In March, several women from our US team traveled to Nepal for two weeks of intense ministry, training, and gospel sharing. Kathmandu was the base of operations, but the team traveled to a few other places around the country, including Pokhara, which is considered the tourism capital of Nepal. The sad reality is that, where tourism thrives in Nepal, prostitution often thrives along with it. This is true for Pokhara and, as a result, many economically disadvantaged women see prostitution there as a lucrative opportunity. Hilltop of Hope is in the early stages of the process of starting operations in Pokhara. Before a sewing center can be established there, we must first establish a network of local pastors and churches with a heart to reach women working in prostitution. As such, the main focus of the team’s visit to Pokhara in March was making connections, both within the local churches, and with ladies currently involved in the sex trade there.
One such woman was Sarita*, a mother of two daughters, ages 13 and 12. Sarita had arrived in Pokhara just three months ago, following the invitation of a friend already working in the sex industry. As the team spoke with her about her experiences, Sarita’s voice was calm, but vacant. “It’s just a job now,” she said, numb to the weight of it. She shared that she was earning approximately $1,000 each month, serving three to four clients every day. Her clients provided wine, food, and money - typically $80-$85 per customer. Sarita hid the truth of her employment from her daughters; they believed she was working at a hospital. As the team spoke with Sarita, their hearts ached for her. One member of the team began to gently share the gospel with her and, as she did, she could see something stirring within Sarita. The walls of numbness cracked, and Sarita prayed, surrendering her life to Christ. In that moment, hope entered her story.
As the team celebrated new life with Sarita, they were introduced to another woman, Gagan*. Gagan had been in the sex trade for only two months and despised it. Her story carried deep pain. Gagan had been married to an abusive, alcoholic man who beat her relentlessly until finally, she fled with her four-year-old daughter. Sarita was the one who told Gagan about the opportunity to earn a living working in prostitution in Pokhara and encouraged her to come. Now, trapped in the iron grip of sex work, Gagan desperately wanted out. Our team shared with Gagan about the heart of our ministry - why we were there and why we cared. They then shared the gospel with Gagan, who had never before heard the name of Jesus, but who listened intently, her eyes searching for truth. When the team finished, Gagan, with desperation and faith, prayed to receive Christ. Two souls were rescued out of darkness that day; two hearts were set free! This is the power of the Gospel - light breaking into darkness, a new way of thinking, living, and loving.
In 2024, the US team of Hilltop of Hope sensed God’s calling to continue our partnership with Conviventia in Colombia by starting a second Hilltop of Hope location in the tourist destination and port city of Cartagena. Just as in Nepal, the sad reality is that were tourism thrives in Colombia, so does prostitution. Although we sensed God’s calling, we were also aware of many difficulties with the idea. One challenge is that the girls working in prostitution in Cartagena are, on average, much younger than in Bogota; many have not finished high school and would need to do so before entering a vocational program. Another challenge in Cartagena is the sheer revenue that prostitution brings in a tourist city. Women can earn a lot of money working in the sex industry where many wealthy tourists frequent, and the lure of high earnings exerts a strong pull, keeping women in the trade.
In spite of all of the perceived challenges, and in answer to much fervent prayer, we were able to secure funding to start a new sewing training program in Cartagena. In April, our US team traveled to Colombia to check in on the new program and kick-start the sewing training. Already, 22 ladies are enrolled in the first cohort, and there is a waiting list of three additional women wanting to join. Two social workers are available to the women in the program to help them process and heal from trauma. The women, many of whom sat down at a sewing machine for the first time in their lives, learned to sew our cosmetic bags for their first project. However, supplies at the new facility were sparse. The women had to take turns using the sewing machines because there weren’t enough working machines. They didn’t even have an iron or scissors that cut well. We were able to secure some of the basic supplies for the sewing center to help them in their training. While there, we also shared the gospel with the class of women. All prayed in response to the gospel, but at least seven or eight were definitely serious about submitting their lives to Christ. All of the women in the program will continue to receive trauma-based discipling and Biblical teaching along with the vocational training.
New Sewing Program in Cartagena
India is the birthplace of Hilltop of Hope. The redlight districts in many of the major metropolitan areas of the country are among the most infamous in the world. Work to rescue, redeem, and restore women in these places of darkness has always been a God-sized challenge. Thankfully, the One who created the universe is on our side empowering the work we do. When the Lion of Judah roars, Satan shudders, but he also fights back. Lately it feels that his attacks have been fiercer than usual for our ministry in India. One of the red light areas in which our team had established a thriving ministry was suddenly demolished by the government. Suddenly, women, some with children, had no home and nowhere to go. Additionally, the church community that had been built in this district was abruptly uprooted and scattered. Our team has been working in earnest to find new homes for these women and maintain their connectedness in Christ.
Just days later, a young woman who had suffered horrific abuse during her time living and working in another red light area was thrown from a local train and killed. She had become a faithful participant in the prayer group our team led in her area and was well known and loved by our team. Because she had no family, there was no one to claim her body. The women from the prayer group rallied to petition the government to hand her body over to them for burial, rightfully insisting that she was very much a part of their family.
There are also major governmental forces pushing hard against any evangelistic ministry in India. Hindu nationalism is taking a firmer hold on the country, leading, among other things, to a crackdown on immigrants. Many of the women who work in the red light areas were illegally trafficked there from other countries, however they now have no other home to go to. They are at risk of having what little stability they have been able to find uprooted. Also, our team is being questioned by government officials because of their support of these women. Additionally, a chief government minister has now recommended the death penalty for proselytizing women and children. This would be a sharp increase to the existing penalty of up to ten years in prison. The law is written to punish “forced conversion”, but is intentionally vague to enable charging Christians even when they have not forced anyone to follow Christ. We at Hilltop of Hope know that the only true salvation comes through faith, which should never and can never be forced on anyone. However, the law leaves our team vulnerable to government action, which now could even include death. Please keep our brothers and sisters in India in prayer.
Homes Demolished in Red Light Area
Pray for wisdom and discernment as our local teams identify women in need of rescue and determine the best next steps based on the unique needs in each situation.
Pray for the words of Jesus to be healing for ladies who hear His name for the first time.
Pray for Sarita and Gagan, that their newfound faith would take deep root, that doors would open for them to leave this life behind, and that many more would come to know the One who truly sets captives free.
Pray for continued growth of our new sewing center in west Nepal and for boldness for the women to share their new faith with their friends and neighbors.
Pray for our team in India to stand firm in the face of persecution.
Pray for the women in the sewing training programs in Colombia to bond with one another as sisters in Christ.
A special thank you to our prayer team:
Meggi Stewart, Shelli Pierce, Michele Miller, Karen Withrow, Eunice Schmidt, Kimberly Steinmen, and Kay Dalke