Summer Journal 2025 | Kal

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childfreedom

JOURNAL

a note from the team

Have you ever held a kaleidoscope up to the light? At first glance, it's just a simple tube filled with tiny, scattered pieces of glass. Sharp edges. Jagged fragments. But the moment you turn it towards a beam of light, magic happens. The pieces shift, rearrange, and collide—until suddenly, what was once broken becomes something breathtaking.

Life is a little like that, isn't it?

We each carry moments that feel like splintered glass—hard days, difficult memories, seasons of uncertainty. And yet, those very pieces, when placed in the right light, mend together to create something beautiful.

This is what healing does for us and for the rescued kids too.

Each one of these child trafficking survivors carries unimaginable past experiences—of loss, of hardship, of abuse. Each one with a story uniquely their own. But in the loving environment of The Children's Home, their individual stories collide in the most remarkable way. They form friendships. They learn to trust. They discover joy. And together, they create a mosaic of healing that is more brilliant than any one piece on its own.

This summer, we're celebrating the power of transformation—the way hope takes shape, healing unfolds, and, piece by piece, a new future is formed.

In these pages, you'll witness the stories of children whose lives have been rearranged by love. You'll glimpse the beauty in their journey. And we hope you'll see reflections of your own story, too, because we are all a part of this kaleidoscope.

Dev’s mind never stops—he’s always asking questions and looking for the next big discovery.

If joy had a sound, it would be Anaya’s laughter. She brings warmth and energy wherever she goes, like a little burst of sunshine on the cloudiest days.

Always there, Vikram is steady, patient, and ready to lead. He remembers what it felt like to be the new kid, and now he’s the one making sure no one feels alone.

Every child at The Children’s Home is a treasure—unique, radiant, and full of potential. Like precious gems, their strength has been shaped by what they’ve overcome, and their brilliance grows brighter every day.

Kavya doesn’t back down—not from a challenge, not from a new adventure, not from standing up for a friend. She’s got courage for days.

*All children's names and identities have been altered to protect their privacy*

In 2016, a man from a powerful family— we’ll call him “Chowdary”—approached our partner, “Bobby.” The criminal human trafficking networks Bobby had been disrupting were mocking him— not because he failed, but because they believed his work hadn’t made a dent.

Bobby was confused. Chowdary said, “I can’t explain. But I can show you.” What happened next changed everything.

called—for the first time in six years. He had a lead: a rock quarry about to shut down, with 1,000–3,000 children trapped inside. He’s committed to rescuing them—but doesn’t have the resources to care for them long-term. So he called Bobby to ask for help.

Bobby was hesitant. He’s already caring for many kids, mentoring pastors, and carrying the weight of a region. But over the next few weeks, something shifted. He couldn’t turn his back—on the children or Chowdary.

We can barely describe the darkness these children will remain in if we do nothing. The cost of rescue pales in comparison to the cost of leaving them behind.

When Bobby said yes, we prayed—and asked God what our role should be.

They blindfolded Bobby and took him to a warehouse where children were being bought and sold.

That night, Chowdary’s men blindfolded Bobby and took him to a warehouse where children— real kids—were being bought and sold. Bobby saw a deeper level of trafficing and slavery than he’d imagined. Chowdary kept opening doors, and together with our South Asia team, helped rescue hundreds of children.

Fast forward to February 2025. On our latest trip to South Asia, Chowdary

We’ve walked with Bobby for over a decade. We listen, challenge, and trust one another. This isn’t a U.S. based team calling shots—it’s mutual decision making built over time. We ask tough questions of each other, and it is really important for that to go both ways. We have “tug-of-war” over how to manage projects. This is real partnership. This kind of trust is earned through long years of earnestly learning from each other and working for these kids together.

Initially, we too hesitated. Budgets are tight. Our team feels maxed out. But as we prayed, we knew: this is why we exist. We can’t turn our backs on these kids either.

We don’t have it all figured out. But we know this: It costs about $1,000 to care for one rescued child for a year. That includes 24/7 housing, counseling, education, and protection. If 1,000 kids are rescued, we’ll need $1,000,000. If 3,000—$3,000,000.

Many of these kids can go home. But safe reunification costs around $750 per child, and takes time, care, and intentional follow-up from pastors.

Imagine being forgotten by society—and someone spends real time and money to bring your child back. Then a local pastor shares how God did the same for them. People listen. They celebrate knowing God loves them and sees them—just like the woman who found her lost coin in Luke 15. We want that story repeated hundreds of times this summer—but we need your help to make it real.

For children with no families, we’ll provide long-term care—school, trauma counseling, vocational training— through local churches or The Children’s Home. Even if half are reunited quickly, the long-term need is massive: millions over the next decade to help these kids grow into thriving adults.

A friend once asked us to list the “big dream” projects that scare us to say out loud. This rescue tops the list. We don’t have all the answers—but we have the trust, the team, and the calling. Let’s move before we’re “ready.”

Give

Last year, we had about 350 people make a gift. To cover this need and our other needs, we believe we need 1000 families to give. We need you to encourage your community to jump in to help. Can you make a goal to help us rescue 5, 10, or even 50 children by rallying your friends? We’ll help you every step of the way. (We also have to be careful how we talk about this publically because we have to keep our undercover teams secret).

WHEN GENEROSITY SHAPES GENERATIONS

When Brad Hoover first heard about the realities of child trafficking in South Asia, something stirred in his heart, but he didn’t know where to begin. Years later, that planted seed bloomed into action when a friend introduced him and his wife, Leigh, to Child Freedom Coalition.

“I was blown away by what God is doing to redeem the lives of these children.”

As a husband, a father, and a team leader at Chickfil-A, Brad understands the power of providing spaces where people can grow, learn, and discover who they are made to be. That’s why, when he heard about the need for a multipurpose room at The Children’s Home, he and Leigh felt drawn to help.

“After hearing about it, we loved that the room would be used as a space for learning during the day and then could also be used in the evening as a space for some of the older boys to sleep.”

For these kids, a space like this is more than just a room. As Brad describes, it’s a place for them to dream, be creative, and unlock their imaginations.

“I’ll never forget seeing hundreds of children worshiping and praying in unison when I visited The Children’s Home last spring,” Brad recalled. “I was struck by how joyful the children seemed, how clean and welcoming the facilities were, and by the scale of the operation... And, perhaps most of all, I was impressed by how engaging and smart the kids were.”

“The ripple effects of the impact these kids are going to have on their surroundings, their nation, and ultimately the kingdom of God are unimaginable.”

This summer as we care for the 1250+ kids at the campus and take on a major rescue operation, the multipurpose room stands as a reminder that safe places facilitate healing. Without these spaces, the other things we do aren’t possible.

Every child’s life changed by generosity becomes a piece of this mosaic. They don’t just find freedom for themselves—they become part of a legacy that is shaping generations to come.

That is a future worth investing in.

I spend my days sifting through stories. Words and images. Colors and shapes. Whole narratives and fragmented shards. Each piece holds meaning on its own, but their true beauty is revealed when they come together.

Sometimes, it happens in an instant—a tilt of the head, the way the light shifts, the sudden realization that the pieces were always meant to fit. Other times, it takes longer. Sitting with the fragments, turning them over, waiting for the pattern to emerge.

But then, clarity comes. A thread appears, weaving its way through. And suddenly, what once felt disconnected transforms— not into something new, but into something that was always there, waiting to be seen.

A rescued child learning to dream again. A caretaker offering love in steady, unseen ways. A donor giving quietly, believing in a future they may never witness. A volunteer showing up, hands open, heart willing. All part of an incredible mosaic. A kaleidoscope of lives colliding in the most beautiful way.

Collisions like these don't happen by chance. They happen because love moves. Because generosity reaches beyond what is seen. Because healing, once set in motion, refuses to stay still.

And the beauty of it all? This story is still shifting. Still forming. Still becoming.

There is more to come, and I’m grateful I get to keep sharing it—so you can see, again and again, how you are the difference.

WE BELIEVE IN EXCELLENCE, TRUST, & CONNECTION

We choose to be transparent. To adhere to set structures that keep us honest, focused, and driven. To welcome being held accountable by our board members, donors, and friends. To dedicate time, energy, and understanding to our decision-making process rather than chase after convenience.

To highlight instead of hide how we spend every donation. To not fear difficult questions, but encourage and receive these new ideas and perspectives as the gifts they are. To give 100% of your contributions to the rescued kids, allowing it to make the most significant impact possible. So we can end human trafficking forever.

COLOR praying in

kids at The Children’s Home.

Emotional and physical healing: that their past wounds would be mended and their hearts restored.

Strength and resilience: for the children to know they are deeply loved and capable of great things.

Joy: that their days would be filled with laughter, play, and childlike wonder.

Growth: that each child will thrive mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

Hope: for a bright and limitless future for every child.

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