This past August we celebrated the first year anniversary of Agape Restoration Center (ARC). And we’d like to tell you a miracle story about two of our young ladies, Leslie & Brenda. Their names have been changed to protect their privacy & safety.
These two were involved in International Justice Missions'(IJM) first rescue in Cambodia about four years ago. IJM can testify it was one of the worst brothels they have seen, unfortunately one of many such torture houses in Cambodia. Leslie & Brenda were sent to a fairly new aftercare center that closed a short time later due to lack of funds. The director of that facility had to scramble around to find a safe place for them, but all he could find was an overcrowded, understaffed facility. As soon as we opened last year, they were in the first group that came in.
They entered highly traumatized with little hope, and severe trust issues which started with their sale into rape for profit by their parents. These wounds were compounded by the feelings of attachment and detachment resulting from being bounced from center to center in such a short period of time. They came to ARC with a long list of physical, emotional, academic and spiritual needs.
However, our God is a God of promise and One who does more than we can hope or imagine.Through the gifted staff with which He has blessed ARC, the transforming love of Christ has flowed in powerful ways. The girls’ hope has been restored and much, much more.
When Leslie and Brenda entered ARC, they tested at the entry level for 3rd grade. In the past year at the ARC school they completed and passed 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. They are now preparing to enter a private junior high while staying at ARC. Right now the girls’ desire is to complete high school, go on to university and then find work in a non-governmental organization (NGO) that helps people, a place like ARC.
We thank God who is faithful. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ( Eph 3: 20- 21). And we thank you our faithful supporters for allowing God to work through you to make this possible. Please pray for them as this is a major, exciting, but challenging time in their lives. Thank you.