One Challenge and One Opportunity

We are writing today with a mixture of hope and sadness. We recently learned that 3 of the survivors we have been working with have COVID-19. They each have pre-existing medical conditions directly caused by their time in slavery. They are doing alright, but they have a tough recovery ahead of them.

When we first got the news, our first thought was, "Haven't these precious women been through enough?" Even though they're free, the effects of trafficking are still leaving them vulnerable.

This has to end! We are ready to provide survivors with holistic care at the first Sanctuary. Our trauma-informed program includes spiritual, physical, psychological, and vocational care. We want them to get free, stay free, and undo the effects of slavery as much as we can. It's why we've spent time during COVID-19 designing a 6-week stabilization program at our first Sanctuary. These key 6 weeks will lay the foundation for a survivors' long-term healing over the next two years.

Right now, we are facing one challenge and one opportunity to make this stabilization program possible. The challenge is the travel bans that persist in Europe. We have identified multiple survivors who would be ideal for our program. Unfortunately, we can't get to them yet.

Can we ask you to pray for these travel bans to lift so we can get these survivors to safety?

Our team is planning to receive over 30 survivors this year. The Sanctuary is the optimal place for them to come and heal. We know getting these precious souls to the first Sanctuary takes a huge investment of energy and resources. Unlocking their transformation is worth it! Right now, generous people like you have given 78% of the funds we need to own fully the property of the first Sanctuary. We are in need of $410,000 to pay the property off.

Will you join us? In spite of these trying times, we would like to invite you to consider freeing a survivor once and for all by investing in this transformational space. These women have been through unimaginable hardship. They deserve so much more.

Together we can open the door to a life of beauty and gladness instead of ashes and mourning.

Nature and Beauty Unlock Transformation

Hi Friends,

Seeing reports from the property in Romania has been nourishing my soul! Spring has arrived, and our team is hard at work preparing the space to receive survivors from all across Europe once travel restrictions lift fully.

The Sanctuary is quickly turning into the optimal environment for healing. Our team has planted our very first vegetable garden. We’ve already planted flowers to start our meditation and sensory garden. Every element can help a survivor’s healing journey. We want the physical environment growing around the property to soothe, inspire, and nurture healing.

We are able to do this work because of people like you investing their time and expertise. We are so grateful for the chance to work with Cliff Johnston, an agronomist and soil scientist at Purdue University. He is helping us serve survivors and broaden our network of partners near the first property.

While we were in Romania together in January, he visited the local university. They invited him to deliver a lecture. During his time speaking, he couldn’t help but share about how our work at the first Sanctuary echoes God’s greater vision.

“I didn’t plan to talk about Genesis when I went to the University,” Cliff chuckled, “But at the end of my talk I showed everyone Genesis 2:15. We talked about how God put humans in a garden to enjoy it and take care of it. Survivors at the Sanctuary will be taking care of gardens and healing their brokenness at the same time.”

His words must have resonated, because they were eager to partner! After the talk, Cliff met with 5 deans and a handful of faculty from the University to share about Uncaged. Together, they visited the first Sanctuary and mapped out its rich natural resources.

Cliff said. “We knew the local experts would have the best ideas of what to do with the land. Now, they’re aware of Uncaged and excited about the work they’re doing. Their buy-in will really help survivors re-integration into the community.”

We are continually amazed at how God positions people like you and Cliff to impact hundreds, even thousands of lives. In this fight to end trafficking, every effort has the power to break chains. Thank you for gifting us with your support, encouragement, and talents!

Unlocking Transformation with Sew Good

Hi Friends,

I am so inspired seeing survivors take wing with our Sew Good initiative! These resilient women have gone from slavery to dignity and sustainability so quickly. Our Romania team got to catch up with one of the initiative’s first participants, “Ludovica,” and hear how this program has jump-started her transformation and healing.

Ludovica has built a thriving business that supports her and protects her community, and she did it during a pandemic! You’ll see below that she has a big heart and even bigger dreams. Here’s Ludovica in her own words...

Uncaged: How do you feel about your new sewing machine?

Ludovica: When I saw the new sewing machine I couldn't believe that I could work on it. It is so nice and quiet. It even smells nice. I am happy that someone trusted me with such a precious machine.

Uncaged: Has it been helpful? How?

Ludovica: It helps me to know that my hands can make something useful. This can be a good job for me as I prepare for my future.

Uncaged: How do you feel about making masks for your people?

Ludovica: When I made the first mask, I looked and felt like it was terrible, with no beginning and no end, incomplete. Then the lady who teaches us took it and said "This is wonderful.” I looked at it again. It was beautiful. About 3,000 masks later, I feel that there is a piece of myself in each mask I make, in each person that wears it.

Uncaged: What are your hopes for your future?

Ludovica: I believe that my future is already different because people trust me now. They teach me and they help me. My hope is that one day, when I get back to my village, people who need help come to my house and I can fix their clothes and make beautiful new ones.

I used to be scared and very much afraid of people. Now, I learned to trust people because they trust me. I like to tell people that someone, somewhere is prepared by God to show you the right way. People here have shown me the way to hope, the way to joy and the way to a new life.

This is a tiny glimpse of what is possible when survivors receive the support they need and deserve. It only takes about $1000 to provide a survivor with a sewing machine, fabric, thread, and training in order to accelerate their journey to freedom.

You are the key that unlocks this kind of transformation, and it all starts with our Sanctuary model of holistic care.

Many others like you have gotten us so close to launching the first Sanctuary and its incredible program in 2020. To accomplish this huge vision, we’re working to identify more people like you who are ready to bring healing to thousands of survivors.

If you are ready for more information on how to invest in making this vision a reality, click here to get in touch with me. I would love to talk to you.

Grateful & Hopeful,

Kim