People often ask, “How has the COVID situation changed your ministry or what you do?” As Missionary Associates working with a Project Rescue affiliate home in Finland, not much has changed. The care for survivors of human trafficking is a daily walk towards recovery with the vulnerable and hurting. Just being present and listening is often the open door for us to show God’s love and concern. For some the daily care doesn’t seem to be enough. The changes are slow, and we wonder if God is working. But then He reminds us that His plans for someone are better than ours. Such is the case for Genie, a survivor of abandonment, childhood abuse, and sex trafficking.

Genie came to Rose Home last fall full of anger and fear - fear of her traffickers and fear for her future. While she had been making progress in her recovery, building skills, and becoming more open to discussing God, things didn't really start to change until Sara visited the home. Sara had been a Rose Home volunteer two years ago and did not know Genie. However, they both recognized that they knew each other from somewhere. Sara finally shared that she had stopped to pray with Genie outside of a McDonald's in the summer of 2019. At that time Genie was distressed and looking for ways to get away from the traffickers. Sara told her that even after that one meeting she continued to pray for her to find the right place to go. Genie was so surprised and began to cry at how God had answered Sara's prayer and allowed her to come to Rose Home for recovery. Recently, Genie went to church for the first time! She has a long journey ahead of her, but now she knows that God loves her, thinks about her, and cares about her life.