The White Umbrella: Walking with Survivors of Sex Trafficking
Stories of survivors of sex-trafficking.
Sex trafficking. We hear about it on the nightly news and in special interest stories from around the world, but it occurs daily in communities all around us. Every year, thousands of young women are forced into sexual exploitation. Most are under the age of 18. The damage this causes to their emotions and souls is immeasurable.
But they are not without hope.
The White Umbrella tells stories of survivors as well as those who came alongside to help them to recovery. It describes the pain and the strength of these young women and those who held the “white umbrella” of protection and purity over them on the road to restoration.
This book offers principles and guidance to anyone with a heart for these hurting young women and a desire to help. It is an ideal resource for individuals or organizations seeking to learn what they can do to assist these victims in becoming whole again.
From the Back Cover
White, an adjective meaning "Free from spot or blemish": as (1): free from moral impurity : INNOCENT (2): marked by the wearing of white by the woman as a symbol of purity.
Umbrella, a noun meaning: 1. A device for protection from the weather consisting of a collapsible, usually circular canopy mounted on a central rod, or 2. Something that covers or protects.
Every year over 100,000 girls in the United States are forced to do someone’s sexual bidding. Most of them are between the ages of 9 and 19.
This is not some faraway, foreign problem. This is in our own neighborhoods, our own towns and cities.
Throughout these pages read the stories of these girls and the people who have come alongside them to hold the white umbrella of protection and purity over them on the road to restoration. See the need for these protecting, caring partners. Learn what it means to love and care for these survivors in action, prayer, and support.
Introduction
1. Her Story
2. They’re Still Little Girls
3. We All Can Do Something
4. Her Battle
5. She Heals at Her Own Pace
6. Peeling Back the Layers
7. Her Fight for Justice
8. My Story
9. Healing Comes Full Circle
10. We Must Build Trust
11. We Must Do Whatever It Takes
12. We Will Face Obstacles
13. We Become Her Community
14. We Can Be Creative
15. Pray for Her
16. Believe for Her
17. Stand for Her
Epilogue: the Roller Coaster Ride to Redemption
The White Umbrella will break your heart and inspire you to do something. Mary Frances Bowley is a modern day crusader and we view Wellspring Living as a strategic ministry partner.
—Andy Stanley, senior pastor, North Point Ministries
Too often followers of Jesus live as if they are casually unaware of the horrors of local and global sex trafficking. Our natural tendency is to be at ease within the walls of our churches, and we desperately need to be reminded of the brokenness that surrounds us every day. The White Umbrella wakes us to the urgent call for true gospel ministry to the innocent victims of this wickedness. Read and learn how to love these girls to restoration through the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
—Dr. Johnny M. Hunt, president, Southern Baptist Convention 2009–2010
In The White Umbrella Mary Frances Bowley brings names and stories to these shocking statistics. Her work with Wellspring Living has helped hundreds and inspired thousands to join the global movement of providing hope and restoration for those who have been freed from the oppression of modern day slavery. Read this book. Be inspired and DO SOMETHING NOW.
—Bryson Vogeltanz, pastor of Global Engagement, Passion City Church/Passion Conferences
Mary Frances is a person who leads by doing. Her stories are rooted in the hard work of changing lives from sexually exploited to fully dignified individuals. I have seen her work firsthand and will forever be imprinted by this beautiful place of restoration. If you read this book, you will be learning from a national leader fighting for the dignity of women.
—Jeff Shinabarger, founder and creative director of Plywood People
The White Umbrella is a work of God's grace, just as each one of us is a work of God's grace. As you mull over these pages, I pray these writings inspire and mobilize you to rescuethe perishing and care for the dying. That's exactly what these words did to Mary Frances when she decided to spend her life pouring into these young women . . . because they matter to Jesus.
—Boyd Bailey, CEO of Ministry Ventures and president of Wisdom Hunters
The White Umbrella is an important book to read. It's a necessary book to read. But at times, it's not an easy book to read. The real-life stories in here will break your heart but it will also move you to do something. This is what happened to my friend Mary Frances Bowley. These stories broke her heart and caused her to act by starting the incredible work of Wellspring Living. It's not a coincidence this book is now in your hands. Mary Frances and Wellspring needs your help, and the best next step is for you to simply read The White Umbrella. But be prepared; no one can read this book and remain unmoved. Perhaps that's why you now have it in your hands.
Jeff Henderson, lead pastor, Gwinnett Church, North Point Ministries
Finally, a book that articulates how the community of faith can move from empathy and sorrow for the soul victimized by abuse to a compassionate response to stand and serve confidently in their healing and spiritual transformation.
—Karen Loritts, speaker, author, former board member at Wellspring Living
Perhaps you know statistics of sexual exploitation, and if so, you likely can assume some of the sadness and horror. But you may never have heard actual stories of victims who have gone beyond the trauma into healing. You need to know these stories.
The White Umbrella will tell stories of trafficked women, but will also explain what happens practically in their very complex process of healing. You will learn how brain development is affected by trauma. You will be able to clearly see how recovery and healing always must come within the context of relationship and howthat can happen. This is a book of profound hope.
With the rise in awareness of trafficking, it is easy to immediately feel a strong sense of justice yet not know how next to respond. White Umbrella describes multifaceted ways to practically respond. You can do something.
If God has drawn you to care for victims of sexual exploitation this book is a first must-read.
—Pamela MacRae, assistant professor of Pastoral Studies, Moody Bible Institute
Product Details
- Title : The White Umbrella: Walking with Survivors of Sex Trafficking
- Authors:
- Bowley, Mary Frances
- Giglio, Louie
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2012
- ISBN: 9780802486790