Prophetic Dreams from a Madam

It's a forty-five minute train ride and eight minute walk to get to the brothels where I would do ministry for the day. As I walked down the street my ministry contact, a dear friend, began sharing stories of the women that work at this particular brothel. Although I had been to the brothel o
nce before, there was anticipation in my spirit to see these women. 


There are about 15-20 girls at this particular brothel with two madam's who control the area. The head madam has been there for many years and the associate madam is 37 years old and had been at the brothel for 28 years; that means she was 9 years old when she was sold by her parents to the brothel. Every day the girls that work at this brothel are sold for 300 Indian Rupees ($6.50 USD) per customer. After the girls have a customer they go to the Madam's and give them the 300 Rupees; the Madam will keep 200 Rupees for herself and then give 100 Rupees ($2.22 USD) back to the girl. 

Our time with the girls started off as a normal day; we were sitting on a bed that sits outside the door talking to some of the girls before we got started with their classes for the afternoon. I was talking to one of the younger girls when the madam walked up to me and standing about two feet away from me says, "I know you." Honestly, I chuckled when she said that because I knew I had never met her in my life. After a moment's pause, she said, "You were in my dream!"


At this point I was a little bewildered but very interested in the dream. She went on to describe:


'There was a big battle that was going on. Everybody was at war and everyone was fighting. Then you  (Laura) appeared and there was this whiteness that surrounded you and we (the girls at the brothel) knew it was good. When we would come near you we were FILLED with PEACE. So, all of my girls would come to you and we would be FILLED with PEACE and the war ended."


The last thing that this madam told me was something to the effect of that I was coming back "to stay" so that they "could find peace".


I have thought about this moment with this woman every single day since the Madam told me about the dream that she had. Needless to say, by the end of her telling me this I was crying and just in awe of who God is. I know that the peace that she felt is the PEACE of Jesus and what an opportunity to share the Peace of Christ with her!


The same day, the Madam asked if she could join our classes, and hear stories of Jesus, and have prayer for herself and her family. I sat with this madam and helped her with basic math skills as she worked on her first count by coloring page waiting for our approval and just to hear that she had done a good job! 

How could I forget Your face/ When all it took was just one day/ For me to see it wasn't ordinary/ 

I could never be the same

You took my hand and led the way/ I didn't even know Your name/ But something happened deep inside me/ And I knew life would have to change

So how could I go back to life as usual?/ And how could I return to who I once was? / I just want to take Your story to the world/ 'Cause You  have shown me what it means to love

This madam taught me what it means to love. 

Laura

Volunteer - India

Mirrored Truth

Value and confidence is one area in which many women lack wherever you may live. I want the women here to know they are special, that they are beautiful and full of value.


For our story at sewing class, our desire was to share with the women that the Lord has given each of us a purpose in life along with unique gifts. I wanted to give them something tangible to remember with this message.


My teammate had the idea to buy them each a mirror, write a verse on them, and give them to the women. We decorated the small mirrors with their names, the words "you are beautiful", and Ephesians 2:10 which says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."


We tried to explain through stories that they have a purpose and God has made them specially to fulfill these things.


They were really grateful, and I hope they treasure these mirrors forever and that they feel valued. I know I am only one of the many that comes here to work with them, but it is awesome to think that all our efforts put together make a difference in their life. 


Breanna
Short Term Volunteer - India

Love is Calling YOU.

Pyaar = लव = Love

"...But the greatest of these is love."   ~   1 Corinthians 13:13

This week we've spent a lot of time looking at love, what love is 

and where love comes from. It's a word defined in so many small ways, 

but can literally change someone's world.

" My own family doesn't care about me... why do you?"

 ~ *Anne

This statement brought tears to my eyes as *Anne spoke after

telling me the tale of how she had attempted suicide earlier that

morning. Their pain is so real and so deep. *Anne's story is one

of many taking place daily here and all throughout India. These

women have lost all hope and seek the only escape they know...

They are why I am here, Bringing God's unfailing love to the 

children His heart yearns for. 

"Father break my heart for what breaks Yours, give me open 

hands and open doors, put Your light in my eyes and let me see

that my own little world is not about me..."

So often I get caught up in my own little world, my troubles, my

wants, my needs. Me. Me. Me. Living in the midst of the least

of these makes me realize my constant selfishness. My own little

world is NOT about me. This is what God is always reminding

me of, in those moments where I am hurt or upset He puts in

perspective my short comings. It is through His love that I love.

There is nothing I could give these girls without Him, it is His

hope and love they so desperately need...
                                 
                                               "So when you get the chance,

are you gonna take it?

There's a really big world at your fingertips

And you know you have the chance to change it

There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'

There's a man whose faith is dyin'

Love is calling you..."

Katie
Short Term Volunteer - India

*Please Note: Names are changed to protect the women

Greetings from Goa, India!!

     Teacher TEACHER!! choruses of this ring in our ears as we walk into the community where we work.  The smallest amount of attention you show to the children just lights up their faces and makes their day.  They just want to be able to greet you saying "Hi teacher!" and shake your hand sometimes hoping you have a small piece of candy to give them.  The other day a couple of us volunteers played soccer in the street with the boys of the community!  My FAVORITE thing so far!  The joy and laughter at having not just a soccer ball but two teachers to play with them!! :) 
     It makes me realize how much I selfishly take for granted. I could run to the store and get a soccer ball anytime. To these boys though, it is a special treat they get to enjoy for a couple hours.  Christ is teaching me to never lose the wonder of a child.  He's reminding me to appreciate and be amazed at all the small things he has created and blessed me with. What a blessing for me to be able to make these boys feel loved and included just by inviting them to join our game! 


Ella 
Short Term Volunteer - India

Making a Difference

I started volunteering with Rahab's Rope last semester for an assignment in one of my Sociology courses. Only 10 hours were required, but I have been back to visit and volunteer with the store ever since. I used to care a lot about sex trafficking but became increasingly discouraged by the issue and felt helpless. However, at Rahab's Rope I can see how I am personally and directly affecting the lives of women trafficked and prostituted in India- it is such a huge encouragement to me. Learning about the stories of the women in India is really encouraging too- I get to hear about God transforming the women's self-images. And every product has a story, so the entire store is filled with accounts of people working and able to provide for their families- Rahab's Rope shines as hope for this world.

Emily 
Short Term Volunteer - U.S.