Giann displaying her miraculous smile!

Found by Her Heavenly Father

One girl’s story of finding safety and love

Dear Family,

Giann lives in the Philippines, and her childhood has been riddled with trauma. Her father was imprisoned for murder when she was only four years old. She was able to attend school until her mother died, but then her life changed forever. Her stepfather’s new girlfriend came to live with them, and Giann was forced to do the household chores and was ruthlessly beaten over the smallest things. She had no food on the rare days when she was able to get to school at all. A kind teacher noticed her hunger and helped with her lunch.

When Giann’s father was finally released from prison, Giann was initially overjoyed, but soon her joy became a nightmare. In his drunkenness, Giann’s father declared her useless and refused to send her to school.

He tied her to a bed and raped her. He left her there in a locked room, hopeless and alone, and told her that he would kill her if she reported the incident to anyone. Can you imagine anyone doing this to his daughter??

Giann remembers, “I felt unloved—dirty, ugly, and useless.” She escaped through a window and went to her aunt who helped her file a police report.

Giann is now safe at a shelter for girls run by our Philippine partner. “I have found my family, love, care, and a place to belong,” she says. “My heart is full of joy and happiness! Here I know that God loves me and accepts me for who I am. He created me in His image and I have great value in His eyes. I know God has prepared me for a bright future!”

Thank you for your love and care for Giann and countless others who receive life-transforming help every day through Heaven’s Family’s Victims of Sexual Violence Ministry. Truly, God brings beauty from ashes for His precious girls!

Burt and Patty Forney
Directors, Victims of Sexual Violence Ministry