Sporting events are often a hotbed for human exploitation and sex trafficking. For us, the 2023 Super Bowl in Phoenix provided opportunities that changed and are changing lives. Working with great partners from Safe House Project, Avodah Collective, Rescue America and local, state and federal nonprofits and law enforcement, we arrived with our game plan firmly in place. We stopped throughout each day to reach out… to encourage … to provide a way out. We provided roses with a message. We spoke with 30 women at one bus station, many of whom had been sent to the Super Bowl to work. Sadly, stories were often common and predictable. One woman shared that she met an individual online and he offered to let her stay with him. He said she'd be safe with him… but our experience has shown otherwise. We offered her a way out, but as the team was talking with her an SUV pulled up and she ran toward it and jumped in… afraid what might happen to her if she was caught. That was hard. But there were other stories that became blessings to us. We found a tent city spanning blocks outside of the city's homeless shelter. People seemed to be largely without hope or connections to resources. We offered both. Our team moved through the encampment having conversations and offering the Rescue Hotline to women. One woman even left with us on the spot. We also found ways to serve our local partners and their efforts. From providing 20 pairs of leggings, to Uber gift cards, our team worked in ways that were equally efficient and respectful. We asked you to support us in our mission both financially and with prayer. We continue to experience gratitude for both. You joined us on the frontline and together, we saw five women rescued who now have the opportunity for their lives to be changed forever. It won't be easy. It never is. But we know that it can be done, because we've been doing it for two decades. When we hear someone say, "No one has ever stopped to pray with me before," it makes us smile because we have prayer warriors and supporters standing with us all along the way. We're already preparing for Super Bowl LXVIII in Las Vegas. There's room for you on the frontline. Will you join us? |
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