Restoration – Kallos

Invited to the Table

Alina Teo — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:31:22 +0000

Just last Sunday, I was struck by the Celtic call to communion by George McLeod, founder of the Iona Community:

Come to this table,
not because you must but because you may,
not because you are strong, but because you are weak.
Come, not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come,
but because you need mercy and help.
Come, because you love the Lord a little and would like to love Him more.
Come, because He loved you and gave Himself for you.
Come and meet the risen Christ, for we are His Body.

THE CALL

This simple call tells us that we are invited to come to God as we are. It isn’t a compulsion that draws us to seek God, but the gentle beckoning of God that welcomes us. It puts aside our achievements, our inadequacies, our self-seeking desires, our masks, and gives us permission to come just as we are: acknowledging that we are weak and we don’t have it all together.

God knows our weaknesses and He offers us respite in Him. Many times we try and we fail. We try again and we fail again. He knows that and He sees us. God also sees our hearts and our desire, however small it might be, to want to love Him more.

Remember that God will take the little that you give to Him and He does not despise it. You are loved and accepted. Come, because He loved you and gave Himself for you. That truth remains despite many things that change around us. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has been accomplished and He is risen. Even in our failures, Christ receives us. Come to Him just as you are and encounter Him anew again.

Remember that God will take the little that you give to Him
and He does not despise it.
You are loved and accepted.

A STORY

When the woman charged with adultery was brought to Jesus, He had a vastly different response compared to everyone else (John 8:2–11). Instead of condemning her as the teachers of the law and the Pharisees had expected, Jesus offered forgiveness to the woman and told her to “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11). Jesus demonstrated mercy and taught the woman to live a holy life. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees saw the woman in her sin and defined her based on that, but Jesus saw her as she was — His daughter. God doesn’t just see us in our sinful moments and define us based on that. He sees us for what we can become through Christ. Our God is a merciful and kind God, slow to anger and abounding in love (Ps 86:5, 103:8, Exo 34:6).

Many times, we accuse others and ourselves in a way that Jesus would not have done. We condemn ourselves and think there is no way out for us from our sin. Jesus had a different response, yet He did not lessen the weight of sin that the woman had committed. The woman did not receive the punishment she ought to have — which was death according to the law (Lev 20:10) — instead, she received a new life that day. She was free, completely forgiven, and utterly loved.

God doesn’t just see us in our sinful moments and define us based on that.
He sees us for what we can become through Christ.

HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Perhaps some of you, like the woman, have felt judged and condemned by people around you or even by yourself. You keep trying to change, but have failed many times, and you feel too exhausted to keep trying. Or perhaps you have been living in sin but don’t know how to get out of it.

Hear the call once again:

In the same way Jesus spoke to the woman, He calls you tenderly and says, “Go now and leave your life of sin”. You have been given the ticket of freedom through Christ who gave Himself for you, overcame death, and rose to bring you life eternal. Turn away from your life of sin and walk towards God in holiness. Come to Him just as you are because He loves you.

For others, perhaps you have been on this journey with God for a long time and you feel tired. Unlike the woman in John 8, you might feel that your journey with God hasn’t been as dramatic or life-changing, and you can’t help but compare yourself with others.

Comparing yourself to others can be very tiring.

Why not stop doing that and instead, invest your time and energy in seeking out the treasures in your own journey?

Finding a Safe Place – you’re not alone in an unsupported pregnancy

Alina Teo — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 11:02:00 +0000

HOPE FOUND

Treading new waters of becoming a mother with an unsupported pregnancy is no easy feat. It is often lonely and frightening. Yet, some walk this path alone; afraid of the shame or the hurtful words or stares that may come if others knew the truth.

When Jennifer Heng (Director of Safe Place) was a teenager, this became her reality and she was lost and desperate. Wanting to offer hope and practical help to girls and women going through the same crisis, Safe Place was born. The mission of Safe Place is to help expectant mothers make life-giving choices within a caring community. Empowered and supported, they do not need to face such difficult times alone.

With permission from Safe Place, here is an article of a social worker reflecting on the experience of being part of the journey with a teenage couple through parenthood.

REFLECTIONS OF A SOCIAL WORKER

It is my first time meeting this teenage couple, Nurul* and Petro*, and I am late. I brisk walk into the gynae clinic, craning my neck to find them.

They look like the most unlikely candidates for parenthood. In a room full of well-dressed women and their husbands, one would wonder if this young pair had somehow wandered into the wrong clinic.

Her dark hair, in two braided ponytails, is streaked in magenta and the orange-gold of faded bleach. She is wearing a short baby-doll dress two sizes too small. I train my gaze on her downcast and teary eyes. Concealed beneath heavy black winged eyeliner and metal facial piercings, there is a quiet beauty in this young woman that my heart aches to connect with.

A young man in ripped jeans sits beside her, gripping her trembling hand. His body is tattooed with expletives, and profanities are scrawled all over his black, baggy shirt. The permanency of tattoos suggest a cry for the eternal. The vulgarities… a need for self-protection and belonging?

I linger for a moment on the spiked leather chains on their necks and wrists. It strikes me that this couple may feel very unsafe inside themselves. Outcast, misunderstood and alone – “it’s us against the world”. Beneath Nurul and Petro’s armoured exterior, I wonder if I will find two small children crying out for love and safe embrace.

Nurul begins to share her story. Coming from a fragmented and abusive family, she felt helpless and lost after finding out she was pregnant. Deliberating hard with Petro, they decided to give parenthood a shot, and somehow got linked up with Safe Place.

Today, the parents hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. The doctor happily announces, “You’re expecting a baby boy!” Both of them leave the room in awe, shivering, joyful and terrified at the confirmation of the new life unfolding in Nurul’s womb.

They look like the most unlikely candidates for parenthood, and yet this baby has chosen them all the same.

I speak to Petro’s mother after the gynae appointment, and she muses that something in her son has changed in the wake of his fatherhood. The walls of his bedroom, previously black and littered with verses of death and darkness, are now due for a fresh coat of white paint. As she speaks, I hear hope for the future, I see possibilities, and I marvel at the courage to begin again. Perhaps this baby is a herald for something new. Perhaps this baby has brought new life not just in himself but for his entire family too.

This is the work of Safe Place. Together with our families, we find hope in impossible places. We forge new paths in places where many may dismiss as dead ends. We love, hope, cry and dream, believing with courage that life always prevails. Always!

*Names have been changed

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

If you are in such a situation yourself, don’t be afraid to seek help. Don’t walk alone.
There are people here to care for you and walk this journey with you.

If you know someone in this crisis, share this valuable resource with them.

Watch the video below and hear the stories of mothers who are the true heroes.

To find out more, visit https://safeplace.org.sg

You are Enough – It’s time to stop comparing with others

Alina Teo — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 21:30:00 +0000

NEVER FEELING ENOUGH

Growing up, I struggled with low self-esteem, as I often compared myself with others. It was as if nothing I did was ever good enough, be it in sports, music, schoolwork, how I looked, and so on. The list could only grow.

I didn’t want to feel that way, but I constantly did. I kept wondering how in the world I could escape from this torment of my own mind.

I prayed and asked God for help. Slowly, as I gave space for the Holy Spirit to work, I became more aware that I often felt an inclination to be more like someone else and I grew unhappy with the way I viewed myself. It became clearer that the real issue was that of contentment. The question I needed to answer was: Am I contented with who God has made me to be and what He has given me?

The truth is that once you start comparing, it never ends. There isn’t an end to it. In your mind, there’s bound to be someone better than you, cleverer than you, prettier than you, funnier than you … when will the comparisons stop?

When we compare with others, we forget that God made us the exact way we are. There is beauty and a special way you say or do things that only you can bring to the world. No one else can be you, so don’t rob the world of the precious gift of yourself.

WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD HAVE TO SAY?

Perhaps we need to hear the truth once again from the Bible, where Leah was looked upon as seemingly not one to be chosen or loved (Even her father had the cheek to use her as a pretender Rachel to deceive Jacob! Read more in Genesis 29.)

Yet, God chose her. God called her. God cherished her.

Leah was the one who was chosen by God to bear a son who would eventually lead to the line of Jesus (Gen 29:25, 49:10, Matt 1:1-17). It wouldn’t be a son of Rachel, the pretty and popular one. God loved Leah just as she was and chose her. He had a really important role for her to play in His story. God saw her and He had an amazing plan for her life even if it did not seem so to her at many points.

Someone had chosen her, someone did love her —
with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love

Judah was Leah’s fourth son. With the birth of her older sons, Leah had sought her worth and love from her husband which never really came in the way she had hoped. After she gave birth to her first son, she thought that Jacob would love her because of the son she had borne for him (Gen 29:32). She was disappointed. She thought of her second son as compensation for how unloved she was (Gen 29:33). Bearing her third son, Leah still held out hope that Jacob would finally be attached to her (Gen 29:34). Once again, disappointment was her close friend.

But the day she bore Judah, Leah got it. “This time”, she understood (Gen 29:35a). Even if the world did not deem her worthy of love or did not see her significance, God saw her and that’s what mattered: and so, she will praise God (Gen 29:35b). I like how the children’s author Sally Lloyd-Jones put it in The Jesus Storybook Bible: “Someone had chosen her, someone did love her — with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” Leah stopped seeking approval or letting her worth be tied to anyone else but God.

LOOK INSIDE

How often do we let other voices steal the worth God has already set in us? How often have we looked around and compared ourselves with others rather than look at what God has already gifted us?

Are we willing to let the walls of comparison and self-derision come crashing down and let God’s love overtake us? When we build up these walls by choosing to believe that other people or other things define us other than God, it becomes harder to hear the loving voice of God speak truth where we need it most.

Perhaps like Leah, you feel unloved, unwanted and insignificant and you can’t see how God’s good plan can take shape in your life. Look at Leah’s story and take heart. Just as Leah believed and took God’s assurance to heart, would you open your heart to hear these words for yourself today: God has chosen you. God has called you. God cherishes you.

LIVE IN GOD'S TRUTHS

Here are a few ways we can start living in God’s truth instead of lies:

We need to renew our minds. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.” We need to change how we think by submitting ourselves to God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, our minds can be transformed. But we have to begin by filling our minds with the things of God that are found in His word. We need to start learning to read and dwell upon God’s word, believing and living out the truths it tells us (Check out our article with Deborah and Elicia studying the Bible together https://www.kallos.com.sg/library/issue-43/we-did-a-bible-study-together/).
We need to surround ourselves with people who build us up instead of tear us down. Who are the people you allow to speak into your life? Proverb 12:26 instructs, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Friends are a big part of our lives, so if we surround ourselves with authentic followers of Christ who spur us on toward Him, we are in good company.
Take stock of the gifts God has blessed you with. Sit down and take the time to ponder about the wonderful way God has made you. Even if these things seem insignificant to you, know that God made you “fearfully and wonderfully” and there is much to praise God in that (Ps 139:14).

Hear these words for yourself today:
God has chosen you. God has called you. God cherishes you.

Let God’s truth fill your heart.

You are enough.

I too have to remind myself of this and let the Holy Spirit help me choose contentment daily. We are all on this journey with Christ, growing toward the fullness of who we have been made to be as we seek Him.

Even if you don’t feel it currently, choose to stand upon God’s truths and let that shape the way you think and act. You are a precious gift to the world, so don’t hide away but be brave and be you.

Where were You when I needed You, God?

Kallos Team — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:32:00 +0000

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut 31:8)

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Ps 118:6)

Have you lived through the unthinkable? Had your life knocked off course in a matter of moments, along with what you thought you had faith in God for? An earnest prayer gone seemingly unanswered. Someone you love taken away. Something horrible happening to you. I have felt all these through my 33 years, but the first time my relationship with God was thrown into question took place when I was just nine years old, after I was sexually assaulted by a person I thought I could trust.

The incident kept me in chains way into my teenage years, becoming a raw, angry part of my heart I let no one — not God, not even my conscious self — near. Every time the subject was broached or triggered, the tears came, and so did unbridled rage. It was a mix of everything too painful to dissect, much less think about: Why had I let this happen to myself? How would I ever find full justice? Where was God when I needed Him most?

I didn’t resent this God I had come to know and love on other fronts of my life, but neither did I go anywhere near the glaring inconsistency between His goodness I read about in His Word and what had still happened to me. For all He said about never leaving or forsaking me, it sure looked like God had done so then. He had not helped me as my heart had filled with fear in that fateful moment — and judging by the searing pain I continued to carry, it seemed that a mere mortal had indeed destroyed my life.

This would change, however, almost six years later, at an unrelated altar call I had responded to during youth service. Expecting to be prayed for by the preacher, I found myself overcome by emotion as he said only five simple words to me: “You have to forgive him.” I had not been thinking about it, but what was buried deep inside came spilling out at once. “Yes,” I was somehow able to pray as I knelt at the altar, “Yes, I will forgive him.” I discovered later on that I was able, for the first time ever, to talk about the assault without shame or sting. God had healed me.

He then began answering the questions I had not dared to ask, revealing dimensions of His truth to my mended heart. Had He not protected me from experiencing sexual trauma? This is what I have come to understand: God may not intervene to disrupt the free will He has given all of us — to choose for ourselves without His interference — even when people choose to hurt each other. But His promise of never leaving or forsaking us remains true, a promise embodied in the person of His Son.

Jesus suffered on this earth that we may never be alone in any of our sufferings. He is with us when tragedy strikes, and He stays with us in its wake, no matter how long the road to restoration stretches. Neither does He watch helplessly as we writhe in agony: the Jesus I know wept when the brokenness of this earth touched those whom He loved (John 11:32–35) — and then He proceeded to redeem it (Rev 21:4). He faced the ultimate forsakenness on the Cross in our place, and was returned to life to give all who believe in Him both the promise of eternal togetherness and His Holy Spirit for our time on earth (Matt 27:46; Rom 3:24–26; John 20:21–22).

That is why the New Testament writer of Hebrews can repeat with confidence the exhortations of Moses and David to trust in God and not be afraid (Heb 13:5–6; cf. Deut 31:6; Ps 118:6), because with Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us (Matt 1:23) is now a promise that will be fulfilled for every believer, for every circumstance, for every doubt and dark time. My Great Helper is here for the whole journey, whatever it holds. I will not be afraid.

JONK’S JOURNALS

A PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I bring to You everything I hold in my heart: my doubts, my hurts, my questions. Help me to trust in You as I surrender them to You. Heal my heart as You renew my mind with Your truth. May I experience Your nearness in this journey. Amen.

JOURNAL THIS!
1. Is there something you are struggling with that is hard to reconcile with your faith in God? Tell God the truth of what you’re going through, and ask for His help.

2. Are you feeling alone or abandoned? Commit to trusting that God is near, He is with you, and in Him you will find revelation, redemption, and restoration.

KNOW THE WORD
Allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate His truths in these passages:
– Psalm 34:15–20
– John 11:1–44; 16:33
– Isaiah 41:10; 43:2

AFTERTHOUGHTS
“God’s absence is never true. His silence is not absence; His hiddenness is not abandonment. He is working for your salvation; He is working out his promises. He is keeping His promises even when it looks like He’s nowhere around.” — “The Hiddenness of God” by Timothy Keller

Listen to the sermon on Spotify

Redefining Love

Abigail Han — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 11:27:00 +0000

What do you do when the person you love is emotionally abusing you?

ABIGAIL HAN shares her story of loving, leaving, and letting go.

When I entered a relationship whileliving in America in 2016, my heart was filled with both excitement and anxiety. My then-boyfriend asked me to be his girlfriend by sharing this verse with me: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28 ESV). We both trusted that God was leading us with our whole hearts. But we quickly came to understand that relationships are good but messy, desirable yet complex.

THE BEGINNING

Before we became ‘official’, I did my ‘good Christian girl’ due diligence by asking my church community what they thought about him. For the most part, I received good reviews from my leaders and friends. However, I did not have as much information as I would have preferred, because the church I attended was large and I did not know his closest friends. After a few nights of praying (and squealing), I said yes to being his girlfriend with peace in my heart.

SEEING GOD FOR WHO HE IS

But Jesus’ love isn’t like that. He would never even bruise a broken reed (Isa 42:3), and in our weakest moments, He meets us with undeserved grace (Mark 2:17). He loves us with an everlasting love and nothing, not even death, can separate us from His love (Rom 8:38–39). An abusive relationship was an antithesis to this love. It was through the counsel of others that I understood that abusive behaviours are not excusable and no behaviour on my part makes me deserving of abusive treatment. Dating and marriage, though imperfect, should be ways through which we come to understand more deeply the love of Jesus.

EVEN THOUGH I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG, I STILL BLAMED MYSELF AND FELT THAT I DESERVED WHAT HE DISHED OUT AT ME.

BRINGING SIN INTO THE LIGHT

When we started having issues in our relationship, one of the biggest steps of faith I took was to bring these behaviours into the light by speaking with others in my community. When you are in a relationship that is hazy and clouded, God provides community to shed light, to bring clarity, and to help you see your blind spots.

Being fearful, isolated, and unsure is not what God has intended for marriage (Gen 2:23–24) — much less a dating relationship moving towards marriage. I had been hesitant to share these red flags with others, because I was afraid they would tell me that we were not suited for marriage and encourage us to break up. In this way, the relationship revealed one of my deepest idols: marriage.

There was Abraham who, under Sarah’s influence, chased away his servant Hagar and mother of his own offspring Ishmael; Isaac and Rebekah, who played favourites with their twin sons; Laban, who promised Jacob he could marry his younger daughter Rachel, only to do a bride swap on the wedding day so that his older daughter, Leah, would not be left on the shelf; and many more.

Slowly, I saw that my parents are sinful and broken people who have gone through difficult times of their own too. They were also brought up by flawed human beings and were simply modelling what they had experienced in their own childhoods. In fact, I found out that my maternal grandmother had died when my mother was only 14! Because of my grandmother’s passing, not only was the privilege of attending school taken away from my mum, she also had to quickly grow up and ‘mother’ her younger siblings too. This made me realise that her harsh criticisms of me merely reflected the expectations that were laid on her at a very young age.

GOD HAS THE POWER TO CREATE GOOD FROM EVIL. HE IS STRONGER THAN YOUR ABUSE AND CAN RESTORE YOU.

A GREAT MERCY

Now, four years after we broke up, I can say with greater confidence the words of Psalm 23 that surely goodness and mercy has followed me all the days of my life.

The God we worship is the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor 1:3–4 ESV). It is through the comfort I have received that I can encourage all who are in abusive relationships. If marriage is part of His plan for you, He wants you to experience a loving relationship, in which the love of Jesus will anchor your relationship, and for your partner to help you know Christ more. God does not want you to endure an abusive relationship but to experience the true love of God.

My Parents Messed Up. Now What?

Roxane Ng — Sat, 01 May 2021 02:46:00 +0000

“There’s nothing good about her.” That was my mother’s curt reply to a relative who asked her to say a few good things about me. The remark cut like a knife. I had thought that I would be used to such callousness by now, but tears still welled up in my eyes.

Growing up, I’ve had words like “stupid”, “irresponsible”, and “uncaring” carelessly used to describe me. At first, I attempted to reason with my parents, but this only resulted in intense quarrels. There was even once when I walked away from them in the middle of a heated argument … on the way to a relative’s house during Chinese New Year! I ended up going to my best friend’s house instead, and there, I burst into tears, telling her how I felt so misunderstood. When I concluded that nothing I could do would ever be good enough, my efforts to do well in school and please my parents came to a standstill.

Gradually, I developed a new coping mechanism. Every time I was hurt by my parents’ words and behaviour, I would go to my room and withdraw from them. I became resentful of their seeming lack of love for me and found no reason to continue trying to impress them. I was bitter that they favoured my brothers over me and was angry that life was so unfair.

The hurt and pain within me festered and I found it hard to love my family.

Eventually, I stopped caring about them.

SOME THINGS ARE JUST IMPOSSIBLE?

After accepting Christ, it felt like I had found a new and ‘better’ family in the form of the church, my leaders, and friends. My life had a renewed sense of purpose and I thought things were finally looking up!

THE HURT AND PAIN WITHIN ME FESTERED AND I FOUND IT HARD TO LOVE MY FAMILY.

Yet, as I grew in knowledge of the Word, the call to honour my parents as one of the ten commandments gnawed at me. I began to feel an inner conflict between wanting to obey God and holding firm to my belief that respect and honour had to be earned. More importantly, how would I tear down the walls in my heart that I had painstakingly built, and honour these people who had become like strangers living in the same house? I thought, “I just can’t do this!”

During a particular church service on Mother’s Day, the pastor challenged us to send a text message with “I love you, Mum!” to our mothers on the spot. People around me started taking out their phones and typing away, but my heart was so hardened, and I remained unmoved. I couldn’t bring myself to do such a simple act. I wondered if perhaps, there are just some relationships that are too difficult to repair.

EVEN THE BEST PARENTS ARE SINNERS

One day as I was reading the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–50, something intrigued me. Joseph came from a very dysfunctional family. Among other family issues, he was hated by his own brothers, and was eventually sold into slavery by them. This cruel act caused him to face plenty of hardship and injustice all alone in a foreign land. It would have been perfectly understandable if he swore to settle the score or vowed to throw them into a pit someday. Yet, instead of holding on to bitterness in his heart, he saw his situation as a part of God’s redemptive plan (Gen 50:20). I remember being in disbelief at how Joseph responded to his brothers with kindness and generosity when he met them again after 22 years!

The dramatic transformation in Joseph’s family inspired me to begin a journey of processing and understanding what went wrong in my family, and how I could respond to them with kindness and generosity the way Joseph did. I heeded good advice to seek biblical counselling and began to see my parents with fresh eyes.

I’ve heard the saying that family is supposed to be our safe haven. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. Every day in the news, we see stories of parents abusing their children (and vice versa!), siblings taking each other to court … the list goes on. Even the Bible is filled with stories of dysfunctional families and parents who messed up!

I SAW THAT MY PARENTS ARE SINFUL AND BROKEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES OF THEIR OWN TOO.

My anger and resentment melted away as I chose to focus on the good things my parents had done and the unspoken sacrifices they have made to provide for my needs and more. While I acknowledge that they could have refrained from saying certain damaging words and done some things differently in their parenting journey, I chose to take the first step of obedience to forgive them and see that while their words may have been harsh, their actions showed their love for me in many subtle ways.

GOD’S PLAN

Although the relationship with my parents is still not fully restored, I’ve healed from the emotional wounds of the past and learned to manage my emotions better when they say hurtful things. I’ve realised the importance of continuously forgiving them and learning to see things from their perspective. I’ve also reaped the benefits of setting boundaries; like not talking about sensitive issues which may lead to arguments, and not taking offence at every act of favouritism shown towards my brothers. I used to be troubled by how dysfunctional my family is, but I now know that sin is present everywhere, even in the most harmonious of families.

GOD HAS PLACED ME IN MY FAMILY FOR A BIGGER PURPOSE.

For some of us, the breakdown in our family runs even deeper, perhaps veering into physical and sexual abuse. In those cases, while these lessons of forgiveness are still relevant, we do have to handle the wounds differently — daring to seek help from the necessary people, and not bearing the shame and silence alone.

While a complete reconciliation may take a long time in my family, I know that God wants me not to hold on to bitterness, but to hold on to hope and His promise in Ephesians 6:2–3 that if I honour my father and mother, it will go well with me. Like Joseph who believed that it was not his brothers who sent him to Egypt but God Himself (Gen 45:8), I am beginning to see that God has placed me in my family for a bigger purpose, to be a crucible of grace and a vessel of salvation.

If your family is not the epitome of harmony right now, take heart and hold on to the hope that like Joseph’s broken family who ultimately reunited and grew old together, God’s redemptive plan will be visible in your family as well!

How to Avoid Toxic Friends (And Be a Good One!)

Quek Shiwei — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:10:00 +0000

As the saying goes, three’s a crowd. I watched in anxiety as two of my closest friends paired off, leaving me out. For months, the three of us had been caught in a friendship triangle. No longer happy to be the ‘three musketeers’, two of us were now competing to see who would be the chosen ‘best friend’ of our favoured friend. Even as a primary school girl, I had learnt one thing — female friendships can be toxic. I spent hours feeling insecure about my worth and agonising over these friendships.

WHAT ARE FRIENDSHIPS FOR?
Any girl who has had toxic friendships must have wondered, “What is the point of this friendship if it only brings me pain?” I once came across this line by the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge: “Friendship is a sheltering tree.” The image of a tree providing shade in the heat of life stuck with me. Perhaps friendship, at its best, can be a gift from God.

I then wondered where the idea of friendship came from. We can’t choose our family, classmates, or neighbours, but we can choose our friends. Why would someone willingly enter a relationship that may cause hurt and calls for the giving of time, affection, and effort, but with no guarantee of return? Who came up with this concept? It hit me that God Himself is Friendship. He is the Holy Trinity, three-in-one, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (John 16–17). In this friendship circle, there is no gossiping, bullying, or manipulation. Rather, the three are mutually self-giving, kind, and respectful. The Holy Spirit is humble and works quietly without jealousy. Jesus is sacrificial, giving His life for others, and submits to the Father out of loyalty. The Father leads with love and authority, never abusing His power. How many of us have friends like that?

THE REALITY OF FRIENDSHIPS
The truth is, many of us may be hard-pressed to think of many true friends. In a survey that Kallos did with 64 young women, we found that more than 80 percent of them have felt lonely at school. Also, many of them identified with statements like these:

“I have done something I didn’t want to because I felt pressured by my friends.”

“I have heard or seen hurtful things being said about me by my friends.”

“I have been (cyber)bullied by a friend.”

If you can identify with these statements too, perhaps you are currently in a toxic friendship. If that is the case, you may need to get out of this unhealthy friendship, hard as it may be. But how do you confirm if you are in a toxic friendship?

These questions may help:
• Do they cheer you on in private and public, or do they backstab you with gossip?
• Do they put their needs before yours, and do they use you for their own gain?
• Do they bully or manipulate you with some kind of weapon (such as a secret, leadership position, or hurtful words)?

If you think you are in a toxic friendship, remember that you deserve to be treated better and to have true friends. You may need to distance yourself from them, unfollow their social media pages, or even block them online. While it is noble to be loyal to your friends and not give up on them, there are times you may have to break off unhealthy friendships so that both of you have time and space to grow as individuals.

WE STAY IN TOXIC FRIENDSHIPS BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT GENUINE FRIENDSHIP IS.

Often, we stay in toxic friendships because we don’t know what genuine friendship is. So how do we identify true friends?

WHAT A TRUE FRIEND IS
Long before Taylor Swift and Martin Johnson wrote the song “Two Is Better Than One,” the writer (often called Qoheleth) of Ecclesiastes penned the words that inspired the song as he painted a beautiful picture of what true friendship could be. According to Qoheleth, “two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour” (Ecc 4:9). With two or more true friends, you can achieve far more than going alone. This is because true friends don’t put down each another or vie for glory as they work as a team. Did you know that Kallos was started by three teenage friends who wanted to do something for the young women in Singapore? Do you have spiritual friends with whom to achieve something for God and His kingdom too? If not, pray and seek out such friends!

On top of that, a true friend picks you up if you fall down (Ecc 4:10). While I was in university, a friend shared a tale of her past relationship, in which she was being pressured to have sex with her boyfriend. Thankfully, before that could happen, her grandfather suddenly entered the house, which caused her to realise the gravity of what she had been about to do. As she confessed her guilt to me, her burden was lifted. Through the years, I have rejoiced with her as she picked up the pieces of her past and found healing through prayer. True friends can pull one up from the pit and help one find hope again.

Qoheleth added that two are better than one because they can keep warm together (Ecc 4:11). When I was in New Zealand with my family, my one-year-old baby girl couldn’t sleep at night unless she cuddled next to me to keep warm. In terms of relationships, many are left out in the cold when they are betrayed or bullied. A true friend keeps you warm by staying close when no one else does.

Finally, true friends defend one another against attacks (Ecc 4:12). We are not always aware that we have an enemy, the devil, who is prowling around like a lion, seeking a chance to attack us in our weakest moments (1 Pet 5:8). For Amanda Teo, who wrote abouther struggles with masturbation in the Kallos book Real Talk: Exposing 10 Myths About Love and Sexuality, it helped to text her friends whenever she needed strength to resist spiritual attacks. Would you be a true friend for someone and be a ‘’sheltering tree’’ for them too?

FINDING THE TRUEST FRIEND
I recall the time I had to adjust to a new class in secondary school. I missed my old friends, who seemed to have found cooler friends. I spent recess time hiding in the toilet, sobbing as I avoided being alone in the canteen.

WHILE I WAS ALONE, I DID NOT NEED TO BE LONELY. JESUS WANTED TO BE MY TRUE FRIEND.

Those painful times became precious when I realised that while I was alone, I did not need to be lonely. Jesus wanted to be my true friend (John 15:15), and until I made Him my best friend, I would always be insecure. As I spent time reading the Bible, listening to worship songs, and getting to know Him, I realised that He would never leave me in the cold. Whether you are currently entangled in toxic friendships or struggling to find a true friend, remember that you always have a best friend in Jesus!

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
When I was ten, one of the girls in our trio moved to Canada, and I lost touch with the other girl when we went to secondary school. A decade later, I met the first friend while on a trip to Canada, and another decade later, I reconnected with the second at a friend’s wedding. All our friendship toxicity melted away as we realised that we were now God-lovers trying to honour Him with our relationship and career choices. Our friendships had once centred on ourselves, but our renewed friendships centred on God and how we could encourage one another on this journey. Our toxic friendships have been replaced by true spiritual friendships, and I am all the more better for it.

Four Signs You’re In An Abusive Relationship

Riley Sewell — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:14:00 +0000

“I feel like I am walking on eggshells with my boyfriend,” my best friend said.

Looking her straight in the eye, I took a deep breath. Then I asked, “Do you think you are in an emotionally abusive relationship?”

“Absolutely not. Sure, we have problems. I know I cry a lot and seem miserable at times. But honestly, it’s probably my fault for making him angry anyway. Abusive? No way.”

She was wrong, and all the signs told me so.

She knows now but didn’t know then that some of the most painful and damaging forms of abuse are subtle. Sure, it can be loud and amplified and completely obvious. However, abuse can also be a quiet and slow undermining of your confidence and psychological health.

ABUSE IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS OFTEN GOES UNDETECTED.

Any abuse (physical, emotional, and spiritual) gnaws at the edges of your psyche, then slowly eats its way into your mental health, confidence, and even your identity. Abuse in intimate relationships often goes undetected. Secrecy, fed by shame, allows abuse to continue, so its very existence relies on that.

If you don’t know what abuse looks like, we’re here to shed some light.

What are some signs that you’re in an abusive relationship?

1. YOU’RE MADE TO FEEL LIKE YOU’RE GOING CRAZY.
One of the most insidious and powerful tools in an abusive partner’s arsenal is ‘gaslighting’. If you aren’t familiar with the term, it’s a technique to make a person doubt reality. The word ‘crazy’ is often used to describe how gaslit people are made to feel. For example, your partner may keep denying something you had known to be true to the point where you begin to believe them. Or, if you get upset when they speak harshly toward you, they may insist that you’re overreacting, so you begin to doubt your justification for anger. The whole point of gaslighting is to control you by tipping you off balance and making you mistrust your instincts and beliefs. Gaslighting makes you think eventually, “Am I the one who is the problem?”

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS TO NEVER MINIMISE OR MAKE EXCUSES FOR ANY OF THEIR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOURS.

2. YOU FIND YOURSELF ISOLATED FROM YOUR COMMUNITY.
An abuser may try to come between you and your people to make you more dependent on him. Isolation can start subtly. For example, the abuser could insist you “check in” at all times or tell you to quit activities because the only thing that should matter is your relationship with him. Or, he may slowly poison your other relationships by telling you negative things about the people you love, sowing doubt and discord.

Isolation gives abusers more control. If they know that you have no one to turn to, then the power is in their hands. Ultimately, this leaves you without a support system during your most significant time of need — which may be just what the abuser wants.

3. YOU’RE TREATED WITH CONTEMPT.
For my best friend, the emotional abuse didn’t come in the form of shouting matches — instead, it was the slow drip, drip, drip of gaslighting and also subtle forms of contempt. Contempt is expressed in many ways, including hostile humour, sarcasm, mockery, and name-calling. If your partner is exhibiting these kinds of behaviour, the relationship is emotionally abusive.

It is essential to ask yourself, does your partner criticise you in public? Or get sarcastic and tell others negative and embarrassing things about you? If so, you should consider these actions as red flags, because it shows you that your partner ignores or doesn’t even detect social decency rules. Abusive relationships rarely start with physical abuse. These are warning signs that your partner might act out even worse abusive behaviours behind closed doors.

ISOLATION GIVES ABUSERS MORE CONTROL. IF YOU HAVE NO ONE TO TURN TO, THEN THE POWER IS IN THEIR HANDS.

4. YOU’RE AFRAID OF THEIR ANGER.
It’s normal for someone to get angry and lose their temper once in a while. But for it to happen continually and explosively is a classic sign of abuse. Unlike the other signs, this one is easier to spot but no less damaging. Abusers may get aggressive or angry if you fail to do what they want, but because they can be warm and loving, before turning cold and angry in an instant, you may find yourself feeling like you need to be super careful to avoid making them upset.

GET OUT, AND GET HELP
If any of these signs sound painfully familiar, the first thing you need to realise is that the behaviour is totally unacceptable, and you are worthy of better. It’s time for things to change — immediately.

I know that advice is easier to give than to take, especially if you love your partner or are afraid to leave them. The most important thing to remember is to never minimise or make excuses for any of their abusive behaviours. Everyone goes through stress and frustration, experiences anger, and gets upset, but this is no excuse for acting in ways that harm others, emotionally or physically.

Please know that you are not alone. Like a tree, I encourage you to reach up to God in the knowledge that Jesus through His deep suffering understands the pain you’re going through and desires for your healing; reach out to your friends and loved ones for support; and dig down into the identity you have as a beloved daughter of God. If you need specialised help or know someone who does, it is readily available. In Singapore, the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Break the Silence webpage <https://www.msf.gov.sg/breakthesilence/> provides hotlines and further information on abusive behaviour. If your school has counsellors, speak to them. There is a way out! Freedom and healing are on the other side of your courage.

Bullied, Bully, or Bystander?

Quek Shi Yun — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 01:10:00 +0000

There’s this girl we heard about. Let’s call her Lucy. Lucy was at the prime of her school life —16, the head of her CCA, and in, by Singaporean standards, a good school. She was popular and confident. Then one day, a bad decision made her fall from the good graces of her peers. She became the victim of bullying — she was ostracised and antagonised in person, and, more damagingly, was hounded and harassed online. Lucy started barricading herself in her room and isolating herself from everyone who loved her. She refused to go to school, even deferring her ‘O’ Level examinations. She started cutting herself, and at the peak of the bullying, even a trip to the nearby supermarket terrified her.

THE INTERNET CHANGES EVERYTHING
Are you perplexed by this story? Why would a so-called “simple” case of bullying lead to such devastating effects?

According to Ms. Joanne Wong, Head of TOUCH Cyber Wellness, there are some key elements that make cyberbullying so much more destructive than physical bullying. For one, cyberbullying is often anonymous, with perpetrators able to hide their identities or create fake profiles. Fear and paranoia can easily set in when you are constantly wondering if your bully might be physically near you.

To make matters worse, cyberbullies tend to be acquainted with their victims. Ms. Wong cites examples of cases where victims are in the same chat groups, schools, classes, or CCA groups as their bullies. The victims’ social media accounts are also visible and accessible to the bullies. “In such cases, the victims had to ‘live with’ the presence of bullies, which can seriously affect their ability to learn, focus, cope and, regulate their emotions.”

Having experienced physical bullying myself (Shi Yun) as a teenager, it’s hard to imagine just how debilitating cyberbullying can be. While I was tormented by my bullies every day in school, I always knew that I would be safe once I was home. But with the Internet, this isn’t so anymore. Cyberbullying can now happen any time and anywhere. Taunts and mockery go on regardless of where you are. Knowing that there is no escape, such bullying can cause perpetual anxiety in victims even when they are in what should be the safety of their own homes. What’s more, the fact that the Internet facilitates more witnesses and malicious comments means that the shame and humiliation experienced by the victim can increase exponentially.

It is no wonder that victims like Lucy feel helpless in the face of cyberbullying and overwhelmed by its effects!

CYBERBULLYING CAN NOW HAPPEN ANY TIME AND ANYWHERE. TAUNTS AND MOCKERY GO ON REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Lucy’s story isn’t a one-off case. Goh Wei-Shen, a counsellor with a social service agency, assures us that the effects of cyberbullying are very real. She’s counselled a 16-year-old girl who frequently complained of stomach cramps and feelings of nausea. These “excuses” for not going to school were really symptoms of the intense anxiety she was experiencing due to cyberbullying. In a different case, a 13-year-old girl became very withdrawn and would cry herself to sleep. She was self-harming and even attempted to end her life by overdosing on pills.

Hearing these stories just breaks our heart, and we hope it breaks yours too. But that isn’t enough to change things. So, what can you do when you encounter cyberbullying, whether you are the bullied, bully, or bystander?

TO THE BULLIED…
First of all, we grieve and stand with you. No one should be subject to the distress you have been through, and we pray that you know you are not alone. When we are bullied, it is easy to internalise all the lies spoken about us: “You’re ugly.” “You’re not worthy of love.” “You deserve to die.” These awful lies can take root in our hearts, no matter how hard we fight them. I (Shi Yun) was bullied at ten and even though the bullying eventually stopped, its effects stayed with me for years.

What saved me was a supportive family, kind bystanders who became friends, and going back to the foundation of my life — the Bible. I combatted each lie with God’s truth. God knows me personally (Luke 12:7; Ps 139:1–18). He sees my suffering and does not leave me alone (Ps 56:8; 9:9). He loves me to the extent that His Son, Jesus Christ, died for me (John 3:16; Gal 2:20)! It may surprise you that the verse that helped me break free from the pain of bullying was this command of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5:44 — “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

When the pain, anxiety and isolation overwhelmed me, I hid myself in His embrace. The emotions that come from being bullied are so very real, but so is His love. Rest in it.

TO THE BULLY…
Most of us wouldn’t want to think of ourselves as bullies. Yet, we may inadvertently be part of the problem when we choose to weigh in online with a mean remark here or a demeaning comment there, passing on gossip and baseless speculation.

Ask yourself: would you like to be at the receiving end of your unkind, intimidating words or actions? Proverb 18:21 warns us that the tongue has the power of life and death — in some bullying cases, this has turned out to be a terrible truth. Remember this: your words count, both online and offline, and the words you speak online have a real offline effect, even if you are able to remain anonymous. Pray this in earnest: “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps 141:3).

ASK YOURSELF: WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AT THE RECEIVING END OF YOUR UNKIND, INTIMIDATING WORDS OR ACTIONS?

TO THE BYSTANDER…
Our message is simple: don’t just stand by. STAND UP! Rev. Chris Lee (of “British Priest Reacts” fame) told a story of the time a classmate stood up in class and viciously said to him, “No one likes you, Lee. Does anyone like Lee?” I can picture the scene — a small boy, seated with his head down, not daring to make eye contact with anyone. But another classmate spoke up: “I like him. He’s a good guy.” And just like that, the power of the bully was broken. What a beautiful image of the power you have to stand with victims of bullying! Don’t be afraid to do what is right. Take courage, and act.

BECOMING AN ADVOCATE
We know that cyberbullying is a problem. Some have even gone so far as to call it a “cyber pandemic”. God has always been on the side of victims and against bullies (Prov 3:34). His Word constantly charges us to fight for justice (Isa 1:17; Mic 6:8, Jer 22:3), and speak for the voiceless (Prov 31:8–9). As daughters of God, we pray that you see the value and dignity in each person (Gen 1:26), going beyond the behaviour of a bully or a bystander to become an advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves!

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF CYBERBULLYING
Here are Ms. Joanne Wong’s practical tips on what you can do if you are being bullied online:

1. Cut the bullies off. Block them online, disallow “follows” and direct messages from accounts you don’t follow, and remove them from your friends list.

2. Don’t delete the evidence — save it. Take screenshots of the online comments or private messages you receive as proof of the bullying, and monitor the frequency of bullying. See point 4.

3. Get help from a trusted adult. Keep them updated about how these incidences are affecting you personally so that they can give you the support you need.

4. Report it. With your parents, approach school teachers with evidence of the bullying. Schools in Singapore are well-positioned to jump in to protect and support you, as well as mediate between you and the bully.

5. In cases where all measures have been exhausted, you have the right to seek legal protection under the Protection Against Harassment Act. However, it is imperative to note that any legal proceedings can cause heavy mental and emotional burdens, and the family must be prepared to go through that.

Need more help? Call the TOUCHline at 1800 377 2252 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm). The helpline is manned by counsellors who will be able to assess the situation and provide the assistance and support you may need.

PURPOSE Jewelry: Giving freedom to survivors of human trafficking

Quek Shiwei — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 06:05:00 +0000

Did you know that the human trafficking industry is valued at $150 billion? Seventy-five percent of trafficking victims are girls and young women; every minute, four children are forced into human trafficking.

In 2013, these harsh realities compelled Susan Cramm to explore ways to combat the evil of human trafficking. She came across International Sanctuary, a non-profit that offers a safe and loving workplace community where human-trafficking survivors gain economic freedom, access to education, quality healthcare, and a place to belong through its brand PURPOSE Jewelry. Its fashion-forward collections are not mere accessories. Handcrafted by survivors, each piece bears its own story. With every purchase, you are joining hands with a survivor and bringing her a step closer to freedom.

Hi, Susan! What sparked your commitment to fighting human trafficking?
In 2013, our church’s missions pastor asked my husband and me to work with a ministry that operates border checkpoints that prevent girls and women from being trafficked over the open border from Nepal to India. We conducted a planning workshop with the leaders fighting on the frontlines, provided medical care, visited the safe houses and borders, and interacted with some rescued women. Our awareness about trafficking was low then, but God pierced our hearts. We could not ignore what we had witnessed.

I started researching about organisations that fight trafficking in southern California, where I live. I connected with one of International Sanctuary’s founders and realised its unique empowerment model using employment as a means to healing. Every piece of jewellery purchased has a direct connection to creating jobs for women escaping trafficking. As a professional leadership coach, it was a natural fit for me to volunteer in support of their expansion strategy. I have never looked back since.

How can a regular individual get involved in helping to abolish human trafficking?
There are two types of trafficking — labour trafficking and sex trafficking. Labour trafficking makes up 50–75 percent of cases. To combat labour trafficking, you have to be a responsible consumer. A rule of thumb is that if a shirt costs between five and ten US dollars, somebody didn’t get paid proper wages. Buy less, buy vintage, or buy second-hand items to ensure sustainability. To combat sex trafficking, be careful about where you go for personal services, e.g. massage parlours, nail salons, and more. That requires some ability to ask the staff, “How did you get here? What are your work hours? Where do you live? How much do you get paid?”

Look out for people who seem to be physically controlled or show signs of abuse. Find out your local anti-trafficking hotline and report any suspicious activity. On a more social note, following and sharing content about human trafficking on social media channels help raise awareness.

How does International Sanctuary help trafficking survivors find freedom?
People usually look at the PURPOSE Jewelry product and equate survivors finding employment to being free. But they don’t really understand the impact of trauma. Trauma impairs your ability to see yourself the way God sees you, to think clearly, to feel safe, and to trust people. It also affects one’s access to education and skill sets. The process of making jewellery to make money is a means for healing, not the end.

Firstly, we accept the survivors and make sure they feel safe. We don’t publish their faces or exploit their stories. Secondly, we help them feel a sense of worthiness. At International Sanctuary, survivors work in a safe and loving community where they are seen and heard. They learn to make beautiful jewellery and look at their creations with pride and realise that it reflects their beauty and gain self-confidence. Next, we educate the survivors and teach them life skills, numeracy, and literacy. Finally, peer-based friendships and mentor-mentee support are really fundamental too. Survivors learn the concept of servant leadership and the importance of receiving and giving love to those further behind in their healing journey.

TRAUMA IMPAIRS YOUR ABILITY TO SEE YOURSELF THE WAY GOD SEES YOU, TO THINK CLEARLY, TO FEEL SAFE, AND TO TRUST PEOPLE.

PURPOSE Jewelry’s tagline is “Wear Freedom”. Could you elaborate more about what this means?
In our promotional video, there’s a tagline that says, “You’re part of her life and she is part of yours.” Each piece of jewellery is hand-signed by a survivor. When you buy a piece of jewellery, you can pray for this survivor and be “a part of her life.” We work very carefully to make sure our designs are fashion-forward. When someone compliments your jewellery, you can tell them it’s handcrafted by survivors. It’s a non-intrusive conversation starter to expand awareness about human trafficking.

Our mission is about empowerment. We help survivors view themselves the way God views them — once they receive His love, they love others. Within that, survivors gain the freedom to set goals, engage in education, make good choices about who they spend time with, and are held accountable and provided feedback so that they have support to guide their journey to freedom. At International Sanctuary, we work toward ensuring survivors are responsible, possess necessary skill sets, work well with others, and are employable.

WE HELP SURVIVORS VIEW THEMSELVES THE WAY GOD VIEWS THEM — ONCE THEY RECEIVE HIS LOVE, THEY LOVE OTHERS.

What keeps you going in this line of work?
I am very dedicated to my Christian faith. My work is an act of worship to God. He asked us to be good stewards and give out of abundance. You have an opportunity to make a difference in this world. Hearing from the survivors keeps me going too — “Now I know that God has a destiny for me and I will never attempt to take my life again,” “I can do things well. I am not useless. I hope to continue all my life to become support for other women like me.” For many survivors, the workplace is their community where they receive love and respect. The joy in the survivors despite their backgrounds and stories speak of their resilience and the power of love that transforms.

NEHA’S TESTIMONY OF FREEDOM
When Neha* first began PURPOSE Jewelry’s programme, she was disinterested and unfocused. “Just another workshop” hosted at her aftercare home, she wasn’t going to pay attention to something that would be here one day, gone the next.

It was the introduction of The Academy, a programme focused on education, healthcare, community, and income for young women, that really challenged some of the ideas Neha had of herself and opened up opportunities to explore all she could be. She was able to set goals for herself academically but, most importantly, she allowed herself to believe that her life could be and would be different.

This year, she is one of the three young women who have grown to take on leadership roles in our Outreach Sanctuaries. Becoming a voice of hope for peers, she now leads the training programme in aftercare homes, working alongside staff and participants to bring hope and skills for a better future to more young women. Neha’s journey and her calm confidence serves as motivation for other young women who are struggling to imagine life beyond their past.

*Name changed to protect identity.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

1. Get educated.
Study the history of human trafficking, the legislation that exists, and what is happening to fight trafficking in your country. Know where and how to report any suspicions.

In Singapore:
– Singapore Police hotline: call 6435 0000 or email SPF_Report_Trafficking@spf.gov.sg
– Ministry of Manpower: call 6438 5122 or email mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg

2. Get started.
Start teaching other people in your circle about possibly organising a fundraiser for an organisation that works with human-trafficking survivors. Be aware of what you purchase and if possible, support organisations with a cause.

3. Get involved.
There is a lot of wonderful work that can be done with organisations on the front lines. Spend time volunteering. Not only does it expand your knowledge, but it could possibly influence your future career path.

Be part of a trafficking survivor’s life!

Learn more about International Sanctuary.