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Beautiful daughter, you are so very needed to the Kingdom and that is why I brought you here – that is why I brought you home.

Can you allow yourself to believe that you will impact eternity – can you allow yourself to believe that you are so significant to the Kingdom of God that I called you out of the darkness and into the light?

Can you believe that I call you beloved and beautiful? Can you believe that I will banish the darkness and instead establish a legacy of significance?

Can you believe?

What a choice I ask your heart to make.  Will you believe in goodness?  I know you have come to understand evil but I want you to have personal knowledge of good.  I want you to be a person of vision.  A person without vision will stay blind and trapped by circumstance.  Choose to see the new reality I have placed before you.

My vision for your future is real, and it does not have to be a slowly unfolded secret.  I can tell you who you are.  I can tell you what I see – I can tell you so much.  I want to show you mysteries and secrets of heaven.  Wouldn’t you like to be the one I tell secrets to?

First, give me your heart.  Then, draw close to Me because I want to be so close to you.  I want to be able to whisper secrets to you.  I want you to be a part of the generation of daughters that shake the gates of hell that hold their sisters and never settle for less.

I want you to get comfortable in My Presence so comfortable that you can believe and receive the new truths I have for you.  I won’t hit you.  I won’t hurt you.  I desire just to be with you.  Yes, I will push the lies away that bind you. That filth cannot stay wherever I am.  But, you can.  I desire you to be so totally free.  I want you to slowly learn who you are.  Do you know that I actually like you?

Do you know that I created you because I love you?

I like you because you make Me laugh and smile.  I like you.  There are gifts in you that are reflections of My character.  These gifts are in your heart and I want to show you.

Yes, I picked you!  Ask Me to tell you why.

I will tell you who you are.  I will show you who I am.

We will change the world together, but not before you are ready.  You need to be ready to know who you are.

You need to be ready to allow Me to give you the vision of your future not the other way around.

You need to be ready to just be adored.  You need to be ready to be Mine.

Remember, without vision you will fail.  Ask Me to give you new dreams, new desires, new goals, and new plans.  I have a great plan for you.  And I desire to tell you all of it.  I desire to laugh with you.  I desire to give you hope for your future.

I desire to give you freedom from fear.  I desire to give you the ability to believe that you have a future and it is good.  Will you lay down the false masks and the expectations that you have of yourself?  Will you lay aside the vision of the girl that you were, so I can reveal to you who I desire for you to become?

I want to give you new gifts – new talents, newness.  Are you tired of the old chains, the old lies, and garbage?  Will you let Me tell you who you really are?  I already know.  I want to tell you.  My heart aches to tell you.  My hope is that you will ache to know.

Are you desperate to gain a new vision and perspective of who I have called you to be?

I am thankful. I am thankful for every small thing that makes up my life. I am thankful that I have had months of freedom. I am thankful that it has been so very long since selling myself was an option. I am thankful for choosing life. I remember how afraid I was of what I did not know or understand. I couldn’t believe in a different way of living. When each day ended, I was afraid to be alone. I was afraid to be rejected. I was afraid that I would be hurt. I was afraid that a family, a home, and a real life was too much to hope for, too much to wish for, too much to secretly long and ache for.

I am thankful that I choose daily to continue. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that they believe in the God who has given me a new life. I am thankful that they know Him better than I do. I am thankful that they don’t focus on the depths He pulled me from but see the reality of the places He has called me to. I am thankful that I have life inside of me and not death.

I am thankful for this home, the first home I’ve ever had. I am thankful I can say the word “home” and it brings joy to my heart. I know what the word home means now. I know I am at home in my heart. I can finally rest.

I am thankful that the pain is a memory but safety is my reality every day.

I am thankful for the sweet smell of food as it cooks, knowing I have not gone hungry for so long.

I am thankful for the sound of laughter, especially my own. I am thankful that I have a destiny beyond the lies I believed for so long. I am thankful for quiet mornings where the sun rises slowly and I sip my coffee and enjoy peace.

I am thankful that I know what it feels like to be tucked in at night. I am thankful for the soft sheets that surround me. I am thankful for a door that locks but that it is the people around me who protect me now. I am thankful for safety. I thought the word safety meant something so different.

I am thankful for the tears I’ve cried and the memories I’ve shared because my future is brighter than that ache.

I am thankful for the people I call my family, that they chose me to call their own. They didn’t have to. They wanted to. It is amazing to be wanted, although I can’t offer them anything. They continue to choose “me”.

I am thankful for the books that rest on the shelves around this home. I am thankful for the words that those pages contain. I am thankful, more so, for the words my heart contains and the story God continues to write.

I am thankful for the little girl I was. I am thankful that she was kind. I am thankful that kindness is not a weakness. I am thankful that she ached for a family and was lonely. I am thankful that she didn’t hope in vain. I am thankful she dreamed of this home, of this family who would surround her, of fields with flowers. I am thankful that I dreamed of something beautiful. I am thankful this beauty is real.

-written by a Courage House Princess

What is the purpose of my life, what have I been put here to do, what is the meaning to this everyday struggle I’m constantly going through?
The hurt and the pain, this unjust game, played and humiliated, put to shame.
I walk down the street and feel as if everyone knows, what I’m out here for, what he says goes.
Just trying to survive, make it through another night, struggling to fight to stay alive. Hoping and praying God makes it alright.
Please Lord, take me off these streets, heal me tonight, give me something to eat; starving with a hunger that can’t be filled, with the materialistic dreams he feeds with such skill.
So many emotions, so many Trojans, what is the reason I’ve been chosen?
I feel of no worth, like the stomped on dirt, everyday men ripping off my skirt; taking advantage because they paid first.
On to the next one as if it was nothing, lost my innocence to something disgusting.
Nothing gained, everything lost, my heart locked up after that line was crossed.
Shattered and broken, I almost lost hope in, seeing that day when the heavens would open; shedding the light to a whole new life, I’m ready to do right and fight the good fight.
I’m onto the road of redemption, my turn to pay it forward, with no hesitation.
I’ll always stay strong, for I’ve realized there’s truly a reason it’s taken so long.
Every trial and tribulation was set on my path, to strengthen my faith and escape God’s wrath.
To build my endurance, give me the courage to persevere, re-open my heart, and break away from my fear.
To become wise yet humble, to get back up when I stumble.
I do have a purpose, I’ve been given a power, to make a difference, as I finally open up and bloom like a flower.
I am worth much more than the stomped on dirt, no more men ripping off my skirt.
I’ve got a future of accomplishment and success; in everything I do I’m going to be the best!

Written by a young lady who now calls Courage House home

Call them family.

To truly call the girls’ family, we must pray for them like they truly are our sisters, daughters, nieces, cousins, etc. We pray differently for our families than we do for other people. We must be offensive about the prayer for them. We are only family to them IF we fight for them.

The girls are in a very real battle. It can and will claim their lives and destinies, unless…

1. We tell the darkness where to go.
2. Pray for their identities in Christ to be revealed. Who does God say they are? Who does God say you are?
3. Pray a decree. It doesn’t matter that we don’t know their names. “This princess is…” pray the Scriptures you know.
4. Your prayers matter more than your position. If we don’t pray, the torment continues.
5. Pray angels for them. Welcome and invite the light of God to invade the darkness. Intentionally ask for the Holy Spirit to be with our girls.

I want your sisters to know they are seen. Every tear shed is captured by the God who is alive. I am the God who sees them, knows them, sings to them, and redeems them. I am the God who is releasing those who have longed to be free. I am the God who is transforming them! I am the God who is healing them! I am the God who is moving at the sound of their cries! I am the God who will be moving heaven and earth to destroy the lies they live under. They are not alone. They are always known. They are my daughters, they are my bride.

They are the children who long to come home. I say welcome home! But, there is a battle to get them there. The battle over their lives and destinies is fierce. I am the God who is holding their hearts close to mine. Pray for their hearts and minds to be protected. I want you to feel their heartbeat in mine.

How beautiful, how lovely, how wonderful I am. How outraged I AM at how alone and unprotected my daughters are. Be the church. Rise up and be their voice. Pray for them!

Will you hold them? Will you love them? Will you fight for them? Will you sing for them? Will you dance for them? Will you love them? Will you care for them? Will you hold the girls who cry over sights only I have seen? Will you laugh with the little girl who delights in Me? Will you feed the one who is starving for TRUTH? Will you honor them for their sacrifice to leave what they know? Will you love them for their bravery? Will you show them that all the paths of life are open to them …just by being you?

I am asking for a heart commitment. Be betrothed to the broken like I am. Pledge your heart to them.

I will release them. I will hold them. I will bathe them. I will redeem them. I will protect them. I will show them all the paths of life!

Everything you do for these girls, you do it for Me! I am so proud of you!

But will you give them your hearts? Do not offer Me a sacrifice that costs you nothing. Be excellent at what I have called you to do; but, do not forget to pray for them!

The movies I see behind my fatigued black eyes
Are not the kind with Batman circling the skies.
The movies I’m forced to see on any given day,
Have no superhero ready to swoop me away.

I watch you pass by me in your nice, comfortable cars,
After my wishing and hoping on at least one billion stars.
Oh I live in the silent and have seen the crime, thrillers, and war,
I live every day as the adult trapped as the whore in the horror.

It’s like in a sci-fi; I’m invisible so I know you can’t see,
See the broken heart inside or who I am longing to be.
You know what I do, I see you scan my bruises and see skeletal ribs,
Yet you talk about me over dinners leaving five dollars extra in tips.

Oh how I wish for your romance, family, or drama at least,
Because I’m seeing no beauty in my beauty and the beast.
What I see from my eyes is no more than a simple movie to me,
Sometimes I think fantasy with a family, some breakfast, coffee, or tea.

My beast sees my value in the quality of service I give,
So I give it well in hopes that just for tonight I may live.
He gives me some food twice a week so I think I’ll be fine,
Don’t worry about me while you and your friends go and dine.

You see a hard, bitter four–I mean, nineteen-year-old–from my X-rated life,
But if you took the time to get to know me… I wish I could be a mother, daughter, or a wife.
I saw your Bible and thought you were a Christian. What’s wrong with this picture?
This looks to me like you live in fantasy, more than religious, action, and adventure.

Your days are your movies belonging to you and mine being mysteries I guess they are my own,
But could you help change the genre so I don’t have to watch all my movies alone?
By: CG

In the midst of all my troubles,
I have found a way to grow,
grow halfway into the person
I want people to know.
Although my issues and my problems are not too far behind,
I see that place beside You
where it feels safe to reside.
You wrap Your arms around me
when I need someone to care,
I know that when I need You.
You will always be right there.
Sometimes when I think
I can take the world on by myself,
I tend to push Your love aside
and place You on a shelf.
When I realize that I need You
and I can’t do this on my own,
You guide me on Your path
and fix what I have blown.
You have the power of the world
and wish I understood.
You give and take away,
but only for my good.
You lead me out of trouble
and show me the right way.
You have never left my side
so now…I have to say.
You loved me unconditionally
when the world was just Your goal.
For this I want to thank You
from the bottom of my soul,
You are the best thing in my life
and you live inside my heart.
So from now until the end of time, never will we part.
BY: C.G.

I found myself in what I thought was a bad situation. There I was, traveling at 3am and a snowstorm grounded my train. It would be awhile until I could get a hotel room. One could almost laugh at the ridiculous events that can accompany traveling in the winter. Yet that night was different; it was a divine appointment. I just didn’t know it yet.

At the time, I was concerned about how cold my feet were getting. I was wearing sandals. I didn’t focus on the girl right away; I was watching the much older man attempt to have her come with him in his vehicle. She wasn’t willing, but she was cold. Her physical, practical needs outweighed her gut instincts that probably said “Run!” as loudly as mine did. He didn’t intimidate me, though. What stopped me cold was the fact that no one else around cared that a young girl was being propositioned by a john.

Muttering a few prayers under my breath, I walked into the harsh light of the street lamp and interrupted their conversation. What did I have to offer him? Nothing. What could I offer her beyond a bed in my hotel room and the promise of breakfast in the morning before I continued traveling? I could offer her hope, dignity, and a conversation about Courage House; but mostly I wanted her to be fed, warm, and loved. She ate 13 pancakes at the restaurant nearby. Most pretend she is invisible and wouldn’t dream of interrupting that earlier conversation. She constantly hears lies from the media and even people who consider themselves educated. She believes the lie that she has chosen this life, if you can even call it that. She hasn’t heard that she is loved and that she has a purpose. Melanie was safe for only a few hours. But I won’t stop believing that someone else will interrupt her life with love, dignity, and purpose.
– Elizabeth

As I walked into the common living area to help set up a Christmas dinner for a group of young ladies who were not expecting anyone to visit for the holiday, my heart sank. A sense of sorrow filled the halls of the juvenile detention facility. There were no girls in sight, only probation staff. After our group, which was accompanied by Ol’ Saint Nick, set up dinner for the princesses housed behind cold, locked doors, the staff began unlocking the doors and calling the twelve girls in unit eight by their last names. They then told them where to sit at the tables. When the girls began flowing into the room, I froze with compassion and ached for their hurting hearts.

I stood serving soda as the young women asked for their food choices with more politeness than teenagers I know who have been raised to know their manners well. We ate a nice turkey dinner as the girls sat and talked with each person in our group. After dinner, one person in our group stood up and began to speak to the girls. She spoke about a warm, loving place filled with healing–a place with people eagerly waiting to call girls who have been rescued out of sex trafficking family. The girls had different looks on their faces–some had a look of yearning, some a look of interest, and some even a look of question. Then the woman from our group welcomed me to the front of the room to tell the girls what C2BU has done in my life–where my heart used to be and where it is now. I shared how every person in C2BU has a big heart and has nothing on their agenda to wager them into this line of ministry, if you will. As I shared, the looks on more than a few of the girl’s faces changed to those that only one who has experience with such looks would comprehend. They became looks of, “You see me,” and, “When can I go to this place?”

I sat down and one of my partners from our group got up to speak. As I listened to her, I watched a room otherwise filled with complaining and hopelessness transform into a room filled with hope, trust, and the feeling of you understand. At that moment, I felt the sense of sorrow flee unit eight and the Holy Spirit envelop the entire area. When the second speaker was finished, we began talking with the girls and getting to know them. A few of them opened up to us and showed us a small glimpse of their hearts.

We sat and sang Christmas songs with a guitar-playing Santa. The two girls I was sitting next to were not singing. They looked a bit distraught so I asked them why they were so quiet. The answer that came made me want to hug them and cry. They said they couldn’t sing because they didn’t know any Christmas songs. I swallowed the lump in my throat and asked, “Why?” They said that they had never celebrated Christmas before. Those precious girls are girls I will never forget. The girls who didn’t know any of the words began to emphasize on the carols by adding their own improvisation to the chorus.

After Santa sang all the songs he could think of, he began to take requests. A beautiful, sweet 15-year-old girl asked for “This little light of mine.” As we began to sing the song she stopped us to say we were doing it wrong. We asked her to show us how to sing it so she signaled to another girl and began to sing her version. It sounded like angels singing in harmony.

Before we left, the girls showed us a collection of artwork that they had created on the walls. They are so talented. The art of Disney characters, especially Mickey Mouse, was amazing. As the staff took them back to their cells and locked the cold doors, I saw that they went in with a hope and warmth that they hadn’t come out with.  When I left that night, I left a large part of my heart in unit eight as I walked out. Thank you God!

C.G.

Arriving at Juvenile Hall to celebrate Christmas with a few very special young ladies, I didn’t have boxes or bows or even an ability to sing most Christmas tunes.  But I had in my heart a desire to show love and dignity, and that was enough.

I sat at a table with a few young women who proudly spoke of their efforts to decorate and welcome Courage to Be You to their home because they consider it a privilege to have visitors.  Chuckling at my attempt to remember their names at rapid-fire speed, the girls relaxed and told me of life outside. There were no more walls; truth could come willingly. It isn’t in theory that I say these girls have hopes and dreams; they truly do!  Whether their dreams are to be a mother, a Marine, or just a better friend, their voices were heard over giggles and Christmas carols being sung. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to say that out loud,” one young woman told me. I took her spoken dream as the most precious gift I could have been given and promised I believed in her ability to achieve it, regardless of her circumstances.

I believe in each girl’s ability to dream and also to change her life. I went to Juvenile Hall as a friend, not as someone with an agenda or with an expectation of what I would see.  What I saw broke my heart.  Encouraging the girls to become desperate and willing enough to change their lives while given this time at Juvenile Hall, I saw tears shimmering on many eyelashes and hopeful smiles on many faces.  As the girls began to leave the room, a young woman came up to me and asked me the most important question of the night, “Maybe I will be at Courage House one day; do you remember my name?”

-Elizabeth

There isn’t a week that goes by I don’t receive a phone call or an email asking if we can take a girl – a girl who has been rescued from the hideous world of sex trafficking.  I pause as I type those words because they are just that. Words.  They are so inadequate at describing what these children must endure night after night.  Think about it.  Imagine for just a moment it is you – your daughter, your sister or your niece who is being SOLD FOR SEX.  Rape.  Torture.  Abuse. Exploitation.  All just words on a piece of paper; unless it is happening to you or to someone you love.  (Big sigh.)

About those phone calls and emails … for now, I must say “no – we aren’t open yet”.  We have a home but we don’t have the operating monies to hire our staff and cover our monthly operating budget.  We are asking you and our community to become monthly partners for the next 18 months so we can hire our staff and open our doors.  Until we do, we’ll continue to say no to children who desperately need a home, a place to belong, a place for someone to believe in them.  Would you prayerfully consider becoming a monthly donor so our no becomes a yes?  Thank you.
Monthly Donate Form

Here is one girl’s story …

Her name is Melanie – there are tens of thousands more just like her out on the streets in every city in this state, this country and this world.  We must open Courage House!  We must!

Melanie’s Story
I was waiting for a taxi cab after being stranded by a winter snowstorm that paralyzed much of the Southern US in the late winter season.  It was nearly 3am.

At the time, I was just concerned about how cold my feet were getting. I didn’t focus on her right away as she stood apart from the crowd gathered on the curb.  I noticed the much older man attempt to have her come with him in his vehicle, and so did so many other respectable, ordinary travelers.  She wasn’t willing to go with the man, but she was cold.  Her physical and practical needs outweighed her gut instincts that probably said, “Run!” as loudly as mine did. He didn’t intimidate me though.  What stopped me cold was the fact that no one else around cared that a young girl was being propositioned by a john.  Why are manipulation and brutality ordinary?

As I walked over to interrupt their conversation, I prayed fiercely. He was bold; evil usually is.  Glaring as he left, he stated that he would just go find some other girl who wouldn’t give him such a problem.  A few people in the crowd watched our conversation with nothing more than polite curiosity.  Others moved away and their eyes said, “Don’t bother me.  I can’t see you.  I’m annoyed.”  What could I offer her beyond a bed in my hotel room and the promise of breakfast in the morning before I continued traveling? Hopefully, she could receive hope, dignity, and a conversation about Courage House; but mostly, I wanted her to be fed, warm, and loved.  Will anyone embrace her, other than those with evil intentions?

She ate 13 pancakes at the restaurant nearby.  Her name is Melanie. Most pretend she is invisible and wouldn’t dream of interrupting that earlier conversation.  She constantly hears lies from the media and even from people who consider themselves educated.  She believes the lie that she has chosen this “life”; a life dictated by men who offer a place to sleep or a meal to eat at a horrendous cost.  She hasn’t heard that she is loved and wanted, that she has a purpose.  Who will interrupt her life with love, dignity, and purpose and provide her with safety and shelter?