India (MNN) — Child trafficking is on the rise in India.
Rody Rodeheaver of IN Network USA says you can help them fight this evil.
"We need people who will help us continue this program, because there certainly are so many more young girls we want to [rescue]" states Rodeheaver.
India contains a large percentage of the 27 million men, women, and children trapped in modern-day slavery around the world. It has more than 1.2 million child prostitutes, and hundreds of children are trafficked from Nepal to Mumbai each week.
Last year, around 250 trafficked kids were rescued along the Nepal-India border. That's where a home supported by IN Network is saving little girls from being trafficked.
Prasanna and Arpana Khaling began Sano Diyo (Little Lighthouse) in 2002. They had just graduated from Bible college and were seeking God's will for their lives.
"They could've done any number of things, but their lives were intersected by two little girls who ended up on their doorstep," says Rodeheaver. "And they saw, in these two little girls, the opportunity to make a difference."
What started with two girls has grown to 35. They've been saved from an unspeakable future and are now getting warm meals, the Gospel, and a life-changing education.
"God's love penetrated this awful evil through the dedication and service of a young couple that has given their life to these young girls," Rodeheaver says. Pray that the girls will see their true worth and purpose in Christ.
Rodeheaver visited the home in recent weeks; click here for video taken on the trip.
"[I saw] young girls who were in school, who were singing, who were giggling, because they had been placed in an environment where people cared about them," says Rodeheaver. "They were loved…they were taught God's Word…they were given hope."
For over a decade, Sano Diyo has redeemed the lives of many Nepalese girls. Now, some of the girls are graduating from high school.
"We'll help get them placed in college, or we'll get them placed in a job," states Rodeheaver.
These are a growing part of Sano Diyo's future, too. Rodeheaver says I.N. Network hopes to expand the current facilities to include a center for job-skills training. In addition, another couple is needed to help operate Sano Diyo and raise the girls.
"Those two prayers are very important," says Rodeheaver. Pray that the Lord will meet these needs.
