Eden's Women's Ministry

7-29-11

Today Caleb and I had the opportunity to meet with one of the founders of Eden's Ministry which is an organization that is combating human trafficking and they are really hitting the bulls eye.

Eden's Ministry has shelters for the girls transitioning out of street life. They offer jewelry making opportunities with great salaries for the girls looking for other careers. They teach computer skills, they have English classes, dance classes, studies of the Word, youth groups and prison outreach.

In addition, some staff members go on street walks, praying for the girls, the pimps, the gang leaders and brothel managers. They have develeped incredible relationships with the brothel managers, caring for them, loving them, and forgiving them...
Through cultivating these ongoing relationships, 45 brothels have shut down in the city alone. Once the brothel closes, Eden's helps girls transition to the shelter if they choose. They also help give direction to many of the brothel managers as they seek new careers. Some have even found work in hotel managment as they clearly have business/leadership skills.

The girls in the transitional shelters go to youth group and daily Bible studies. None of them are forced or pressured to make any faith decisions but they are all required to attend. I asked the founder what major factor keeps the girls from going back to street work after their 6 months living in the care of Eden's. Her response was simple, "The Spirit" she said. The girls who genuinly recieve His love and forgiveness and find new life and hope in Him have not returned to work in the brothels. Sadly, the girls who have not yet recieved Him end up going back to brothel life".

This is such a reminder of how truly life changing it is when we find an authentic hope in Jesus Christ. There is really no other power great enough to cover the pain and heartache of this world.

After our time asking questions we had the blessing of helping the girls package the beautiful jewelry. The girls were great and warmly welcomed Caleb and me. Some of the girls were already out of street life and living at Eden's. Some of the girls were simply around checking out Eden's Ministry and would go back to the streets that evening.

After 4-5 hours of jewelry packaging, Caleb and I took the group out to eat. We had so much fun laughing, and taking pictures. After dinner, we said goodbye to the girls who had to hurry off to their night jobs.... I lingered as I hugged them goodbye, not wanting to let go, knowing what their night entailed.

The other girls invited us to Friday night youth group. We joined gladly and had a great time singing, praising and playing games. Seeing these girls with joyful smiles as they raised their hands in praise was beautiful... knowing what Christ has saved them from and seeing their new hope in Him humbled me deeply

Hearing many of their stories was incredible. I felt RAGE, tenderness, heartache and compassion as I heard what events came to happen that left the girls where they were/are. No one chooses a life of prostitution with a right mind, they are either sold into this lifestyle or they have been abused/mistreated so bad that they feel there is no other life for them.

May we all remember that freedom is given in Christ Jesus alone. There is no other power great enough to heal our hurts and tend to our broken hearts.

Praise God for the lives of these treasures. Praise God for their stories. Praise God for the hope of a new future and new freedom.