Deceived and Violated, A Filipino Girl Awakens to New Life
How an orphaned girl in the Philippines was sold and rescued
Dear Family,
While in the Philippines earlier this year, Burt and I were heartbroken to see the many young girls who filled the brothels in a large red-light district near Manila. We and our partner’s team members handed out over 800 boxes with meals inside. Each box had a card on top, giving a phone number and offering hope for a better life if they would just call that number. The girls received this gift with a shy smile and a polite bow, looking so young and gentle that they could have been mistaken for a junior high school choir! It was a privilege to join our brothers and sisters in Christ who reach out in this red-light district every single week.
Becky faces away from the camera for her protection
Like so many teenagers throughout the world, Becky (not her real name) was unable to finish school in the Philippines after her grandmother died. Alone and vulnerable, she was approached by a “friend” who asked her if she would like a job to help her save money and finish her education. Expecting to be hired as a waitress, Becky was instead pressured to become a dancer in a bar. When she refused to dance or sell herself, she was unknowingly drugged. Unconscious for an unknown span of time, Becky finally came to and woke up with a man in her room! Within seconds, the horrible truth became evident—her body had been sold and she had been violated while she slept! Her “friend” had betrayed her and left without a word, money in hand.
In her mind’s eye, Becky remembered the kind faces of our partner’s team as they’d handed out meals, before the night she was drugged. Though she’d lost the card, she could recall the name of our partner and found their media hotline. She was quickly rescued and brought to our safe home. Now Becky is in her first year of college!
Thank you for your love and support for girls who have been coerced, trapped, and deceived into a life of human trafficking. Becky and others like her have been set free and are experiencing salvation, healing, and safety! Burt and I visited this location last spring and witnessed their powerful, lasting transformation ourselves. What we saw spurs us on to see others set free.
With much love and appreciation,
