We were fortunate to meet Nhu during our time here… she is a beautiful young lady who is now working for this cause. She represents the one million children who are trafficked into sexual slavery every single year, all of whom are precious lives, fashioned after the image of God. Her story is the reason for this organization, which takes girls out of high risk family situations in which 90% of them would be otherwise sold into slavery (for various reasons such as poverty, violence, lack of education, etc). It gives them an amazing community, education, and biblical foundation which they would never have received if not for God’s intervention!
For every 20 organizations that focus on sex trafficking rescue there is only 1 ministry that works in prevention. Sadly 9 out of 10 women who are rescued from a life of prostitution end up back in it for one reason or another. That is why it is so important to reach them before it’s too late.
In this part of the world there are prevalent attitudes that continue to see women in a negative light. There is little compassion for girls sold into sex slavery in Thai culture. 95% of Thais are Buddhist (the national religion) and because of the belief of reincarnation we are told that many might feel as though the girls deserve what happens to them because of their bad karma from previous lives. The girls may also believe that they can gain good karma merits by earning money for their family in this way and alleviating financial pressures, thereby honoring their parents.
The average age of girls living in the brothels is age 12. The youngest girls rescued have been as young as 3 years old. As is true in Africa, most men here believe that if they have AIDS they can sleep with a virgin and be cured. This is a lie that the enemy has convinced them of to keep the cycle of slavery going.The majority of the girls will die by age 18…some girls even say that if they die young of AIDS the sooner they have the chance to be reborn as men so it is okay.
We spent time each day with the eighty girls that are cared for here… playing games with them in the evening or helping them with their English homework. They are so sweet and precious in God’s sight, I can’t imagine what their lives would have been like if not for His hand rescuing them.
This week I felt led to read through the book of Psalms and the verse that stuck out to me the most for these girls is Psalm 72:12-14 which says:
“He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;
he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and He will rescue them.
He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their lives are precious to Him”.
Praise God for people who are carrying out His rescue mission every day! For more information about this ministry or to sponsor a child, go to: http://remembernhu.org/
