Border Crossings - Jewell Utt
Sonam’s eyes glistened as she crossed the border into her new life. An array of stray emotions played in her heart. Leaving Nepal was difficult. She’d miss her younger brothers and sisters–her mom who worked tirelessly to care for them, eight in all. As the oldest, she decided to step out in search of a better life. The borders were opened to India for anyone to pass. This would be her opportunity to secure a job and earn money to help her family. They were poor, with no chance for an education or even medical attention. One of her younger siblings was sick, very sick.
Courageously, she set out alone. Her knees felt weak, her stomach growled, but she determined to step confidently. She’d have to pull it together before she could approach anyone for help. Her natural beauty overshadowed her colorful village wrap and she caught the attention of a local enterpriser. She walked along soaking in the surroundings, daydreaming about her future. Unaware, that predators lurked close by. Not only was she being watched, she was being followed.
Everyday, young women fall prey to human traffickers. They are deceived with false promises for jobs, education, marriage, and then forced into sexual exploitation. Many are drugged, beaten and physically restrained. They are threatened with debt bondage, violence against their family, and stripped of all papers, money and the ability to run away. The number of trafficked victims per year is an astounding 800,000 estimated internationally. Those numbers don’t include the amount trafficked within countries.
As Sonam explored she caught the reflection of a man watching her. She turned the other way only to find there was another one. The moment their eyes met, a warm inviting smile broke across his face. But not before she saw the darkness and evil in his eyes. What did he want? She turned away to see the other man making a beeline toward her. Panic rose inside, her brow furrowed with sweat, her every sense on high alert. This was not good. But what could she do? Both men were approaching from either side. She wanted to scream, but stood frozen, her legs failing her.
Help me, Jesus. It was all she could think to say. She remembered the missionary who came to her village when she was young. He told the children about his God who loved them and wanted to know them. So she called on His name.
The men neared from both sides, only to have their approach halted by a beautiful woman dressed in purple. She held out her hand to Sonam. “Come.” Sonam hesitated and looked into the woman’s eyes. She saw peace and safety there. Slowly she extended her hand. The lovely woman, close to her own age, placed a red bracelet on her wrist, took her hand and led her away. Upon seeing the bracelet and the purple clad, both men turned and slithered away.
There are 11 border stations between Nepal and India. Brave young woman dressed in long purple dresses, patrol and rescue 15-20 woman a month out of the sex slavery trade. The women are brought to a safe house for healing, restoration and job training. The red bracelets are weaved by these women and provide their income. Wearing one promotes awareness of human trafficking. Seeing them deters the predators.
The emotional and physical damage victims endure is hard to overcome. But eventually the girls leave the safe house to become business women, community leaders, awareness raisers, and church planters. Those who prey on the weak and vulnerable have earned their place in eternity.
Sonam is an Indian name. It means the fortunate one, beautiful.
Psalm 37:9-10 “For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.”
photo courtesy of @Kat_Kuhlmann for more information visit www.redthreadmovement.org
