Acceptance: Saidan's Story

UPDATE: Mitchell has reunited with Tim in India! We are praising God for His goodness in quickly bringing them back together. We are so grateful for the many prayers lifted up on their behalf. Today, Tim traveled to a remote village to meet Saidan, a survivor of sex trafficking who was rescued by our partner, Freedom Firm. Here, Tim shares her story of restoration.  

When you get down to it, each of us has a yearning for love and acceptance. These are desires hard-wired into humanity by God designed to draw us together and point us to Him.

For survivors of sex trafficking, this tandem need is often heightened. After experiencing so many horrible and traumatic things, many girls begin to secretly ask themselves: “Will anyone ever love me after what’s been done to me?”

Today, following a four-hour journey to a remote village, I had the privilege of interviewing Saidan, a young woman who was rescued from sex trafficking by our partner, Freedom Firm. Once we arrived in Saidan’s village, the first person to meet us was her husband, a friendly man with a warm smile.

Quickly he ushered us down winding pathways past ponds swollen with monsoon rains to the house where he, Saidan, and their two children live. Along the way, we picked up a following of friends, family, and more than a few curious children.

When we arrived at her home, Saidan met us outside with her two small children clinging to her side. She struck me as both shy and strong, at times exuding both confidence and uncertainty about the attention we brought to her home.

On the trip to Saidan’s village, Rinku, Freedom Firm’s social worker, shared some details about Saidan story—including the fact that her husband knew the full details of her rescue from sex trafficking. In a culture where stigmas run thick, honor is highly prized, and women are often viewed, especially in rural communities, as “damaged goods” because of horrors inflicted on them, Saidan has found a man who looks beyond the labels and accepts her for who she is.

For Saidan, this acceptance has helped to restore what was taken from her. And it has given her the ultimate answer to her question, “Will anyone ever love me?” In spite of cultural norms and her painful past, her husband’s response and hers are now resoundingly one in the same: “Yes.”

 Saidan is free today because of our partner, Freedom Firm. Their commitment to rescuing minor girls from sex trafficking and exploitation and prosecuting their perpetrators is made possible through your support. A day of work for a Freedom Firm investigator costs roughly $24. Please consider giving today at www.Freedom424.org/Give to help provide rescue and restoration to more women like Saidan. 

Kolkata: The City of Joy

UPDATE: Mitchell has landed safely back in Dubai where he will stay until he receives a visa to go back to India. We are so grateful for your prayers surrounding this, and we continue to ask for them--specifically that he will receive the new visa quickly. Tim spent the day at Ruhamah Designs with seven amazing survivors. Here's his insight into the work and restoration taking place there:

India is a place of amazing contradictions. 

At once it is both caring and calloused; friendly and hostile; wealthy and impoverished. These opposites played themselves out in front of me numerous times today. I witnessed a naked children begging on the street in front of a billboard hawking upscale, luxury condos. I met a sex trafficking survivor who was sold to a brothel by her own family while she was still a child, now cuddling and nurturing her own child—showing him the love and affection I doubt she ever received.

Today I visited Ruhamah’s West Bengal workshop. Ruhamah Designs is a jewelry business started by our partner Freedom Firm to provide sex trafficking survivors a chance to heal, learn a trade, and develop self-worth and self-esteem in a Christ-centered environment. Here, I met seven young trafficking survivors and heard their stories—each of them tragic in their own ways. And while not all were willing or able to share about how they were trafficked, each girl readily shared about how her life has changed since coming to work for Ruhamah.

When describing what they’ve learned and gained through their employment with Ruhamah, I heard words like: Dignity. Respect. Confidence. Independence. Trust. Change. And perhaps, the most powerful—Freedom.

While these young women are still processing through intense pain, anger, and loss, they are also being renewed and restored. Today in the place known as the “City of Joy,” I saw a small piece of this joy in one of the most unlikely places—in the smiles and laughter of seven trafficking survivors.

 The work being done at Ruhamah Designs and our partner Freedom Firm is made possible through your generous support. Give today to provide continued freedom to these survivors and others like them, at www.Freedom424.org/Give. 

Please Pray

Right now, we at Freedom 4/24 are earnestly asking for your prayers. Our President Tim Spaulding, has made it safely into India. Our videographer Mitchell Bryant, however, has been denied access. Please read this update below from Tim. 

July 9, 2015

BMS Guest House

Kolkata, India

As I sit and type, bleary eyed and bone tired from more than 24 hours of travel I am overcome by the need for prayer.

Both of us on the F424 team made it to Kolkata but only I made it through customs. Apparently Mitchell had some visa issues that no one caught until his passport was about to be stamped here in Kolkata. Visas are routinely checked multiple times during a trip. The fact is he should not have been allowed on the plane in Dulles in the first place, and should not have been allowed on the plane in Dubai; but he was.

Just 2 ½ hours ago we parted ways at the airport. Me, bound for the guesthouse where I now type and Mitchell back to the departure gates where he now sits waiting for the first flight to Dubai in the morning. Once back in the United Arab Emirates, Mitchell will file the paperwork to correct his visa and then come back to join me. But here’s the kicker—immigration and customs officers said this will take 48 hours. We have but a few days here as it is.

I’m completely dumbfounded. It’s really a mess. But I know one thing: time and again when faced with unworkable situations, God can intervene.

So as you read this I ask you to do two things:

1) Pray that Mitchell’s visa situation would be worked out without having to go back to Dubai.

2) Pray that despite my lack of videographer experience, I will be able to capture the stories of rescue and redemption we came here for.

There is good work happening in India. We came here with a purpose and no matter what gets thrown at us, our eyes are on the prize and we will not be deterred.

With eyes fixed,

Tim Spaulding

Land of the Not-So-Free: 1.5 Million Human Trafficking Victims Currently in U.S.

“For 24,” is a year-long campaign telling the story of Freedom 4/24—from the survivors, world-changers, and volunteers to fundraisers, and behind-the-sceners. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and enrich your understanding of Freedom 4/24 and the work we do together.

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The answer is yes.

Human trafficking happens in the United States.

It may seem like an obvious statement but it’s one we often say when explaining the work of Freedom 4/24. And yes, we exist to fight human trafficking here in the States too. In light of the upcoming 4th of July celebration of our country's independence, we asked blogger and Freedom 4/24 supporter Holly Hrywnak of thecommonqueen.com to give a snapshot of trafficking in the U.S.

So, who is Holly? Here’s a quick For 24 intro.  

#4: Meet Holly Hrywnak

Age: 31

Hometown: Corning, NY

Family snap shot: I've have three siblings and have the honor of being an aunt to seven of the cutest (and craziest) kiddos. My parents have been in pastoral ministry for about 35 years now. They have a deep love for God and a heart for people. I've seen the way they've extended kindness, grace and love to the hurting, broken and afflicted and it is their example of godliness that I aspire to.

How did you become aware of human trafficking for the first time?

I first learned of human trafficking when I was in Bible school about 10 years ago. I was involved in a prayer group that focused on the needs of people in North America and one of the topics that came up was human trafficking. It struck my heart deeply to learn of the atrocities being committed ... especially to children.

How did you get connected to the work of Freedom 4/24?

I got connected to Freedom 4/24 through a friend of mine, Tim Spaulding. I started reading different articles he would post on social media and a passion started to rekindle in my heart. I wasn't sure what I could do to help, but I knew I could speak and that was better than remaining silent.

Now that you have a glimpse of Holly and her heart, read her eye-opening piece on the issue of human trafficking in the United States.

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Land of the Not-So-Free: 1.5 Million Human Trafficking Victims Currently in U.S.

“It could never happen here,” we try and convince ourselves.

The issue of human trafficking isn’t just another episode on Law and Order: SVU or a sad news story out of Nigeria sandwiched between tonight’s lottery numbers and the announcement of the name of a celebrity’s newborn. It’s happening now and it’s happening here, in my state and yours.

Let me assure you, there is human trafficking taking place in all—yes all—50 states, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC). The top three states that are recorded for potential human trafficking instances are California, Texas and Florida. This isn’t exactly the kind of Top 3 group that people are proud to be a part of, but it’s something we all need to understand.

Before I get ahead of myself, I think it’s important to define human trafficking. Human trafficking is any instance in which a victim is held against his or her will to perform sex acts or labor services either through force, fraud or coercion. Simply put, it is modern day slavery and it affects men, women and children alike. In 2014, the NHTRC received reports of 5,042 unique cases of human trafficking in the United States. Each instance could involve multiple victims.

That’s a lot of cases, if you ask me. More importantly it is a lot of people.

It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, there are 1.5 million victims currently in the human trafficking trade.

It’s easy to get lost in the statistics and the numbers, but each of those numbers represents a victim. Each number has a name, a story and a life before being trafficked.

What do human trafficking victims look like? They look a lot like you and me. They are young, old, male, female, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals and they come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. It can happen to anyone at any time.

It’s hard for me to describe to you what a day in the life of a victim may look like because it is devastating, to say the least. Oftentimes, human trafficking victims are visibly malnourished. They have been denied the most basic of rights and their bodies bear the scars—both physically and mentally. Sex trafficking victims are forced to participate in sex acts with numerous partners a day, one after the other. Labor trafficking victims work under poor conditions for long hours. There are no breaks, no days off and certainly no vacations.

Now that we know that human trafficking is a huge problem in the United States and that there are cases of it happening in every state, you may be wondering where, specifically, it takes places. Is it based solely in underground markets? No, in fact many times it occurs in businesses, including restaurants, farms, factories and strip clubs. Personally, I find that difficult to wrap my head around because in the case of farming and manufacturing, I could be purchasing items that were harvested or made through labor trafficking and not even know it.

How could this happen in the U.S.? Why does it happen? It’s a pretty simple answer: money.

It’s all about the money. Human trafficking is making traffickers billions of dollars each year. That’s a lot of Benjamins. With the benefit of high profits and such a low risk of getting caught, the reality of trafficking is a growing industry that only looks to consume and shatter more lives for the sake of profit.

If we ever hope to see human trafficking end in the United States, we must all take part in the fight, at every level of government and citizenship. According to the NHTRC, there needs to be an increase of training for federal and local law enforcement agencies. There will need to be more services offered for victims who have been recovered. Awareness must also gain greater ground in our communities. While there seems to be no excuse for someone to claim ignorance with the amount of connectivity the internet and social media lends us, it is still my job and yours to open the eyes of those around us.

After 9/11, New York City started circulating the slogan, “If you see something, say something.” The slogan was meant to draw people’s attention to suspicious activity that could be happening around them and this same slogan can be applied human trafficking. When we are made aware of an injustice, even if it doesn’t directly relate to us, it is important to share that information with others. People need to know what is happening around us, in our own country. They need to be informed and we can’t expect someone else to do the talking for us. We’ve got to be willing to speak up when we learn of injustices. You may never know the impact it makes for someone.

We’ve also got to be willing to put our money where our mouth is by supporting organizations like Freedom 4/24 that are leading the way in this fight. Did you know that Freedom 4/24 financially supports and promotes the work of not just their international partners that are fighting the fight, but also 11 domestic organizations that all tackle human trafficking in America? Your financial support makes this directly possible.

By giving just $24/month (that’s $0.80 a day) to Freedom 4/24, you make a tremendous impact in feeding, sheltering, clothing, rehabilitating and restoring hope to hundreds of REAL girls and women each year. Not just abroad, but right here in the United States.

You too can make an impact. It needn’t be overwhelming or complicated. Give $24 a month. Get involved in a Run 4 Their Lives race. Share this story on Facebook. Donate your birthday to Freedom.  If we all do what we can, we will chip away at the fabric of human trafficking in the United States, and across the world. Together, we can end it, one voice raised and one life saved at a time.

To become a recurring giver, click here. To learn more about the American partners Freedom 4/24 supports, visit www.freedom424.org/about/our-partners/domestic-partners/. For more insight into human trafficking in the United States, including myths and misconceptions, visit the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at www.traffickingresourcecenter.org.  

FOR 24: JOY MARINELLI

“For 24,” is a year-long campaign telling the story of Freedom 4/24—from the survivors, world-changers, and volunteers to fundraisers, and behind-the-sceners. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and enrich your understanding of Freedom 4/24 and the work we do together.  

#3: Meet Joy Marinelli

Family: Oldest of 8 children! Two sisters currently live with me in Lynchburg.

Occupation: National Run 4 Their Lives Race Director for Freedom 4/24

Hometown: Staunton, VA

We could not be more excited to introduce you to our newest team member—one who will have a direct impact on many of you through our nationwide Run 4 Their Lives race series. Meet Joy Marinelli, our National Race Director. She has a wealth of nonprofit knowledge and a heart for Jesus, and once you read our Q&A with her below, we believe you will understand why she is perfectly equipped to lead our Run 4 Their Lives races.

Welcome to the team, Joy! Tell us about who you are and what makes you tick.

I am the oldest of 8 children. I was born in Memphis but at three years old, my family moved to Vermont because my dad, a pastor, was hired by a church there. I was homeschooled until 9^th grade and at that time, started attending a private, Christian school in Staunton, VA, where we moved when I was 12. After high school, I attended Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, on a full academic scholarship, which was the most amazing blessing of my life!

I majored in photojournalism and had plans to go on the mission field as a photojournalist for some amazing magazine like National Geographic and I wanted to have a legitimate skill that would allow me into unreached countries. After spending a year post college as a newspaper photographer, I decided I might not work for National Geographic and went to Australia to do a Disciple Training School with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Once I completed my six-month YWAM stint, I moved back to Staunton for a few years to work at a psychiatric hospital for children. Through all of these transitions, I was seeking an overall direction for my life, asking God where he wanted me.

In 2006, he led me to Boone, NC, where I got a job at Samaritan’s Purse. I stayed there for five years, during which time I pursued my master’s degree in Public Health. I then moved to Lynchburg, where I have since worked for two different nonprofits, both related to health and wellness. I can confidently say that though there were times when I had absolutely no idea why I was doing what I was doing, God was building (and still is) a puzzle with my life. Each piece, even the extremely painful and confusing parts, provided something that has been necessary for growth toward knowing Him and being able to trust Him with my life and its direction. I’m so excited about this next piece at Freedom 4/24 and cannot wait to see how He uses me here!

Describe your faith.

I accepted Jesus into my life when I was five years old. My parents are believers and raised us in the knowledge of Christ so it was natural to accept Him into my life. What was not natural was the actual surrendering part. As I grew older, I started to understand that being a Christian isn’t just about not going to hell but more about getting to know who Jesus is and what his sacrifice actually means for me, and then feeling that complete unworthiness and overwhelming love all at the same time.

I also began to understand that my life wasn’t my own and that my plans for an acting career in Hollywood weren’t the same plans that God had for me. When I was 12, I went on my first international mission trip to Mexico and during my time there heard a speaker talk about how natives in Papua New Guinea were begging for people to come teach them about Jesus. I can’t really describe it in detail but I knew it was God. During that talk, He spoke into my spirit and said to go, to tell people about Him. So since I was planning to be an actress, I fought against this for a few years before surrendering to the idea.

After that, everything I did was in the light of how I could be most useful in sharing Jesus. I sometimes still struggle with those surrender issues but I feel that the times when I am most fulfilled have been those when I am secure in knowing I am where He wants me, when I am being obedient to him. All this to say, coming to know Jesus has been and still is a process. Throughout my life, I have learned more about who He is in light of who I am and after seeing His goodness and mercy to me when I did nothing to gain that, the fire burns in me to share that with others. 

How did you first come into contact with the work of Freedom 4/24?

I first became aware of Freedom 4/24 shortly after I moved [to Lynchburg, VA] in 2012. I had friends who had connections with the organization and I learned about it through them. Also, you see the stickers everywhere on vehicles here in Lynchburg!

Share some your background in nonprofit work.

I’ve been working in the nonprofit world since 2006. From my five years at Samaritan’s Purse in the Operation Christmas Child project as well as work at a homeless shelter, a small grassroots organization, and a community service board, I have had the opportunity to work both domestically and internationally, addressing issues ranging from evangelism and discipleship to mental and physical health and wellness. Though it can be difficult work, I completely love being part of a company or organization where the main purpose is to affect change, increase quality of life, share resources, and provide healing.

How do you believe your previous work with nonprofits has prepared you for your new role as National Race Director for Freedom 4/24?

My previous nonprofit work, along with my educational background in public health, has provided me with an understanding of working with remote teams, project and partnership development, community interaction, resource acquisition, and team building. Working with varying types of nonprofits has also given me experience with processes that work well, areas that require caution, and a very real look at the struggles and challenges of developing and maintaining sustainable funding and overall project goals.

What are you most excited about coming into this role?

I am ecstatic about being involved with an organization that is focused on affecting real change, both physically and spiritually! I feel that there are a lot of really great organizations in the world that may address one or the other but as followers of Christ, I fully believe these two things—the  physical and spiritual—go hand-in-hand. If we want to share who He is and what He did for us, it is imperative that we show Him in real, practical ways by meeting physical needs.

At the same time, if we initiate relationships through the process of addressing physical and mental needs, we can also use those opportunities to point to Christ. Without Christ, physical relief is a band-aid fix but without meeting people where they are and addressing their real physical needs, we cannot claim that we are living the life of justice we have been called to as those who have experienced His mercy and grace through salvation.

What do you see as your greatest challenge, initially or long-term?

I foresee my greatest challenge initially being that of indoctrinating myself into the present work. It will definitely be a hit-the-ground-running scenario, so I am excited to reach the point where I feel competent and knowledgeable about the inner workings of the project. I cannot wait to begin creating and expanding the Freedom 4/24 influence around the country and eventually, the world!

You obviously have a heart for human trafficking victims. How did that come about?

This topic is definitely something I have spent hours reading about and researching and feel passionate about fighting. I think it may have begun as I started to see areas around the world where women were forgotten and I felt that, as a woman, who else but me should use my giftings and resources to reach out to other women in need?

I went to a conference once where the speaker was talking about how in Muslim cultures, Christian men would share Christ with Muslim men who would then accept Christ and then these Muslim converts would declare to their wives that they were now Christians. Muslim women, the protectors of the home and the family, were now forced into a life of what they perceived as treason and a violation of all they held dear. No one took the time to talk to them about Christ, to reach out to them.

After hearing about situations like this, I wanted to be that woman to them. I wanted to reach out to the forgotten women around the world. Thus began my journey in looking for the unseen. This led me to read up on human trafficking. I definitely recommend the book “A Crime So Monstrous” by E. Benjamin Skinner; it was one of the first and most eye-opening books I read around the issues of human trafficking.

You have traveled quite a bit. Tell of some experiences you've had that have prepared your heart and mind for the work ahead of you at Freedom 4/24.

I have had the opportunity through internships, work, and even some personal travel to visit more than 20 countries around the world. When you are able to expand your horizon beyond your own country and culture, it gives you both an appreciation for your home as well as an awareness that your way isn’t the only way.

Traveling has allowed me to learn from others around the world and understand different perspectives, different value systems, and different ways of thinking. These experiences will be so helpful both at the domestic and international level of Freedom 4/24 in working and communicating with people from all walks of life, denominations, and cultures.

As our new National Race Director, this is an important question: Are you a runner? 

Yes. My very first official run, The Bear, was in 2008 and was a five-mile jaunt with an elevation gain of more than 1,500 feet to the summit of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. I never want to do that again!

Since then, I have run many 5Ks, a mud run, a sprint triathlon, and a half marathon. The most I have run at one time has been around 18 miles when I was training so I haven’t yet conquered a full marathon. I’m still thinking about that.

Lightning round! Favorite place: I love anything outdoors. I feel closest to God when I’m at the beach.

My family is … Huge and loud and Italian and crazy. I have 10 nieces and nephews with one more on the way.

Quirks or Vices: I’m obsessed with Mountain Dew (though for health purposes I don’t really drink it much anymore) and my favorite food is fried chicken. Seriously, on a bad day, forget the chocolate and bring on the chicken!

For 24: Melanie Carroll

"For 24," is a year-long campaign telling the story of Freedom 4/24—from the survivors, world-changers, and volunteers to fundraisers, and behind-the-sceners. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and enrich your understanding of Freedom 4/24 and the work we do together.  

#2: Meet Melanie Carroll

Much like completing a marathon, the fight to end human trafficking happens one step at a time. Melanie Carroll understands this well.

When she first became aware of the atrocities of sexual slavery and human trafficking, she determined to do something about it. So, she laced up her running sneakers began pounding the pavement to run a marathon while raising support for Freedom 4/24. It worked—Melanie raised more than $2,500!

If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to raise awareness and support for the fight for freedom, read Melanie’s story in her own words, and be INSPIRED to set your own creative goal!

Name: Melanie Carroll

Age: 31

Family: Married to Mark, and blessed with three gorgeous children, Trinitee (9), Braeden (4), and Colton (2)

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom, wife and (occasional) volleyball coach

Hometown: La Verne, California

What I did to raise money for Freedom 4/24: Ran my first marathon!

Turning Awareness Into Action

My daughter, husband and I registered to run R4TL last spring, 2014, at my alumni, Azusa Pacific University. My daughter ran in the 1k and my husband and myself in the 5k.

Human sex trafficking stirs my soul. Since first hearing about it from a guest speaker at my church, Christ Church of the Valley, I was immediately deeply troubled. It has kept me up numerous nights, and my heart aches at the staggering numbers of women and children who are targeted and sold. ... I wanted to take action and do something, anything that I could to get awareness out there and join in the fight. We need to protect our children.

The Fundraising Begins

I came into contact with Ryan Barr (Freedom 4/24 former Executive Race Director) after emailing Freedom 4/24 for ways I could get involved and help. Ryan set up a Go Fund Me page and I was able to write a little about what I was partaking in and also include the horrifying statistics of human sex trafficking.

Then I made up and handed out flyers to local businesses, family members, friends, acquaintances, neighbors and strangers. I also took to my social media pages to get the message and my fundraiser out there. I accepted any and all donations. From $2 on, no donation was ever too small; I knew every dollar would make a difference! I had family members raising awareness with those they knew and sharing on their own social media pages. It was incredibly amazing to feel the support from others, I have the utmost gratitude. My total funds raised was $2,523!

I love that Freedom 4/24 is so supportive and encouraging. Ryan helped me every step of the way. During the entire run, especially in the moments I didn't think I was going to make it, I kept my focus on the victims. This was for them and all the people who had rallied together to support and join in the fight against this horrendous crime.

Signs on the Course

I have a special place in my heart for the number 22. It was the favorite number of my favorite cousin, Tiffany May Rivas, whom passed away in 2003. All throughout my training I would randomly see the number 22 somewhere, especially during some of the most difficult times! It wasn't necessarily anything new for me (to see the number amidst hard times), but it continued to present itself to me time and time again amidst my training runs.

While running the marathon, at three different points that happened to be the most difficult of the entire run—times I wanted to just give up—I would look up and see that number 22! First on a lifeguard tower, then a second life guard tower and then the 22-mile marker flag. The timing and the happenstance of me looking up at those moments are indescribable. I knew, this was not only to join the fight in saving the victims from human sex trafficking, but I was connected with my cousin as well. She gave me the strength to continue. To finish. To solidify that I was right where I was supposed to be, fulfilling a piece of God's will for my life.

Overcoming Obstacles

As well as being a mother of three and Law Enforcement officer's wife, amidst my training process, I was diagnosed as hypothyroid. I already suffer from arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, hypoglycemia and digestion problems. A lot of old injuries began to flare up, and I had severe difficulty with fueling myself properly in diet (due to all my food intolerances). I even got sick with the flu and was taken to the hospital at one point. That is how I knew to keep going! I knew I was doing what God wanted. I know I physically shouldn't have been able to do it. My body wasn't naturally made for running. And that is exactly why God gave me the strength to finish this good work in me that He started. It is not me, but He.

After the Finish Line

I will not stop supporting this fight against this horrid epidemic. All I can pray and hope is that I've made a tiny dent in the battle and fight in raising awareness. It is constantly on my mind. Pray for the victims.

For 24: Meet Faith

Welcome to the start of our "For 24" storytelling series, designed to tell the stories of REAL survivors of human trafficking, volunteers, fundraisers, and behind-the-sceners as they relate to our mission here at Freedom 4/24. Over the next year, we will introduce you to 24 faces and tell their stories; stories that exemplify the work being done to fight for freedom, share the gospel, and raise funds and awareness. We hope these stories inspire you and move you to action. EVERYONE can make a difference, whether it's giving $24/month, raising $2,400 or volunteering 24 hours of your time. How will you stand FOR 24?  

#1.Meet Faith Lamaro. 

Faith with Amanda

Faith is a woman appropriately named. She has been through more than most of us can imagine. And yet, she now has joy, hope and an unwavering faith in Jesus. Faith is one of the recent graduates from Christine's House in Gulu, Uganda, a rescue home for exploited girls and children, funded by Freedom 4/24. These women come from backgrounds of sexual assault, trafficking, abuse and neglect. Faith is one of them.

After receiving spiritual and psychological counseling for more than 8 months, Faith returned to her family in a mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually positive state. During her time at Christine's House, Faith's family also went through sensitivity training related to her trauma.

FaithOnCamera

Healing has taken hold in Faith's life. Now, she faces a different challenge: school fees. Faith is one of four girls from Christine's House with both the aptitude and desire to go back to school.  Funding is the only thing preventing this. Her family cannot afford to send her to school.

The cost is approximately $500 for the year, which includes tuition, feeding at school, uniforms, books and materials and test fees. Faith is just one example of how YOU can make a difference. If just TWO people give $24/month for a year, it would more than cover the cost of education for a woman like Faith.

Will you be one of them? 

Become a recurring giver today and make a difference in the life of one. One like Faith.

Learn more about Christine's House here:

Three Simple Ways to Make a Big Difference

We often are asked, "What can I do to make a difference in the fight for freedom?" While there are plenty of meaningful answers, one always comes to mind: do a simple fundraiser! Here are 3 basic ideas that result in big impact:

1. GIVE YOUR BIRTHDAY.

We've made it easy by setting up a page for you. Just click "Fundraise for This Campaign," then plug in your personal story here: www.crowdrise.com/freedom424birthdays

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2. GIVE YOUR GRADUATION.

Freedom 4/24's own administrative assistant, Emily Worsham, is doing this right now! She just earned her Bachelor's degree and decided to "gift her graduation." Follow her lead by starting your own fundraiser. 

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3. RUN 4 THEIR LIVES (FOR FREE).

When you sign up for any Run 4 Their Lives race around the country, click "Become a Fundraiser" during registration and pledge to raise $50 or more by race day, you run for FREE! Sign up now and start raising support for an upcoming race in your area. 

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 Want to know how your fundraising makes a difference?

Here are real weekly expenses per girl cared for from Freedom 4/24’s partner in Bangkok, Thailand, the Home of New Beginnings, which provides permanent freedom, a safe shelter, friendships, healing and an education all the way through university for girls formerly working in the sex industry.

SHELTER: $100 

EDUCATION: $65

MEDICAL: $25

VOCATIONAL SUPPLIES: $15

FOOD: $5

These numbers prove that YOUR simple act of fundraising can make a huge difference in the life of one!

Questions about fundraising? Email our administrative assistant, Emily Worsham at emily@freedom424.org!

How We Fight for Freedom

What is Freedom 4/24? Why do we exist?

How do we fight for Freedom?

We’re glad you asked.

Take a moment to watch our new “about us” video, designed to give insight and inspire you toward the cause we are so passionate about: ending human trafficking.

To carry out this mission,  we need YOUR support. For as little as $24 a month you can make a definable difference in the lives of women and children around the world. Click here to become a recurring giver. Give TODAY to make a difference tomorrow.

"She Ran to Tell Her Sister"

When was the last time you ran to tell someone about Jesus? About freedom? About, well, anything at all? We love so many parts of Pin's path to freedom. But perhaps how it began is one of the most beautiful chapters: with her sister making a sacrifice to stay working in the red light districts so her impoverished family could still have income, while seeking an opportunity for her younger sister to experience the freedom she may never have. Today, we take you to Bangkok, Thailand, to one of Freedom 4/24's partner organizations, the Home of New Beginnings. Inside are more than a dozen girls who were able to escape the clutch of the sex industry, including Pin, and are now finding permanent freedom, a safe shelter, friendships, healing and an education all the way through university.

The stories of these girls are raw and real. They aren't just about heartbreak, though, but about heart-healing. Restoration and redemption are their calling cards. Take a moment to watch Pin's story, as told by Beginning's founder and beloved "mom" to these girls, Bonita Thompson.

Look at the One

*Adapted from keynote address given at Freedom Gala on November 13, 2014. Mother Teresa once said, "If I look at the masses, I will never act, If I look at the one, I will."

For more than 50 years, Mother Teresa served the poorest of the poor in India. Daily, she was inundated by an endless sea of humanity in desperate need. Yet she continued to feed, clothe, love, and care for as many as she could each day. She could have been paralyzed by the vast numbers of those she could not help; instead, she found purpose, power, and strength in helping those she could—in helping the one.

While there are times when it is easy to doubt our ability to make a difference when considering the staggering number (est. 27 million) of trafficking victims around the world, we must remember: each of us must do what we can, with what we have, where we are. We do this by looking at the one.

For me, this lesson sunk deep into my heart at the beginning of the year while visiting our partner in India, Freedom Firm.

On January 7th, as the sun was setting on the hazy, polluted sky about the city of Nagpur, I sat on a cramped jump seat in the back of a dusty SUV perched on the edge of the city's notorious red light district waiting to commence a brothel raid. As we sat in silence, a social worker on the rescue team leaned over and showed me this picture (see left) on her phone saying, "This is Molly. She's the girl we need to rescue tonight."

And that's when it hit me: I had spent the whole day with a rescue team from Freedom Firm working hard to convince the necessary government officials that a minor girl needed to be rescued. But it wasn't until I saw her picture and heard her name that the general became specific and the 1.2 million trafficked children in India had a name and face. This wasn't just a girl who needed to be rescued- this was Molly.

At Freedom 4/24, we are not just driven by the desire to end sex trafficking but by the opportunity to bring freedom, justice, and restoration to girls like Molly.

This is why—with your support—we will continue funding investigations and raids to rescue young girls from brothels in India, restoration for exploited girls at Christine's House in Uganda, education and a safe home for sexually exploited girls in Thailand, and a myriad of services our domestic partners provide to trafficking survivors across the United States. We do this because it makes a difference in the life of one.

As the year winds down and we celebrate the birth of the One who changed the course of human history would you join us by making a financial contribution to support our work of rescuing and restoring girls like Molly in 2015?

Would you give to help us continue bringing freedom and justice to India, Uganda, Thailand, Kenya, and all across the United States?

Every dollar you give makes a difference. Give today to make a difference tomorrow.

- Tim Spaulding, President

Christine's House: A Place to Breathe

If you would like to support Christine's House or our other international and domestic partners, please give today. 

Meet Our Partner: Ruhamah Designs

For our October blog post we are excited to bring you a Q&A session with Leah Henck. Until earlier this year Leah was the Managing Director of Ruhamah Designs, a for-profit business enterprise launched by Freedom Firm to provide sustainable employment for sex trafficking survivors throughout India.

YOU HELPED FOUND AND START RUHAMAH DESIGNS- CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? WHEN DID IT START, WHERE DID THE VISION COME FROM, AND WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED?

Well, it actually began before I came. It was originally a part of the aftercare home that was in Ooty [India], a part of Freedom Firm, and it started as sort-of an art therapy project. [It] was started by Mala Malstead, the wife of Greg Malstead- they co-founded Freedom Firm together. It was her brainchild to try to do something in terms of art therapy with the girls. Then products just started coming out of that- whether it was bracelets, necklaces, or earrings, and they started either giving [them away] or using them to raise funds in the USA. And it just started to grow from there. That as an art-therapy project began more around 2007-2008, and I joined alongside with my husband in 2009 when I came to India, but I didn’t find a place until quite a bit later- about a year later. Mala came to me and said, “You know what, this art therapy project, this jewelry program is growing and it’s starting to make some money, and we are beginning to look at it as having potential to employ more girls.” So I jumped on board with that in March 2010 doing entrepreneurial work, and I took that and wanted to take the project into actually being a business.

WHERE IS YOUR ORGANIZATION LOCATED?

Our organization is located in India. Ruhamah started in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, which is the southern most state in India. Now we have four locations- Ooty (where it started), Puna (where I live), and then we also have two new locations in Kolkatta and Nagpur.

WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION?

[The name] "Ruhamah" comes from the Bible. [In the Book of Hosea] God gave Hosea the name ["lo ruhamah"] for his daughter, and it meant, "not loved." But then God said, "I'll change the name, and she who is 'not loved' will be called 'my love.'" So then [God] changes Hosea's daughter's name to "ruhamah." Looking at the background of these girls, and then the desire to see how their lives can change, and the desire that God has for them- they are His loved ones. That is where “Ruhamah” came from.

RUHAMAH IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS THAT EMPLOYS SURVIVORS OF SEX TRAFFICKING. WHY DID YOU GO THAT ROUTE INSTEAD OF FORMING IT AS AN NGO, OR NON-PROFIT?

It sort-of started as an NGO, a non-profit, but we changed the format because I saw [for-profit] business as a perfect vehicle for growing a sustainable operation. [With this model] you’re not necessarily relying on hand outs from others; it can grow and return profits for more growth, if it’s run well. Seeing how it could spread and last much longer and become an entity that could last from its own efforts, rather than being reliant on something else, a [for-profit] business model was good looking in terms of growth and longevity.

WHAT ROLE DOES RUHAMAH PLAY IN THE REHABILITATIVE PROCESS FOR SEX TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS?

We hire girls; usually it’s a couple steps down the line from when they were first rescued [from sex trafficking]. Many of them have already been in either a program or a rehabilitation home for a little time before that. They all come to us with many needs. We’re hoping to be their “first step” to help them get back into healthy communities, being reintegrated into mainstream. They’re welcome to stay with the business as long as they want- they can make it their career if they want. We also hope that it will be one step of many as they go forward and go onto other jobs. Our hope is that in their workplace they can learn skills that will prepare them for that, whether it’s coming to work on time or showing respect for your co-workers or your boss. Then naturally through the workplace many problems come up, whether it’s fights between co-workers, disrespect, improper behavior- many things come up in just the day-to-day working because you’re so closely connected with these girls. In that context, we’re able to either bring corrective action or bring teaching and counseling. We do have daily Bible study, daily devotions with the girls in the mornings.

YOU'VE RECENTLY STEPPED OUT OF YOUR POSITION WITH RUHAMAH. WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS CHANGE?

I worked with Ruhamah from March 2010 to March 2014. In March 2014 I resigned from my position because I was having my second child, and I needed to be able to focus on my family. I’ve remained connected with Ruhamah, and I’m still happy to be there as an advisor for support. But, I am no longer involved in the day-to-day.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RUHAMAH AND FREEDOM FIRM?

Ruhamah began first as very much a part of Freedom Firm [as a therapeutic aspect of] the aftercare home. My role in the beginning of setting up Ruhamah was to try and distinguish between the two. It went from a project under an existing NGO to being a new and separate—but related—for-profit business. So I was trying to pull them apart and distinguish how they operate. We went through a period of time where we were constantly having to decide what went where, saying, “This is Freedom Firm, that is Ruhamah.” Now that we have made that distinction, it has come again more under the umbrella of Freedom Firm as being almost a forth prong of the goals that Freedom Firm has in terms of rehabilitating the girls and as a tool that we have in terms of helping them. It looks more like a partnership now, or even as an arm [of Freedom Firm].

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR WORK AT RUHAMAH?

I think the interpersonal is challenging. You are working directly day to day with girls that can sometimes be difficult. You are sometimes faced with behavioral challenges and determining how to [respond]. You’re constantly having to address these types of things and respond in a loving manner, as well as try to not allow behaviors that are dangerous or detrimental to others in the workplace. That is a challenge.

ON THE FLIPSIDE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?

Seeing how the girls grow and advance. It is a journey with them. None of them are by any means perfect or without problems or issues, but we do see change. One girl came to us one time—she was very defiant, very difficult in the beginning. Seeing her grow and soften and become more kind, she still has a lot of rough edges, but we have seen a lot of growth in her life—maturing in her life for the couple of years that she has been with us.

HOW DOES THE GOSPEL INFLUENCE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AT RUHAMAH?

It influences it a lot. We try to keep principles in the workplace such as encouraging the girls- “do your work unto the Lord, not unto man” whether people are watching or not. So we do try to put standards in the workplace. We also use [the gospel] as a counsel tool for us in how to deal with a girl- as far as when you have a problem, first go to them privately, then bringing step by step to higher authority. Encouragement- knowing that God has been patient and loving with us and knowing that we have to be patient and loving with them. It very much is a guide and a help for us, both in terms of the rules that we place in the workshop and the way that we deal with the girls and the encouragement that we need for ourselves.

HOW DOES YOUR PROFESSIONAL OR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ASSIST YOU IN YOUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING WORK?

In 2008, my husband joined [Freedom Firm]. I [joined] as a volunteer in 2009. And then I started working with Ruhamah itself in 2010. The reason it took me a year to find my place was because Freedom Firm is very much a social work group- a lot of lawyers, social workers. There wasn’t really a place that first came to mind as far as where a person with an M.B.A. could fit in. But then this came to the forefront. Once I started the work with Ruhamah, my educational studies became a huge help. I think that no matter what you study there are ways you can apply it in terms of helping people.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS WANTING TO GET INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SEX TRAFFICKING?

I think definitely you can do something where you are. Prayer is a huge component that’s needed. You can look to get involved overseas, if that is what you feel like you want, though it certainly takes a longer-term commitment to be effective. It is helpful to go short term and see what is going on, but if you are able to make longer-term commitments it’s great to be a part. But even just being involved where you’re at- I think there are local communities that need Christ and need us to get involved. So prayer, getting involved locally, and if God calls you on a longer-term basis then do that.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC STORY THAT STANDS OUT TO YOU WITH YOUR WORK WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS THAT IS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR YOU?

There is one girl whose story [my husband, Evan] told me before he even went to India. It was one of the first girls that Freedom Firm had rescued, also one of the youngest that they had rescued. So when I came to India I got the chance to meet her while she was still in a government shelter home. Over the years, I’ve gotten to see her grow from being a relatively young teenager to now she has just turned 20, and we have grown to have sort of a little sister-big sister relationship over time and over several bumps in the road. She is the girl I was referring to that did work with Ruhamah for a couple of years and had [come to Ruhamah] defiant. I’ve seen her grow so much in maturity over the years. I think she is one of the girls I have connected with the most, and she is precious. She is precious to God. It is still a journey, she still makes poor choices sometimes, and doesn’t consult with me…she’ll make a poor choice without me because she knows that I’ll tell her not to do it. It’s a journey with her, I think even in our own lives God doesn’t fix us automatically, it’s a journey with Him. Step by step we walk with Him and step by step He walks with us. She is the one I will miss the most if God ever brings us back [to the United States].

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

It’s been very exciting to watch Ruhamah grow because as I’ve said, it was first a project, and I’ve seen it double in growth every year that I’ve been there. I’ve seen us open a new location every year that I’ve been there. As I’ve passed it on, it’s already continuing to grow. I feel like having been a [for-profit] business model, it has enabled it to have he funds and the structure to continue to grow to other places. I pray and I hope that Ruhamah will continue to grow

Krista's Story

This fall, we at Freedom 4/24 want to thank you. Thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown us thus far in 2014. Thank you for volunteering countless hours to raise awareness and funds to combat sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Thank you for making this an unavoidable issue and for doing your part to bring freedom and do justice. Thank you for giving; never forget that your donations change lives. Here is one example—one story from a partner organization about a hope, freedom, and justice. Krista is a 19-year-old survivor of sex trafficking. When she was 16, she met a guy through a mutual friend and began talking with him on Facebook. Based on his promises of an amazing life together Krista thought that he loved her and this created a bond between them. One weekend, he invited her to his house. When she arrived things seemed different than before. He said, “a friend is coming by and I want you to treat him well.” That night Krista was raped. 

Years later, when she was introduced to The Gray Haven, an aftercare program in Virginia, she told her case manager, “I didn’t know what to do because somehow he made me feel like if I didn’t do what he said, he would hurt me or those I love.”

At first her pimp acted sympathetically toward her to make her feel she was not alone. However, that changed quickly as the threats became actions and Krista felt like her choices were limited. With time she learned the consequences of trying to leave. She started to feel more and more this was all her fault and that this was a path she had chosen instead of someone choosing it for her by force and violence. She lost her sense of self and became whatever her pimp conditioned her to be.

This continued for a two and a half years. Krista’s pimp drove her up and down the I-95 corridor on weekends to meet with his ‘friends’, and began keeping the money; buying her something to eat from the McDonald’s dollar menu only if she met her quota.

Krista felt trapped and saw no way out. She considered running away, but had nowhere to go and knew what happened to girls that tried to leave the life, she was told by others “once you are in it, it’s hard to get out; once a prostitute always a prostitute, and no one on the outside will ever see you differently.” One night Krista was told to go to a hotel room where a man was waiting for her. When she walked in it was an undercover sting setup by law enforcement. They explained to her that she was not in trouble and they were there to help. That’s when Krista met the team at The Gray Haven.

Two staff met with Krista at the scene to provide immediate care. Once she felt safe, Krista opened up about her dreams. Having missed the last two years of high school, Krista felt that college was unrealistic. Her pimp instilled a feeling of worthlessness and incompetence in her. She couldn’t imagine being accepted into any college, much less being able to afford it.

After she was reunited with her mother, she began meeting with a mentor to work on GED preparation. Soon, she will receive her GED and The Gray Haven is helping her with financial aid. She has her sights set on going to culinary school.

“I’m going to be a chef one day,” she says smiling, “I always loved the big meals me and my Mom would make. Cooking brings up really good memories.” 

Because of caring individuals and people like you with a passion for freedom and justice, Krista, and others like her, are finding healing and learning to dream again. Thank you for doing your part to bring an end to sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Virginia and around the world.

When I reflect on this story and think about Freedom 4/24 I’m reminded of the words of Margaret Mead who said, “Never forget that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

As these words sink in, remember that each donation and every dollar given brings us one step closer to changing the world.

- Tim Spaulding, President

How We Get to Happily Ever After…Eventually.

“T” sat at the opposite end of the cafe table. It had been several weeks since she was rescued from the oppressive hands of a violent trafficker. There was still an unsettled expression on her face. You could sense she wasn’t doing well. In the world of anti-trafficking there is a temptation to put a strong emphasis on rescuing victims from the hands of violent traffickers.If we can get a victim out of a trafficking situation everything else will fall into place. But rescue is not a one-time event. Rescue comes through the everyday presence of committed people who walk alongside victims of trafficking as they heal and find hope.

We don’t walk ahead pulling them into the life we think they should live. Instead, we invest in providing a safe environment where they can walk empowered and free into a new future—one that is unfolding as we speak. It’s a dynamic reality. In this space a vast depth of work must be done in partnership with each survivor. As advocates, rescuers, and coaches we are there for the singular purpose of helping them travel toward their dreams.

When “T” was rescued she was fortunate enough to have the unconditional support of her family. Despite this support the weight of the shame that manifested in her thoughts told a story that no matter how ideal the situation she is rescued to there are challenges. As she sat there sharing about her dreams for her future she couldn’t help but be impacted by a nagging question that dominated her thoughts. Slowly, with brutal honesty, she asked, “Who will ever want me?”

James Pond, a good friend and mentor in my life, once said, “It’s not what we rescue someone from, but what we rescue them to that matters most.”

With so much emphasis put on rescue it is easy to forget that for years after rescue a survivor is walking through life trying to make sense of it all and trying to figure out what life looks like in the context of this new reality. Living in a reality that you are no longer a victim, but free, can be daunting if not an entirely new concept. When rescue takes place the inevitable question, “What now?” follows.

At first it’s practical:

“Where will I live?”

“How will I afford food?”

“How will I get a job?”

“How will I get to work?”

“What about criminal charges on my record?”

“I am not documented in this country.”

“I have no friends and family nearby that I can go to.”

These questions and uncertainties compounded with factors of psychological trauma, health issues, language barriers, and educational barriers causes an understandable paralysis. Without the right kind of care and support they may never move passed the paralysis. For a survivor to move forward it takes more than good intentions and love. And how we think of love can cause us to think we just need to say nice things to a survivor.

Love is not confined to a word. Love is not confined to a feeling. Love is an action wrapped in the visceral certainty that we exist to create shalom in the world. Providing care and support requires this level of love. It requires us to obtain the expertise and sensitivity to survivors’ unique needs. It is essential that someone feel accepted. And it is essential that there be a clear understanding how to care for someone that has faced deep levels of trauma.

And that core question, “Who will ever want me?” speaks to the depth of injury done to someone’s identity and self-worth. It’s a wound to the soul. How we interact with those we serve must be modeled closely after how Jesus interacted with people. As we walk with someone toward healing there must be the removal of any agenda.

Jesus’ mission was one of justice. When we talk about justice we are talking about how things ought to be. Jesus walked with profound grace and wisdom during his mission to bring justice to the earth. How we walk with trafficking survivors and everyone in our lives should be in the pursuit of establishing a society that is based on how things ought to be.

And people ought to be free. Entirely.

This kind of space enables survivors to move from questioning their value to the realization that they are unequivocally wanted. This takes the daily work of providing freedom in a structured environment where there are expectations and unconditional care. It requires a space where we carry no agenda. Those moments are not about us. They are about the person sitting in front of us.

Rescue is essential to healing, but healing is the essential element of an effective rescue.

Remember it’s not what we rescue someone from, but what we rescue them to that matters the most.

“T” got an answer to her question and it’s my hope that every survivor of human trafficking that wrestles with identity will have the support and care around them that will provide an undeniably voluminous answer to that question. As a community of people that are engaged in the global movement to end slavery we can play an active part in shaping a culture that dispels any uncertainty about someone’s value and openly welcomes each survivor not as a trafficking victim but as an incredible human being.

Joshua Bailey is President & CEO of The Gray Haven, a non-profit dedicated to serving victims of human trafficking and eradicating slavery from the communities in which they work. You can follow Joshua on twitter at @TuoBailey and @TheGrayHaven.

Volunteer Highlight: Rene's Story

My journey with Freedom 4/24 began in the winter of 2013.  As a newly stay-at-home mom with school-age kids, I struggled with how to occupy my time.  During my devotions one morning, I was reminded of a prayer I prayed almost two years before – that if the Lord would give me the opportunity to be at home, I would use my time for Him.  God’s timing is always perfect.  But, I had no clue what He wanted me to do.  I felt called to women’s ministry, but little did I know that my idea of “women’s ministry” was completely different from where He was actually leading me. As I sat there praying, I remembered a conversation a few months prior where someone mentioned Freedom 4/24 to me.  I had no clue who they were or what they did, but as I poured over their website, I was compelled to act.  I clicked a link on their website and told them I would like to host a Run 4 Their Lives race in my hometown—York, Pennsylvania.  That same day, I received a call from Ryan Barr, Freedom 4/24’s Executive Race Director about how he would help me with all the details in hosting a race.

Even though I was hosting a R4TL race, I still had a very limited understanding of human trafficking.  I read the statistics – 27 million slaves in the world today, a $32 billion industry, 80% of victims are women and children.  These numbers were sobering, but it wasn’t until I read books such as Not For Sale and Half the Sky and watched Trade of Innocents and Nefarious: Merchant of Souls that it really started to sink in just how horrific the sex industry is.  I realized then that this is what God had in store for me when I thought about “women’s ministry”.

On October 19, 2013, we had our 1^st annual Run For Their Lives event in York, PA. We had 250 participants and over 70 volunteers. Every time I saw a participant raise his or her arm to show the name of a trafficked girl that he or she was running and praying for, I couldn’t help but get emotional. Seeing a sea of people—my community—come together to run for freedom was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

After the event, I had a gnawing desire to do more.  I had this sense of urgency that I needed to get my passport just in case any opportunities opened up for me to go on a mission trip.  Just two days after it arrived in the mail, I was given the opportunity to travel to Thailand to help with one of Freedom 4/24’s partners, the Home of New Beginnings’, annual Christmas parties.  How could I say “no” when God clearly had His hand in it once again?

I can honestly say that my life was completely changed on that trip.

Forget about statistics.

To see it firsthand, to hear unimaginable stories about the girls—from the girls, it rocks you to your core.  Thankfully, I was surrounded by other Christian women just like me – wives, mothers, daughters, sisters—all with the love of Jesus and a huge heart for these girls.

During the days we learned more about the Thai culture and prepared for the Christmas events.  On the nights of the Christmas parties, we made our way into the red light district and bartered with the “mama sans “(the managers) of the bars for the girls’ “freedom” for the night so they could attend the parties.  The cost of a girl was between $20 and $30.  Actually bartering to purchase a girl like she is a commodity has left me with images and feelings that that I will never forget.

For the two nights of parties, we had over 200 girls attend where they enjoyed games, crafts, and delicious food, and were presented with the Gospel.  My favorite part during those nights was watching the girls’ faces and seeing the worry and uncertainty of what would happen that night transform into a room full of laughter and tears of joy, not only from the girls, but also from the many volunteers.  Many accepted Christ and left with gifts and a copy of the New Testament.

There was one girl in particular with whom I really connected.  She spoke English very well, so she was able to share with me about her life and her dreams. Because of poverty and her responsibilities for taking care of her family, she is forced to work in the red light district of Bangkok.  As we shared photos of our children and stories about our lives, I wanted nothing more than to take her away from that place.

I’ll admit, I struggled a lot when I came home.  What was I to do with everything that I now know?  The thought was overwhelming, and I began to feel pretty insignificant as a local race director.  I wanted to be on the front lines fighting for these girls!  I felt helpless.  But, as I’ve processed through my experience, I have come to realize that even though I am not on the front lines, I am bringing freedom and doing justice. Through volunteering with Freedom 4/24 and hosting a race, I am a voice for these girls and a support for those who dedicate their lives to them day in and day out.

If I can make a difference, we ALL can make a difference.

I absolutely love being a part of the Freedom 4/24 family, and I am so thankful for the opportunities they continue to give me to serve along beside them.

Freedom Can Be Shared

What does freedom mean to you?

For people in the United States, July 4^th (today) is Independence Day, which represents the many freedoms we have as a nation and as individual citizens. But freedom runs much deeper within us than just our location and physical well-being.

For me as a Christian, I see my greater freedom as being the freedom I have in Jesus. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” God is the only one that truly provides freedom.For the girls at Christine’s House in Gulu, Uganda, a safe place to live, to grow, and to worship Jesus is the hallmark of freedom. These young women now experience this freedom because of the kindness shown to them through partners of Freedom 4/24.

Freedom has a whole new meaning when it is ripped away from you.

And freedom is a breath of new life when it is restored to you.

I write to you now from Gulu, Uganda where I have spent the week getting to know the young women of Christine’s House who were rescued as victims of sexual exploitation. I have cried with them as they shared stories of being raped and feeling the emotional and spiritual bondage that can come as a result. I have also laughed, danced, prayed and sang with them as they shared their newfound love and freedom in Jesus Christ as a result of being rescued into Christine’s house.

If you have given of your time and/or money to Freedom 4/24 in the past, thank you. You have breathed new life into these girls’ lives here in Uganda.

If you are still considering joining Freedom 4/24, please do so today. The need is great for people to step up in defense of children being sexually exploited and trafficked.

Even though I wish I could bring you to Gulu, Uganda to meet these girls firsthand, I know that I cannot. But I do hope that you will believe me when I say that the work of Freedom 4/24 here is truly life-changing. They really are “bringing freedom and doing justice” around the world.

In light of Independence Day in the U.S., if God is calling you to learn, act, give - to share freedom - please listen to His voice. The impact will be greater than you can imagine.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

-Michael, Freedom 4/24 Supporter

Christine's Girls

As many of you now know, The #F424Uganda team arrived at Christine's House in Gulu, Uganda just two days ago. We were greeted with the sound of "Christine's Girls" (a touching nickname they've given themselves) singing and dancing. That night they led us in worship - one of the most beautiful worship experiences I have ever had. The last two days have been filled with more worship, laughter, singing, and dancing. Christine's Girls are so beautiful, so innocent, and so joyful that it's easy to forget why they are there. Today we were reminded of why these girls call Christine’s House “home” when several of the girls, ages between 13 and 18, shared their stories with our team. We listened as a 17-year-old girl shared her story of being raped by a friend, and the pregnancy that resulted, when she was just 15 years old. She shared the anger, bitterness, and guilt she experiences as the result of her exploitation. This young woman came to Christine's House in bondage as a result of the trauma she lived, but has since experienced true transformation. She felt love and acceptance from the staff and her fellow residents.  She heard the Gospel and gave her life to Christ.  She allowed the Holy Spirit to work within her, and she realized that if God forgives her, then she could forgive the man who raped and impregnated her.

This is just one of the testimonies of transformation we heard today. There are several others like it. Christine's House provides a loving, safe, Christ-centered environment for girls to come and receive the care that they need. His work here is amazing.

I also want to provide you all with an update on Sandra. This spring we shared another of Christine's Girl's stories with over 1,800 of you who ran and prayed for Sandra during a Run 4 Their Lives race.  It is with great joy that I can share that I've met Sandra and she is doing incredibly well! For those of you who don't know her story, earlier this year she was raped and impregnated by her boyfriend. When her family discovered she was pregnant, she was immediately ostracized and lost the financial support for her schooling. With no other place to turn, she came to Christine's House where she is receiving prenatal care, healing from her trauma and finding hope in the Lord.  She will give birth in just a few months and I am confident she will make a wonderful mother. I cannot explain to you the overwhelming joy that I experienced meeting a young woman for whom we've been running and praying.

Thank you does not begin to express how grateful I am for the support you give Christine's Girls. They experience new life, both on earth and through Christ, thanks to you and your support. You are making a huge impact in the lives and the eternities of girls in Uganda - I am humbled to be a part of this with you.

- Ryan Barr, Executive Race Director

Beauty for Ashes

While Uganda's bloody, 20-year civil war ended almost ten years ago, its effects can still be felt and seen today. Countless villages and towns in Northern Uganda were emptied by the Lord's Resistance Army's (LRA) reign of terror. With no place to go, a majority of those who fled resettled into IDP camps. Others stayed in their villages under constant fear of an attack by the LRA which would see the adults murdered and the children sexually exploited or forced to murder, maim, and destroy as child soldiers. One of the numerous lasting results from the civil war is the breakdown of the family structure, which has been a major contributing factor to the wide-spread sexual exploitation of young girls in Northern Uganda. This is the tragic backdrop which set the scene for the need for a girls rescue home and our funding the building and ongoing financial support of Christine's House.

There are a handful of days in my life that I will never forget--the day my wife agreed to go on our first date, the day we married, and the day each of our children was born. Today I've added another one to the list--my first full day at Christine's House.

I was up early today--less than 3 hours after I finished watching the US Men's National Team lose a heartbreaking "Round of 16" World Cup match to Belgium. I'm not normally an early riser--especially under these conditions, but today was different. Today was a chance to spend the entire day with the girls at Christine's House and I didn't want to miss a moment.

As we drove up the lights inside were just turning on. A few moments later, the girls assembled outside--before any light from the sun was apparent in the eastern sky--and began to sing. In the early hours of this morning, 18 girls and the accompanying staff raised their voices in praise. Their melodic "call and response" singing style, accompanied only by their clapping, was quiet and sweet, yet strong and full of joy.

After a few songs and a morning devotional, the girls began their morning routine. Some girls fetched water to wash the floor of their home. Others began sweeping the grass-less grounds surrounding their home clean from the previous days' activities. Still others began washing dishes from last night's meal and preparing the cooking fires to make breakfast.

Before the sun began to ever-so-slightly brighten the sky, while I could scarcely see much beyond 10-15 feet away, I heard the soft and strong voices of these girls singing quietly to themselves as they readied for the day. As the sun rose and chores were completed, I was greeted with bright smiles, warm handshakes, and the occasional, "Hello, how are you? My name is...."

After breakfast, the rest of the team joined three of us who arrived earlier. Some of the team pitched in to help the girls work their gardens, hoe weeds, and till the soil. Others spent time getting to know the girls as each group was curious to learn more about the other; and there were impromptu Acholi language lessons which produced an endless supply of giggles and laughter from the girls.

Shortly after lunch a feast was prepared to celebrate Christine's House and Freedom 4/24's involvement in making the dream of a rescue home in Gulu come true.

The pictures and videos I took of this celebration do not do it justice. There were emotional and moving singing and dancing performances by elderly women from the community, the Girls Victory Club (Sports Outreach's local exploitation prevention group for young girls), and the girls at Christine's Home. Each performance was full of life and filled with hope.

Throughout the day I spoke with a number of the staff and advisory board members for Christine's Home. Each one told stories of the transformations they'd observed. In just a few short months of living at the home, sadness was replaced with joy; the quiet and withdrawn girls had opened up and begun the healing process; and those who came in hardened by the hurt and pain inflicted on them had softened and begun to allow the love of Christ to bind up their wounds.

I was hearing the same thing I observed: that in this place--at Christine's House--God was trading beauty for ashes.

-Tim Spaulding, President

An Afternoon at Christine's House

Tonight we arrived in Gulu after a 7+ hour bus ride. After a quick bite to eat, we visited Sport Outreach's Good News Community Center, the 40 acre site where Christine's House sits. Over the next few days the #F424Uganda team will be spending all our time there. Personally, I'll be using my time to provide sexual abuse trauma counseling training to the staff and volunteers who work daily with the home's residents.

During our quick visit to the home before the sun went down, I am struck by what I saw. Many girls who are sexually exploited are considered outcasts of society, slaves who learn never to trust another human being, and objects to be used for the purpose of another’s gain. Sitting in front of my computer and looking at the pictures of the girls from Christine’s Home, it is not despair that I feel, which I often experienced after a day spent with trafficking survivors.  Rather, I feel a sense of hope as I see this emotion in their faces and remember the joy I heard as they raised their voices in song tonight during our short but moving time together. The staff speak compassionately and see these girls as daughters and sisters. They speak of a hope for a future for each girl, whether it be learning a trade or seeking a university education. The staff recognize that simply rescuing a girl from a dire situation is not enough, because the problem is one that is systemic. Thus, intervention is occurring at an individual, familial, and community level.

It is my hope that as you read the blog posts this week and hear the stories of the staff and girls of Christine’s House, that as readers, you recognize that these girls have not been served the life they deserved – one of respect and dignity. But, because of the staff of Christine’s House and the support you provide, these girls are regaining their dignity, their sense of safety, and their sense of well-being.

-Dr. Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw, Board Member