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Because of Hope
Many of you are asking how this crisis is affecting the children we serve internationally. We want you to know that we are actively taking precautions and implementing extensive protocols to protect our staff and the children in our care, knowing that there is little access to healthcare in most of the developing areas where we are working.
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I Fight Slavery: Fon’s Story
Overwhelmed by her family’s situation, Fon ran away to live with friends. However, her relief was short-lived when it came time to pay rent. Seeing her desperate situation, Fon’s male friend who owned the apartment persuaded her to begin selling herself for sex on Facebook. She felt she had no choice.
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I Fight Slavery: Lin’s Story
Lin lost her mother as a child. Her dad committed suicide. Her brother was financially struggling. Lin worked 17 hour days for less than $20. She felt she had no choice.
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“My name is Amanda, and this is My Rapha Story.”
She was quiet but kept a smile on her face. She held tightly onto my hand during one of the group prayers. I remember thinking about the trauma she may have experienced, and in that moment I couldn’t contain my tears.
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Awareness to Action
At some point, awareness must move to action, knowledge to engagement, and education to change. Rapha International says that point is now. What do you say?
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“My name is Brittnay, and this is My Rapha Story.”
In November of 2018, I attended the International Conference on Missions. Almost every speaker over the course of three days touched on the idea that “your calling is where the world’s pain and your passion meet.” All I could think of in those moments was Rapha International.
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“My name is Molly, and this is My Rapha Story.”
As a 16-year-old in high school, doubtful that the Lord could use me, I never would have dreamed all that would come from that little whisper in my heart telling me to go to Cambodia.
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Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Fon felt hopeless about her future and at 14 years old she ran away, leaving her family penniless. Her only focus was surviving the month, and within hours this young teen’s childhood ended.
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“I Was a Rapha Girl”
Sitting in my bedroom in early November while scrolling through my Facebook feed, I landed on a post that took my breath away. Sophorn, a former Rapha girl, who is walking in freedom and is now in early adulthood, was using her birthday to raise funds for Rapha!
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Five Bucks and the Widow’s Mite
Before we parted, I asked this young woman if it would be alright if I gave her a hug. She hesitated momentarily before nodding her approval. Later, she wrote to me, “Your hug was scary, but I knew that God was saying- daughter, you are loved and you are enough.”
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Marching in Thailand
These girls, once victims, had become survivors. Moreover, they had become thrivers, who were now using their voices on behalf of others.
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Lainie and Lalaine’s “My Rapha Story”
Their example shows how anyone who is willing can use their God-given abilities and the platform available to them to fight for something bigger than themselves. They are freedom fighters. We are so thankful for the support and passion of these girls and all that they have done for the children of Rapha International!
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Christmas Newsletter 2019
The title of our Christmas Newsletter this year is, "Joyful All Ye Nations Rise!" Let us rise together hand in hand as we fight for freedom! Click to view the 2019 Christmas Newsletter!
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Rapha House is now Rapha International!
As we honor the first 15 years of our work together and the firm foundation which has been built, we are excited to announce that Rapha House is transitioning our name to Rapha International! Our mission remains the same- to end the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children, one child at a time- through aftercare for survivors, prevention for the vulnerable and awareness for all. And our very big vision is to see all children living in sustainable freedom within safe communities. Our commitment from the beginning remains our commitment now: Rapha International helps you combat child slavery and sexual exploitation through healing, hope and freedom.
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“We want this work to be our legacy.”
Recently, some longtime partners spent a day with us at our headquarters in Joplin, Missouri, going through the strategic plan for Rapha International and gaining a deeper understanding of our programs, challenges, and achievements. This couple was especially inspired by our vision for an endowment fund, which would provide healing, hope, and freedom, not only for the children we are serving today but also for the children who will need these life-saving services in the future.
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Cambodia Medical Trip
In January, our first short term Rapha House International medical-dental team went to Cambodia – a country with a high disease burden, widespread poverty, lack of clean water, little sanitation, and inadequate nutrition. This team of dedicated professionals and pre-med students provided exceptional mercy care through daily mobile clinics. Extending mercy care is a tangible way for Rapha House International medical teams to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.
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2018 Annual Report
The Rapha story is your story. Each story of a girl who was once trapped in slavery, and who experiences healing, hope, and freedom in our aftercare programs is a story you made possible. With you at our side, Rapha International looks forward to the next 15 years with great anticipation. Together we will end the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children- one child at a time.
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Healing Hands Art Center
Rapha is excited to announce that the Healing Hands Art Center has recently been launched on our aftercare campus in Thailand! A team of professional designers, several of whom previously worked together on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, also designed and launched art centers for our two Cambodia aftercare campuses three years ago. These art centers have become the “crown jewel” of our programs and campuses. Art is often a key component in laying the groundwork for trauma counseling, and these beautifully designed centers invite broken hearts to open in creativity and self-expression.
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Pursuing Dreams
Four brave survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking would like to share with you how your consistent support has impacted them. These very personal testimonies are their own words for how your faithful investment has changed the trajectory of their lives.
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Memorial to Helen J. Sizemore
Helen J. Sizemore, of Atlanta, GA was a woman far more remarkable than words here can do justice. She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a teacher and mentor to more than can be numbered. She helped the church know the Lord better and follow him more closely through a host of different means. We share her example with you because of her love and legacy for survivors of sexual exploitation and slavery—the girls Rapha House is privileged to love and serve. She loved them, and not only in life, nor only in word. She loved them indeed, and she loves them still.
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Mother’s Day
“I was 5 when I began trafficking drugs for my mother and was put in danger. Now I just want my mother to know that no matter what she has done, I will always love her. I know this because no matter what I have done, God loves me”.
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Making Safe Choices in Today’s Digital World
We are so grateful for yesterday's opportunity to host St. Peter's Catholic Middle School of Joplin, MO at our Rapha House headquarters! Twenty-eight amazing seventh graders from and their two teachers visited to learn about modern-day slavery and warning signs they can recognize when students or their peers are in an unsafe situation.
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The Power of College Students to Affect Change
Co-founder and Executive Director Stephanie Freed recently spoke at the Counter Trafficking Training and Awareness event hosted by Johnson University. We believe in the power of college students to affect change, and we have seen it happen! Thank you, Johnson University, for fighting alongside us!
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A Change of Heart
It can be very difficult to become a Christian in Khmer culture because of all the pressure from family, friends, and community. However, because of the love of our heavenly Father, this family has gone from a Buddhist faith to Christian faith. What an amazing work God has done in this family through Kids Club and the church in Cambodia!
