The IJM team in Cambodia and all of us at HQ here in DC are so very grateful to you for your prayers for last week’s trial. We were especially concerned that there would be delays, and that the girls would be so intimidated by both their trafficker and by the potential presence of family members that they would not feel safe to tell the truth of the violent abuse they have endured. We asked you to pray for these concerns - that the trial would be swift and free of corruption, and that the girls would have great courage.

Your prayers have been answered in full force!
The trial went forward with no delays, and the verdict is scheduled to be announced Christmas Day. Please do pray for the panel of judges in their decision, as well as for the girls and for the IJM Cambodia team on Christmas Day as they receive the verdict.

Below is a report from one of our staff members detailing how the two girls did at trial - clearly, your prayers were so known to these girls. We cannot thank you enough!(Names have been removed to protect the identity of the girls and guard the security of this on-going case)

“The girls did wonderfully with testifying. We were a bit worried at the beginning of the trial, as [the 9-year-old] was terribly anxious and quickly in tears as soon as she saw [the trafficker] walk in the room. I truly believe that it was through the many prayers that were being lifted up that she began to noticeably relax and calm down during the testimonies of both [the trafficker] and [the 16 year-old victim]. While [the16-years-old] testified, [the 9-year old] stood up and watched her closely through her testimony and then followed suit with her own strong testimony. She later told me-- “At first I was crying when I saw [the trafficker] because I was so afraid, but when I saw how brave and strong [the 16 year-old] was in her testimony, I decided- I can do that too!”

“We can also praise God that [the 9 year-old’s] mother did not show up to the trial as she had feared.”