We are so grateful, beyond words, for your prayers.
The operation we were all praying for throughout this past night was a TREMENDOUS SUCCESS! The team in South Asia is finalizing release certificates with the government authorities and moving each former slave into safety and freedom. Please pray for this process throughout the next 24 hours - and check-back for further details tomorrow.
We can also rejoice that two other major operations were successful this week! In another location of South Asia, six people were freed from slavery in a rice mill. And in Cambodia, 12 trafficked women and girls were rescued from a violent brothel. I have posted further details on the Cambodia rescue below.
As always, your words of encouragement (simply use the “comment” function below) are a tremendous source of strength to our staff on the front-lines, and to those who are in the first moments and days of freedom.
CAMBODIA RESCUE
This week our team in Cambodia worked with the local authorities to bring rescue to 12 women and girls, all whom were trafficked into a brothel of particularly violent, sordid conditions. Praise God that each of these women and girls are now safely in aftercare shelters, and by an extraodinary work of God, ALL three suspects in this case have been apprehended into police custody.
IJM aftercare staff learned that many of the girls were beaten regularly. The girls showed IJM staff the scars from beatings. Photos taken of the room in which the girls were held at the brothel reveal a windowless, dark, dirty, small “prison” from which they were not permitted to leave. A staff member said the room “looked fit for rats.” In addition, they were fed only one meal each day. Any other food was to be paid for by the girl to the brothel owner with money they rarely had.
These girls are now FREE. Join the IJM team around the world in praising God and praying for each of these girls, that they would be ushered into new lives of daily healing and restoration, met with care by our God of all love.
I am just thankful and speechless.
was reading/praying this earlier today:
“The sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces… In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.’” Is 25:8-9
Praising God, and thanking Him for sustaining the IJM teams & bringing them success.
To the rescued: We have been, and will continue, praying for you. Praying for your safety, healing and restoration. Praying that God fills you with hope, joy, and peace.
To the rescuers: I am continually in awe of how steadfast, determined and faithful you are to such a unique and difficult work. I am grateful that God continues to bring you success. Praying that He re-energizes you and continues to keep you safe.
I never tire of hearing the great news of freedom to captives! Thank you for your dedication to this work and Praise the Lord for his mighty power - may light continue to shine and darkness continue to flee.
Thank you for your dedication to justice in Christ’s name. It is nice to hear the stories of real-life super heroes!
Thank you for what you’re doing. We stand with you in prayer. You’re not only rescuing the lives of the victims but you’re also strengthening the faith and prayer life of people like me. God bless you and place a hedge of protection around you and all the captives and freed-people.
May Gods Arms encircle you as you do the work of his heart .
Amen!! Celebrating with each one of you…
You know, I know waking up on the other side of the world and hearing how prisoners have been set free, reading about how the light of justice and hope has shone into the lives of those who thought they would never see it. And I love how justice is brought to the perpetrators of violence. I love how the Gospel has brought hope and transformation to cities and communities.
It makes my day.
Shalom to you, in you and through you,
Dave Groenenboom
It is such a privilege to pray for the teams and those they rescue and to see the mighty hand of God at work. Thank you for your dedication. PRAISE GOD. Continuing to pray that those you have rescued may know the joy of living as free children of God.
What a celebration! Thank you IJM staff and GLORY be to God. We continue to pray for each of the individuals rescued and involved in the rescue. May God continue to redeem every aspect of what you have seen and endured
We had a night of student-led worship tonight. The word justice kept coming up throughout the songs, and I couldn’t help but praise God will ALL my might. After reading theses victory stories, I am always very encouraged and grateful.
Thank you, Jesus, for your redemption and rescue! Father, please be with these rescued girls.
YES!!! Thank you LORD for showing us that you agree with IJM’s mission to rescue the oppressed by providing such tremendous success in these recent rescue missions! Please Lord continue to pour out your power and love to the IJM staff around the world as they continue to respond to your call to bring freedom to people everywhere. What beautiful redemption you have offered these precious people! We glorify you, as we see Your hand over all of this! Thank you IJM staff for your obedience to God’s call on your life! What a beautiful way to be the hands and feet of Christ!
Lord, you know this doesn’t end here, that these people need you to show up and help them in their newfound freedom. Draw them close, Lord, reveal your grace and love to them. Protect them from being exploited again. Help them to feel secure and safe and worthy of the hope they now have overflowing in their hearts. Thank you, Jesus!
Tears come to my eyes as I think of the trauma these victims have endured. I am praying for the process they will need to go through to recover and for those who are working with them. Thanks be to God for the success and for the Spirit who is working within those on the front lines, may they be filled with strength and courage.
THANK YOU! KEEP STANDING STRONG!
Isaiah 1
Thank you so much for your hard work and your commitment to bringing freedom to those who are held captive. I praise God for how He has used you.
More of the fatherless defended (Isa 1:17), more liberty to the captives (Isa 61:1), more of the breach repaired (Isa 58:12). Thank you for your diligence, thank you for being obedient in the hard things in God’s calling, thank you for ALL you did during this operation.
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind of the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”
I praise God for the work you all are doing! Praying for you as you continue to serve and bring freedom and justice to many.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. ~2 Chronicles 16:9
He is above all powers! Just trust
We are praying for your strengh and for doors to open.
praying for His sustaining strength and courage during this trial.
Joshua 1:9
It is an honor to lift you up in prayer. Keep up the good work. I pray that God will give you strength, patience and wisdom to do the work he has for you to do. With great admiration, Julie