Alli featured in the AllNations newsletter

**The following is from the latest All Nations Family Newsletter. My dear friend Meredith and her mom Mitzi came to visit me and Baby Safe. Below you will see the article she wrote about Baby Safe.

By Mitzi Borel, All Nations "mom" and supporter

I recently visited Capetown, South Africa where I followed in the footsteps of one of our All Nations missionaries, Allison Scarlett. On the plane coming home, God spoke to me through John 11. Just as Jesus called Lazarus to "come forth" from death, so he is using Allison to call young South African women to come forth from "death" into new life in Jesus.


Enter Allison, strong in the word, gallant in her dedication, working day-in and day-out with her "girls" in complete partnership with the Father. I visited in the homes of these girls with Allison, and even sat in on a Bible study with one of them. I was so grateful to see a firstfruit of the harvest: "Monica," a young girl of 21 with 2 small children, who has left drug addiction and her boyfriend. Through her weekly Bible studies with Allison, Monica is beginning to walk in the Light of Salvation and to share that light with her friends and neighbors.

Allison's ministry is through the "Baby Safe," a program of All Nations that gives young moms an alternative to dumping their babies, as well as counseling and support as they "come forth" from the "dead" and build new lives through the power of Jesus. But this is not only Allison's ministry. We - you and I - can also be part of calling these young women from death to life. Would you join me in prayer and financial support for Allison and others like her? You can learn more about how to join in at www.thebabysafe.org.

Joy in a box

Baby Safe team with baby Joy hours after she was left in the Baby Safe Drop


4am- my team mate Danielle gets a computerized call from the Baby Safe. This call only means one thing- something has been put inside of the safe. A few seconds later, Danielle receives another call, from an anonymous woman saying that there has been a baby left in the box. By this point, Danielle is already heading to check out what's going on. Upon arrival, she noticed that the safe door was locked, confirming that some small amount of weight has triggered the sensors under the mattress to lock the door. Opening up the back door to the safe, Danielle found a baby. A 2 day old baby girl- sleeping. No one else was around. We have no idea who momma is.

Baby was examined by Danielle and found to be healthy, she still had her umbilical cord clamped. Shortly after, we had our weekly staff meeting. Bethany announced that while praying for her, the Lord said her name was to be JOY. Since joy is what this little baby girl brought Him. We spent hours loving on baby Joy, praying for her, kissing her, holding her, singing over her. That baby was covered in love and prayer.

Since we partner with local adoption agency's, they were excited to get my phone call saying that we woke up to a "surprise" in our Baby Safe. The have opened the court documents and begun the procedure for baby Joy to be adopted to a happy, loving, & properly screened family. Baby Joy is currently at a lovely Baby House awaiting her new family.

Our hearts go out to momma. We will never know who she is, how old she is, where she is from, who is the father, or if anyone else knew she was pregnant. All we know is that this mom had courage and love. She could of chose to dump baby in between 2 shacks or down the local township toilet or in a sewer. But instead, she left her baby in our Baby Safe box knowing that baby would be picked up and loved.

We rejoice in this little life since local news now has issued a report saying over 500 reported baby dumpings have occurred in the Western cape this year... those are just the reported cases. We continue to advocate for this voiceless generation by trying to get more Baby Safes sponsored and set up in local townships. Wanna help sponsor a Baby Safe- let me know.

Dear Lydia...

**below is a letter I've written to one of the young moms I'm discipling. I know this letter might come across as harsh, but please understand this is her reality, this is my reality. Everything I reference in this letter is completely true. I have obviously changed her name for confidentiality reasons. As you read this letter, be moved for her and the other women who are on the brink of freedom


Dear Lydia,

You already know how much I care for you, but I figured if I put it in writing then you will always be able to look at this letter and remember. I am writing this letter after spending the afternoon with you and the other street girls eating ice cream on the beach. I love spending time with you girls. Talking about new shoes, families, dreams, drugs, AIDS, your baby daddy’s in prison, abusive clients & heart hurts. I look forward to our times together.

Lydia, I’m fully aware that we could not be more different. Me being a twenty-five year old, white, American with high lighted hair, painted toe nails and completely sexually in-active. You being a nineteen year old coloured, South African whose addicted to Tik (crystal meth) & dagga (weed), seen as society's scum, fatherless, specializing in jumping cars (prostituting). But Lydia, that doesn't matter to me. My heart moves for you. You don’t know this kind of love, the kind that doesn't demand anything in return, the kind that appreciates you for YOU and not your ability to turn tricks. But you feel this love when you and I meet, don’t you? You feel this love when I sit with you on the side of the street and people give us dirty looks. They give you dirty looks for wondering what makes you think you have a right to talk to me and pity looks to me, as if I don’t know who I’m talking to. You feel this love when people come up to us and warn me about you. When they warn me you are a “whore” and “waste of time”, and I stand up for you right then and there, you feel that love don’t you? You feel this love as I speak HOPE over you. As we sit in the gutter and I speak about a year from now - when you and I will return to these streets, to get other girls out of prostitution. You know you want this. You know you desire to wear proper clothes, walk with your head held high, earning clean money, walking with your son’s hand in yours and being completely free from drugs and the power of man. Lydia, you were not created to stand on the corner of the street each night. You were created for greatness… did you know that? Has anyone ever told you that you were created for greatness? Just because no one has told you this does not mean it’s not true. I’m telling you. So may you know, that you are not only called to greatness, but to fullness, to life more abundantly.

Lydia, you gave yourself a new tattoo today. Your hand was still swollen when you showed me. I’m glad this one isn’t another swear word, rather your sons name. Lydia, did you know Christ has tattooed your name on the palm of His hand? Isaiah 49:16 says so. Your name on his hand is actually right above a scar that He has on his hand. I told you about this guy. You remember when you were coming off of a weed trance and we were talking about Real Love? The kind that doesn’t force or hurt, the kind that loves regardless? The kind of love that is gentle and patient? When I told you this guy gives 2nd and 3rd chances, your eyes opened wide. You said you want to know this guy. I promise, He’ll change your life. You told me once , you knew I had the “life saver” that you needed. Lydia, this guy is the life saver. But you are gonna have to do something scary... You are going to have to trust Him. And you are going to have to trust Him with your heart. But sis, I promise you, from experience, that He’s the real deal. You can trust him because He doesn’t belong to any gang, He won’t control you or pay you in the form of drugs for turning tricks. He will never lift a hand against you. He actually is willing to die for you. In fact, He did. Do you know what happened because He was tortured and killed? It gave you the chance to be free! Lydia- you can be free! I know it’s hard to comprehend, but I dare you to. I dare you to believe that it’s possible for someone to love you. If I hold your hand and walk step by step with you, do you want to get to know Him? I promise, you will be so grateful you risked it.

Lydia, may this be the day you cross that line. May this be the day you recognize you are called to greatness. Lydia, you were not created to stand on the side of the street.

I love you sis,

Alli

a young mom calls for help

A few months ago, I received a phone call from a struggling young mother who saw Baby Safe’s phone number on a poster at the local clinic. The poster says, “Please do not dump your baby. There is another way to leave it”.

This statement was extremely relevant to Grace. A 21 year old mother- alone and struggling with a 3 yr old and 4 month old. Because Grace saw this poster, she called and asked for help. After a few months of intense discipleship, a few clothing donations, asking Jesus into her heart, and getting involved in a young mom’s bible study, she is now thriving! She has also started an internship with a local bakery and recently graduated from the program with a new set of skills and a pretty certificate to prove it. We are so proud of Grace. She is a wonderful mother. All she needed was a little fellowship. She is now leading bible studies with other young struggling mothers.

*photo used with permission*

Baby Safe has been crazy busy. Here is a taste of some of the busy-ness:
*Weekly, many young moms are choosing life rather than abortion,
*Relationships between struggling young moms and illegitimate babies are being restored
*Young girls are coming out of drug addiction
*Other young moms are finding proper jobs and are now able to provide basics for their babies

And all of these moms are coming to a greater understanding of their value and worth in Christ, something that no level of poverty can steal from them. We are watching these young moms wake up to their potential and security in Christ and that in turn, is directly affecting their children, their relationships, communities, etc. Who would have thought that the Lord would change communities through orphaned, high-school drop out, drug addicted young women!

****

Baby Safe needs:..
• Onesies specifically 0-3 month. These are for the newborn baby packs we give out at the local hospital to moms who have nothing to take their baby home in.

• We want to hire another one of our young mothers onto our Baby Safe staff and need about $4,000 for her salary for a year.
• More Baby Safe Drop sponsors so we can put them in the townships.
• A Safe House!!! The Village of Hope that we are still dreaming of. A property where young moms can come, stay for some time, learn skills, rehab, get discipled, be safe, etc.
• We are constantly helping desperate moms pay rent, buy groceries, diapers, food, formula, etc. Wanna help out? Let me know.

Disappointed with God

After much fighting, praying, fasting, one of our young moms has chosen to go back to her old life of prostit*tion and drugs. This was a blow to my heart, especially after it seemed as though she was doing so well. The judge had released her from prison with the understanding she would complete one year of Rehab with a drug crisis center and counseling/discipleship with Baby Safe. Originally this was her idea and desire to finally leave that lifestyle. She called me from prison and asked for help. But one week into rehab and the old life wooed her back. She is more violent, destructive, and manipulative than ever before. I have really struggled with this. My heart grieves over this girl. I didn’t understand why God wouldn’t save her after so many prayers, fastings, etc. I felt the Lord say that He did draw her unto Himself and He did reveal Himself to her in prison, but when she was faced with garbage, she chose the garbage. It was almost as if our prayers had bound the demonic influences over her life, but through her choosing, the demonic came back 7 times stronger.At this point, she is extremely angry with me. She has even gone so far as to accuse me of horrible things. Of course, no one in the community I have relationships with buys her lies. O how i wish this story had a different ending. i find myself wondering, "is hope too lost for her?". But i hold onto hope, i know this is not the end of the story. He redeems...

2 babies dumped in the last week

I have had the opportunity of speaking on South African radio 3 times and on TV 2 times in the last month. All of the interviews were in regards to the Baby Safe drop boxes in the communities as well as the groundbreaking work we are doing with young drug addicted, prostitute moms. We are seeing a need for more Baby Safe drops more than ever. In the last week, 2 babies have been dumped by young moms.
One was found alive, one wasn’t. We have got to continue to get the word out to young moms that there are OPTIONS! We want to build relationship, share Jesus, and provide basic infant care education to them as preventative measures.

The cost of a Baby Safe Box is $1500 USD. Let me know if you want to sponsor one so we can put one in these desperate communities.

http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=1.684900&fFeed=breakingnews

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=50132

2 news articles from local newspapers. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if there had been a Baby Safe Drop in their communities.

7 months pregnant and running for her life with a gun

G*ngsters love their guns. So when one of their guns is gone, they will do anything to get it back. So what’s a g*ngsters’ girlfriend to do if her notorious g*ngster boyfriend and a rival g*ngster are fighting over a gun? A good girl friend will take the gun, run, and hide it…even if she’s 7 months pregnant and has a 3 year old at her side.

This was Jackie's life before Christ. A life of drugs, sneaking drugs into prison, gangs, stabbings, fights, running from the police, guns and murder.

The “Bonnie & Clyde” of the local township. Jackie and her boyfriend were fearfully respected in and around all the neighboring communities. After finding out she was pregnant with her 2nd child at the age of 21, she freaked. How is she supposed to keep up the current lifestyle with 2 children?

Baby Safe entered Jackies life immediately after her 2nd child was born. She did not want her 2nd born and it was obvious. Jackie did not even want to look at her newborn baby let alone care for him. But through basic newborn education and weekly bible studies, Jackie and I started a friendship. Although Jackie was one tough cookie, I continued to visit her and her baby. I continued to offer support, help her write a job resume, take her to register her baby and apply for the single mother financial grant. Even though Jackie and I couldn’t have been more different, we developed an awesome friendship based on some pretty deep heart to heart chats. Chats about boyfriends, drugs, heart wounds, past abuse, her baby’s daddy, dreams for the future, her boys, and her new life in Christ. I watched Jackie bloom into a beautiful flower. I literally watched this rough tom-boy turn into a caring, young, feminine mother. I am so proud of her and the choices she is now making. It is a hard and often lonely road for her, but she and her boys are thriving. No longer does she do drugs, no longer is she looking to men to provide for her and she broke up with her deadbeat gangster boyfriend.

Jackie is now a follower of Christ. Aside from leading Bible Studies out of her home, she visits young pregnant girls and educates young moms on infant care, all while raising her own two boys. She is living out Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord will all of your heart…”


Continue to pray for Jackie and her boys.
-We would love to hire her onto our Baby Safe staff. Pray for the funds for her salary.
-Her 5 yr old son has anger issues. Pray for Jackie and her son as we begin to set up discipline structures.
-For a man of God to come in to her life and sweep her off her feet (at the right time, of course).
-That the Lord will continue the good thing He has started in her. That she will grow in her relationship with Him and her ability to hear His voice.

**photo and story used with permission, names changed to protect confidentiality

Baby's Birthday

One Year Old!

Little sugar just turned one year old. The little cutie is doing very well. She is happy and thriving living with her grandma and young cousin. I continue to visit and see her 2-3 times a week. She is busy getting into everything, running, jumping, and even saying "Alli". She is a clever little girl and is extremely happy.
We truly do treasure this little life! It is crazy to think that just 6 months ago, little one had to go into hiding because her drug addicted mother was trying to hurt her. With out Baby Safe's intervention, she would not be celebrating this birthday.

Jesus is chasing the prost*tutes

“Alli, if just one person loved me, I wouldn’t have to sell my body to the white man”. – Jackie, 20 years old

Pain, rape, murder, drugs, rejection, abuse, kidnappings… this is what Jackie deals with on a daily basis. At 20 years old, with a 6 month old daughter, Jackie confides in me one afternoon as we talk about the possibility of getting her a proper job, becoming a good mother, getting off of drugs, and renting her own place. As I stand there, speaking life and value into her hurting heart, she tells me that she is desperate to change. But does not know where to start. I tell her that Jesus is pursuing her, that He will not give up on her, that He loves her, that she was not created to stand on the side of the road selling her self. Jackie and I continue to meet on a weekly basis, not only to help her put together a resume for a proper job, but to dig at scripture, to discover this gentle, compassionate Father who has called her out of this life of darkness. Pray for Jackie, that she will stop running and allow Christ to catch her.

New Start

“For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for [her] them in the desert! I have made [her] Israel for myself, and [she] they will someday honor me before the whole world.
"I--yes, I alone--am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Isaiah 49:19,21,25


As we are sitting in my car, celebrating the fact Funeka now has 2 part time jobs & has been clean from Tik (crystal meth) & prostit*tion for one month now, I share this verse with her. I explain to her that earlier that morning I asked the Lord what He wanted to say to her, and this was His response. This is what the Lord wanted to say to her; that He is doing a new thing in and thru her. That she must acknowledge the fact He has heard her prayers, that He is real! That He has called her to something different! That no longer is she the young prostitute on the side of the street, but she is at beginning of something new! That He has set her free. That she now has the capability and strength to get completely clean, start her own daycare, get her drivers license, finish night school, etc.
I am so proud of her!! It has been a long road of recovery for her, but we continue to meet for discipleship, accountability, & Bible Studies.We are currently coming up with a budget and she is learning how to save money and spend it wisely. However, as she is still living with her old boyfriend and around old friends who do drugs it is still very challenging for her.

a sisters point of view

**The following is from my little sister Anna. She recently spent 2 weeks with me here in South Africa. We had a great time. Not only were we able to see all of beautiful Cape Town, she was able to meet my girls and their babies. It was such a great time!! Enjoy reading her point of view!


Wow! What a trip this has been! I arrived in South Africa the seventeenth and left the thirtieth of May. Let me tell ya, seeing pictures and hearing stories is nothing compared to walking the streets and smelling the smells of Africa. I came here completely unaware of the extreme battle over some of these young girls lives. The poverty and living of these incredible people is surprisingly not what shocked me the most. While it still broke my heart, what saddened and angered me to tears every night were the young women in the townships. The words ‘no hope’ doesn’t even begin to explain their lifestyle. They do not understand that they are worth so much more than a few rand to sell their bodies. They are continually stuck in a cycle of drugs and prostitution because they believe they are no better than what a man is willing to pay for them. It was easy for me to initially say ‘get a real job!’ or ‘go to school’, because I am constantly loved at home in America, I have an incredibly encouraging father and mother who push me to be the best, along with an easy way of living and that of course is not the story here. Most of these girls have been abused in every way possible and have stayed alive by ways I can’t even imagine. To see them get out of this vicious cycle, and receive a job and hope is better than any feeling I have encountered, and that miracle is happening here! Girls are realizing their potential and worth in Christ and putting a stop to the enemies’ lies! These women have shown me a new meaning to bravery and I hope that you all continue to pray for them and to break the chains with me. Thank you Allison for loving these girls and hugging them when I can’t, you truly are making a difference in their lives!




Yes, that really is a real cheetah! we were so brave. HA!

voice for the voiceless

Proverbs 31.8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

7 months old + child of a prostitute + fatherless + raised by sick granny + physically assaulted by own mother = destitute.

This is Baby. She has been a part of my life since December. Baby Safe was called by the South African Police to intervene in a situation where mom was using her to beg for drug money on the street. I took Baby in for a while- I fed her, loved her, prayed over her. I spoke LIFE over her believing that her life could be different then that of her mothers. The court ruled that the granny was to have custody over her. Shortly after, mom was arrested and put in jail for punching baby in the face. Weekly, I went to visit Baby and granny. I was also doing bible studies with Baby's aunts and cousins. Things were going good. Granny was feeling strong to take care of her 2 grand daughters and the girls were growing quickly.
Then mom was released from prison. Immediately, she jumped back into her destructive lifestyle of Tik (crystal meth), pr*stitution, lies, and violence. Once again, raising hell at granny’s house. This created an unsafe environment for Baby and the other children granny is raising (her other grand children from her daughters). Mom did not just stop at verbal abuse, she proceeded to threaten family members lives, destroy the house, cut phone lines, rip granny’s hair out, spit, kick, scratch, and slap anyone in her way.
Through granny’s request, Baby Safe interveined and removed Baby from the house.
Again, Baby has recently been in hiding, happy and safe from assault. Baby Safe is working with the South African police to see justice served in regards to the mothers many criminal charges. We are speaking up for Baby’s safety and well being. Being advocates for this little innocent one. Fighting for a future for her.

Please be praying for little Baby’s heart. The neglect, abuse, transition, and abandonement is something no baby should have to go through. I often find her sleeping very disturbed.

Pray for granny, she was recently badly assaulted by baby’s mom. She is said to have suffered 2 broken ribs and a nervous break down. We need her healthy and well to take care of her grand children.

Pray for Justice with the South African Police and court system.

Pray for Baby’s mom. After all of this self-destruction, my heart still aches for her to come to the realization that she has WORTH.

Oaks of Righteousness

What is she worth? 30 rands worth of pleasure ($4)

What about her? A few buttons of tik (crystal meth), enough to get high for the day, enough to blurr the noise in her head, the pain in her heart.

And her? She is worth at least a plate of chicken & rice, maybe a couple cigarettes and a few rocks in the face.

And to Him? Her return is worth the cost of His son’s torturous, unmerited death.


Baby Safe has got involved with several pros*itutes and their babies. I love that I serve and know a God who adores pr*stitutes. I love that I worship a God who ate dinner with them.

Three of them have been attending a bible study; and Thombi sat stunned when she read about Jesus’ reaction to the adulteress women in John 8. My good friend, taught “Traffic Proof” with a few others, as they are very much at risk for human trafficking with the World Cup starting up here in a few months. I am also doing an HIV Awareness/Abstinence themed bible study with their young daughters and sisters, as an effort of prevention. I am working with yet another one in order to reunite her with her baby, she has a long way to go but I love that my God actually does break chains of addiction, and the weight of worthlessness. I love that my God is close to the broken hearted and he saves those who are crushed in spirit and His love does not discriminate, nor does it relent.

May He give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61)

The Jesus of pro*titutes is chasing their souls.

school uniforms!

The new school year started just last week. And we were able to get our kids new uniforms & school supplies. They were so excited to receive their new clothes and have the supplies that the other children have at school. The grins were big and it really did make me happy to see them all provided for. A HUGE THANK YOU for those contributing to the uniforms. You are helping ones who are very fragile have a chance to thrive. Almost all of these children are orphans, taking care of their younger brothers and sisters. Their parents have died or are dying of AIDS.

In south africa, you can not attend school if you do not have a school uniform. This obviously adds to the cycle of poverty- no uniform, no school, no education, no job, no success...
But this year, the kids are going to school!!

The school supplies were such a treat to the families. We have helped them start their school year with what they need.


We thank you so much and the families thank you for helping them so very much.