Reality of the problem

While I continue to research Human Trafficking, it is hard to look past the statistics and come to grips with how we can help this worldwide problem. Rahab's Rope has done a wonderful job posting some stories of the women that they have come in contact with in the slums. I would like to share one with you just to help put a face to the statistics, feel free to read more at www.rahabsrope.com

"Susan is 17 years old and came to us in December 2009 - in labor! She had a beautiful baby girl...

Susan had been working in a farmer's field as a child laborer with her family. One day, some of the men in charge told Susan's aunt to stay late the next day with Susan in exchange for a large sum of money. The next day the men paid Susan's aunt and got her drunk to the point at which she passed out. The men then forcibly took Susan (age 16), tied her up and repeatedly raped her so many times that she lost count of how many men and how many times. They left her lying bound and naked. We cannot begin to imagine the pain and horror she must have felt as she lay there wondering if they would be back for more or if they left her there to die.

Fortunately, an old man came along and cut her loose and Susan ran home. However, when she returned home there was no love or sympathy. Both of her parents are alcoholics and did not care. That is, they did not care until they found out Susan was pregnant from the rape. You would assume that, at this point, her parents would take her in and comfort her. However, just the opposite happened. Instead of comforting Susan, her parents disowned her, abandoned her to the street, and told her that she had brought shame upon the family.

Susan found herself pregnant and alone on the streets of India. How can this be? We cannot begin to imagine the range of emotions Susan experienced; sixteen, bound, beaten, raped, left for dead, pregnant, disowned by her family, abandoned to the street - and thinking it was her fault. How can a world be so cruel?

Praise God, a young woman that had been to Rahab’s Rope found Susan in labor on the street and brought her to the Rahab's Rope Women's Center. Susan said, “No one has ever cared for me and loved me the way that the people of Rahab’s Rope does, not even my own parents.” She continued and said, "Because of the love of God that had been extended to her, she believes there is one true God and that one true God is Jesus."

However, the spiritual battle continues. Reality continues! Susan's aunt continues to call Susan to tell her she can make more money being a sex worker than she can make at Rahab’s Rope. The aunt tells Susan she has herself and a baby to feed and clothe and, because Susan is now 17 and beautiful, she can make a lot of money if she goes with her aunt. For us, we think the choice is simple - for Susan, this is the ugly truth and the spiritual battle!"