Remember Nhu is an organization that was started because of one girl’s
story of her involvement in the sex trade at the age of 12. The founders heard
her story and decided to take action so that other girls would not have to experience
these horrible things that no child should go through. The organization was
started as a prevention ministry, rescuing at-risk girls before their family
members get desperate enough to sell them as they had for Nhu (they sell for various reasons such as
poverty, violence, lack of education, etc)
During
our time at the site we had the opportunity to meet Nhu, the girl who started
it all. She is a beautiful girl that has a large smile and laughs often as she
struggles (adorably) through her English. She is such a strong young woman and
I admire her courage as she goes around the world telling her story so that
other girls will be saved.
Though she is only one girl, 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. Remember Nhu gives
these girls strong community, education, and biblical foundation which they would never have received if not
for God’s intervention. The girls are placed with live-in house parents in a
safe, loving environment where they are free to see their families, play games
after dinner, and have sweet fellowship with one another. Basically, it’s one
big sleepover every night with your best friends J
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 (this is often the
only way of life they know). This ministry is used to prevent the
psychological, emotional, and physically pain that comes from the industry,
instead of trying to “fix” these girls after they’ve been rescued.
As in most of the undeveloped world, women are not valuable
and are seen in a negative light. There is little compassion for girls sold into
sex slavery in Thai culture, mostly due to the fact that 95% of Thais are Buddhists.
Their belief of reincarnation tells the girls that
they “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. 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.
I loved getting to know all of these girls and have a heart
for these sweet faces that will never have to spend a night anywhere they don’t
want to. I can’t wait to see how they will grow, and the ways that the Lord is
going to use them for His Kingdom.
Please pray for all the girls who are at-risk for being sold,
that the Lord will have his hand upon them and keep them safe in His arms. Pray
for funds for this organization, for willing workers, and that the girls will
all grow up to be strong, godly women who are ready to change the world.
Psalm 68: 5-6
A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows, is God
in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads for the
prisoners with singing.
Psalm 69: 32-33
The poor will see and be glad-you who seek God, may your
hearts live! The LORD hears the
needy and does
not despise his captive people.
Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the
rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from
the hand of the wicked.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This
blog was possible with help from their website, http://remembernhu.org, and
from the lovely & talented Elaina Rogers (elainarogers.theworldrace.org)
