I have a story to tell.

I have a story to tell.

You have a story to tell.

We all have a story to tell.

"Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness, they will sing with joy

about your righteousness."

Psalm 145:7

Stories are told for many reasons, they can inform us, make us laugh and make us cry. Some stories may include facts and figures. Numbers are important but it is more often the story behind the numbers that gets our attention. We remember how stories make us feel and those feelings often inspire us to action. Such was the case in my life. In January of 2004 I came across some numbers and facts about human trafficking, it was shocking! But then, there was the story. A young lady shared how she was forced into human trafficking as a little girl and was never allowed to go to school, she couldn't read or write, and she couldn't get a job. She said I am not asking for a hand-out I just want someone to teach me how to do something. Her story got my attention. She inspired me to do something to help and twenty years later, through Rahab's Rope, many of you have also helped. Today I will share with you three true stories of women we have helped leave the red-light area of trafficking and one story from a volunteer from American that helped. Names and photos have been changed.

Nan's Story

Nan had been sold into the red-light area when she was very young. She is now in her twenties. Nan decided to share her story with a group of women that were coming to our center. Nan said, “In my life I only sat and did nothing except wait for customers all day. One day God brought the staff of Rahab’s Rope to visit me. They asked, what do you want to do in your life? I told them I don’t want to do anything. I just want to die.” Both of Nan’s parents had passed away and someone took her and brought her to this place.

Nan spoke to the other women with confidence, “I know I am here with you today because of Jesus and He has given me the strength to share my story. I am thankful to God for loving me and to the staff of Rahab’s Rope for believing in me. Because I have learned the skill to sew, I can now leave this place and get a job and have a good life. Thank you.”

Sara’s Story

Sara said she had heard of our center where women would come and receive help. Our staff would visit her and invite her to come. She said for two years they kept inviting me. One day they said I should come and just learn one thing and it would help me in my future. Sara finally came and learned to sew. She stood before the other women and thanked our staff and God for bringing her to our place. She said, “I can tell you; God has changed my life.” We gifted Sara with a sewing machine, and she will be able to make a living with her own business.

Bina’s Story

The staff of Rahab’s Rope invited Bina to our center. She was skeptical at first but then she said she could see it was making a difference in other women’s lives. Bina had never learned to read or write so she began coming to our center for literacy classes. She then joined our sewing class. Bina found that sewing came naturally to her. Women in the community began asking Bina to sew for them. Rahab’s Rope gifted Bina with a sewing machine, and she is now making clothes and selling them in the market. Bina stood before the other women and said, “I am thankful to God and to the Rahab’s Rope team for making a new life come true. My dream has come true! I can leave this red-light area and work. I am really happy in my life now.”

Beth’s Story

“India stole my heart. Going to India a second time through Rahab’s Rope has been a huge blessing. Serving alongside what this organization has established and the relationships they have built with staff, partners, women and children is incredible. God is using this organization so mightily to reach the people of India and to be a part of it was a privilege and honor. To serve God, His people, and sisters in Christ has changed me forever. God grew me, stretched me, and opened my eyes to things within myself that needed to change. I am beyond blessed God decided to use me in this way and can’t wait to see how God continues to use Rahab’s Rope for His glory and how I can be a part of what God is doing in India.”