Carol and I want to let you know from Day 1 of this global pandemic, we have been praying for you, our beloved partners and friends! You are on our minds and hearts every day! As we hear about all that you are going through during this time, we find ourselves weeping with those who are weeping and rejoicing with those who are rejoicing…we want you to know how much we love you and how much we care about YOU!
We recently returned to the USA just as the lockdowns and virus began to scale throughout the earth. Despite all of the challenges we are all facing, we have this deep-rooted beautiful hope that only comes from God, the source of our peace and confidence.
Many have inquired how this is impacting us at ZOE?
We are following all governmental guidelines and practicing wise precautions. All the children are healthy and growing. The staff and missionaries are selfless, amazing, and persevering.
Our work is considered essential in many of our locations and we are grateful to be able to continue to help where there are emergencies with children who have no safe person in their life and who are in crisis.
In Thailand, we recently took in several new girls rescued out of human trafficking, who feel anxious and scared. They are settling down in our care during this global lockdown. Thankfully our campus is self-sustained with its own water wells, organic fruit trees, organic vegetables, and organic pig and fish farm. The children are figuring out creative ways they can be generous with their time and skills to bless others who have lost so much we have had loving staff privately offer their monthly salaries so that others at ZOE can get paid – thankfully we were able to pay everyone since March! Additional updates on how Thailand is doing can be found clicking HERE.
In Japan, our teams are still serving children in shelters and are meeting with children one-on-one on a limited basis. During this tumultuous time, a teen boy recently gave his heart to Jesus!
In Mexico and Australia, our staff may not meet in groups, but nonetheless they are doing human trafficking prevention work remotely. Additional updates on ZOE Australia can be found HERE.
In the USA, we are continuing to build our new home for girls. This pandemic has not stopped construction! The County of Los Angeles is eager for us to open this home due to a dire need for shelter homes for girls who have been trafficked. We are still on target to open our home this year. Our Advocacy Program with the County of Los Angeles has continued with some restrictions but our team is considered essential. Our team is currently helping over 40 girls and boys in the greater LA area and we have had to hire more staff because of the great need for children in dangerous crises. Though they cannot meet these children in person as often as they have been in the past, they can still communicate remotely. Lives are still being changed, saved, and restored.
For us at ZOE while serving the Lord and hurting children, every day for the past 17 years and 4 months has been a miracle! God has been faithful to provide each and every need, every day! You have been a part of providing these miracles; the whole ZOE family has been praying for your miracle this month and every month until we are all back to work!
If you are struggling right now and have lost your ability to give, please don’t feel any pressure from ZOE. We know that you love us, are fighting with us, and care about all those we serve. Please know that we care about YOU TOO! We wrap our arms around you while we pray for you and your family daily.
God has the answer to every person. Jesus is that answer!
Human trafficking is still operating in the shadows. Children continue to be exploited online and we are on it.
We will not stop until the suffering of these children has ended.
