To Salome. In reflecting your heart, may these words do justice.
When one is granted freedom, true freedom, there instills within them a calling to deliver freedom to others. This is not a truth of the world, but rather a truth of God. Such a calling was placed onto Salome’s heart as the Lord led her to S-CAPE. Because although she does not have the same personal experience, her past has enabled her to develop a compassionate hearts towards those who have been rescued from modern-day enslavement.
From a young age, Salome knew God was calling her to the mission field. He confirmed it time and time again. But even so, the enemy continually tried attacking her faith, her self-identity to prevent her from accepting the life God had projected for her. She recalled this one time in particular; struggling with familiar doubts about her value in this world. During this time her apartment was a mess, clutter and junk everywhere. And one day, a parent of one of the children at the kindergarten she worked at borrowed the keys to her apartment with no explanation. Later that day, Salome returned to her apartment to find it full of paper hearts symbolizing God’s love for her. This memory has since taken root in her heart, not just by the grand gesture of her friend, but by the metaphor God revealed to her through that. He taught her that before cleansing the hearts of His children, before bringing them healing, and before purifying them, He covers them with love. And there is no condition to that love; it rains upon us along with all the junk in our lives, and it overwhelms us.
This moment is just one of many that influenced Salome to seek the Lord’s will for her life and work with survivors of sex-trafficking. Upon finally hearing His direction to “go,” Salome went on to discipleship training with YWAM, participating in an outreach experience afterward. Later, she went through YWAM again to receive counseling training, knowing the necessity of counseling in her ministry. Over the course of those several years, God led her to South Africa, specifically S-CAPE, and eventually became their Operations Manager.
S-CAPE is a Christian safe home in the Cape Area for ladies rescued from sex-trafficking. The home has developed programs to provide counseling and care to women as they recover, while also preparing them to re-enter into their communities independently and sufficiently. The women are referred to S-CAPE through the legal system but only stay as long as they like. This means that some stay for months, while others stay only a few nights. No matter what, it is the intention of S-CAPE to expose the love of Christ to these women and bring freedom to their hearts after being physically enslaved for so long.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a s spirit of despair.” –Isaiah 61: 1-3
As Operations Manager, Salome’s schedule constantly remains full. She organizes activities for the ladies, whether it be computer or cooking classes, bible studies or counseling sessions. But in addition to working closely with the ladies in the safe house, she is active in furthering programs to raise awareness of trafficking and aid in its prevention. This allows her to take volunteer teams to three (and counting) townships, working with children as well as programs that fight hunger.
Yet, even as her days are filled with service to the Lord, He is still revealing to her the beauty and freedom that comes from vulnerability. In many ways, Salome has felt the pressure of life to have it altogether. But God has taught her to “break free from the performance.” And as He has done this work in her, He has used this lesson in her life to relieve others of similar burdens. Salome has firsthand seen how her story, real and raw, has brought freedom to so many other girls.
Indeed, the Lord has made her a rescuer as she points many weary eyes to our Savior above, our Father in heaven, the only One mighty to save. And it is by the strength and grace of Him that she is able to extend compassion to those in the need of freedom, while protecting her heart from carrying impossible burdens to bear. Already God has anointed power to her story. And He will continue to honor her great prayer request, to grow in intimacy with Him, so that she may be filled with the Spirit and used according to His purpose.
