ZOE Summer 2024 Newsletter by gozoe

THANK YOU FOR SENDING HOPE AND HEALING TO VULNERABLE YOUTH!

A Personal Letter from ZOE’s Director of Development to You!

The mission of ZOE is deeply personal to me. Having experienced my own journey of trauma at a young age and healing and restoration through Jesus, I am fueled by the desire to bring this same hope and transformation to others.

Dear Faithful Friend,

As the Director of Development at ZOE International, I’m continually humbled and inspired by your steadfast commitment to our mission to reach every person with the gospel and rescue every child from human trafficking. Your generous support breathes life into all of ZOE’s vital programs and services we provide across our global offices.

Since joining the team at ZOE in 2021, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the direct impact of your giving. THANK YOU! Your contributions have empowered and brought momentum to our teams in the U.S., Thailand, Japan, Mexico, and Australia to expand their outreach, rescue more survivors, and provide comprehensive aftercare services on a child’s path to healing.

With

Gratitude,

Lonna Gibson Director of Development ZOE International

Your Impact: Transforming Lives and Building a Sustainable Future at ZOE Thailand

Transformative Moments at ZOE Thailand

Our ZOE Leadership students recently celebrated at the Leadership School Graduation, where the staff reflected on the impact these students had on the lives of five boys once trapped in drug addiction who found healing and renewal through ZOE’s support. Now free from their past struggles, they aspire to serve in ministry— a testament to the power of God’s love and your impact.

In another memorable moment, several girls rescued by ZOE took a significant step in their faith journey through baptism. Our team arranged a special service for them, allowing these young women to publicly declare their faith and embrace new life in Jesus. This milestone highlights the hope and new beginnings your generosity provides to those who have endured so much.

Cultivating Sustainability: ZOE Thailand’s Greenhouse Initiative Feeds Many

ZOE Thailand is also making strides toward self-sustainability through our greenhouse and agricultural initiatives. With the help of recent grants, we are in the process of building multiple greenhouses, aiming not just to feed our team and the children at ZOE, but to produce an abundance that can be shared with others in need. This initiative has already borne fruit, with surplus produce being donated to nearby children’s homes and NGOs. Your generosity is helping us extend our reach and impact far beyond our immediate community.

A Testament to Faith: LIFE Outreach International’s $700,000 Boost Brings Discovery Street Project Closer to Completion

Last October, one of ZOE’s valued partners, LIFE Outreach International, reaffirmed their commitment to RESTORE the hearts, minds, and bodies of child trafficking survivors in Thailand by helping raise an additional $700,000 for the Discovery Street Project. This generous contribution reflects the dedication of LIFE Outreach International Founders, James and Betty Robison, to sharing God’s love through both words and actions.

With this support, we have raised a total of $1,631,180 for the Discovery Street Project. However, due to significant increases in construction costs in Thailand (as well as globally), we have expanded the project to include additional vocational and office buildings. This expansion requires an additional $1.3 million, bringing the total project cost to $3.5 million, which covers all

necessary interior infrastructure. We are currently soliciting bids from architects and engineers, and conducting land surveys and soil testing. The next step is to obtain building permits, a process that typically takes between 3 and 18 months. While Thailand’s government transition may cause delays, we remain confident in securing the necessary permissions, drawing on our 15 years of experience building in Thailand and our trust in God’s guidance.

Thank you for continuing to join us in prayer as we work to provide vocational training to child trafficking survivors in Thailand. Learn more about Discovery Street Thailand by visiting goZOE.org/discoverystreet.

International Rescue Case: ZOE Provides Culturally-Sensitive Care to Asian National

ZOE recently assisted in an international case involving a human trafficking survivor from Asia. Liu*, a woman in her early 30s, was lured to the U.S. with the promise of a well-paying job as a dishwasher. Instead, she found herself trapped in a cycle of exploitation—her documents were confiscated, she was forced into drug use, debt bondage, and false imprisonment. Alone in a foreign country, she had no one to turn to.

Liu was trafficked through Europe and Mexico before arriving in Los Angeles, where she was coerced into providing illegal services under the guise that it was her only legal option to make money. During a law enforcement sting operation,

ZOE identified Liu as a victim of human trafficking. Sandy Esparza, ZOE’s Human Trafficking Prevention Program Manager, shared, “Our hearts were broken when we first met Liu. We knew we needed to help her get out of this situation.”

ZOE’s team provided Liu with emergency housing, essential support, and connected her with Mandarin-speaking partners for ongoing relational, spiritual, and case management support. We also referred her to legal services, church partners, and assisted with health benefits, transportation,

and basic necessities. Liu expressed deep gratitude, saying, “I didn’t think you would continue helping me. I thought I was on my own.”

Liu has since received her driver’s license, a temporary work visa, and has found a job as a nanny. ZOE and its partners remain committed to her journey, ensuring she doesn’t become vulnerable to exploitation again.

Liu’s story underscores the critical role ZOE plays in empowering survivors and providing them with the tools and resources to reclaim their freedom.

God’s word says, “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninetynine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

(Matthew 18:12-14, ESV)

This is the heart of ZOE’s mission and our commitment to each individual we serve.

Liu expressed profound gratitude for the kindness and care she received, which made her feel seen and supported for the first time in a long while. Liu shared, “I didn’t think you would continue helping me. I thought I was on my own.”

*Name has been

changed.

Supporting Parents Through Trauma:

The Power of Community and Unconditional

Love

When families experience the violence of human trafficking, parents often feel ashamed and struggle to understand and support their children. As part of ZOE’s comprehensive program to prevent children from being trafficked, our efforts include virtual and inperson trainings, enhancing parenting skills and family support, and providing a suite of online resources. One of those programs is ZOE’s Parent Empowerment Program (PEP). In collaboration with County partners and its follow-up support group, ZOE’s PEP offers loving support, education, tools, and a sense of community for parents navigating difficult circumstances.

“We want to build a support group where parents can continue getting that encouragement,” said Sylvia. “As one parent shared, she doesn’t have anyone she can talk to. The PEP group was really something she enjoyed and learned a lot from.”

Sylvia, ZOE’s co-facilitator for both PEP and the support group, shared insights into how these programs are making a difference in the lives of these parents.

“Parents have expressed that they found the program very helpful. They felt they were in a place where they were not alone,” Sylvia shared. “They build bonds with each other and realized, ‘Wow, I’m not the only one going through this.’”

The 10-week PEP course covers topics like tactics of traffickers, communication strategies, and understanding trauma’s impact. Upon completion, parents can join an ongoing support group to continue learning and sharing.

The PEP support group meets weekly via Zoom, alternating between open discussions and focused topics chosen by the parents. Recent sessions have covered issues like selfharm and building a “parenting toolbox” of strategies.

Sylvia, who has personal experience as a parent of a child who experienced trafficking, brings a unique perspective and understanding to her role. “Parents have said that seeing me there gives them hope that they and their children will also get through it,” she shared.

A key focus in the group is helping parents understand and practice unconditional love. Sylvia added, “Love is unconditional. I share with parents what true love really looks like. Are we really loving our kids when we tell them that we love them?”

By providing education, community, and a safe space to share, these programs are empowering parents to better support their children through trauma from human trafficking and to build stronger family relationships.

If you are interested in supporting ZOE’s Prevention Programs, like the PEP support group, please visit goZOE.org/ prevention-fund

Cycling Across America to End Child Trafficking

The

Powerful New Documentary:

Latest News from ZOE East Coast!

ZOE Mentors Plant Seeds of Safety and Hope for Vulnerable Youth

Recently, our dedicated ZOE East Coast advocates provided one-on-one mentorship to 12 youth and served 22 more through group educational programs. Through our trafficking prevention curriculum, we address challenging topics like distinguishing trustworthy adults from those who pose a threat and recognizing the grooming tactics used by exploiters and traffickers.

A

Ride for Freedom

On June 17th, 2023, eight ultraendurance cyclists from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, embarked on the 3,000-mile non-stop Race Across America (RAAM), one of the world’s most grueling physical tests. This journey was more than just a race; it aimed to raise awareness and funds to combat child trafficking.

Their extraordinary effort is captured in the documentary “A Ride for Freedom,” which highlights their mission with ZOE International. Through intimate interviews and stunning visuals, the film showcases their transcontinental race from California to Maryland, emphasizing their commitment to ending child trafficking, teamwork, and personal sacrifices.

“A Ride for Freedom” is a call to action against child trafficking, advocating for awareness, advocacy, and direct intervention. To view the trailer and learn more about supporting the ZOE Team in RAAM 2025, visit ZOERaam.org.

Our ZOE team witnesses a beautiful transformation as these young girls gradually open up and begin to identify dangerous patterns in their own lives. One mentee, initially shy and hesitant, soon found the courage to confide in her advocate, reaching out for support during difficult times.

Thank you for investing in life-changing transformations and instilling God’s hope in these young girls. We are honored to be a safe haven for vulnerable youth, and it’s only possible because of your faithful prayers!

Thanks to You, ZOE Japan Is Expanding Outreach and Fighting Child Trafficking

Thanks to your support, the ZOE Japan team is working on new video resources to be released later this year. These videos will help spread the gospel and strengthen our relationships with like-minded individuals, churches, and missions organizations in Japan.

The ZOE Japan team built crucial relationships with government entities and stakeholders that enhanced our anti-child trafficking efforts. Our hotline has been busy with new cases, many involving victims of online sextortion. Your generosity makes it possible for our dedicated hotline staff to provide the compassion and care these victims need. If you are interested in supporting ZOE Japan’s efforts, visit eng.gozoe.jp.

with

New Resources

Your Support Transforms Lives: How ZOE Mexico Helped a Family Provide a Safe Haven for a Vulnerable Child

Two years ago, ZOE Mexico developed a human trafficking prevention series for schools within Oaxaca called VIDA. During a recent workshop, the team met Maria, a devoted church volunteer from a poor neighborhood. Maria and her husband, family counselors at their church, had taken in a neglected 3-year-old girl whose mother, struggling with addiction and pregnancy, had left her without care.

A ZOE staff member shared, “The child’s mother, struggling with drug addiction and pregnant with another child, had left the little girl alone without proper care. Maria and her husband, highly recommended by their pastor, showed unwavering commitment to provide the girl with a safe, loving home.”

They were committed to providing a loving home. ZOE Mexico’s team guided them through the adoption process, assisting with consultations, interviews, and documentation. Recently, Maria and her husband were legally recognized as the girl’s parents, completing the adoption.

Thanks to your generous support, ZOE Mexico continues its vital work in prevention, intervention, and supporting families like Maria’s, giving vulnerable children a brighter future.

Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our fight against child trafficking and spreading the message of hope through the gospel. Join us for the 2024 Vision Meeting where you will hear inspiring stories from ZOE’s Global Country Leads, and gain insights from ZOE Founders and CEO/President, Michael and Carol Hart. Please RSVP via the QR code.

“I always knew human trafficking was an issue, but when I learned about the extent of child sex trafficking, it broke my heart. I was inspired by the quote, ‘Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he can only do a little.’ Even if I could only do a little, I wanted to start somewhere.

Through a friend, I learned about ZOE International. I realized I could give, pray weekly for ZOE, and educate others. Even small actions matter, especially when we work together.”

Ken also mentioned being inspired by a message from Jack Hibbs, who said, “I’m going to do it, but don’t let my fingerprints be on it.” He then added, “That visual stuck with me—it’s not about me, but about glorifying God in everything I do.”

Ken Mills - ZOE Freedom Partner Monthly Donor

ZOE International

P.O. Box 221510

Santa Clarita, CA 91322 goZOE.org

ZOEChildren

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“It’s not about me, but about glorifying God in everything I do.”

Be a Hero in the Fight Against Child Trafficking and Become a Freedom Partner Today!

You might think it’s small but here at ZOE, our team has seen the large impact a monthly donation can make in the lives of children, and in the acceleration of our mission. Every donation is a tool God uses to advance His Kingdom to reach people with the gospel and rescue children from human trafficking.

Become a Monthly Donor Freedom Partner Today.

Visit goZOE.org/freedompartner