**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!
