#FiveThingsFriday- Christmas in... August?

Your weekly five-point summary of what's new with Nadege. 

1. What's Coming:

We're looking forward- way forward- to Christmas! A wonderful team of women in the Indianapolis area are bringing our Breakfast with Santa event to their community.  We're excited about double the Christmas magic- and double the donuts!

2. Prayer Request:

As this awesome team begins planning their Breakfast with Santa, join us in lifting them up in prayer.  Event planning takes a lot of energy and attention to detail, so we are praying for deep rest in between busy seasons and lots of energy to get the job done!

Additionally, Kokomo, the city in which Nadege is headquartered, was hit by several intense tornadoes this week.  Please join us in praising God for the safety of our people, and praying for quick healing in the community.

3. Photo/Video of the Week:

With Breakfast with Santa on the brain, we can't get over this cutie!  It looks like he's in the Christmas spirit!

4. Thankful Thought:

Our Breakfast with Santa partners in the Indianapolis area have us feeling all kinds of thankful today! We truly believe that when people come together, better things happen.  

5. Weekly Words:

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." - Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

For the One

By: Emily Hays

For the past few years, I’ve been on a journey of curiosity. It began with the statistic that 27 million people were trapped in slavery worldwide. I watched as organizations attempted to counter this problem. I saw them celebrate the rescue of 1 girl out of a brothel or 1 boy out of slave labor. I wondered why they weren’t rescuing more. If 27 million were held in bondage, then why were the numbers of those being rescued so low? This injustice sparked curiosity because it seemed unfathomable that slavery was still a thing in the 21st century, and the idea of exploiting the poor, oppressed and vulnerable absolutely infuriated me.

Understanding eluded me until I began to work with exploited youth in Indianapolis. Rescue? They didn’t need to be rescued. The mere mention of the term sent them into a rage. Initially, they would tell you it was their choice, giving no consideration to the pimp who preyed on their basic needs for food, water, clothes, belonging and love. I witnessed girls receive treatment and even come to realize they had been exploited, only to discharge from the facility and return to their exploiter. Stockholm Syndrome is a very real dynamic and so often hinders real progress. Many days I would leave the facility completely drained, hopeless and wondering if this work was pointless. I like success stories. Selfishly, I long to tangibly measure my work with stories of girls being “rescued” and successfully transitioning into their “happily ever after.”  Reality paints a very different picture.

I was reminded of this last week at the Abolition Summit where an army of abolitionists gathered to learn, pray and ultimately figure out ways to end sexual exploitation.  Naomi Zacharias, an abolitionist and dynamic speaker, eloquently put words and perspective to this fight we’re in:

“If you’re looking to measure your investment, no one would ever invest in this work with these odds. But, IT MATTERS FOR THE ONE. It is worth it for the one.  Victory is not only found in the 100th percentile. It is encountered with every single life spared from ever knowing the horrors of slavery and every life rescued from its tentacles, every single individual that makes up every tenth of a percentage point that proceeds the 100th percentile in this world and in the world to come. That is the win.”

Those words alone made the 9-hour trip to the Abolition Summit worth it.  For the woman in Haiti desperate to feed her family…the teenager in Indy looking for someone to love her…the lady in India trapped in a brothel…

Your work. Your donation. Your awareness-raising. It matters for the ONE. 

The more I engage in this abolition work, the more I realize I have so much more to learn. It is complex, multi-faceted and often lacks in success stories; regardless, we will keep moving forward amidst the suffering and disappointment because at this very moment there is a woman who is waiting for her HOPE to be restored.  She matters to God. She should matter to us. 

#FiveThingsFriday- Summit's Gotta Give

Your weekly five-point summary of what's new with Nadege. This week, we're kicking it Summit Style while we have a team at the Exodus Cry Abolition Summit.

1. What's Coming:

We still have two more days at the Abolition Summit, and we're already feeling blessed by what those days will hold.  Our team is looking forward to a few more days of soaking up wisdom, networking with like-minded organizations, and encountering the Lord's heart and vision for justice.

2. Prayer Request:

With our team in Kansas City, MO, join us in praying for their time at Abolition Summit and their journey home.  We're sending up prayers for fresh knowledge, guiding wisdom, powerful partnerships, divine alignments and a sense of renewed energy to tackle the issue of sexual violence in Haiti.

3. Photo/Video of the Week:

We're jumping for joy at the chance to share the story of Nadege with so many who are excited to listen!

4. Thankful Thought:

As we fight for justice for the women of Haiti and long to show them God's love, we are so grateful for the reminder that we are not in this battle alone.  All over the world, people are working hard to bring restoration and HOPE to those who have had it taken away from them.  What a blessing it has been to connect with those people and be poured into by leaders of this movement!

5. Weekly Words:

"Love is the great conquerer of lust." - C.S. Lewis

#FiveThingsFriday- Abundance

Your weekly five-point summary of what's new with Nadege.

1. What's Coming:

This upcoming Wednesday, we're sending a small team to represent Nadege, inc. at the Abolition Summit in Kansas City. We're excited to learn from leaders of the movement to end sexual exploitation, share our own story and take another step in pursuing justice for the women of Haiti.  Next week's #FiveThingsFriday will be summit-centered, so look forward to that!

2. Prayer Request:

We've got the funds for our security enclosure (hooray!), and we're preparing to send a team to Haiti later this fall.  Join us in praying for the people who will make up that team: for the right people to make their way to Haiti, for their safety, and for a successful next step for Nadege!

3. Photo/Video of the Week:

Our dear partner and friend, Mackenzie Fugett from Mackenzie Lee Photography did a wonderful job of capturing the magic of our first annual Restored Gala. You can see them all on our Facebook page!

4. Thankful Thought:

As the summer comes to a close, we feel like we have a lot to be thankful for!  A successful trip to Haiti in June, a beautiful experience with our Restored Gala and God providing the funds for our next step - the security wall.  What a season of abundance!

5. Weekly Words:

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -2 Corinthians 9:8

#FiveThingsFriday- Hope, Hope, Hooray!

Your weekly five-point summary of what's new with Nadege.

1. What's Coming:

We're building our security wall!  After the #RestoredGala, we were about $5,000 shy of the $45,000 needed to start construction. Thanks to a generous donor that need has been met! Construction will begin this upcoming fall. Hope, hope, hooray!

2. Prayer Request:

This week, join us in praying for the women in Haiti.  We're asking God to watch over them, remind them that he calls them His "beloved", and restore hope to those who may have lost it.

3. Photo/Video of the Week:

The security wall will guard our land as we begin construction and wrap around our future safe house, providing safety to the beautiful women who will call Nadege their "home".

4. Thankful Thought:

With each milestone that Nadege reaches, we are reminded of how lucky we are that God has called us to be a part of this story of HOPE.  We're especially thankful for those who have given their time and resources to move this restoration project forward.

5. Weekly Words:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

Hope Restorers

Hope Restorers.

As we prepare for the first annual Restored Gala (details here), we would like to highlight a group of people who are making this event possible: our Hope Restorers.  This team is restoring twenty items, turning a "hopeless" object into something beautiful and new.  Additionally, they have each pledged to raise $1,000 for Nadege, which will be matched by a generous donor.  Our Hope Restorers are listed below.  You can click on their names to read a bit more about them* and the item they have chosen to restore.

• Aly Wells
• Brigit Braun
• Cara Retz
• Chelsea Radcliff
• Hadley Orr
• Joie Johnson
• Julie Baldini
• Justina Malin
• Kendra Foreman & Nancy Bayers
• Kevin Sprinkle
• Linda Herr
• Melissa Kidwell
• Miranda Pressgrove & Libby Amaya
• Oakah & Sheila Hays
• Ruth Paul
• Samantha Griffith
• Sanjna Vinze
• Sara Blume
• Valerie Cuthbert

*Some profiles are under construction and will be made available once they are complete.

He Moves, You Move

By: Rick and Wendy Mitchell

Rick and Wendy Mitchell live in Ohio, but their hearts wrap around the world.  They have given generously to Nadege and other organizations, helping to love God's people no matter where those people may be.  Here's what they have to say about being led to give:

Over the last several years, it has been put on our hearts that God is moving in many ways and we are compelled to move with Him.  Several things have happened over the course of that time that have been obvious signs to us that God has wanted us to engage in a specific area: women and children who are being taken advantage of and hurt in parts of the world where their interests are not top priorities.  Clearly, it has long been the case that women and children are vulnerable in many parts of the developing world and many people and organizations have worked hard to put an end to poverty and exploitation.  But it is not enough. 

We have been supporters of this cause for years, but recently we have directed more of our giving and prayers to organizations who have a more specific focus on women and children’s causes.  This started when some friends of ours answered God’s call to sell everything (literally everything) and move to Haiti to run a girls’ orphanage.  That was almost 4 years ago and they have now worked for two Christian organizations whose mission it is to lift up kids in a part of the world where poverty and natural disaster has led to many homeless, parentless kids.  We decided to partner with them on this journey and have watched God move in many encouraging ways.

Secondly, our local church has had a relentless focus on eradicating the exploitation of women and children through the sex slave trade.  Our church has put this issue, which is often not talked about, on the front burner.  The efforts have resulted in many girls being saved from this atrocity and then restored and rehabilitated in aftercare facilities.  It is an effort that requires a long-term financial commitment.  God has brought this issue to our attention and, both personally and as a church, we are responding.

Lastly, while all of this was coming into focus, we had a conversation with our niece, Danielle, about her involvement and passion for the work of Nadege.  She told us all about the organization, it’s mission and her calling to get involved.  It was very clear that God was moving in her heart and she was not going to ignore the call.  Her story was compelling and, being in line with what God was already showing us, we wanted to help.  It just so happened that Rick was in Kokomo visiting his sister and brother-in-law one weekend, and it just so happened that Danielle was home from college for the weekend.  It also just so happened that he attended church with them on the day that Emily gave a talk on Nadege and the work she and her team were doing in Haiti to raise funds for a safe house.  We took all of these “just so happened” events together as God speaking to us and decided to get involved.

We are honored to partner with Nadege and are very encouraged by the updates we regularly receive.  Not only is it a wonderful cause, but it’s also a well-managed organization that is running toward the problem of gender-based violence in Haiti and is doing something tangible about it.   God has blessed us in many ways.  We live in a country that is flush with resources.  Our first world problems are very small in comparison to the struggles of those who are marginalized in many places in the developing world.  We count it a privilege to give of the resources God has given us to help these women and children who are so close to His heart.  

Happy Mother's Day

By: Rachel Pierre Louis

Rachel is a beautiful mother and social activist in Haiti. She absolutely adores her 3-year-old daughter, Abigail, and is passionate about equipping other mothers to provide for their families through a sewing co-op she founded called Kay Fanm Haiti/2nd Chance Project. Below are her thoughts about motherhood in Haiti.

To you motherhood might mean the joy the morning when your doctor told you that you were expecting a baby; the excitement to see that baby for the first time; the excitement of choosing names, baby clothes, posting pictures of the baby bumps.  It is like, “oh God why is it taking so long for the baby to come.” For some Haitian mothers, it can be a moment of shame and embarrassment if you are a church member who got pregnant before marriage. It can go as far as putting you out of the church, or they can put you and the whole family out of the church community.

Haitian mothers are hardworking people.  They are not afraid to travel in a big charcoal truck every single day from one town to port au prince, no matter how many miles that might be just to be able to provide for their children. Most of the time it is at the risk of our own lives, often getting robbed while traveling, raped, and some even dying from road fatality. Haitian mothers are like producers behind a scene, no one really sees their value; no one cares to tell them how much they are appreciated.  But still, they are the early morning riser in order to make sure there is food for the kids to eat before going to school. They are mothers who suffer in silence so their kids can become lawyers, doctors, nurses, presidents, but most of the time the only thing they often get in return is being humiliated, put down and abused. Unless someone is strong enough to take a stand and say or do something the cycle will continue.

I believe that women’s organization in Haiti have a lot of work to do. They must restore lives and bring hope, but mostly the mentality needs to change.  Women in Haiti have to learn and begin to see themselves as the beauty that God created them to be no matter what grade they reached, rich or poor, married or not married, sexually abused or not - we all matter and motherhood is not a curse or an obligation but an opportunity and a blessing, but unless someone helps Haitian mothers get to that point, they will continue to see themselves as useless, damaged good, etc…

Haitian mothers deserve better, and we can be apart of making that happen.

Happy Mother’s Day to every mother who is fortunate enough to celebrate this special occasion.

Women Helping Women

By: Anna Jusino

A few months ago, we were approached by a member of the City of Fists Roller Derby team asking if we'd be interested in partnering with them on their first annual Chili Cook-off. Partnering normally equals two parties working together to reach a goal, so we asked what nadege's end of the partnership would entail. Their answer: "Nothing, we (City of Fists) would like to give nadege half of the profits raised at the event." Our reply: "Ummm, YES!" In the midst of trying to raise enough money for their upcoming season, they are selflessly choosing to donate HALF of the money towards restoring HOPE in Haiti. Wow, we are blown away by their generosity. We sat down with Anna Jusino, a fearless City of Fists player, to learn more about roller derby and why they chose to "partner" with nadege:

How did you get involved with City of Fists?

• I joined the team in 2013 when I moved to Kokomo and was looking for friends. I wanted something to do that would allow me to meet new people and learn more about this city. I had no idea that these friends from City of Fists would turn into my family - a family that has been through a lot with me. 

What is your hope for this team?

• My hope for the team is to grow bigger and achieve more than we can ever dream. I would love to see us become an official member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association league one day and compete in the divisional playoffs. I would also love for our team to become a staple in helping out our community. 

What are your goals for the upcoming Chili Cook-off?

• Our goal is to meet more people and host something that will get the community pumped about derby. We also want to bring attention to local business, give someone bragging rights on their chili, and raise money to support our 2nd home bout this September. We are also very excited to give some of the proceeds to Nadege, Inc. 

Given the amount of money COF needs to raise, why did the team decide to donate half of the proceeds to Nadege, Inc.?

• We love to see the empowerment of women and want to see others succeed in their dreams and aspirations. When we heard about the possibility of partnering, we loved the idea and what Nadege, Inc stands for.

How can women in general do a better job of empowering other women, whether they live next door or in a different country?

• We can do better by supporting each other. I dislike the negativity that we hear about one another all of the time. We each have our own battles, and we should try to be more understanding of that. Body image happens to be one that most women can understand and ncouraging words go a long way.  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard potential players say, "Well I do not have the body for derby." Our response is "everyone has the body for derby." You shouldn't ever let fear of what others might say stop you from taking on a new adventure.

THANK YOU City of Fists for your willingness to empower women both locally and abroad. If you live in the Kokomo area, join us at the 1st annual Chili Cook-off on February 27th from 5-8pm at Oakbrook Church.  

Darkness. Love. Hope.

By: Beth Waterman

Darkness. Love. Hope

I have always wrestled with how to be hope and light.  How to see my way through the darkness.

What I have learned, is that one step at a time slowly turns into our journey. This is the great unfolding story of healing, discovery, and hope.

I have realized, that as I take the next right step, in time, an incredible path of encounters is woven together. This is how I began my journey with Nadege, this is how I continue to engage in hope, even in the face of suffering and pain.

Our team spent a week interviewing and listening to the stories of those working among survivors of gender based violence in Port au prince two years ago. What we encountered moved, inspired, and broke me. 

We heard devastating stories of innocence stolen, justice left undone, corruption’s strong grasp and I was left feeling overwhelmed. As we continued to interview people across Port au Prince I was floored by the gravity of violence being done to women and the need to address it.

The injustice was almost too much to bear.

“My God!” I cried, why do these women have to be so strong, why do any of us have to be so strong!”

Are you only the God of the lucky ones, bringing comfort and ease?

No, you were the God of slaves.

Enduring suffering. Awaiting exodus. Left alone.

Presence. Peace. Hope. Even in Darkness.

He loved that we might love. A God among us, the depressed, the widows, the lonely, the afraid…

And this promise continues to follow us. As we begin Nadege, one step at a time.

This is the promise for Haiti.

Though we may look about us, and see only darkness, we take the next right step, choosing hope, healing, and a love that darkness cannot overcome. 

Merry Christmas!

By: Emily Hays

“Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall CEASE.” ~“O Holy Night” 

It was a night where restoration began. The Son of God entered into a broken world and for the first time, HOPE appeared. It was a holy night, indeed. The unclean, the unworthy, the lonely, the wounded, the oppressed and the outcast now had the opportunity to embrace the ultimate restorer of hope. Chains would be broken and hope would be restored.

Thousands of years later, nadege, inc gets to be a part of this restoration, oppression-ceasing process. We are so thankful for the way God has set this project into motion. In 9 short months, we have become a 501(c)(3) stateside and a special organization in Haiti. We’ve raised upwards of $50K and located a plot of land that will one day house the women of nadege.  God is moving and working in BIG ways to make this dream of hope a reality.

As with any new start-up, the task list is never ending, making it easy to forget about why we’re doing this in the first place. Last night, as I sang “O Holy Night” at church, tears streamed down my face -- images of the women in Haiti came to mind as I shouted the words of this very familiar Christmas hymn. These women who lack hope and live in fear of sexual and physical abuse will be oppressed no more. These beautiful daughters of God will be rescued and restored by the ultimate restorer of HOPE.  We believe this wholeheartedly at nadege. It is the why behind our what, and we cannot wait to watch it all unfold.

This Christmas we want you to know how thankful we are for your generosity, your time, your encouragement and most importantly, your prayers. Many of you may never travel to Haiti or meet a woman of nadege face-to-face, but God is still using you to cease oppression there.  Thank YOU for making this mission of HOPE possible. 

Merry Christmas from the nadege team!

“His name will be the HOPE of all the world.” –Matthew 12:21

Restored Hope

By: Shelby Chism

I met Nadege in 2012. We approached her home to ask a few questions about her lifestyle in Haiti and her family in order to get a sense of the area around us. She was very welcoming. Her family found chairs for us to sit in and gave up their seats for us. She was funny. We knew that even in spite of the language barrier. She was beautiful. Her family loved her and looked to her while she spoke. She was an encourager. One of the girls mentioned she wanted to be a model and Nadege giggled and told her she could be. Nadege was strong. She was lovely. 

During our chat with Nadege, we found out that she had three children, all of them present during our conversation. While Emily and I began asking about the father of her children, the mood shifted. What was a playful, fun conversation was now tense and uncomfortable. Emily asked Nadege if she was going to marry the father of her children... We thought we were dreaming with her. Nadege quickly said "no" several times and shook her head over and over. Emily didn't want to pry but we both felt the tension rise. We left shortly after, but the feeling of those moments didn't pass. Later that day, we were told that the reason Nadege most likely acted that way when asked about her boyfriend was because he may have raped her. That was not the answer we expected to hear. A fight, maybe. But sexual violence? Something resonated in our hearts.

It's three and a half years later and I now have a daughter of my own. It causes you to see the world differently. I would do anything to keep her safe, to make sure she never had to experience something that could break her spirit. The reality is, I can't. I can't keep all of the bad out. I can't follow her around her whole life and make sure everyone is kind to her. However, I can trust in a God that does and will follow my daughter around every corner and milestone in her life. A God that can make sure my daughter grows to know that she is strong; she is courageous; she is loved; she is worthy.

I can also support a cause that tries to bring some good to the world. Then, when bad things do happen - whether in my daughter's life or the lives of women in Haiti, I can have HOPE. I will choose to be hopeful because I know that each person has a story, and that God is sovereign over all of our stories. My hope has been restored and meeting Nadege and hearing her story was the first step.

Abundant Hope

By: Danielle Blume

On Wednesday morning, we set out to lead a small workshop for a local, nonprofit sewing co-op. Or, at least, what we thought was local. Our friend Rachel, who lives in Jacmel and had connected us to this co-op, met us at our hotel with her little girl, Abby. We began our adventure. 

We picked up a few friends in town, and eventually there were eight adults and two toddlers in the truck. One woman sat in the bed. We left town and eventually reached a dirt road. The road twisted and climbed up the mountain. And I mean UP the mountain. We bounced over rocks and small ditches, drove through villages and markets, passed churches and homes and little farms. About an hour and a half into this uneven, upward journey, we finally arrived at our destination.

I'm telling you this for two reasons: The first is that I think it's so funny. Emily and I thought we were going fifteen minutes or so into town. We imagined a smooth, short trip to a local church, and instead we got this crazy excursion to the middle of nowhere. Looking back, it amuses me that we were so clueless. The second reason I tell you about our journey is because I want you to know something: Beyond the smooth, paved roads, high above air conditioning units and consistent electricity, where regular running water is just not the norm, there is HOPE. I don't mean a tiny glimmer of hope, I mean hope in abundance. 

Twenty or so women gathered in the dirt-floored church. We waited for others to trickle in for a bit before we got started. They asked to pray before we did anything else. What a beautiful illustration of faith. We played a dancing game called Boom-Chicka-Boom next. There was so much laughter as we played! The women teased one another about their dancing and pulled others to the center of the circle so they would lead next. Women laughed so hard that tears streamed down their cheeks. Joy overflowed. 

After the game was over, we settled in for the workshop. I taught two simple project, and embroidered pocket tee shirt and a headband, with Rachel translating again. There was so much eagerness to learn. I'd walk between the women, answering questions as best I could (language barriers are tough!). The women helped each other as well. They focused on understanding the task at hand. They showed passion. 

Once the women understood their projects, they fell into the rhythm of sewing. They chatted amiably with one another. Occasionally there was a soft chuckle or a head shake. Of course I couldn't understand them, but I could feel friendship. I thought of my sorority sisters gathered to craft before recruitment, talking about our summers. I thought of sitting in a dorm room freshman year, crafting with friends and discussing classes. These women have a sisterhood. They have each other. They have love. 

I am so thankful that we didn't take a smooth short road to a local church. I am so thankful that God took us on a winding, bumpy journey to an oft-forgotten part of the world. He used that time in that place to show me that He takes care of all of His children. Even way up on that mountain there is faith and joy, passion and love, and HOPE. He has not forgotten those women, just like He will not forget us. 

Imagine

By: Emily Hays

Take a moment to imagine your favorite woman. It could be your sister, girlfriend, wife or best friend. Think about how much you love her and how you would do anything for her. Now, imagine her in this scenario:

The sun sets. The stars appear. She lays on a mattress in the corner of her small, one bedroom house. She feels the breeze coming in from the doorway that is covered only by a sheet. There are no locks on the doors, no protection from the outside world. She wonders if it will happen again tonight. Will she be forced to endure the assault of a man? It has happened too many times to count. She can’t tell anyone about the abuse she has endured. If she reports it to the police, they will likely refuse to believe her. If she tells her family, they may disown her. If she discloses to a friend, she may tell potential suitors who will likely consider her unfit for marriage because she’s no longer a virgin. Her thoughts race. Fear overcomes her. She hears footsteps. Her heart races. Tears stream down her face. She could run but he would only catch her. Hope eludes her. She has no money, no education, no protection. This is her plight, wondering night after night if she will be a victim of gender based violence once again. 

If this story was about a woman you loved dearly, would you intervene? Would you do something to help? #hoperestored #bethechange