At a Crossroad: Needs, Vision, and Survivor Stories - January Newsletter 2026

The Vision God Continues to Grow

As we serve more families and receive more calls, the need for long-term, stable, Christ-centered care grows clearer every day. God has planted a vision deep within this ministry — a restorative campus where women and children can heal in a secure, nurturing environment. Our hope is to one day provide care for up to ten families through eight survivor duplexes and two administrative homes that support women and children in the stabilization phase of care. These administrative spaces will also house our ministry offices, a training room, counseling room, small daycare, gathering space, and more. We continue trusting the Lord for His timing and provision, praying that the land will be secured and that the campus may open in 2026 as a place of hope and healing.

As we wait for God’s timing regarding our future campus land, we are also seeking wisdom and direction for a new temporary home for the ministry. Our current lease ends in April, with a decision required by February whether to re-sign our lease — something we prefer not to do, as the space is no longer practical for the ministry’s needs.

In this season, we are also praying to God to raise up additional board members who share our heart and vision for this ministry, who are believers that love radically and have a passion for women and children who have come out of human trafficking.

So we continue praying, planning, preparing, and trusting in the Lord to lead us forward. Behind every story of restoration are faithful supporters — those who pray, give, encourage, and walk alongside us.

Your prayers bring comfort to weary hearts. Your generosity keeps safe spaces open. Your advocacy ensures that survivors are seen and heard. Your belief in this mission allows women and children to experience the life-changing love of Christ.

We invite you to pray with us — for the right home for this next season, for the land that will one day hold our restored campus, and for the board members God is preparing even now. We believe He is already at work.

This season has been a sacred one here at Onehope Refuge.

We’ve found ourselves pausing often — not because the work has slowed, but because we keep witnessing moments that remind us why this ministry exists.

There have been mornings filled with quiet reflection. Afternoons full of children’s voices drifting down hallways. Evenings gathered together where stories — sometimes painful, sometimes bursting with hope — are gently spoken aloud. We’ve watched women take steps they once believed were impossible. We’ve seen joy sneak back into moments that used to feel overwhelming. And through it all, we’ve watched God gently rebuild what trauma once shattered.

When the Holidays Carry Both Joy and Sorrow

For many families, this time of the year brings celebration and togetherness. But for many of the women and children we serve, the holidays can stir grief, memories of instability, and often highlight what has been lost. Yet even in the heaviness, something beautiful is happening here:

We’ve seen women courageously choose healing when it would be easier to shut down. After nearly three months, one of the Mentee’s in our care finally unpacked her suitcase because Onehope Refuge felt like a home.

We’ve seen the joy in children’s eyes as they unwrap presents from their moms, and watched them build bonds with one another, their giggles and playful running filling every corner of the house.

Women are discovering safety.

Children are learning joy again.

Families are beginning new traditions rooted in truth and love.

In every moment, we see the faithfulness of God. Hope is not seasonal — it’s found in the Savior who brings light into the darkness.

Preparing our Hearts for Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Every month, Onehope Refuge receives numerous calls from social agencies looking to place families. The demand for safe homes like ours has never been greater. Human Trafficking is on the rise exponentially every single day.

We’ve shared much about the families in our care. We’ve mainly shared what happens AFTER survivors arrive here. Today, in honor of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we’d like to flip the script. Here’s what can (and does) happen in the days BEFORE …

Rescuing someone from sex trafficking, most times, is incredibly involved. Victims can attempt to leave on their own, however, given the extreme control and manipulation experienced in their environments, this is extremely difficult. Remember, perpetrators go to great lengths to disempower and trap victims in vicious soul-crushing cycles. Traffickers often exploit shelter and basic needs. They isolate victims from social connections. They withhold legal documents and self-identifying information. They control finances and employment. They control communications. Some traffickers force victims to use drugs or alcohol, creating a very real physical dependence. They do this all under the guise of love which creates trauma-bonding. For these reasons (and many others), the trafficker + victim relationship is complex, nuanced and deeply intertwined.

So, how does one escape? 🛑

Let’s look at Sophia’s (name changed for privacy) story. After years of exploitation, Sophia escaped from her traffickers and was trying to build a new life with her child and a boyfriend. But threats began reaching her, and fear quickly mounted. Unsure of who to trust, she called the authorities and began moving from place to place, never staying long — first to a safehouse through an advocate, then to a hotel with another organization, all while keeping her child close.

When Sophia connected with Onehope Refuge, the clock was already ticking. With no documents, no cellphone — left behind to prevent tracking, and uncertainty about whether her former boyfriend posed a threat, time was critical.

Over the next 48–72 hours, our team coordinated rapidly — moving her to a second hotel, arranging safe transport, and preparing every step for her journey to safety. Though a rescue team could not be in place immediately, decisive action ensured she and her child could get to the airport safely and begin a new chapter free from fear.

The Eco-System of #EndingHumanTrafficking ✋

There are several national organizations that receive trafficking victim referrals from walk-in centers, social workers, hospitals, friends, or victims themselves. These national agencies match victims with programs that are best positioned to serve their unique, individual needs. Matching is a sensitive, thoughtful process. Ideally, victims and the serving organization feel the placement is a mutually-impactful fit for everyone. This approach leads to the highest rates of long-term, sustainable healing.

How can you help? Be on the LOOKOUT! 👀 💙

#EndingHumanTrafficking requires vigilance and a collective effort from the community. While law enforcement and specialized organizations play a critical role, the power of community awareness and intervention cannot be overstated. Citizens are often the eyes and ears that can identify trafficking situations and create opportunities for victims to escape. If you suspect trafficking, please call your local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline (below). Do not try to intervene yourself.