Always Emily

Rebecca’s Place: A Home of Hope
Originally published in RAHAB Ministries’ 2021 Impact Report

September was the last month of our operation for our minor safehouse, Rebecca’s Place (RP). For 2.5 years, RP provided safe housing and trauma-informed care for teenagers who were affected by trafficking.

Our staff and residents alike wanted to celebrate the end of Rebecca’s Place, so we planned a sleepover.

The sleepover was on a Friday night with all of RP and Selah’s Place (Minor Mentoring) staff invited. There were games, movies, dance parties, and karaoke.

In the evening, karaoke microphone in hand, the girls requested that we come sit in the living room: they had a surprise. We exchanged looks as we made our way to the couches, equally intrigued and concerned about what might be happening.

The self-appointed MC announced they had written letters to RAHAB, Rebecca’s Place, and each staff member to express their thankfulness and love. They took turns reading their letters and poems, emphasizing how much healing they’d done, and how they felt supported and loved. One resident said “While being at RAHAB, I learned to love myself.”

Through tears, we hugged and thanked them for such a sweet surprise. Amidst all the emotions swirling around the room, hope felt the strongest of all. We knew this wasn’t truly the end. That God would be with them as they transitioned home. During their time at Rebecca’s place, they were loved, heard, and seen. They would leave this place knowing that had a Savior who gave everything for their freedom.

Their walk with RAHAB continues as they transition to our new Minor Community Based Programming. They will see familiar faces in that program—as well as at Selah’s Place—as they continue their healing journey with their families.

We left Rebecca’s Place grateful for the time we spent there: all the laughs, tears, prayers, and love that permeated those walls. It will be impossible to forget this beautiful place of hope and healing, and we will carry it in our hearts as we continue on the paths that have been set out for us.