God Is In This House

Although today wasn't full of activity, it was still meaningful and gave me another opportunity to meet with two more women (new friends) serving God with all of their hearts - one using her skills/experience as a physician's assistant to make medical professionals (especially hospitals - ER nurses and doctors) aware of trafficking and how they can help women in need while the other is Out of Darkness' director of residential services (i.e. safe houses), who seeks the leading of the Holy Spirit in everything she says and does to help women.  I'm blessed to now call them my friends, sisters-in-Christ and fellow abolitionists!

Judy, the physicians assistant, has led Out of Darkness' Medical Outreach for almost a year. She gave some really good insight as to the number of women, being trafficked, who seek medical attention each year and more importantly, the different medical issues/conditions that doctors and nurses should look for/consider in order to identify someone who is being trafficked. Not only are they trained to look for certain medical conditions, but are also provided with questions they can ask the girl/woman to determine if trafficking is present as well as procedures/protocols to follow to assess the situation and how to respond (i.e. calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline number so the appropriate law enforcement can be contacted).  Judy said many times after she gives a presentation/training, a nurse or doctor will think back to a girl/woman they treated in the past and realize she was or could have been trafficked.  It's the awareness they now have, according to Judy, that can help save a girl's life. I'm thankful there are people like Judy who are using their job skills to bring awareness of modern day slavery and to encourage others to take action.

Miss Mel is Out of Darkness' Director of Residential Services and has this beautiful heart/soul/spirit for the Lord and for women in need. Mel is responsible for overseeing the two safe/transitional houses where women rescued from the streets can stay anywhere from 5-21 days before moving into a long-term care program. Mel shared a lot of information about starting and operating a safe house this evening to a small group of us (me, Judy from Macon and four women from Corpus Christie).  There is too much detail to share in this blog, but I will say this much - WE NEED SAFE HOUSES LIKE THESE IN INDIANA. I will also say this, Mel made a point that had not resonated with me until tonight - you cannot rescue a woman from the streets and immediately put her in a long-term care program. There is a transitional period that must take place in order for a woman's needs to be assessed (i.e. she may need to detox from drugs/alcohol) and the structure of the house must be flexible enough that it gives the woman time to adjust to her "new life". Women coming off the streets need time for rest, to eat (many of them are malnourished), learn how to live with structure (i.e. rules), etc. before entering a long-term program. Out of Darkness opened their second safe house yesterday and had 4 women in the house before the day ended!  The hand of God is moving among the streets of Atlanta and the favor of God is shining brightly on the staff and volunteers of Out of Darkness.  God is in this house (I should say houses since they now have two) indeed!

One more thing, I spoke with Mel prior to our meeting tonight and shared my heart with her and this desire to see the "big picture" of the ministry she and I, along with many others, have been called to.  Tonight, she took time to share what that "big picture" looks like for Out of Darkness and I took many notes. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed (in a good way) of the valuable insights God is giving to me, so I'm trusting Him to help me sort it all out and know what the next steps are for F.R.E.E. Indiana.

Tomorrow is a full day of meetings (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the "official" Out of Darkness training (they have over 200 people attending the training - wow!) starts tomorrow evening.  Stay tuned for tomorrow night's blog!