Rapha 40/40 Campaign (Week Two)

Forty Ways to Pray to End the Nightmare of Human Trafficking

During our 40/40 campaign, Rapha House is calling upon individuals and churches to pray about this issue of human trafficking. And we are inviting our friends and supporters to donate $40 to Rapha House sometime during these 40 days.

Day 8. Our Father, may a generation of survivors of trafficking become the new freedom fighters who’ll combat this evil and minister to victims who are still being exploited.
Day 9. Lord, we ask that Rapha House will be able to cultivate safe Christian foster care homes for young survivors within their own country.
Day 10. Gracious God, help churches and Christians to embrace this work as the work of the church.
Day 11. Sovereign Lord, may the United States government continue to influence countries to eradicate human trafficking from within their borders.
Day 12. Blessed Creator, may the US staff of Rapha House and the Rapha House Freedom Foundation be visionary in reaching and helping more victims to find healing and freedom.
Day 13. Our Protector, help the Cambodian staff of Rapha House and the Rapha House Freedom Foundation be protected from harm and to work effectively without growing weary in doing good.
Day 14. Father, supply the financial and human resources needed for this work.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15 )

Rapha Launches Its 40/40 Campaign

During our 40/40 Campaign, we’re calling on Christ’s church to respond by praying about the tragedy of human trafficking. And we’re encouraging caring individuals and churches to give forty dollars to Rapha House sometime during the forty days from September 28 to November 6.

Here are some of the 40 Ways to Pray:
1. Father, grant safety and success to the individuals and organizations that are rescuing victims of human trafficking.
2. Lord, allow Rapha House to establish more shelters to serve and care for rescued children.
3. Sovereign God, lead countries to be committed to justice for victims and the abolition of this violation of human rights.
4. Our God, guide Rapha House in creating housing, education and business opportunities that will allow survivors to live independent lives.
5. Lord Jesus, bring emotional healing to survivors.
6. God, raise up quality Christian men and women to serve in the various dimensions of this ministry.
7. Precious Lord, we ask that survivors will come to know Jesus as their Savior and Redeemer.

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. (Psalm 103:6)

Rapha House | P.O. Box 1627 | Joplin, MO 64802

A Day at the Beach

Recently, our girls had an opportunity to spend a couple days at the beach. For some, it was the first time that they had ever seen the ocean. They were excited and enjoyed a chance to spend a day playing and having fun.

Recreation plays an important part in the healing and recovery of our girls. People robbed them of their childhood. We can't give that back. But we can give them the chance to discover what play and carefree moments feel like.

At the Rapha House Freedom Foundation, we believe that our girls must do the hard work of emotional recovery and vocational training. But we also believe that they should have fun and a good time. After all, these girls deserve some happy memories to look back on.

Help Spread the Word About Rapha House

Share the story of Rapha House with your church, group or organization. To request a FREE copy of our new Rapha House DVD, email us at raphahouse@pacbell.net with your mailing address, or write us at Rapha House Freedom Foundation, 6755 Victoria Ave., Riverside, CA 92506. Offer available only within the United States.

What About the Needy Children in Appalachia?

In the lobby at church today, a lady asked me a question. She told me about a conversation with a friend about our work. Her friend said, “What about all the needy children in Appalachia?” And this lady at church wanted to know what to say to her friend.

From my experience, I’ve never heard a compassionate person make this argument. I’ve heard a lot of people who are trying to dodge getting involved say such things. And I’d be interested to see what they’re doing about the needy kids in Appalachia. That’s not to impugn this lady’s motives. Just curious. That’s all.

Second, why should compassion care about borders? If a Canadian child fell into the Niagara River what heartless person would say, “What about the drowning children in America?” Instead, we would applaud those who did something to rescue the child.

Finally, there’s a good reason why Third World countries are called “Third World.” They lack the social and charitable infrastructure that we take for granted here in America. And the scope of human suffering that you’ll find in these countries is shocking. Few American children survive in garbage dumps. And though human trafficking happens within our borders, it nowhere approaches the scope that you’ll find in these places.

Hundreds of thousands of trafficked children are waiting for us to act. They don’t care about this debate. They just want somebody who’ll help. Why shouldn’t that be you?

A Coffee Shop Epiphany

My wife went to one of those ubiquitous coffee shops to order a grande java-chip frappuccino decaf. It looked pretty good. The bill came to $3.85. While I was standing in line, I saw a one-pound bag of Guatemalan Antigua Coffee for $10.99. And that got me thinking.

I don’t drink coffee. And I have no problem with those who do. After all, I’m married to a frappuccino-drinker. But it dawned on me in the coffee shop that for a little less than the price of two pounds of coffee, someone could sponsor for a month a girl who has that has been rescued from human trafficking. That should get us thinking.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying our coffees. They’re a harmless and tasty indulgence. But let’s not forget the children. They’re worth the investment.

Dream Makers

I receive regular progress reports from the manager of our aftercare program. Usually, they’re not that interesting. Don’t get me wrong. They’re vitally important but not very interesting. They include expense reports, status reports and other business items, which are essential to monitoring our work. But what caught my eye on this report was the very last sentence. The manager sums up the girls’ progress, then concludes by writing: “They have their own dreams for their future.”

Think of it. These girls came from circumstances where dreaming only added to their sorrow. They were slaves. Their lives were not their own. They had no hope. No future. But now something precious has awakened in them. And they are dreaming dreams.

As a partner of the Rapha House Freedom Foundation, you are a dream maker. You inspire hope where there was no hope. You help bring to life things that have died. You give these girls the ability to dream. There are plenty of noble callings in life. But few are greater than being a dream maker.