Let's See Tamara Fly With Her Own Wings!

I arrived at the Sanctuary on a July evening. After a wonderful meal with some of my favorite people, we decided to play a game. One of our precious survivors, Tamara volunteered to go and get the game from our art therapy room.

A few minutes later she arrived in our dining room carrying the game and a tiny bird in her hands. She found this sweet little thing in the middle of the road. The bird was wounded and she was concerned.

She said “I think she feels abandoned and alone. I just couldn’t leave her.” The tiny thing was shaking and afraid. We sat trying to assess the situation, coaxing the bird, trying to feed it a few crumbs.

Tamara quickly said “I have a little shoe box in my room. I’d like to make her a nest and keep her safe.” I followed her down to her room and we collected the box. On our way there, we then spotted an empty nest and decided that this could be her temporary residence. We climbed up and retrieved the nest and placed it in the box.

As she lowered her into the box, Tamara said to the little bird, “You are safe. This is your home. You are home now.” At this point, I was choking back the tears. Her words echoed what we had said to her just a few months ago when she arrived at The Sanctuary. She was battered and bruised, shaking and terrified. Just like the tiny, wounded bird.

At breakfast the next morning she shared with me that the little bird passed away during the night. She was sad but her comment showed her beautiful heart, compassion, and empathy. She said, “but at least she was not alone.”

Today Tamara is doing quite well. Her physical bruises and broken bones have healed. She is beautiful. Her heart and mind are healing…that’s going to take some time. We see the incredible potential within.

Like the little bird, when a survivor arrives at the Sanctuary her “wings” are broken. She has been abused physically, mentally and emotionally. Years of trauma have left her confused, wondering if she can trust anyone in the world. She has lost her identity and become someone’s “merchandise.”

I’ve been thinking about this Latin phrase: “Alis volat propriis, meaning, “She flies with her own wings.”

We’ve seen it and know it to be true—survivors of human trafficking can experience true healing and transformation. We have seen survivors who come to The Sanctuary regain their wings, and “come back to life.” These brave warriors go on to raise families, start businesses, and fight for broken and abused souls. She becomes self-sufficient.

One day soon we hope to say of Tamara, “Alis volat propriis. She flies with her own wings.”

Thank you for supporting women and children like Tamara. Let’s see her fly!

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An Update on Snowy: The Slow Work of Emerging

Snowy asked God to set her free or to kill her. Her little body and spirit were broken from three years of living in hell with the trafficker who went by “Papa.” God answered her prayer and brought her to us! That was four years ago.

Because of people like you who have chosen to partner with our mission to eradicate human trafficking and unlock transformation for its survivors, Snowy’s story did not end in hopelessness. In the past four years, we’ve been able to keep her from the clutches of her trafficker who tried to get her back, and we were able to reunite her with her four siblings who were already being victimized. We’ve watched her flourish with her host family, loving and serving others.

We’re thrilled to give you a new update on Snowy. We were able to visit with her and her family recently. Her host parents, who we will call Vlad and Eva, have biological children of their own, but have made sure Snowy and her four siblings are entirely a part of the family, too.

Over pizza and ice cream, they told us about the progress being made in the lives of each of these children. We were there to celebrate Snowy’s graduation from high school—with honors! We were thrilled when we heard of her plans to attend university. Snowy had learned to dream again while nurtured and safe with Vlad and Eva. She excels in chemistry and has won several awards for piano and Romanian literature. She dreams of becoming a veterinarian or a teacher.

Snowy’s journey to transformation has not been easy. Vlad told us about some of the horrors she experienced. There were nights before Snowy was exploited that the abuse in her home was so bad she ran and slept in the local cemetery. She figured that would be a place where her biological parents would not think to look for her. Eventually, they sold her for a bottle of wine.

Vlad and Eva said taking in five little souls that have been used and abused has been no small feat, yet they spoke of the deep satisfaction they feel. They shared what an honor it is to bring these kids “back to life” and how they feel it is their calling in life. We can’t imagine the horrors these children have lived through and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for people like Vlad & Eva who are willing to open their hearts and homes to these precious children that have to endure such complex trauma.

Vlad’s eyes filled with tears when he told us he was an orphan who grew up “in the system” himself. His pain is now compelling him to help children that would have been in the same situation, but can now find a place of healing and restoration instead.

“They are like little caterpillars,” Vlad said of his children—including Snowy. He sees their home as the chrysalis, where hard and important work occurs. No one sees the long, arduous process that happens inside the chrysalis. Inside, the little creature is struggling to become a new creation. But it happens. Slowly but surely, it happens. They grow wings and break through, emerging more beautiful than ever before.

That is our hope and prayer for Snowy and her siblings. It takes people like Vlad and Eva to shelter and love survivors. It also takes YOU. To provide homes, education, care, and all that is needed for long-term restoration, we walk alongside survivors for years.

Thank you for being a part of Snowy’s story. In her case, she and her four siblings are on the road to a beautiful future. They have been rescued and are being transformed. They are so grateful and so are we.

Will you help us walk this long road with more survivors like them? Will you give today so that more doors are opened and these beautiful children of the Creator can fly free?

Will You Unlock the Cage for Survivors?

This summer we’ve been giving you tools to Open the Door. You’ve been growing your knowledge about the reality of human trafficking in Europe and around the world.

Many of you have watched our videos and taken our quizzes.

You might have even downloaded our free Bible Study on human trafficking (If not, grab it now!)

Today, we are excited to share a new video with you we filmed earlier this year in Romania. It is the story of the day our Founder, Kim Westfall, was waiting for a friend at an airport and saw something suspicious.

So, what are you going to do with that knowledge? Are you willing to take a step and unlock the cage for trafficking survivors?

Now, that you know—how will you respond?

We are going to be sharing throughout the month of August practical ways YOU can unlock the cage. Don’t miss your chance to join The Freedom Highway and help us make sure we can say, “Slavery No More!”

Today, you have the chance to lift up a trafficking survivor in Romania who is on the road to healing! You have the opportunity to train essential members of the community in anti-trafficking practices that could prevent a life of slavery for countless women and girls. You can help a refugee who fled Ukraine in the war stay safe.

Will you unlock the cage and take a step by giving today?