“Me, a princess?!”… I think we all know the next line of this iconic Princess Diaries moment. Can you imagine being Mia Thermopolis? Having a long-lost relative (and Julie Andrews, for that matter) tell you that you are royalty in some faraway country? I think most of us would have the same reaction as Mia.
What about being the son or daughter of The King of the universe? Because while The Princess Diaries is the story of a fictional princess in a fictional country, this statement is true: You are an heir of God, a co-heir with Christ.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:17
For the girls who come into our Restoration Home in Cambodia, we get to have a Queen Clarisse – Princess Mia moment. We get to tell them, often for the first time, that they are the daughter of THE King during our Princess Ceremonies.
In 2022, we celebrated Princess Ceremonies for 36 girls who were welcomed into the AIM Restoration Home (ARH) with a crown, a party, and a promise – that they are loved by God and are His children. Along with the ceremony, each girl received a set of belongings all to herself, along with a lock box to keep them in. This is a special gift to show the girls they have privacy and safety at ARH, something that may have been taken away from them in the past.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
During the Princess Ceremony, AIM staff explains to the girls what the true definition of love is – how God intended it to be. For those who have been trafficked, especially by someone who is close to them, the word “love” can be tainted. We want to share this 1 Corinthians kind of love with all those we serve at ARH. The Princess Ceremony signifies the start of a beautiful, albeit difficult, journey of healing and hope for survivors. It is truly a celebration of God’s love for each of His daughters.
Throughout the past year, many survivors have come through the doors of ARH. It is an honor to care for them and teach them about the love Christ has for them. One survivor, in particular, came through our doors apprehensive of the whole process. The staff continued to build relationships with her by genuinely listening to her fears and reluctance as well as her desire for a different life. As they learned more, the staff shared that there were many different options for her future – not only for just her but for her family as well! They worked together to find a path that worked for her and she found a secure job that could help provide for her and her family while she stayed at ARH!
Vocational training at ARH can open up opportunities to young women as they prepare for their lives outside of AIM’s care. Some are hesitant to step out of their comfort zone during vocational training. We have all been there – when you are trying out a new skill, job, or hobby, it takes time to overcome the feeling that you don’t know what you’re doing! For the girls at ARH, these same struggles can discourage them from moving forward. However, our staff is intentional with how they support survivors through their fears and encourage them in their strengths. As they begin to see their worth and value, we see young women embrace the challenges and see success in their training! In fact, in 2022, 17 survivors finished their vocational training and secured employment outside of ARH. From sewing to salon work to working in a cafe, these employment opportunities are a part of the healing journey and help equip each woman to live a life of freedom!