Stephanie's Reflections

During this past week, I have experienced both the highest and lowest extremes of the ministry of Rapha House.

Just a few nights ago, I stood in the shack of a young lady that I love with a maternal passion that I cannot explain. Just one and a half years ago, she lived in our safe house. She was one of the most beautiful girls I have ever known. She loved to sing. She had sparkling eyes. She had a dream to work at RH—to help other girls the way that she had been helped. But the pressure of her impoverished family, combined with a drug addiction she acquired when she was sold at a young age to a brothel, pulled her back into the trap of prostitution. 

I hardly recognize her now. She is emaciated—as though she is a skeleton with skin stretched across. Her once beautiful smile now reveals teeth that have been rotted by the drug she uses. And her arms are covered with scars from cutting herself when the pain is too much to bear. She no longer has a trafficker forcing her into prostitution. Now, her trap is the drug, the despair and the shame. This is the global trap of prostitution. 

We sat together and we both cried. She told me that she has forgotten how to sing. “Please leave this life,” I begged her. “I am so afraid you are going to die. And if you die, my heart will break. Please choose to live.”

I left her dark shack which does not even have a toilet or a water source, and traversed the muddy path back to the main road as I wept and prayed that the Lord would bring her back to the place of safety and hope. I pray that she chooses to live. My heart may break with sadness. I love this girl.

Two days later, I walked down the aisle as an honorary mother in the wedding of another Rapha girl. I have never seen a wedding so full of joy. Once again, I found myself crying as our safe house director (her father figure) walked the bride down the aisle in a beautiful white wedding gown. Her groom, a young man from the local church, wore a giant smile as he watched them come toward him. He promised her, as part of his self-written vows, that he would always love her and take care of her. The bride looked over her shoulder to make eye contact with me. Her beautiful smile speaks volumes. It is a snapshot in my mind which I will treasure for the rest of my life. My heart may burst with joy. I love this girl.