rescuing the forgotten: Freedom for Exploited girls in malawi
We read about the door-kickers, the armed rescuers, the front-lines warriors. Then we have the infiltrators, the impersonators, the sting operators. Wherever human trafficking reveals itself, we have valorous individuals in our society, trained and equipped, to go save the enslaved. This is needful work, and I’m utterly grateful that such men and women walk among us, vigilant and ferocious. Nevertheless, the overwhelming amount of sexual abuse and subjugation does not occur in underground brothels or forced prostitution. No, it happens in single-family households. When the Saints, an intrepid ministry in Malawi, is actively rescuing the forgotten, bringing freedom for exploited girls in Malawi.
a brief history
Malawi achieved independence from British colonialism in 1964, although it wasn’t until 1994 that democratic elections took place. Entirely landlocked, its resources and trade opportunities are severely limited, with tobacco being its only functional cash crop. In their impoverished state, many families will send their village-born daughters away to a larger city for better prospects in education. The host family need not be a blood relative. Oftentimes an acquaintance is sufficient for this arrangement.
Tragically, many young girls find themselves sexually abused by their would-be guardian. He rationalizes that if he’s feeding, clothing and housing her, then he must also retain sexual access to her. This is a systemic prevalence of evil built into a shame/honor culture with an instinctive obeisance to authority. And in that economy of tribes and households – young girls are at the very bottom of the pecking order. They have no one to cry out to for justice.
In 2001, David Peterka, a young American, joined forces with local Malawians to establish a place of refuge for these victimized girls. Through several miraculous developments and encounters, several chieftains agreed that this was a needful work for their communities – and gifted When the Saints an immense plot of ancestral land by. Over the last fourteen years, their ministry has continued to develop needful infrastructure, both in construction and personnel. Over 80 native Malawians comprise the bulk of When the Saints staff. They’ve built several houses of refuge, recently completing one dedicated maternity ward. This is how they are rescuing the forgotten.
the gates of hell
For all the good that’s been accomplished, David Peterka acknowledges an inherent dilemma in their ongoing work. For every girl that’s rescued, another is subjugated in her stead. When the Saints partners with local police. Operating through legal channels, this means they’re only interacting with *reported* cases, which is the tiniest fraction of prevalent abuses. Many times the village chief is situated between his people and the reach of law enforcement. Bribes are typical. A family may be “compensated” an equivalent of $16 for the rape of their pre-pubescent daughter. Rescuing the forgotten is an undertaking fraught with heartache and rife with demoralizing decisions.
This is the shape of a predominantly godless country. “Christianity is a mile wide but an inch deep.” You’ll hear this adage from missionaries and indigenous pastors alike. Witchcraft remains commonplace even among professing Christians. Sometimes the sangoma will prescribe the usage of a virgin, whatever her age, for the abatement of a curse or sickness. To this day, most Malawian Christians see no conflict between their cultural shamanism versus their allegiance to Christ.
Accordingly, it’s not enough to *only* engage in rescuing the forgotten without also endeavoring to achieve a widespread revival throughout the entire nation. Only so much can be done to check the supply sexualized victims without transforming the demand for such insidiousness. Concurrently, When the Saints facilitates many discipleship opportunities and outreach initiatives in order to dispel the darkness through the proliferation of our King’s light.
a light in the darkness
This ministry, When the Saints, is rescuing the forgotten in ways that cost everything that a soul has to give. Perhaps a detractor would see this as another “white savior” or “western interventionism” complex. Well, should the status quo go unchecked? Are we really supposed to do nothing in the face of evil? Furthermore, that dozens of chieftains *wanted* When the Saints to embed themselves within the local complexities should end that silly protestation. Another fact worth remembering is the predominant ministerial operation and ownership by the Malawians themselves. Of course, the good being done is its own testament of truth.
What does all this mean for the American? That your own sexual integrity matters. As David Peterka and his associates have witnessed, rescuing the forgotten is unsustainable without revolutionizing the hearts of men and women toward ultimate goodness. When you apprentice to the Master, you become His emissary in promoting justice and restoration throughout the world. To be a human being of sexual integrity is to live out the most critical, compelling, enveloping influence in modern times.
People are not commodities; they are His image-bearers. Humans are not mere terrestrial mammals; we are heavenly amphibians. Sex is no base instinct or carnal pleasure; it is a gift, a glory, and an awesome weapon when wielded well. Chances are that you’ll never physically encounter Malawi or another country like it. Yet, wherever you live, your own commitment to sexual integrity would most certainly emanate an undying light that would cascade throughout the entire world.
– C.T. Giles