What’ s Happening

(Photo cred: Family Christian via Facebook) Family Christian has partnered with Destiny Rescue to open a restoration home in the Dominican Republic.

In fact, a lot of young women and girls are brought across the border from Haiti into the Dominican Republic for this reason.

It’s a sad truth that’s been encouraged by both the deep poverty in these two countries and the high tourism the Dominican Republic experiences.

But even in the dark corners of the world, where incredible evil prevails, God is still at work.

Making a Difference

A couple of years ago, Family Christian partnered with Destiny Rescue, to help girls coming out of the sex trade by sharing the Gospel and providing a safe environment to heal. Steve Biondo, with Family Christian, says,

“Destiny Rescue is a powerful, worldwide organization that pursues the restoration of children who are enslaved in the illicit sex trade, or in some other way, trafficked against their will. Potentially in forced labor.”

For these girls and women coming out of the sex trade or forced labor, their skills are few. Their family relations are often damaged, and they themselves have experience brokenness to a nearly unimaginable degree. They need time, healing, and genuine love. That’s where a safe, restoration home is needed.

A Safe Place

“These are safe homes, a safe home, that is operated by Destiny Rescue. Competent social workers, medical staff, and care providers who receive girls who have been trafficked in the trade, and then care for them on five dimensions,” Biondo explains. “They care for them spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and intellectually [and socially.]”

The restoration home, Dominican Republic Restoration Home, is the result of Destiny Rescue’s partnership with Family Christian and the support of Family Christian’s staff and customers. The work for this home began nearly two years ago in November of 2014.

During nine days of fundraising, Family Christian raised more than $166,000, covering the $150,000 needed to establish Destiny Rescue and this restoration home in the Dominican Republic. The remaining funds have been used to cover the home’s first year operating costs. Then in 2015, a year after the initial fundraiser, the ground work began and Destiny Rescue was finally in-country.

Restoration

(Photo cred: Family Christian via Facebook)

But the restoration home isn’t only a safe place, it’s a place where these girls can encounter Jesus and truly learn what it means to be loved and whole once more.

Biondo shares the story of when the first girl who came to the restoration home, who was so broken, but then she encountered Christ’s love.

“She just became this young girl of joy. She was discovering she’s a new creature in Christ and that she’s not defined by what had happened to her, but she is now defined by what has been done for her because of Jesus’ death and sacrifice and the cross and His resurrection,” Biondo recalls.

This girl, who had experienced so much trauma, was discovering she has a heavenly dad who loves her more than an earthly father ever could. And it has been this love that has flipped her world upside down.

Now, this girl shares the goodness of Christ and his healing with every other girl who comes into this home. But because of her past and the things she’s experienced, she offers something to these girls no one else in the home really can. She offers credibility. And she’s using that credibility to share the bright and shining light of the hope found in Christ.

So if you would, pray for the girls entering this home, for their safety and transformation. Pray for them to encounter Christ and for their hearts to open up to the Gospel. And pray for these girls to heal. For them to realize their identity as a daughter of the King and just how loved each of them truly is.

To get involved or learn more about this restoration home, click here!

A safe home (Photo courtesy of Peter Everett)

DR (MNN) — Tremendous need often brings people together to find a solution. It’s no different when you look at the trafficking situation in the Dominican Republic.

Family Christian Stores recognized the need and contacted someone who had the means to begin confronting the sex trade. Their partnership is expanding Destiny Rescue’s 14-year ministry into Central America.

Destiny Rescue, an internationally recognized, Australian-based organization, has been working in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia, India, Laos, and the Philippines. They rescue children who are forced and trapped in the sex trade. Since 2011, they’ve rescued over 1,200 children.

The process

Peter Everett of Destiny Rescue explains what they do.

They begin by sending in undercover agents and workers to identify victims of the sex trade.

Depending on the number of cases identified in a single operation, they then do one of two things after identification.

In some cases they do what’s called a soft rescue where they contact individuals, get them away from immediate danger, and offer to rescue them. Then, they pray with the victims and hope they will accept the offer.

“They’re really broken down to a point where they don’t trust anybody, so it’s very difficult, in some cases, to get these girls out,” Everett says.

By getting the girl or boy alone with their team, Destiny Rescue provides an opportunity for the mentality of hopelessness to be broken.

The other option is to get the trafficking police involved and conduct a raid. These raids vary in size. Last year in Bangkok, Destiny was able to rescue 22 girls in one raid.

Once out of sex slavery, the children are taken to a safe house where they meet with counselors, social workers, and case workers as well as the house parents.

The next step is to engage patiently in the painful process of healing. The workers do what they can to love the victims and provide for their emotional and spiritual needs.

Eventually, the victims will start vocational training, to help the victims be able to support themselves. Some areas of training include cosmetology, working in cafes, jewelry making, sewing, even screen-printing. Destiny helps with job placement, as well.

Destiny doesn’t just want to take them out of their situation; to end it there leaves the victims at a high risk of going back to that lifestyle again. They want to give the victims of sex slavery the ability to stand strong financially and emotionally once they are old enough to be out on their own.

It’s all part of a holistic approach. Everett says it consists of rescue, restoration, and reintegration.

The underlying strength of their organization is that these girls and boys are introduced to Jesus.

Jesus saves

School Kids (Photo courtesy of Peter Everett)

“We really trust in God to come down and do healing–to see miracles in their lives. And we do: we see it all the time, and it’s so encouraging,” says Everett.

Each morning the children have Bible studies and prayer meetings. Once a month they also have worship sessions. The girls are connected with local churches whose pastors come in during the week to talk and meet with the children.

“The Gospel is an integral part of what we do,” says Everett. “It’s the heartbeat of Destiny Rescue, and from Day One, when they arrive, it’s a Christian environment.”

Being surrounded by the workers who not only share the Gospel but live it out is a huge testimony to the safe house residents.

“We see girls just growing in a relationship…. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s presented to them in such a practical and loving way that they ‘get it,'” Everett continues.

One woman recently explained to her counselor that although she knows the man who saved her out of slavery, she knows it was Jesus who really saved her. She isn’t just talking about the physical situation of living in sex slavery, but the condition of her soul.

The Dominican Republic

The statistics in the Dominican Republic regarding human trafficking are really quite startling.

“We were reading a report from the Dominican immigration department,” Everett says, “and they were stating that there are around 800-1000 Haitian children being sold and smuggled across the border into the Dominican Republic every month.”

As in most cases, the slavery goes hand-in-hand with poverty.

“It’s third world: there’s a lot of poverty. Outside the tourist areas, it’s pretty bad,” Everett says.

Through their journey of expansion, Destiny Rescue has made many fortunate connections. They see it as God preparing the path for them.

Through a series of visits, Destiny Rescue was able to make the right connections, including child service organizations and the local judge and mayor of the first town they will work in. After a meeting with the Dominican embassy in Washington, they were introduced to the federal government.

Now they’ve established relationships with a lawyer and a prosecutor of human trafficking. Everett says these relationships will be extremely helpful. Everyone they’ve consulted is extremely excited about the work Destiny Rescue is doing.

According to one group they met with, there are only 5 orphanages in the entire country run by the government. Destiny Rescue will be the first recognized registered organization offering a safe house for trafficked children.

“We’re excited about our move, and we’ve got some great foundations and great relationships moving forward,” says Everett.

They will be able to establish agreements with the right people so that they can do their investigation, rescue, and aftercare work.

All started with a vision

“It’s a real testimony to the timing of Family Christian coming on board and offering to fund that new project,” Everett says, explaining the plan for the next few years.

Much of the official work has been done. Next is finding a safe home, expanding to other locations in the Dominican Republic, and then beginning work on the border.

They will have boots on the ground in August.

Everett asks that you pray for safety over the Destiny Rescue teams and the rescued children.

They are also looking for staff to work in the country, preferably people who are bilingual in English and either Spanish or Creole. If you’d like to help, e-mail Destiny here.

And finally, says Everett, “Pray for the children, absolutely, because they’re the innocent ones, and their innocence is being stolen every day. We’re doing what we’re doing because we want to stand up for the rights of freedom that these kids deserve. And we know God has gone before us and He’s going to make a way.”

(Photo credit Family Christian via Facebook)

USA (MNN) — It’s a common occurrence for mission organizations to endure a long process of fundraising before a project can get off the ground. So when it happens in 8 days, and the goal is met and surpassed, it’s a remarkable thing.

Family Christian Stores recently held an 8-day campaign to raise funds for a rescue center in the Dominican Republic. The center, run by Destiny Rescue, will provide a safe place for children, specifically girls, to escape from a life of sex trafficking. Read more about that campaign here.

Steve Biondo of Family Christian Stores says, “We had hoped to raise $150,000 to launch this project, and I can report by God’s grace that we hit the goal and have now exceeded it.”

The money will cover administration, set up, and the first year of operation. This includes staff and house set-up and rent.

“Because it was such a generous success, it will also fund the actual rescue cost for one year as well. So it really puts us in a great place to start rescuing by March or April of 2015,” Biondo says.

Biondo has a special message for those who shopped at Family Christian Stores during that 8-day period and to those who gave to the project directly.

“First of all, a big Thank You to all Family Christian shoppers out there for shopping with us this Christmas season. Proceeds from all shopping go to causes such as this. For all of you who gave to this project, your generosity made it happen,” he says.

From customers alone, $100,000 of additional donations was raised.

The best part of this center being established is that many children will receive a message they’ve never heard before.

Biondo explains, “It’ll actually not only start operations, but [it will enable] faith-based operations in-country to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, that He is our Rescuer in every way.

“So, not only will kids be rescued physically, but we will share with them the full Gospel of Jesus Christ so they can be rescued spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and enjoy the fullness of the life in Jesus Christ.”

As Family Christian looks at this first success with international missions, they’re excited to see other partnerships follow the pattern throughout Central and South America.

Praise God for the blessings He has poured over this project.

Keep coming back to hear more stories from Family Christian Stores about how they’re making the name of Jesus great in all they do.

(Graphic credit Family Christian via Facebook)

Dominican Republic (MNN) — More than 1.2 million kids are bought and sold every year. Two-thirds of those worldwide transactions are for sexual slavery.

Next week, you can do three things to stop child trafficking in the Dominican Republic: pray, shop, and give.

“I’m gonna be as bold as I can and just say, ‘Help us!’ We need to get this work done,” says Family Christian Stores’ Steve Biondo.

“We need to press back darkness, we need to introduce the Gospel. There are all kinds of opportunities that the Lord puts in front of us. We would just ask folks to prayerfully consider this one.”

Step One: Pray

(Image courtesy Bethany)

Family Christian and Destiny Rescue are teaming up to stop child trafficking in the DR. In the past, Family Christian has financially supported Destiny Rescue’s 5-part program. Now, they’re taking their partnership to another level. See what the project will involve here.

Prayer is the first and best way you can support their efforts to stop child trafficking.

“We have to recognize we are at war, as believers, and that our enemy is devouring lives,” Biondo notes.

Pray for victory as these ministries begin to push back the darkness of exploitation. Ask the Lord to protect His people from harm and to restore innocence to trafficking victims. Pray that people will support this project in whatever ways they’re able.

“God’s heart is for His Church to execute justice across the globe,” shares Biondo. “His heart is for the oppressed, and our God has called us to the same mission.”

Step Two: Shop

This time of year, there are two types of people: those who love buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, and those don’t. No matter which side you fall on this season, the end result is life-saving.

(Graphic credit Family Christian)

Starting Saturday, when you purchase something at one of Family Christian’s retail locations, you’ll become part of the effort to stop child trafficking in the DR.

See which location is closest to you.

“After we pay our expenses for labor, [to] keep the lights on and buy that product, the profits will be carved out and dedicated to this project,” Biondo explains.

If shopping’s really not your thing but you still want to help, don’t worry. There’s a third option.

Biondo shares, “The shopping works, but the giving also will multiply the effort and expedite the project.”

Step Three: Give

A third way you can help Family Christian and Destiny Rescue kick-off their project is by giving directly to their work. You can give $5 and wrap one of the rescued kids in a warm blanket, or help rescue a child for $100.

Learn more here.

(Graphic credit Family Christian)

Sometimes even the smallest “suggested” financial gift can be a stretch; why not share this story with your Facebook friends or small group and make a donation together?

No matter which way the Lord leads you to get involved, it’s important to do something.

“This is our generation, this is our time, this is our watch, and we know these things to be true. We need to take deliberate action,” says Biondo.

“That’s what this project is all about: financial opportunity to make small donations that have a big impact, covering this project in prayer, and potentially even traveling to the Dominican Republic to help.”

Find previous stories about this project here.

(Map credit Wikimedia Commons)

Dominican Republic (MNN) — The Dominican Republic: known best for its major league baseball players, miles of beautiful beaches, and Caribbean music. This month, we’re uncovering a secret that might surprise you.

Steve Biondo with Family Christian Stores says one of the world’s largest child trafficking hubs is only a hop, skip, and a jump from the southern U.S. coastline. That’s why they’re teaming up with Destiny Rescue to save innocent lives in the DR.

“800 Haitian children are trafficked across the border every month, and traffickers charge just $80 per head to sell these children to brothel owners,” Biondo shares, citing statistics given by DR authorities.

“It’s the fourth-worst location on the globe for the trafficking of children.”

Child trafficking: the problem

(Photo credit MNN/Katey Hearth)

Most child trafficking victims in the DR hail from Haiti, but a large number of Dominican Republic women and children are also carried from the Caribbean to the far reaches of Asia, this summer’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report reveals.

Biondo says there are two primary contributors to the DR’s booming child trafficking trade: widespread poverty and tourism.

“These two dynamics have given a deplorable distinction to the Dominican Republic,” he says.

In addition, the DR’s government rarely lifts a finger to punish traffickers. Between 2013 and 2014, only nine traffickers were convicted of exploiting minors, and their sentences ranged from two years to a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment.

This spring, Family Christian and Destiny Rescue are speaking up for the voiceless.

Child trafficking: a solution

The groups are starting an operation in Spring 2015 that will rescue trafficked kids, restore their childhoods, and introduce them to Jesus.

Here’s what the project will involve.

“We have on-board [with this project] the Ministry of Labor, the national director of Child Services, the mayor of Punta Cana, judges in Punta Cana, and the legal support that is necessary to open up real-time rescue operations later this spring,” explains Biondo.

(Graphic credit Family Christian via Facebook)

The ball is already rolling; they just need your help to finish strong.

“Over $32,000 have already been raised by the employees of Family Christian Stores and our vendor partners, and now we need another [$150,000] to fund fully two years of operation,” Biondo says.

Catch our report next week to learn a simple yet special way you can help Family Christian and Destiny Rescue reach their goal.

Meanwhile, please cover this issue and project in prayer. Pray for ministries who are teaching impoverished Caribbean families about the deceptions surrounding human trafficking. Pray that parents will not be deceived by traffickers and their lies. Ask the Lord to start preparing the hearts of children who will be rescued so that when they learn about Jesus, they can receive His love.

(Photo credit Family Christian via Facebook)

Dominican Republic (MNN) — In today’s world, more kids are at-risk of being trafficked than ever before. The percentage of human trafficking victims under the age of 18 years old jumped from 20% to 27% between 2003 and 2010, according to UN statistics. Children bought and sold for sexual exploitation make up nearly 60% of all child trafficking cases worldwide.

Steve Biondo with Family Christian Stores says they’re working with Destiny Rescue to fight the scourge in Jesus’ name.

“Our relationship with them is really just in its infancy; we’ve been partnering and working with them for two years now. An initiative that we have coming up is our first big effort,” says Biondo.

Destiny Rescue

Destiny Rescue began its rescue and restoration ministry 14 years ago in Australia. Today, the group also has donor offices in the U.S. and New Zealand.

“Destiny’s a front-line organization that stands for Jesus Christ, desiring to execute justice on behalf of these exploited people,” explains Biondo.

“They work at the very bottom of the process of rescue–in the brothels, in the dark places, in the evil streets–inviting girls, children out into places of restoration.”

(Photo credit Destiny Rescue)

It’s a five-part process: rescue, restoration, protection, empowerment and advocacy. Destiny Rescue rescues and restores kids in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and India. Along with caring for children’s physical needs, Destiny Rescue cares for victims’ spiritual lives.

Biondo says introducing kids to Christ is a complicated process, but Destiny Rescue’s workers are more than fit for the task.

“You are talking to some of the most broken, fragile lives on our planet, and I’m not exaggerating,” Biondo explains. “They’ve been abused by everybody in their lives; they don’t trust anybody.”

Equipped with professional training and motivated by their love for Christ, Destiny Rescue’s “house moms” show love to and gain the trust of child trafficking victims. These relationships gradually open doors for Gospel conversations.

“Workers begin to tell these children the truth: they are not defined by what has happened to them, they are defined by what has been done for them through Jesus Christ on the cross,” says Biondo.

Fighting darkness in the Dominican Republic

(Photo credit Destiny Rescue)

Over the past few years, Family Christian’s support of Destiny Rescue’s work has been primarily financial — they want to turn a new page in 2015.

“We have been sending them donations and funds that we raise through [the] selling of different products. Now, we want to start working alongside them in a more deliberate way, in a profound and strategic way,” Biondo shares.

“We’ve started the process already. Now, we need to partner and share this story with our guests.”

Catch MNN on your favorite radio station and visit our Web site during the next two weeks to find out why Family Christian and Destiny Rescue are turning their attention to the Dominican Republic, and how you can help during the last week of November.