Jude

AFTER HER MOTHER DIED, 16-YEAR-OLD “JUDE” TOOK ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING FOR HER THREE YOUNGER BROTHERS.

Her father started spending less and less time at home, which was good because he often hurt Jude.

But one day, Jude’s father never came back home.

No father meant no money. And Jude had no way to make money to care for her siblings.

At first, she sent each of her brothers out to beg on the street.

Then she began wandering the city, begging for help. Still, they were barely surviving.

Until a man knocked on their door, claiming to be a friend of her father's. He told Jude he had work for her if she would accompany him.

Jude hesitated to leave with the stranger, but he promised the job would pay enough to feed her brothers. She couldn’t have known that it meant she may never see her brothers again.

Jude’s new “work” involved being locked in a brothel, selling her body to men who would pay for her time and services.

Several times, she tried to escape. But every time, she was threatened not only with death but also the death of her brothers.

After more than a year in the brothel, Jude met a Project Rescue worker who gave her food and hygiene materials. The worker asked Jude if she wanted to leave the brothel and learn to read and write. 

Jude broke down crying and shared how her brothers' lives were at risk if she tried to leave. 

The worker asked where Jude was from and the names of her brothers. 

One morning, about a month later, the Project Rescue worker showed up before Jude had any customers for the day. 

"I have found your brothers,” the worker said. “A neighbor took them in after you were brought here. That means you can leave, and no harm will come to your brothers."

Still, Jude felt afraid. She didn’t believe her brothers would be safe. 

This worker visited Jude and the other women for months, offering food and praying with them. 

Finally, after more than a year of visits and prayer, Jude told the worker she was ready to go with her to the Project Rescue home—but only if she could see her brothers. 

Jude has been safe ever since and has become a light in Project Rescue’s home in the Middle East. She frequently visits her brothers, who are still cared for by another family. Jude has also learned to read and write and is working through our vocational training program.

Because of generous, caring-hearted people like you, Jude has hope for the future!

Your gift today can help us continue to find and rescue girls like Jude. These girls have experienced so much hurt, but the change in their life begins when God shines the light of hope into their story. Help us rescue and restore more girls like Jude.