Betrayed By Her Aunt, Rescued By Her Father

How a 15-year-old in Myanmar was betrayed, bought, rescued and redeemed…

Marlar’s countenance now exudes peace in spite of the trauma she’s endured

Marlar’s father moved his large family from their village in Myanmar to the city desiring a better life, but they were not able to climb out of poverty as hoped. Shortly after they relocated, Marlar’s mother died and her father remarried.

When Marlar was fifteen, her father was approached by the sister of his new wife. She offered to get Marlar a job in a neighboring country. Desperate for financial help and trusting this relative’s intentions were good, Marlar’s father leaped at the opportunity. Without asking for any details, he encouraged Marlar to prepare for the journey. The nervous fifteen-year-old packed her bags and set out with her aunt.

Imagine Marlar’s shock when she arrived at her new job and found that her aunt co-owned a brothel! She was forced to have sex with customers against her will and was tortured until she called her cousins in Yangon and convinced them to come work alongside her. Upon arrival, they too were sold for sex in the brothel. Their attempts to escape resulted in beatings.

When Marlar finally managed to call her father, she told him the truth about her job. This call led to the eventual arrest of the brothel owners, and all of the sexually exploited young women were set free!

When she first arrived at our partner’s program, Marlar was overcome with guilt, shame, and anger. She walked with her eyes downcast and rarely spoke, but after three months, she was finally able to forgive her aunt, her parents, and herself. The change in her was dramatic! With empathy and compassion, Marlar now supervises young women in the jewelry making aspect of the program who have escaped the mire of trafficking. God is using her every day!

He has truly set her free from guilt and shame.

Burt and Patty Forney

Directors, Human Trafficking Slavery Ministry