Greece :: Real Stories from Rescued Women

We went to the transition house in Thessaloniki one night and met six women who had been rescued from sex slavery.  Some had been out for months while others had been out for only day,.  Each girl was from a different country and had her own story.  Russia, Ukraine, Africa (not sure which country), Romania, Uzbekistan and Bulgaria were all represented by these women.  The Bulgarian lady had only been in the care of The A21 Campaign for a week.  Just two weeks before that she was at home wit her twelve year old son living a normal life.  In the two weeks between being with her son and in the shelter, someone had tricked her into a job opportunity which resulted in her being prostituted by a man and his wife.  Her rescuers founder her while with a client.  She didn't talk much, but one thing she did say that she can't wait to get home to her son.

The African girl is A21's first victim to go all the way through the process.  She was befriended by one of the A21 volunteers who would covertly sit in the clinic where she had to go to be tested.  These women have to present papers showing they are clean of diseases to their clients.  Over time, this girl began to trust the volunteer and confided in her as to where she was and other details need to give the police in order to raid the brothel.  She had been in slavery for over seven years.  Since her rescue, she testified against her trafficker who was convicted in court, and she has been in the shelter receiving counseling.  She has given her life to the Lord and has been set free not just physically but emotionally and mentally also.  She plans to back to school to be a nurse and work with Watoto (an organization that rescues child soldiers among other things) in Uganda, Africa.

 The girl from Uzbekistan is 21 years old and was raised in a Muslim home.  A few months ago, she was in a client's house and saw a picture of Jesus on their wall.  She looked at the picture and said, "How could You allow this to happen to me?  If You are who I hear that You are, how could You have given me this kind of life?  If You are real then get me out of here."  She was rescued within a few short days.  God answered her cry.

The Russian girl's story is far different from the other mentioned.  She was promised a better life and a wonderful job.  She got all of her paperwork ready to come to Greece for what seemed like an amazing opportunity.  Once she arrived at the airport in Greece, she realized what was going on and started to scream and run.  Someone helped her and got her to the shelter.  This is an answer to prayer; that she would recognized what is going on before she is trapped by fear and manipulation and forced to serve more than 40 men a day. 

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.  He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.  Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

-Psalm 107:6-8

The legal office for A21

Strip club in Sofia, Bulgaria.  There is reason to believe that there is a brothel in the back.

A casino in Sofia.  The mafia runs this country and is a supply for many of the girls. 

Jan (right) was one of the leaders on the trip, and Tony (left) is a missionary along with his family in Thessaloniki.  He volunteers for A21.  They are hanging posters at the University to raise awareness about what is going on in the city.  The poster says, "She came to Greece to live a dream, but now she is living in a nightmare.  1 in 7 sex workers are victims of human trafficking."

One night we drove around to get a good look at some of the places these girls are kept and sold.  White lights as well as red lights are used in Greece.  They have also started using lights that look like flames.

We saw numerous men coming and going out of each of these places as we drove by.  It was only about 11 pm at night so it wasn't even "prime time". As we drove through the streets, the driver hid his face by pulling down the visor and the other A21 staff member slouched down into her seat.  Their jobs are dangerous!  I'm so thankful that the Lord has raised up people who are willing to risk their lives for the hurting and lost.