There is a young girl at the age of 16 who was a little rebellious and so was kicked out of her home. She traveled into the city hoping to find something or someone that could help her. Fortunately an older woman found her and took her to a women’s shelter where she could comfortably stay for a few days. A few days later her brother and sister found her in the shelter and took her home.
Once again a family member turned on her and convinced the others that she was up to no good. She was chased away from her home and found herself once again in the busy life of the city. There a man found her and welcomed her into his apartment. There he treated her well. Thankfully she was treated fine however the other women that were staying in this apartment were not. They were forced to take drugs and drink alcohol so that at night they could make this man some money. This man also got her pregnant last October.
Since her family wouldn’t recognize their relationship he didn’t want to be with her anymore. So he also forced her to pack her bags and go. A distant family member took her in only because they knew she was working. Every night she came into the city from 6 pm- 1 am working as a prostitute- just so she could make money. Although she is six months pregnant she didn’t tell anyone. She was fearful her family would force her to get an abortion and she didn’t feel comfortable with that. I was literally the first person she told, besides her ex-boyfriend, that she was pregnant. As I sat with this woman, watching her break down and cry I thought, “What can I say to this woman?”
This was a thought that often came into my head on my inner-city outreach. I daily listened to stories from street children, homeless men, prostitutes and poor people that unfortunately had just as much tragedy as the one mentioned above. The ministry was quite draining because of this alone. My heart broke for so many people yet I had no idea what to say or do. Often I was literally at a loss of words.
And I am glad because of that. I, myself, could not speak. I could not offer them any comfort or fix their physical need. However God said incredible things through my mouth. He worked through many members in my team showing us that His power is shown through our weakness. Although I enjoyed lots of the ministry I enjoyed the most challenging: the ladies of the night.
The above story is a true story from the life of an 18 year old woman Kahaya. Kahaya is now living with another sister. She had the strength to tell her sister, who is married with children, that she is six months pregnant. Her sister gladly accepted this information and is allowing her to stay in her home. Kahaya decided to volunteer three times a week at a local hospital. She also wanted to come with us one evening to reach out to the prostitutes with us, unfortunately it didn’t work out. She is having her baby, “Precious,” in mid-July. I’m really hoping I can see the baby!
This is just one of many incredible stories we witnessed. In our two weeks in the city we were able to tell countless prostitutes that they were beautiful in the eyes of God. You wouldn’t believe the smiles-it was as if no one had ever told them that. We were able to help (in any kind of way: taking to a shelter, sending them back to their families, getting them connected to a drug rehabilitation center, etc.) about six prostitutes get off the street. And believe me this is not an easy thing. Many of the women have a “pimp” the man who controls the “business.” He would often threaten the girls that if they talked with us then they would get beaten up. They are often forced to take drugs so that they don’t have a clear picture of what they are doing. It is really a sad situation but God’s light is shining amidst the darkness.
I would really love that you pray specifically for a few things:
- Kahaya: that she really seeks God during this time. That the baby is born without any problems and that she can find a job with a good pay.
- Nirvada: This is a very sad story of a prostitute that really wanted to “get out” of this situation. She stayed the night at our camp because she was too fearful to go back to her apartment. The next morning she went back to her apartment to get her ID with a few of our team members. Her pimps were waiting for her and all our team members could hear from outside was screaming. Thirty minutes later the pimps came out and told the guys she wasn’t coming back with us. That evening when we went out for ladies of the night ministry she was there on the corner again. When we tried talking with her the pimps came over and threatened us. Please pray for a breakthrough. Pray that some how she can get some help and can safely get out of this situation.
- The Home of Hope: This is a shelter for abandoned and orphaned women as well as ex-prostitutes. They have about 24 women staying there. They originally were funded by the government but the government stopped supporting them. So now they really struggle to get food and clothing donations. We were able to go do programs there with the girls. Many of their stories are heart breaking and I really pray that God brings someone into their lives that can counsel them and help them through their hurts.
- Please also pray for the “baby drop” that they have. This is where mothers can bring their unwanted babies and they take care of them. At the moment there is one woman watching over six babies! Pray that this place can really be a home of hope. A hope that lasts longer than this life time. Pray for strength for the women working there!
I praise God for the mighty things He did through me and my team members in just a short few weeks. I’m once again humbled by the works that He can do. I have such little faith sometimes and often think that I can not offer anything to these people that are searching for life. However, when we put our trust in God, He can give us the right words and actions. We just have to be willing! May you have faith that God can do amazing things through you! Be strong in Him and always keep your eyes fixed on Christ!
a few of the girls at the home of hope
coffee house working with the homeless
doing a program at the home of hope
baby drop
me doing a presentation on world missions
sleeping on the street
