Recent news reports revealed Filipino women in Beijing being rounded up and charged with prostitution. Several of the women Samaritana has helped have in fact been rescued by other groups or ministries from bar/brothel prostitution in Malaysia, where they ended up after being deceived or betrayed by recruiters and traffickers. One of them recounts that after reaching a point of need and desperation, “I accepted any job that I can get, even one that is not pleasing to God. I went to Malaysia to better provide for my family.” Amazingly, however, this sister adds, “There I encountered God and started living in a new life.”

A friend who leads a ministry in Singapore’s red light district where many trafficked Filipino women are prostituted, has reflected on the precious value of each women in the narrow alleyways and lanes of Geylang. Rev. Gerard Seow writes,

“It is said that the more precious the stone is, and the more valuable the mineral deposits are, the deeper one needs to look. What is truly precious is not to be found on the surface. The most expensive ruby found in Burma, less than the size of a child’s knuckle bone was found at a depth of over 2,000 feet in the mountainous regions to the immediate east of the Himalayan chain. The daiamond mines of South Africa routinely dig past 3,000 feet. The higher the price, it seems, the deeper the dig.

The same can be said of the dark alleyways and back lanes of Geylang. Here, by the electric lanterns that buzz red light among the young men who stumble and fall into the ‘other side of mid-night, you will find strength, purity and yes, even faith, if you look hard enough.”

I thank God that Samaritana is privileged to be a part of the process of uncovering the precious stones of hidden lives of Filipino women who, often buried deep, are treasures. And I thank God for the honor and responsibility of being part of the journey of encountering God and starting to live new lives. Your partnership in prayer, giving, and journeying with us helps make such uncovering and encounters possible.

Read more from August 2009 newsletter.