Note of Care: This post contains description of child trafficking from a survivor, which could be triggering. If you prefer, scroll to the bottom to see how LFTI supporters are helping survivors THRIVE.
Are there days in your life that you look back on and realize everything changed (for good or bad)?
For a boy named Rakesh in South Asia, one of those days was Christmas 1998.
Rakesh’s dad was a Christian pastor. Rakesh remembers, “We didn’t have much, but our table was always full. My sister Kanika and I were best friends! Our family was very happy – until December 25, 1998.”
Rakesh and Kanika woke up to rocks being thrown through the windows. Their dad hid them in the outdoor bathroom.
Rakesh did not know it at the time, but a religious riot was breaking out.
After a few tense minutes, the door was broken down. Two men pulled them out.
They saw their parents being beaten. Terrified, they screamed and tried to help. But the men said to shut up, putting hands over their mouths.
Rakesh says, “Eventually, my mom and dad stopped moving. My father said Jesus would come when we asked, but where was He when we needed Him most?”
Unfortunately, things only got worse – the protestors sold them to a brothel. Sadly, this can be common after riots.
Rakesh and Kanika clung to each other, holding hands in a van. As long as Kanika was with him, Rakesh knew he could hold on. After a few hours, a man made Kanika get out. Rakesh pleaded to go with her, but they drove away, leaving Kanika behind.
This level of trauma is unimaginable.
Rakesh says, “I was taken to a brothel for boys. I was raped many times. I cried out to Jesus, but nothing changed. I didn’t know what to do except survive.”
I know this is hard to read. But it is the reality of what trafficked kids can go through – and why YOU are vital in the mission to help them.
Because the second fateful day in Rakesh’s life came – the day he was rescued.
Rakesh reflects, “I remember I got hot lemon rice and a boiled egg. I pretended my mom cooked it for me. At the home, I got soap, a towel, and fresh clothes. I was so glad to see a pillow for the first time in years, just like in my old house.”
And, a few years ago, in his early twenties, Rakesh attended church and something AMAZING happened. He says:
“A beautiful girl was playing a tambourine and singing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. My birth mother taught me that song, so I was crying.
“After her performance, the girl said, ‘If my singing made you cry, I’m sorry, but at least you gave me real feedback.’ We laughed, and I knew she was special.”
It wasn’t long before they were engaged, then married! Rakesh says it’s because of her that his relationship with Jesus has been renewed. She even baptized him!
Today, Rakesh works as a chemical engineer. And, he and his wife recently welcomed their first child, a daughter.
Her name is Kanika.
To this day, Rakesh and his wife often cook lemon rice and eggs, especially around this time of year. Rakesh says to him, that meal represents freedom.
And, Rakesh helps LFTI counselors serve rescued children! He says, “I thought I was beyond help, but I wasn’t. I want the same for kids now, to know they can overcome. I still have bad days, but helping is now part of my healing.”
There are so many children like Rakesh who need to know they are WORTH SAVING and can have a beautiful future.
As I write this, over 4,000 kids are being helped by LFTI. After years of input from survivors like Rakesh, LFTI now places children with their families first, then they come together to the transition homes. This saves resources and fosters bonding with parents.
That said, there are still many mouths to feed, school supplies to buy, and medicines to purchase.
To address this, LFTI critically needs $248,000 by December 31.
That is why I am asking you to make a generous year-end gift to Life for the Innocent.
As a jumpstart, a few families anonymously pooled their Christmas donations and already gave $73,000! So we have lots of momentum!
Will you join with a year-end gift of $1,500, $500, $250, or an amount right for you? ($1,500 is the average cost to provide all services for one child.)
Thank you for considering it. No matter what, God is using you in the lives of children like Rakesh. So, if you look back on this year, you can reflect on the hope you made possible this Christmas!
