Christmas Newsletter 2018

Risen with healing in His wings CHRI STMA S 2 0 1 8

Merry Christmas Friends As I write this 2018 Christmas letter, I do so with a spirit of gratitude for each one of you and for what the Lord has done through your partnership with Rapha House International.

Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity to the children we are blessed to serve!

This October, Rapha House turned 15 years old! This has been a season of precious reflection as we are able to look back and celebrate the many lives which have been forever changed and the great strides in justice and child protection that have been made.

The depth, width, and breadth of work that you have made possible over the past 15 years is testified to by extraordinary facts, statistics, and data, all of which in turn testify to God’s mighty work through you and Rapha House. However, for me, it will always be about that one girl...

That one who was sold by her own father, but now has 3 children of her own whom she loves so dearly and whom will never be trafficked.

That one who lived in a pit of despair, but who is now married to a man who thinks she is a queen- and who minister together to broken and oppressed children.

That one who disappeared into prostitution again for several years after she left the safety of our walls, but because our staff (and the Lord) never gave up on her, is now living in hope and freedom, and is serving the other children of Rapha House.

And it will always be about that one girl‌.

That one who is trying to disappear into the shadows of that Haitian home so that the family who owns her will not think to physically or sexually abuse her tonight.

That one who is trapped, right now, in a massage parlor in SE Asia who thinks that she is completely unworthy and that her day of rescue will never arrive.

That one who is completely broken- in the social work vehicle right now- on her way to Rapha House and a new future.

So much has been accomplished, and yet there is still so much to be done! Friends, thank you for standing with us over the past 15 years in combating child trafficking and sexual exploitation! This issue is preventable and combattable, and I am thankful that we are in this together.

CONTINUED...

RAPHAHOUSE.ORG

This Christmas, join me in celebrating all that the Lord has accomplished through the work of Rapha House International as well as all that He is getting ready to do. He loves these children- every single one.

Stephanie Freed Co-Founder & Executive Director

There is a Cambodian proverb which states- “Men are gold, women are cloth”. The premise behind this proverb is that you can drop a bar of gold in mud, and it can be picked up, polished off, and made to shine like new. But if cloth is dropped in the mud, no matter how much it is washed and cleaned, it will always be stained. This proverb reflects societal attitudes about girls in many parts of Southeast Asia. This mindset affects our girls, who as victims of sexual violence have been “stained”. They may face shame from their community and even be seen as an embarrassment to their own family. With the burden of society’s judgment on their shoulders, they commonly view themselves as dirty and worthless.

As Christians we want to break the stronghold of that lie by teaching God’s truth- that they are worth more than they can imagine and are beautiful in His sight.

In September, two of our wonderful partner churches made it possible to host a retreat for the Rapha girls in Cambodia. Our theme for this important retreat was: One of our amazing counselors, who is a former Rapha girl herself, spoke alongside her husband about the worth of each girl and how our true value comes from God. The Rapha girls have suffered great trauma at the hands of men, so the voice of this Godly man, standing alongside his wife in this critical message was incredibly powerful.

On the first night of the retreat the girls were presented with a flower and a crown. This represents that they are each created in the image of our King of Kings, and that they are Daughters of the King.

I received a call from one of our safe house managers several days after our girls returned home from the retreat, and she shared with me that the girls were still wearing their crowns. One of the girls even wore her crown to church! What a beautiful picture of the truth of how God values each one of our lives. We often take off our crowns and forget that we are children of the King, but His love for each of us is evident in how He chose to create us in His image!

This Christmas, it is our prayer at Rapha House that you see your value and worth through the eyes of the King of Kings. He created us in His image, we are blessed to be a part of his royal family. 1 Peter 2:9 says; "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

In His eyes, you are RH Cambodia Country Director

They Need Us & We Need You

Each safe house gives child survivors of slavery and sexual exploitation the chance to reclaim their lost childhood. Each day girls are treated with love and value instead of abuse and neglect. Our safe houses are staffed by trained experts from the local community who understand the culture and know how to work with children through comprehensive and trauma-informed care. By walking with these girls on their healing journey, we are helping them reach a life of sustainable freedom.

In order to break the chains of despair and unlock the door to freedom, children need intensive, specialized services. We call these services the keys to freedom:

SAFETY AND BASIC CARE clothing and security.

- Foundational needs like shelter, food,

COUNSELING AND MEDICAL

bodies

- Healing for wounded hearts and

EDUCATION AND TRAINING - Personalized education and vocational

training plans

SOCIAL WORK AND LEGAL ADVOCACY - Community social work and the pursuit of justice

In order to equip these girls with the keys to sustainable freedom, we need you.

Your partnership empowers these girls to achieve sustainable freedom throughout their lives. You can join the fight against trafficking and exploitation. You can join the fight for lasting freedom for survivors. Join us today and give her the keys to freedom.

Begin a monthly partnership of $40 or more with a safehouse today!

This past year, partners like you helped us provide:

1,044 medical visits 2,827 counseling visits and 1,173,840 hours of care

PO Box 1569 Joplin, MO 64802 raphahouse.org 417-621-0373

Don’t forget about other ways to give such as: - Donating appreciated stock or property - Making a one-time gift in honor of a loved one - Giving through a charitable IRA rollover - Leaving a legacy through bequests and planned gifts To learn more about other ways to give, please visit: raphahouse.org/special-projects or contact us at 417-621-0373

One Time Gift Ideas $50 - 1 Day Counseling Services for One Safe House $400 - Office Furniture in Thailand $600 - Computer for Program Staff (13 Needed) $1200 - 1 Month Security for One Safe House $25,000 - Security Wall for Siem Reap Safe House

For a complete list, please visit: raphahouse.org/special-projects or contact 417-621-0373