-
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.
-
“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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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”.
-
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.
-
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!
-
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!
-
No Matter What Has Happened There Is Always Hope
We want to remind all women; no matter what has happened there is ALWAYS hope. The past cannot bind your future because you are conquerors with limitless potential. Your unconditional worth is untainted by any life circumstances.
-
17 Little Ones Are Moving Onto Primary School
It has been pure joy to see them grow every day and watch as the staff shares with them the love of God.
-
Haiti Update
Thank you for praying alongside us for the staff and children of Rapha House Haiti. I am grateful to report that things have been relatively calm in Haiti over the past few days.
-
Urgent Prayer Needs for Haiti
There has been a state of economic emergency declared and the US Embassy has ordered the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel and raised the travel alert for Haiti to a Level 4, the highest level.
-
The Heroes of Today’s World
Padma’s trauma left her feeling timid and discarded by her community. She came to Rapha House with many layers of brokenness. As she was treated by the staff with love and respect, she began to heal and understand that her experiences had no affect on her worth as a person.
-
We Come Here to Serve Them, But We All Leave Forever Change By Them
On a recent trip to Cambodia, our Co-Founder & Executive Director Stephanie Garman Freed experienced a private concert put on for the girls in the Safe House.
-
40.3 Million
An estimated 40.3 million men, women and children are victims of modern slavery on any given day according to a recent study by the Global Slavery Index.
-
Remember Rapha House In Your Year-End Giving
As this year draws to a close, we invite you to remember Rapha House in your year-end giving. Your year-end support means the world to the children we serve...
-
Reflections on the Christmas Season
As I think about this 2018 Christmas season, I do so with a spirit of gratitude for each one of you and for what the Lord has done through your partnership with Rapha House International. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity to the children we are blessed to serve!
-
“This Is Who God Loves”
There are moments in everyone’s life when unforgettable things happen that imprint on your heart forever. For me, this past September was full of those moments at the retreat for the RH girls.
-
Girls Are Gold
There is a Cambodian proverb which states- “Men are gold, women are cloth”. The premise behind this proverb is that you can drop a bar of gold in mud, and it can be picked up, polished off, and made to shine like new. But if cloth is dropped in the mud, no matter how much it is washed and cleaned, it will always be stained.
-
Our Christmas Newsletter Is Here!
Please celebrate and pray alongside us in the great strides which are being made to combat child trafficking and exploitation. Rapha House is grateful for our generous partners who continue to make this work possible.
-
A Walk-A-Thon For Survivors
Plainfield Christian Church (PCC) is a congregation of about 350 people near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Katrina Pratt is a member there, and years ago she wanted to figure out how PCC could partner with Rapha House to love and care for survivors of forced prostitution and sexual exploitation. Her idea? A walk-a-thon.
