Just courage
STU DY
God’s Passion for Justice and His Invitation to a Brave Adventure
J U ST CO U R AG E ST U DY
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welcome
Fear not.
Be of good courage.
Do not be afraid.
Am I the only person who reads these
scriptures and wonders whether there are, in fact,
many good reasons to be afraid? And perhaps
those phrases appear so often in scripture because
God knew the circumstances in this world would
very much make us afraid?
After more than 25 years walking with Jesus
and almost 15 years serving him at IJM, I think
these words in scripture reflect not only God’s
great understanding, but also his great invitation.
earnestness. Who am I to tarnish those jewels
Understanding, because no one knows better the
with my fear, masquerading as maturity? My
violence, brutality and humiliation in this world.
measured steps were completely undermined by
And invitation, because no one knows better the
the headlong run of my two daughters and son
fullness of life that comes from finding courage in
into life and love—even when that run yielded
him to be a light in those spaces of darkness.
only scraped knees and momentary tears. I
For many of my IJM colleagues, their first
have learned from my children that a very great
instinct is always to step forward. I admit, mine is
adventure awaits for each of us. God invites us,
not. My natural instinct was always to shrink back—
even if it means we may need to buy a few extra
until a couple of things reshaped my perspective.
Band-Aids along the way.
First were the people we serve at IJM: the slave
in a rice mill, the girl serially raped in a brothel,
I am so glad you’ve chosen to do this study.
I hope it will draw you closer to God’s heart for
the widow thrown from her home, the young
justice and his love, and that it his love will press
father languishing in prison on false charges.
you past fear into the adventure he is calling you
For them, the phrase “be afraid, be very much
to. What your adventure is, only God knows. But
afraid” was spoken not in their minds, but by
each of us can be confident he is able to accomplish
violent men and women intent on hurting them.
that which he sets out to do in and through us.
Watching these survivors remain in courage
despite their circumstances has inspired me to
SHARON COHN WU
choose boldness. Through them, I’ve learned how
Senior Vice President of Justice
stepping forward may not be pain free, but it is
System Transformation
life-full and we were created for it.
Second were my children, who ruined my
entire strategy for managing risk. They embrace
every new experience with wonder and unguarded
Sharon Cohn Wu has dedicated her career to helping serve the world’s most vulnerable people.
Over the last 15 years with IJM, her leadership has helped rescue thousands of children and
families from slavery and violence around the world. Today, Sharon oversees IJM teams working
to strengthen justice systems to deter criminals and better protect the poor long-term.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
Vasanthi (left) can now provide for her family after being rescued
from three years of brutal slavery in a brick kiln.
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goals
GE T TO KNOW GOD’ S HE AR T AND
CHAR AC TE R MORE DE E PLY
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of
the widow."
ISAIAH 1:17
LE ARN ABOUT YOUR IDE NTIT Y
IN CHRIST
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the
Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image
with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord,
who is the Spirit."
2 CORINTHIANS 3:18
E XPLORE WHAT IT ME ANS TO ANSWE R
THE BIBLICAL CALL TO SE E K J USTICE
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a
free life…Use your freedom to serve one another in
love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we
know about God’s Word is summed up in a single
sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s
an act of true freedom."
GALATIANS 5:13-15 (MSG)
Benson Shamala, IJM's director of aftercare in Ghana, cares for children
rescued from slavery in the fishing industry on Lake Volta.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
Have you ever thought, "There must be more to the Christian
life than this?" In different times and ways, our heavenly
Father offers us a simple proposition: Follow me beyond
what you can control, beyond where your own strength and
competencies can take you. In this 7-week study, you will
discover how you were created by God for adventure and
how you can be a part of God's great expedition.
This study is about our pursuit of freedom—freedom
to fully live out of our purpose and to usher in freedom
for others. This is the freedom that we find in pursuing the
heart of God, and it fuels us to pursue rescue for those who
need it. It’s also about discipleship—understanding his
heart and being transformed and unleashed to live, love,
serve and pray more like Jesus.
What if we all lived in this freedom of fully knowing
who we are and whose we are? What if our lives were about
bringing freedom to others? Let’s explore this together.
Consider these tips as you begin your study:
•
Gather a small group. You’ll benefit from discussing
what you’re reading in a community with others on the
same journey.
•
Before you begin each lesson, start with a time of prayer.
Ask God to guide you into his truth and new understanding.
•
Read the scripture passages more than once and out loud.
Mark the text by circling or underlining words that stand
out to you, surprise you, or cause you to question.
•
Be open to what God will show you through this study,
and seek out opportunities to live out what you’ve learned.
Connect with your small group, church or a community
service group. Move towards action.
We sincerely hope that this feels like a journey to you,
one through which you can find a refreshing, enlivened
and clearer perspective on the life of brave adventure God
has for you!
Just Courage books can be purchased on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
Author of Just Courage, Gary A. Haugen is Founder & CEO of International Justice
Mission. Prior to IJM, he worked in the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of
Justice and was director of United Nations genocide investigation in Rwanda.
J U ST CO U R AG E ST U DY
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WEEK ONE
CHAPTERS 1 & 2
There is always a sense of anticipation at the
beginning of new season or journey. It is right for
us to have this sense of expectation, and also right
for us to expect that God will provide what we
need in each season.
The Lord makes it clear that he shows us the
path to life through his word. Micah says God has
“shown” us what is good—we see it in scripture,
in the life of Jesus, and in the testimony of other
Spend some time in prayer before diving into
the study, and use the prompts below to think
about what you’d like to learn and where you
need freedom. Write down you answers to the
following questions.
believers around us. His word will be the “lamp
•
What do I want God to teach me?
unto our feet and the light unto our path” (Psalm
•
Where do I need more of God’s character?
119:105), and each of us will be given “everything
•
What do I want God to free me from?
that you need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
•
How does God want me to bring freedom to others?
•
What would it look like for me to move from being
safe to being brave?
You will return to these questions at the end of
the study and reflect on how you’ve grown.
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RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
PUT TING IT INTO PR AC TICE
• The author writes, “In a word, we want to live alive
Choose one day this week to set a timer on your
to God.” What would it look like in your life, if you
phone for every 30 minutes. At each alarm, spend a
were living alive to God, every day, with child-like
few moments in prayer. What do you notice? What
faith? How would that change what you do or say,
impact does it have on your day?
or what you feel and believe?
• Also from Chapter 1: “Our heavenly Father offers
us a simple proposition: Follow me beyond what
you can control, beyond where your own strength
and competencies can take you, and beyond what
is affirmed or risked by the crowd—and you will
experience me and my power and my wisdom and my
love.” What is your initial response to reading this?
• Have you ever found yourself calculating the limits
of your obedience? What did you discover?
• Recount a time that you stepped out beyond your
comfort zone in a way that required courage. What
might it look like to live that way on a daily basis?
What is getting in the way?
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WEEK TWO
CHAPTERS 3 & 4
When we draw people to justice, we
draw people to God himself.
GARY HAUGEN
When we think of God’s character, we we might
not think of his heart for justice first. But doing
the work of justice is an intrinsic part of God’s call
to Christians. Read the passages below and note
what stands out to you:
Psalm 89:14
Matthew 12:18
Micah 6:6-8
Psalm 11:7
Isaiah 30:18
Psalm 33:5
Isaiah 61:8
God will always act justly—not because
something compels him to love justice, but
because God himself is justice. It should not come
as a surprise then that Micah includes justice on
the short list of three things close to God’s heart:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what
does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love
mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
What do we mean by “justice”? The term is
often defined widely and differently. It’s often
helpful to think first about how scripture defines
“injustice.”
Injustice is a particular type of sin—a sin of
violence and oppression. Consider Ecclesiastes
4:1: “Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression
which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw
armed with four powerful affirmations:
the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to
1. God is on the side of justice
comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was
2. God sees and cares.
power, but they had no one to comfort them.”
Injustice of this nature is ugly and often scary.
Yet we know we are equipped respond, because
God equips us to do battle in these ugly spaces of
injustice: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He
has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and
recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are
oppressed.” (Isaiah 61:1)
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This is good news! From God’s word, we are
I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
3. God condemns injustice.
4. God seeks rescue for the victims.
Let’s ask God to give us his heart for victims of
injustice, that we might see and care as well.
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
PUT TING IT INTO PR AC TICE
• From the book, what is the “surprising path
Read 1 Peter 1:13. Pray for one of these specific items
to courage”?
• When have you tried to fashion your own path and
discovered that you were wrong, that God had a
different path for you? Explain.
• Do you agree with the author that “the struggle for
justice in God’s world…is a call to all his people” and
that the work of justice is fundamental in Christ’s call
to discipleship? Why or why not?
• How does the ministry of justice overlap with the
ministries of evangelism and compassion? Where
do these three ministries mentioned by Jesus and
Micah overlap?
each day of this week:
1. Wisdom: Pray God will give you wisdom as you
think about and encounter injustice. Pray he would
show you what is true.
2. Love: Ask God to cultivate your love for people
who are far away, unfamiliar or unlike you.
3. Hope: Pray against the temptation to despair in
the face of injustice.
4. Guidance: Pray for people who may help and
guide you as you seek to do God’s work of justice.
5. Freedom: Pray that fear or ignorance would not
be barriers to taking action on behalf of those who
are oppressed.
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WEEK THREE
CHAPTERS 5 & 6
“Love God and love your neighbor.” Similarly to
the lawyer who asked Jesus about this, we read
these words and think: “Who is my neighbor?”
In other words, what boundaries can I put on
this commandment to love others? Exactly how
far do I have to go? Of course, the questions that
matter to us are often not the questions that
matter to Jesus. In response to us, he asks the
critical question: “Are you loving your neighbor?”
It seems that we cannot love God well without
loving our neighbors. And how do we do this?
This is made clear in Matthew 7:12: “Do to others
what you would have them do to you.”
This may not sound or seem new to us. But
what about the neighbor who is suffering? Further
still, what about the neighbor who is suffering
and unseen by us—in houses, schools, or
countries far away? What about the neighbor who
is poor? Are we to love them as ourselves, too?
Jesus knew that this would be challenging,
and that it would require sacrifice to spend
ourselves on behalf of the poor. In his grace,
God shows us how to spend ourselves on behalf
of our neighbors. Consider these examples:
Isaiah 58:6-7
James 1:27
Jeremiah 21:12
Amos 5:15
Jeremiah 22:3
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
PUT TING IT INTO PR AC TICE
• How would you define worship?
Hope is not simply wishful thinking; it is a fruit of the
• As you read this chapter, what was your response
Spirit born of the spiritual discipline of remembering.
to all the scriptures that stress the importance of
justice to your worship?
• Do you believe that the average Christian can do
something about injustice in the world?
• What can you do to encourage others to live lives of
justice that are pleasing to God?
Write down five statements that are either true about
God’s promises to you or true about your identity in him,
which you need to remember. Carry those statements
with you this week. Review them throughout the day,
pray and ask God to seal this truth to your heart.
• Consider this statement from Chapter 6: “The
struggle for justice always stands or falls on the
battlefield of hope.” How can we cultivate hope in
the face of injustice?
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WEEK FOUR
CHAPTERS 7 & 8
God longs to use his people to do
something good, something real,
something significant.
GARY HAUGEN
It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the massive need in
1. Defend the poor.
the world. We are tempted to think we can’t do
Vulnerable people today cannot afford
enough or that we have nothing to give. But here’s
advocates to defend them. A young girl who
the good news: people who are suffering or in need
has been trafficked far from her home cannot
do not need more of us, they need more of God.
afford legal representation or even, more
Our power lies in our identity in Christ. It lies
simply that that, cannot raise her own voice
in knowing the source of all power. And it’s that
for her freedom. This is a role that we can play;
knowledge and security in who we are in him that
we can speak up for those who cannot speak
enables us to charge into the darkness.
Where do we start? Consider three ways that
for themselves. Wouldn’t we want someone
to do that for us? Praying and paying for the
you can charge into the darkness of injustice in
rescue and defense of the poor is something
our world:
we can and must do.
2. Raise your voice.
Look back to the struggle against slavery in the
19th century, to the struggle against child labor,
or to the American civil rights movement. In
each era, the church not only deployed those
with specialized expertise and skill to do the
work of justice—but the whole church joined
in by raising its voice as advocates for the poor.
This is the church at its best!
3. Look around.
Search within your own life and community
to see who around you might be suffering
from intimidation or fear. Consider how you
could be the one who breaks through with
hope and God’s power to bring justice and
restoration. Spend time rediscovering not
only God’s passion for justice in the scriptures,
but also God’s promises for those who pursue
justice (Isaiah 58).
It is indeed incredible that God chooses to
accomplish the miraculous through the ordinary.
Let’s continue to charge the darkness—to take one
step at a time—as we follow his holy and good call
to us: Seek Justice.
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RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
PUT TING IT INTO PR AC TICE
• Consider other heroes of the faith who have “charged
This week, choose to “opt-in” to living justly. Choose
the darkness” of injustice for Christ. Who comes to
to see those who are vulnerable and/or poor in your
your mind? What inspires you about that person?
own community. Decide one way in which you will
• Consider your story, from childhood until now. Who
“charge the darkness”: bring food, pray with someone
in your life has charged the darkness? What kind of
who is vulnerable, make a donation, ask to hear their
a reaction did it cause in you?
story and share about it on social media.
• Recount a time when you were desperate to help
someone you love, but you couldn’t. How did you
feel? Who eventually helped? What was the outcome?
What could you do differently in the future?
• What can the church do today to support those who
are severely oppressed and enslaved today? What
would it look like for the church to lead in this way?
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WEEK FIVE
CHAPTERS 9 & 10
We don’t believe something by
merely saying we believe it, or even
when we believe that we believe it.
We believe something when we act
as if it were true.
GARY HAUGEN
Moses questions God, saying, “What if they won’t
believe me? What if they don’t think you’ve sent
me?” To this God asks, “What is in your hand?”
God chooses to use the very thing in Moses’ hand
to demonstrate his power and equip Moses to feel
strengthened in this task.
The work of justice is not passive. God does not
require us to “think justly” or to “feel justly.” He
requires us to “act justly.” What does this mean?
How exactly do we enact justice on a daily basis?
How do we become brave enough?
Let’s consider two times when God equips
ordinary people in the face of a staggering need
or call.
The first is a story in Matthew (14:13-21) that
might be familiar to you. Read these verses and
think about what the disciples are asking Jesus
to do (v.16). We can imagine that the disciples
were feeling overwhelmed by the mass of hungry
people in front of them. Though they’ve been
significance:
1. God does not ask the disciples or Moses to
respond without him. Instead, he intends to
respond in power through them.
2. God asks only for what the disciples and
Moses have. He is not limited by these things,
and does not delay the miracle until these
men have better understanding, resources or
training.
God presents a massive problem and
intentionally invites ordinary people into facing
walking with Jesus and have seen him do miracles,
it with what they have in their hands. It’s their
they question his ability to meet the need with
obedience that triggers the miracle. Moses and
only a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. But
the little boy with the bread and fish receive
how does Jesus respond? He simply says, “Bring
the blessing, and they see the demonstration of
them here to me.”
God’s faithfulness because they are willing to act.
Now, let’s consider Moses, a man of great faith.
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What do you notice about how God responds
in both of these stories? These are two things of
That’s what it takes to be brave. We must believe
In Exodus 3, God commands Moses to confront
that we know who God is, and who he says that we
Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt.
are, and that what we have is enough.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
PR AYE R
• What do you have to give God? Is it resources,
As you conclude these five weeks, spend time asking
skills or experience? Perhaps it’s heartbreak and
God to reveal what he wants to use in your life to bring
pain, or deep love and empathy? Think about what
freedom, hope and relief for those who are suffering.
you have to offer.
Pray for the faith to give these things over to him,
• Do you trust him enough to present to him what
you have?
believing that he will use you powerfully in ways that
you might not expect. Commit to God that you will be
• How is he asking you to act?
available to be used by him, and that you’ll be willing to
• Do you believe that his promise to use you is
use what’s in your hands.
actual truth?
He who began a good work in you is faithful
to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus!"
PUT TING IT INTO PR AC TICE
Consider how you can live boldly this week. What will
cause you to leave your comfort zone? What will cause
you to depend more on God and his promises? What
will cause you to trust God more? These are the things
that train you for bravery. Choose one specific thing
and write it down. Work on this action for one week
out of the next month.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify
you through and through. May your whole
spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who
calls you is faithful and he will do it."
1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24
You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit
that will last."
JOHN 15:16A
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WEEK SIX
your story
A BLUE PRINT FOR YOUR STORY WITH GOD
One of the most effective and exciting ways to
share about God’s work in our lives is to share
our own personal stories. It can be challenging
to find the right words sometimes, but each
of us is equipped to share an impactful story.
Through our experiences of God’s justice, we
can communicate the need for others to become
involved. We can motivate others to raise their
voices, raise awareness or advocate on behalf of
the oppressed.
This week, consider what you’ve learned along
your journey through this study. Think about key
themes or lessons you think God may be teaching
you. What have you reflected on during the course
of the five weeks? This was be a critical part of
sharing your story. Then, continue by thinking
about any significant stories or scriptures that
have resonated deeply with you, from the book,
or your reflection. Finally, consider how you
might be moved to action. Consider all of these
steps to be the blueprint of your story. As you
gather around the table next week, your story
will be “built” and ready to share!
This is the voice of a holy yearning for more. This is the
moment in which we can see that all the work that God
has been doing in our lives and in the life of the church
is not an end in itself; rather, the work he has been
doing in us is a powerful means to a grander purpose
beyond ourselves.
GARY HAUGEN
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
CONSIDE R E ACH OF THE SE Q UE STIONS .
RECORD A RE SPONSE TO E ACH.
SIGNIFICANT STORY
What story in the book was most compelling to you?
• What is God teaching me?
Was it a story about someone who fought for justice,
• What do I need more of God’s character?
or someone who desperately needed rescue? Record
• What do I want God to free me from?
some thoughts about this.
• How does God want me to bring freedom to others?
• What would it look like for me to move from being
safe to being brave?
Look back at your answers to these five questions
from the first day of the study. What do you notice?
Has your perspective changed? What insight do you
have into what God has been doing in your heart and
spirit over the past five weeks?
SIGNIFICANT SCRIP TURE(S)
Which scriptures have resonated deeply with you?
These are exciting landmarks along the path that you
are taking with God. Write these down to remember
where you are with him, and reflect on them as you
move forward.
Now, consider how this study has impacted you?
Write a summary of your experience, what you’ve
THE ME OR KE Y LE S SON
As you’ve compiled your thoughts, do you see a
dominant theme or lesson God is trying to teach you?
A consistent struggle or success? Prayer request or
praise? Are there new thoughts, or perhaps a new
learned, how you’ve changed. This doesn’t need to be
formal, and is meant to help you create your “story” of
what God is doing in your heart and mind. Use your
theme, significant story, and significant scriptures to
shape your response.
passion for seeking justice?
J U ST CO U R AG E ST U DY
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WEEK SIX
finding your role
1. Complete the Venn diagram
to the right. In each space, list
some words of thoughts.
THE NE E D
M Y GIF T
M Y ROLE
GOD' S C ALL
2. Then, consider what specific
action you might take, or the
role you place in the fight
against injustice. Each of us
has a God-given purpose, and
we’re intricately designed for
the role we are to play.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
M Y ROLE
WEEK SEVEN
celebrating your journey
(OP TIONAL)
As you prepare to have your celebration, take this opporunity to bring women together, enjoy some great
food and fellowship, and celebrate the community around the table. If you feel inclined, consider inviting
your spouses as well, so that they can hear about the study and your time together. If you didn’t meet
during Week 6, take some time to share your stories with one another.
Focus this time on where you’ve been and where you’re going! Consider distributing these questions,
or asking each woman to choose one.
FOR CONVERSATION
WHE RE WE ’ VE BE E N
• What has been the most interesting thing that
you’ve learned through this process?
RE ME MBE RING TOGE THE R
To conclude your celebration, ask each woman to write
a positive prayer for herself, as well as to affirm an
• How have you been changed?
aspect of God’s character that she is resonating with
• What was the most challenging concept or topic
in her spirit. She can also write a powerful scripture.
for you?
• How have your perceptions about injustice or
justice changed?
Ask each woman to write her name on the piece of
paper. Have one person collect the pieces of paper
and agree to distribute them back to the woman in an
• What was surprising about this experience?
amount of time. This could be two weeks, six months
• What is one way you’ve experienced God in the
or one year.
past 5 weeks?
WHE RE WE ’ RE GOING
• What are you excited to share with people about
this journey?
• What are you most burdened to pray for in the future?
PR AYE R
Close with a word of celebratory prayer. Consider
joining IJM in monthly prayer for urgent needs by
signing up at IJM.org/pray.
• How are you going to live differently because of
this study?
• How will you convert your learning to action?
• How will you do more training for bravery?
• How will you mobilize others for this work?
• How can you serve here in this community locally?
SHARING AN IJM STORY
If you’d like, read Manna and Mien’s stories and reflect
on the questions for response. Choose to see the
people in need of rescue, and praise the God who is
the Rescuer and the Redeemer.
J U ST CO U R AG E ST U DY
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SURVIVOR STORY
mien
PAR T ONE
Age 14
Mien grew up in Svay Pak, a marginalized
community in Cambodia that was notorious
for selling very young girls for sex. Mien’s
family emigrated from Vietnam, and they were
Cambodian National Police with its first-ever
desperately poor. Her father spent what little
rescue operation. On that day, 37 girls were
money they earned on alcohol, and her mother
rescued from sex slavery. The youngest girl was
was helpless to stop his abuses.
only 5 years old. But Mien hid from the police
Like many other girls growing up in the poor
community, Mien was sold to a brothel one block
during the rescue operation. The brother owners
had told her, time and time again, that if the
from her own home when she was just 14 years old.
police found her, they would arrest her. Sadly,
Night after night, Mien was sold to sex tourists
Mien was not rescued that day.
and men who came to Svay Pak because they
knew they could find young girls. The nightmare
Her family moved north to Siem Reap, near
the popular tourist destination of Angkor Wat, a
became a routine. Although she was minutes from
beautiful ancient temple. Mien was again sold to
her childhood home, Mien was trapped.
a brothel there, where her life fell back into the
In 2003, IJM heard about Mien and the many
other girls that were trapped and abused like
same nightmare.
Mien was sold night after night to men who
her. IJM investigators assisted the Anti-Human
paid to rape her. She said, “I despair – my life does
Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Unit of the
not have meaning… I feel like I don’t want to do
this anymore, but what else can I do? I have no
skills and my family depends on the money I send
to them every month.”
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
• Is it hard for you to believe that a story like this is real?
• How do we engage God in the face of such suffering?
What do we need to believe is true about God?
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
*A pseudonym
PAR T T WO
IJM investigators started to gather evidence
in the very same brothel where Mien was being
exploited. The brothel was disguised as a massage
parlor, but IJM soon documented evidence to reveal
girls had been trafficked there to be sold for sex.
In 2007, IJM worked with an anti-trafficking
unit of the police in Siem Reap to rescue women
and girls who had been trafficked to a brothel,
including Mien and seven other girls, most
of whom were minors. Mien was taken to a
short-term aftercare shelter, where she received
crisis care and started a new life of freedom.
IJM assisted the prosecutor to develop a strong
legal case against the pimps and traffickers. At
the end of the trial, justice was delivered: five
perpetrators were convicted.
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
• How can we use Mien’s story to mobilize others for action?
• What does Mien’s story teach us about life after trauma
or suffering?
J U ST CO U R AG E ST U DY
21
SURVIVOR STORY
mANNA
PAR T ONE
Age 14
Manna* lived with her brother and was often
beaten by him. When she was 14, she made the
decision to run away, believing it was her only
option to escape her terrible living situation.
Passing through the clutter and scuffle of the
bustling train station, a young woman noticed
Manna crying and offered to help her. She
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
• What factors made Manna especially vulnerable
to exploitation?
• What do you think Manna needed most while in
the brothel?
listened to Manna and won her trust. The woman
promised her a job selling fabric—just the kind
of opportunity a desperate Manna needed. The
woman led her to a place to rest but when Manna
woke the woman was gone and another woman
warned that her Manna’s life was no longer her
own. She would not sell fabric but her body.
Manna refused her first three customers,
but the brothel keeper beat her repeatedly until
she gave in to the men who had come to rape
her. She tried to run away and even begged the
men who raped her to rescue her or call the
police. There seemed to be no escape from this
nightmare. Manna was trapped.
PAR T T WO
Manna’s nightmare continued for two years
until another girl whom International Justice
Mission had rescued led IJM operatives back to
rescue more girls hidden in a soundproof dungeon.
Manna was one of four young girls rescued from
RE FLEC TION & DISCUS SION
• How can we use Manna’s story to mobilize for action?
• How is our need for rescue similar to Manna’s?
that dark place. She now lives in the freedom of
an aftercare home that provides love, safety and
schooling, where she is studying to become a social
worker. IJM helped build a case against her brothel
keepers. They were both convicted and sentenced
to five years imprisonment.
After her rescue, with a smile that filled the
room, Manna said, “I came to prison, but I am
not alone. God took me from that place to here. …
What is impossible for men is possible for God.”
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L J U S T I C E M I S S I O N
*A pseudonym
what's next
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life…Use your freedom to
serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.
GALATIANS 5:13-15 MSG
God has uniquely gifted each and every one of us. It will take all of coming
together to bring and end to slavery. Whatever your passion or calling is,
you can make a difference in the fight.
Ideas for what could be next for you:
•
Give. Become an IJM Freedom Partner and help us show up 24 hours a
day. Donate $24 each month and help bring last minute-rescue to critical
aftercare. Your faithful support defends children and families in need,
no matter how long justice takes. IJM.org/IF
•
Volunteer. Use your time and talent in your community. Look for
opportunities here: IJM.org/volunteer
•
Share. Host an IJM event in your home or favorite coffee shop and share
about the work of IJM – Find resources here:
IJM.org/resources; IJM.org/who-we-are-video
•
Fundraise. Raise money to fund a rescue operation for families trapped
in slavery and young girls in brothels! Set up an online fundraiser and
ask friends and family to donate. You can send rescue for $6,300!
IJM.org/fundraise. Celebrate with a “Rescue party”!
•
Host. Invite an IJM speaker to your church to share about God’s heart
for justice: IJM.org/speakers
J U ST CO U R AG E ST U DY
23
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
PO Box 58147
Washington, DC 20037
T
F
703.465.5495
703.465.5499
IJM.org
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION is a global organization that protects
the poor from violence throughout the developing world. IJM partners with
local authorities to rescue victims of violence, bring criminals to justice, restore
survivors, and strengthen justice systems.
Highlighted as one of 10 non-profits “making a difference” by U.S. News and
World Report, IJM’s effective model has been recognized by the U.S. State
Department, the World Economic Forum and leaders around the globe, as well as
featured by Foreign Affairs, Forbes, The Guardian, The New York Times, The
Times of India, The Phnom Penh Post, National Public Radio, and CNN, among
many other outlets.
All text and images © 2016 International Justice Mission.