Rahab's Hope -- Asha Bari Update

In my previous post I said that God has been doing many things among the Rahab's Hope ministry. I stand amazed at what has happen in the past year and 1/2. There is so much to give praise for, but I want to keep this short because I know many of you have only a few minutes. So here it goes!

~We have been blessed with a large team of nationals! Recently three national ladies have joined our team (one of them is a former IJM worker and a counselor!) and one "company" woman (who I might add is fabulous, funny and most importantly a COUNSELOR!). So we now have 6 national partners and 3 American women that make up our Rahab's Hope team. The counseling is important for our future hope of a rahabilitation center for women coming out of prostitution and trafficking situations.

~Since we have begun the Rahab's Hope ministry, one and 1/2 years ago, 9 FSW's (flying sex workers) have come to Christ, two of the FSW's moms, and one husband of a FSW! Two church starts have been planted. I say church STARTS because they are far from being healthy churches, but it is a beginning...with lots of growing pains! Discipleship among these women is placed in the hands of our awesome national team, who do an amazing job...however, they are dealing with many psychological issues in these precious women that we are just now learning how to deal with. Much prayer is needed as we go forth in discipling and "brain washing" (as one of my partners calls it) these women. She says "brain washing" because that is exactly what is needed--the Word of God needs to wash their minds of all that they have been through and believed about themselves. It is incredibly difficult for them to believe and grasp that they are truly a new creation in Christ.

~We are in the process of looking for a place to start as a rehabilitation home. Pray for us as we research how to go about this and what is needed. We are excited that we are at the point of NEEDING a home for these women to go to. It would essentially be a place for women to be "rehabilitated" and discipled, learn life skills, job skills and most importantly learn what love really is. A place where they will know the love of their heavenly Father.

~Last month we launched Mukti Network Siliguri. Mukti Network is in Kathmandu, Delhi, and Calcutta (and soon Varanasi). It is a network that allows Christian organizations to come together united in prayer for the exploited women and children. It is also a way for each organization to network and resource others. This was greatly needed in Siliguri as we were finding that there were many other organizations that didn't know about each other and what others were doing. Now, we have all come together as Mukti Network to help each other fight this great evil in our society. We are looking forward to what the future holds for each of us as we work together.

~Upcoming events that we need prayer over: 1.) We have invited other Christian organizations reaching out to exploited women and children to join us in caroling in the Red Light District. This Sunday, December 11th, we will be holding a program INSIDE the RLD where we will share the Christmas story, pass out Jesus Films, sing carols, and give them sweets! Pray that these precious women who are literally trapped in darkness will see with their own eyes the Light that has come to world to save them, may they feel His love and call out to Him for true Rescue. 2.) We are holding a Christmas party for all the non-Christian NGO's, some government officials, lawyers, and police who are involved in anti-trafficking and enforcement of laws that protect exploited women and children. This party is for the purpose of sharing who we, as Rahab's Hope are. We want to share with them what our motivation is for pursuing and redeeming exploited women and children---the love of Christ! Pray that our national partners will present the Gospel clearly and that those who are in positions of influence will follow the One True God...may they change their motivation to protect these women from simply being just a job to actually caring for their souls.