March 19, 2008

Rahab’s Rope Update

Where do I begin? We have just returned from an incredible trip to India! I am amazed at what all God has done and what He is doing at the women’s center. I believe the group of girls and women we now have will set the model for our future. There is a spirit of unity and fellowship that we have not seen before existing among the women. They are truly working as a team to encourage each other in their vocational skills as well as their spiritual development.

As much as they are now a team they are also individuals with their own individual heartbreaking stories to tell. I wish I could share them all so you could feel as though you know each one. They are all so precious as they are learning to trust; to trust us and trust God. I will share with you the story of Mary. Mary came to our center only a couple of months ago. She says she is 22 but looks as though she is about 14. Mary was abandoned when she was 3 years old and lived most her life in an orphanage. When she was a young teen a man came to her and told her he wanted to marry her. This man took her to live in one room where he used and abused her and brought others to do the same then he left her. Mary tried to commit suicide twice because of the life she had been forced to live. She had no hope and was now an outcast. One of our women found her, told her about Rahab’s Rope and brought her to the center. Once at the center she again tried to commit suicide. She was about to jump from our three-story rooftop when one of our staff members found her and grabbed her just in time. From that point the staff kept her close by and roomed her in one of their rooms. Through prayer and counseling Mary received the Lord and now walks around with a beautiful smile and hope of going to school for business/commerce.

It is always wonderful to spend time with the women at the center working on various skills that they are being taught. There is great fulfillment, on my part, to see their faces light up when they have learned something new or finished a project well. Many of them feel proud of what they have done for the first time in their lives. It gives them a sense of purpose and value that they have never experienced. The sweetest times are when we sit and share from God’s word and tell them how much He loves them. They are always so eager to learn more about Him, they are so full of questions. It is amazing to watch them open up and feel safe to share their story, as they know when the truth is known about them they are still accepted and loved. They weep first with tears of sadness but then with tears of love and joy. This week we had the privilege of seeing four of our women receive the Lord into theirs lives. It was incredible for me, as I have been watching these particular girls grow in every area of their lives for the last couple of years. It was a blessing to be a part of that day in their lives. I sat there that day watching their faces as they watched and saw the servant attitude of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ poured out to them by our team. You must first understand that many of our ladies walk and take two or three buses for up to two hours just to get to the center, every day. Their feet are dirty, cracked and calloused. One of our team members, Linda, shared how Jesus came to love and serve and washed the disciple feet. Linda chose one lady to wash her feet, when Linda finished the lady got on the floor and kissed Linda’s feet. The scene and spontaneous reaction was more than can be explained. One by one the team washed the feet of each woman at Rahab’s Rope. I cannot capture in words what our hearts felt or what transpired in those few minutes. All I know is the presence of the Lord was in that place and four precious women received Him because they had just seen a picture of Him.

The Light of Jesus is burning bright among this group of women and is spreading. It is so exciting to watch God work and transform lives! We would love for you to be a part of what God is doing with the women of Rahab’s Rope. I will send another letter in a few days listing many new and exciting opportunities that are in front of us and ways you can participate. Thank you for your prayers!

May mercy, grace and peace be yours in abundance, Vicki

Rahab's Rope

P.O. Box 907308

Gainesville, Ga. 30501

770-287-5218