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

Budding Agronomy Initiatives

Hello Friends,

I wanted to share about some of the significant partnerships budding in Romania. During our trip this past January, we solidified core relationships with agricultural universities, both local and international. We connected with experts in agronomy, the science of managing our land and producing crops.

These folks have already done an initial assessment of the property of the first Sanctuary. During this time of quarantine, they’re helping us understand the best agricultural practices to use. They’re even offering to provide us interns and researchers to get started once the travel bans lift! It’s amazing to see how one partnership can cascade into so many opportunities.

These agronomy initiatives will serve our survivors in a variety of ways. We’ve started planting a meditation and sensory garden designed to soothe the effects of trauma. Survivors will practice vocational skills as they help tend the land, skills that will travel with them long after they leave the Sanctuary. Our local University partners even want to develop a program to give survivors an official certificate in agronomy.

We love the idea of survivors tasting the fruits of their labor - blueberries, strawberries, honey from bees. These women will finally have a chance to do honoring work and enjoy what it produces. What a beautiful picture of restoration!

Equally exciting is that these new partners have vast local connections. Their support increases our access to anti-trafficking experts and officials throughout Europe. We are growing our capacity for building an anti-trafficking movement: first in Romania, and then around the globe.

Your prayers and encouragement are paving the way for these connections - I feel them! Together, we're swinging the door to freedom wide open.

PS. We are celebrating the fact that we have the Sanctuary almost paid off! We only have $410,000 to go!  If you are interested in helping us finish this please contact Kim today.