"He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave."

– Psalm 107:20

Africa

• Pray for a 14-year-old boy who was rescued from slavery in the Ghana fishing industry the last week of October. This boy had previously been exploited in the farming and mining industries before being trafficked into fishing, where he was eventually rescued by police and IJM. Four suspects have been arrested, and two of them are currently in custody awaiting the start of the trial. Please pray for this boy as his needs are assessed at a safe aftercare home, and pray for the department of social welfare as they go about the work of family reunification.

Latin America

• Give thanks for a new chance to pursue justice for Yessica*, a survivor of sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic — our team secured a successful appeal in court for her case! Yessica was drugged, sexually abused and later sold for sex to other men for days by a neighbor and his friend. Since 2016, our team has walked with Yessica and her family, representing her in court and providing therapy. Last year the two suspect perpetrators were not held accountable when the case was dismissed after many roadblocks. But our team didn't take a no for an answer and submitted an appeal. This week the appeal was accepted, and a new trial will open. Praise God for this incredible open door and pray that the judge appointed to the trial will rule with justice.

South Asia

• Thank you for praying for successful rescue operations in South Asia! In the last week, our teams have been able to rescue three girls and one young woman from sex trafficking, as well as 11 people from bonded labor slavery — including several children. We are so amazed by God's provision and for the proactive local officials who made freedom a priority. Pray for these survivors as they begin recovering from physical and emotional trauma, and pray for the legal cases mounting against the traffickers who abused them.

Southeast Asia

• Pray for a new training curriculum on biblical justice and labor trafficking being released to church leaders in central Cambodia this month. This is the first of IJM's formal trainings for pastors and church leaders in this province. Pray that the training will be well received and the Church in this province will respond to the call to protect their communities from this crime.