Freedom: it’s a desire that lies in the inner depths of every human heart. We all long to be free – free to be ourselves, free to pursue and live out our lives, and ultimately free to live the life God has created for us.

We know that in this broken world, not everyone has that freedom. Sadly, many are held in bondage by the horror of sex trafficking.

In the small African nation of Malawi, nearly 3,500 incidents of sexual abuse were reported in 2010. Of those cases, fewer than 50 people were prosecuted for those crimes, many of which were committed against girls under the age of 15.

Learning this, we know we can’t be silent. That’s why we’ve decided to partner with When the Saints, a non-profit Christian ministry based in St. Louis, dedicated to bringing the good news of Jesus to the people of Malawi.

When the Saints was founded in 2011 by Missouri native David Peterka to fight the injustices of the world by bringing the love of Jesus to places that needed it the most. God then led When the Saints to pursue the mission of freedom and justice for victims of sex slavery in Malawi.

In 2015, When the Saints opened the first and only long-term safe home in Malawi dedicated to the healing of victims of sex trafficking. At the home, girls receive counseling, career training and the necessary resources and protection needed to leave sex trafficking once and for all.

In addition to this, When the Saints also actively pursues the hearts of men in Malawi. Through discipleship efforts, role-model training and presenting the Gospel of Christ, the ministry desires to see men’s lives change as they begin to view women for their precious worth: full of matchless dignity as daughters of the King.

The Loft Gathering will be able to take part in this freedom mission in 2019, as members will travel to Malawi to support the safe home located just one hour north of the capital city of Lilongwe. We will also be given the opportunity to influence the hearts and minds of the people who are perpetuating this culture of abuse and depravity.

The issue of sex trafficking is massive: there are 40 million slaves in the world, and 70-80% of those are sex slaves.

These are bleak statistics, and they can make any heart shudder. But we know we serve a good God who longs to bring freedom to His people. One soul at a time, God is giving us the opportunity to do just that.

Please pray for us and When the Saints as we prepare to take the message of God’s love to Africa. Learn more about our mission trip to end sex trafficking in Malawi by following us on Facebook.