For the past three years Brett and I have been involved in a ministry called Pivot. They exist “to pivot women and children globally from sexual slavery and exploitation to freedom.” The Lord has led us to the country of Colombia. We are preparing to open our first safehouse there. A group of us went out there to talk to the women who desperately need to go to a safehouse. 

I Was Nervous

I was nervous about going to Colombia because as a foreigner all you hear is about how dangerous that country is. Also, I was nervous because all the work is done late at night. We would leave around 9pm and get home about 1am. Being that I normally shut down around 9pm and just don’t do well doing things at night, I was worried I would be useless when we were ministering to the women. I asked the Lord to give me supernatural energy while we were there. He answered my prayer! I wasn’t tired at all the whole time we were there even though we were up early and went to bed late.

Thursday Happenings 

We arrived in Medellín on Thursday afternoon. We got settled and had dinner before going out to the square (they call it a park) to pray and see what it’s like. It was WAY out of my comfort zone. There were people and loud noises everywhere. It’s the kind of environment that I would feel uncomfortable in no matter if it was all Christians there or not. I just don’t feel comfortable in large, noisy crowds (probably because I really enjoy the one on one encounters).

Anyway, the front part was like outdoor restaurants with couples and people hanging out eating and drinking. The farther back we went, the more we saw people just standing around. There were girls standing around in skimpy clothing, who were the very girls we went to minister to. There were also lots of bars and clubs back there, and they had guys outside trying to funnel people inside their clubs. It felt chaotic and spiritually heavy in that area. 

After we walked and prayed in the square, we had to walk back to the house we rented. Medellín is in the mountains, and as such the streets are all very steep. The way home was all uphill. I literally wasn’t sure I was going to make it back without a break! I’m pretty sure I was the one who was the least physically fit on this trip. Everyone was either military, former military, did crossfit, or lived in the region. Thankfully I made it without making the group stop for me! I admit it was totally my pride that made me not stop! 

Adventure Friday

Friday morning we got up and Kate had hired a personal chef to come in and cook for us. He made all the dinners, all the breakfasts, and one lunch for us. His name is Chuck. He came from Venezuela and lived in Bogotá for a while. He was a chef at one of the best restaurants in Bogotá. It was in the top 5 for several years while he worked there. He came to Medellín because he wants to open his own restaurant. He needs an investor and a place to rent. We are praying for the right people and the right place to come to him soon, and he will see it is God who made it all happen.  

In the afternoon we took a field trip to ride a gondola up the mountain. To get there we had to walk to the Metro (not sure what they call it). The walk to the Metro station was all downhill. The hill was really, really steep! So steep it started bothering my knees, but it was all good! The gondola ride was beautiful! They use gondolas as part of their public transportation. Thankfully we got a ride back to the house so we didn’t have to climb that steep hill!

The Next Adventure

When we got back from the gondola ride, there were a few of us who needed to use the bathroom. Kate found out there was a bakery with a public bathroom. We went there and ordered a bunch of pastries and used the bathroom. It was actually really clean and nice. The only thing missing was a sink and soap! I just asked the Lord to supernaturally clean my hands!

When we got home, we had some down time. I ended up taking a nap, and Simon and John visited a brothel that was suggested by a driver to Kate. They just went there to scope things out. We decided this trip was not the trip to focus on that particular place. Perhaps the Lord will lead them back there in the future. However, we got some good information about that place that will likely prove fruitful in the future. 

Going Out

That afternoon before we left for the night, Brett and I did a devotional. We spoke about one of the names of God, Jehovah Gibbor, from my “Who is God” study. We also sang a couple praise and worship songs and spent time in prayer. It was powerful!

Then it was time to go out and do what we came there for. The way it works is this: teams of two men go out to the square, praying for the Lord to lead them to talk to the right girls. The guys offer to pay for their time, making it clear that they just want to talk and feed them. The guys bring them back to the ministering women who are waiting at a restaurant. We offer them pizza and pay them for their time afterwards. Having the ladies talk to the girls allows them to relax a bit as women are less intimidating than the men can be. 

After dinner we left the house and walked back to the square. The girls went to the pizza place where this amazing waiter was waiting for us. He was excited we were there and after Kate talked to him we were led to the patio. There was a speaker with loud music on it right over my head. I asked if we could see about turning the music down. Thankfully that speaker is not connected to the main speakers so he turned the sound down to almost off. I felt like I was supposed to sit with Kate the first night. We were at one booth and Heidi was at the other. A few minutes later John and Simon came back with 2 girls. The girls said they were friends. 

The Newbie

As it turned out, that was the first night one of the girls was out there and we were her first “clients.” It was clear the other girl had been doing this for longer though she said she had only done it a few times. Simon told Kate to tell the girls the guys didn’t want sex. When the newbie heard that you could see the relief wash over her. She relaxed and smiled for the first time. She said she was going home after that and would spend some of the money on groceries and save the rest for a cab to church the next day. 

Each time girls came, Kate would ask about the girls – do they have kids, how long they have been working, what they would like to do if they could do anything. She just wanted the girls to tell their story. I love that! Then she would tell them about the safe house in Bogotá.

The Common Roadblock

The most difficult hurdle for these girls will be their family. Several of them weren’t sure if they could go because they are afraid of leaving their family. Many of them said they were the sole supporters of their family. Almost all of the girls had at least one child, most had more than one but I didn’t hear anyone say they had more than 3 kids. Most of the girls said they only did this work because they needed to support their kids. Although there were one or two that said they liked the money too. Obviously, if the girls have children, they can bring them to the safehouse. 

The girl who was there for the first time ever told us she needed money to get diapers and milk for her baby. Clearly she was desperate or she would never have been there that night. I believe God allowed her to get that desperate so she could meet us. Of all the girls we talked to I feel most connected to her. She still has an innocence to her, and I believe would do really well in our program.

Saturday Night

We invite all the girls to church on Saturday night. I didn’t think anyone came since there wasn’t anyone there when church started. During worship the Lord clearly spoke to me and told me that Brett and I were to take this girl to the grocery store and buy her anything she wants. I replied, “Ok Lord, you know I will be happy to do that. How am I supposed to do that if she isn’t here? I don’t know how to find her. If this is really from you I need you to bring her here.”

A few seconds later the song ended and I looked over to see Kate talking to someone. I looked to see who it was and it was that girl! I then found the opportunity to tell Kate and Simon what the Lord told me. My heart was to submit what was told to me to the leaders and allow them to discern more of how to go about obeying the Lord.

At the end of the service I felt like I really just needed to give her money because I thought it would be difficult for them to get the groceries back home. Kate actually said the exact same thing. I asked her how much I should give the girl. She started to think and I said, “If we were home I would give them $100.” Her eyes got big and she said that was too much. I figured as much, but I just wanted her to know what would be typical for us in these situations. She suggested we half it and give her $50, and then converted it to pesos.

Giving The Blessing

After church I walked over to the girl and her mom and handed them the money. I asked Kate to tell them what the Lord told me, and she did. Their eyes got big and the girl hugged me like 3-4 times. I know she was so happy to have her and her baby’s needs met.

By the way, she had literally the cutest baby ever! She loved church and sang with the music. She was 10 months old and so full of life. I can tell this girl is a really good mom! There is no doubt in my mind the Lord wants her to go to the safehouse. I pray her mom will encourage her to go and she will see how much of a benefit this opportunity will be for her and her family. I also pray God will continue to protect her from being defiled. It will be amazing to hear how God continues to provide for this girl and her baby just like he did this weekend. I can’t wait to see her again!

She Is Alone

We spoke to several girls over the course of two days. Another girl who stands out to me is one we spoke to on the first night. She came to Colombia from Venezuela. She is 18 and has a one year old baby and was also raising her 12 and 6 year old sisters. Her mom died of cancer a couple of years ago, and she was all alone. She is also one I feel strongly that the Lord wants her at the safehouse. I pray she will come too! 

I asked the Lord to give me words for each of the girls. He gave me pretty much the same main message for all of them. He wanted them to know he sees them and loves them, and we love them too. I was also told to tell them I think they are brave and I admire that in them. There was a girl on Saturday night that I felt like I was supposed to tell her how I got married and had to leave my family, and even though it was hard at the time it turned out to be the best thing for me and my family is happy I left. She was confused why I had to leave, and told her my husband got a job in another state. 

Pray For Us

There were more stories that I just don’t have the time to tell here. At the end of the day, I am so thankful the Lord asked me to go on this trip. It will be amazing to see the fruit that comes from this trip, and the ones to come. I encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting this ministry. I can honestly say these guys are doing the work of being the hands and feet of Jesus. If you can’t afford to support financially, will you at least pray for us? Pray the Lord will continue to direct us to the right leaders for the safehouse, the right place for the safehouse, and for the right girls to come? We appreciate all the prayers. They are needed and the Lord promises: ”… The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.“ ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭16b‬ (‭ESV)‬‬