Marianna’s Journey to Freedom
Marianna escaped from a life of prostitution with the help of Project Rescue, a ministry dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual slavery. It took time for her to trust them, but when she did, she shared the horrors she had endured. She suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and struggled to rebuild her life with no family, friends, or job to support her.
Within a couple of weeks, Marianna asked to join a safe house where she could begin again. She made the most of every training session, got involved in the home and the local church, and found healing in her faith. Knowing she wanted to serve God; she graduated from a discipleship course led by Project Rescue and was baptized.
A scholarship from Project Rescue helped her pursue her dream of becoming an esthetician, providing skincare and hair removal services. She also works part-time at the local Project Rescue center, supporting other survivors of sexual exploitation—women who, like her, are rebuilding their lives.
Project Rescue partners with law enforcement and the International Justice Mission (IJM) to fight human trafficking. Together, they work to hold perpetrators accountable and seek justice for survivors.
Justice is Served
Jory’s family separated when she was only eight. She bounced from home to home, staying with neighbors and relatives, all while praying for her family to reunite so she could continue her education.
But life took a dark turn when a woman she trusted sexually exploited her for seven years. It wasn’t until the International Justice Mission learned about her situation that hope was restored. Working alongside the police, they rescued Jory when she was 17. Her abuser was arrested and faced legal consequences for her crimes.
At IJM’s safe house, Jory received trauma therapy and the support she needed to heal. Her social worker described her transformation:
“She’s like a seed that grows into a beautiful flower.”
Jory found strength in her journey, declaring, “I am brave. I am strong.” Inspired by her own experiences, she became a social worker herself, determined to help others find freedom and healing.
“But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.” — Proverbs 24:25
Coming Full Circle
Both Marianna and Jory have grown into compassionate women dedicated to helping others who have endured the same suffering they once faced. Their lives have come full circle, and in blessing others, they have been richly blessed themselves.
It’s often in our greatest pain that we develop the deepest empathy.
Your Greatest Source of Pain
What is your greatest source of pain? How can you begin to heal from it? If you’ve already found healing, how can you give back to those who are experiencing that same struggle?
For more on justice read Treat Your Enemies Like This here or The Change Maker: Martin Luther King Jr. here.
Sources and References:
Project Rescue. “Mariana’s Story.” Project Rescue, https://www.projectrescue.com/marianas-story. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
International Justice Mission. “Read Joy’s Story.” International Justice Mission, https://www.ijm.org/read-joys-story. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. “Proverbs 24:25.” Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2024%3A25&version=NIV. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
International Justice Mission. “Joy’s Story – 2024.” International Justice Mission, https://www.ijm.org/stories/joy-2024. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.