A young trafficking survivor’s harrowing story of redemption, reunion, and return in South Asia.
Sopheap* was only 13 when she disappeared from her family in Cambodia—trafficked to another country and sold into sexual slavery.
More than five years later, her family knew it was unlikely they would ever hear from her again. Then, a ray of hope. Sopheap courageously got a message through to the chief of her village, telling him where she was and pleading for help to come home.
A Samaritan’s Purse team had recently begun to work in Sopheap’s village and developed a deep relationship with the community. In desperation, the chief went to them for help.
Anti-trafficking training and livelihood supports are vital to helping communities and families protect themselves from the danger and deceit of human traffickers.
With your partnership, Samaritan’s Purse focus in Cambodia and many other countries is trafficking prevention. But the team knew that God was compelling them to do something to help rescue Sopheap. So, they connected with two partners specializing in the rescue of trafficking victims.
Most importantly, the team prayed and, over the next several months, a complicated plan to bring Sopheap home developed.
Then Sopheap disappeared—again.
No one was able to communicate with her. Sopheap’s family feared the worst. Through three heartbreaking months, our team walked alongside them as they processed Sopheap’s loss once more. The team fervently prayed that God would protect her wherever she was—and God heard.
An Answered Prayer
Unexpectedly, Sopheap’s mom received a call from anti-trafficking police saying that Sopheap had been found and was coming home. Praise God!
A few months ago, Sopheap, now 18, reunited with her parents.
As our team celebrated, they committed to keep supporting Sopheap and her family. She has a long road ahead as she recovers from years of abuse and reintegrates into normal life. The team visits the family, connects them with resources to help Sopheap heal, and assists them in other practical ways.
As our team celebrated, they committed to keep supporting Sopheap and her family. She has a long road ahead as she tries to recover from years of abuse and reintegrate into life. The team visits the family, connects them with resources, and assists them in other practical ways.
We thank God for what He did to bring Sopheap home and for His many answers to prayer.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons – July 30
More than 40 million people are trapped in different forms of modern slavery, including human trafficking. Watch the video below and join us in ending this form of exploitation.
Make a Difference
Because of prayers and gifts from partners like you, Samaritan’s Purse teams and partner churches will continue working to prevent others from enduring the horrors inflicted on Sopheap. Anti-trafficking training and livelihood supports are vital to help communities protect their most vulnerable.
Your support also helps the operation of two migrant access centers on the Cambodia-Thai border. They are critical places of help and refuge for migrant workers and survivors of trafficking.
At the centers, people find rest, food, water, medical care, help with transportation, anti-trafficking training, and staff who pray with them and share Christ’s love.
Please keep praying for our teams and partners as they seek to bring help, hope, and healing in Jesus’ Name to thousands more.
*Names changed to protect privacy
