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In Pursuit of Love: One Woman’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant
Through her own gripping story of escape from human trafficking, Rebecca Bender teaches us what trafficking in America looks like - and what we can do about it - as she reveals the light of God in even the darkest places. In Pursuit of Love is a riveting read that will give you the confidence to pursue your own purpose and take you on a journey to places you never thought possible.
Born and raised in a small Oregon town, all-American girl Rebecca Bender was a varsity athlete and honor roll student with a promising future. Then a predator pretending to be her boyfriend lured her into a web of lies that sent her down a path she never imagined possible.
For nearly six years, Rebecca was sold across the underground world of sex trafficking in Las Vegas. She was branded, beaten, told when to sleep and what to wear, and traded between traffickers. Forced into a dark sisterhood, Rebecca formed bonds with her trafficker and three other women, creating a false sense of family. During that time, God began revealing himself to her. And in the midst of her exploitation, she found the hope she needed to survive.
After a federal raid, Rebecca escaped. Her life was forever changed as she felt the embrace of her heavenly Father guiding her to healing and wholeness. Rebecca soon began to use her own experiences to change the lives of others as she went back into the darkest places she had known - assisting FBI, VICE, and law enforcement across the country in some of their most difficult cases.
Through Rebecca's incredible story of redemption, we remember that our past does not have to determine our destiny.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2020
158 people are currently reading
2605 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Bender
2 books42 followersAfter escaping nearly six years of human trafficking, Rebecca Bender received the kind of restoration that only God provides. Now an award-winning social entrepreneur, she is the CEO & Founder of the Rebecca Bender Initiative, a nonprofit that works with law enforcement, FBI, Homeland Security, and aftercare programs and provides expert testimony, trainings, and consultation across the globe. She is also the founder of Elevate Academy, an online school for women who want to pursue the call of God regardless of their pasts. Rebecca has earned her Masters in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary and enjoys influencing culture by teaching biblical truths for various audiences. Rebecca and her husband, Matt, live in the Pacific Northwest with their four daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
January 21, 2020
Rebecca Bender’s story is more than a glimpse inside the insidious crime of domestic sex trafficking in the United States, much more than a seedy tale of victim-turned-survivor. In Pursuit of Love is a multi-layered view of heart-breaking captivity, courageous struggle for liberty, and fear-shattering triumph!
I am an anti-trafficking advocate, trained, and working in this arena. I’ve heard many stories and started several “best of” books on the topic. I’ve also heard Rebecca speak and have read a good portion of her book, Roadmap to Redemption. But In Pursuit of Love… I could not put it down! It’s a scrupulously edited, breathtaking page turner, vividly written to reveal the author’s heart journey from vulnerability to captivity, and into freedom and wholeness.
Addiction, traffickers, mind-control, and complex trauma would not have the last word in any measure. She writes, “I would emerge triumphant. It all came together in the end—the old and the new…transformation…!” These words encapsulate the entire book.
For those who have never heard of a God of mercy, compassion, and trustworthiness, who speaks, listens, delights in his beloved, and moves in power, then you may meet this God for the first time through this beautiful storytelling. For those wondering how to be a change-maker, then follow Rebecca, a thriving survivor who is a leader in helping others find their freedom. Begin here: In Pursuit of Love.
I am an anti-trafficking advocate, trained, and working in this arena. I’ve heard many stories and started several “best of” books on the topic. I’ve also heard Rebecca speak and have read a good portion of her book, Roadmap to Redemption. But In Pursuit of Love… I could not put it down! It’s a scrupulously edited, breathtaking page turner, vividly written to reveal the author’s heart journey from vulnerability to captivity, and into freedom and wholeness.
Addiction, traffickers, mind-control, and complex trauma would not have the last word in any measure. She writes, “I would emerge triumphant. It all came together in the end—the old and the new…transformation…!” These words encapsulate the entire book.
For those who have never heard of a God of mercy, compassion, and trustworthiness, who speaks, listens, delights in his beloved, and moves in power, then you may meet this God for the first time through this beautiful storytelling. For those wondering how to be a change-maker, then follow Rebecca, a thriving survivor who is a leader in helping others find their freedom. Begin here: In Pursuit of Love.
February 23, 2021
I really love how this book opened my eyes to how easy it is to become trafficked and how it can happen in our own communities. It changed my perceived definition of trafficking and made me want to read other survivor stories and find ways to shed light on the issue. The story was really good, and I love how she was able to overcome her addiction to money and start raising her daughter in a healthier environment. I love that she is using the terrible things that she became involved in to help raise awareness and help survivors.
I am an atheist, but am not opposed to stories, books by Christian authors or involving faith. My takeaway feeling from this book is that she left one cult for another (albeit healthier) cult of religion. One cringe-y quote was "Get behind me, Satan! These cockroaches are temporary, but my God's promises are eternal".
Would recommend the read, but would also warn that the writing is not particularly good and it is very bible and faith-heavy.
I am an atheist, but am not opposed to stories, books by Christian authors or involving faith. My takeaway feeling from this book is that she left one cult for another (albeit healthier) cult of religion. One cringe-y quote was "Get behind me, Satan! These cockroaches are temporary, but my God's promises are eternal".
Would recommend the read, but would also warn that the writing is not particularly good and it is very bible and faith-heavy.
December 5, 2019
A captivating read that was so much more relatable than I ever expected! Rebecca Bender has a powerful message that everyone needs to read.
September 28, 2022
"to throw all caution to the wind, and run after Him." Solid way to end a book! I love how God can redeem horrific life experiences and turn them into a beautiful testimony and powerful force for His Kingdom!
February 10, 2023
Harrowing lifestyle for this author. Amazed at her courage and determination to get out of her situation.
I learned a lot about the sex trafficking that goes on all around us.
I learned a lot about the sex trafficking that goes on all around us.
January 23, 2020
A powerful story of redemption and second chances amid the tragedy of human trafficking, Rebecca Bender's book "In Pursuit of Love" is a difficult but important read.
Bender shares her personal battle to escape the life of a trafficking victim, not realizing those whom she thought would help her leave the business were the ones keeping her stuck in slavery. Over the course of 6 years, Rebecca experienced the worst of what humanity can offer, surviving brutal beatings, rapes, branding and being shared between traffickers.
Forming a 'family' that included a trafficker and two other women, Bender continues believing that there was no better life apart from her 'family,' when their house is raided by the FBI. She begins to see the hand of God in her life and chooses to break free from the invisible chains that kept her joined to her traffickers, leading her to another chance for freedom.
As God redesigned her life, Rebecca began to find a purpose in not only sharing her story of human trafficking, but in being able to help the very systems that had failed her in the past. She becomes and advocate for those in this form of modern day slavery, assisting the FBI and other law enforcement in helping others escape. Bender is now the founder of a non profit, The Rebecca Bender Initiative. She shares how her story changed her view of God, reaffirmed His unchanging love for her and opened doors to a new life that can be helpful to others, regardless of our pasts.
I was an early reader, thanks to Zondevan and Harper Collins Publishers. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
Bender shares her personal battle to escape the life of a trafficking victim, not realizing those whom she thought would help her leave the business were the ones keeping her stuck in slavery. Over the course of 6 years, Rebecca experienced the worst of what humanity can offer, surviving brutal beatings, rapes, branding and being shared between traffickers.
Forming a 'family' that included a trafficker and two other women, Bender continues believing that there was no better life apart from her 'family,' when their house is raided by the FBI. She begins to see the hand of God in her life and chooses to break free from the invisible chains that kept her joined to her traffickers, leading her to another chance for freedom.
As God redesigned her life, Rebecca began to find a purpose in not only sharing her story of human trafficking, but in being able to help the very systems that had failed her in the past. She becomes and advocate for those in this form of modern day slavery, assisting the FBI and other law enforcement in helping others escape. Bender is now the founder of a non profit, The Rebecca Bender Initiative. She shares how her story changed her view of God, reaffirmed His unchanging love for her and opened doors to a new life that can be helpful to others, regardless of our pasts.
I was an early reader, thanks to Zondevan and Harper Collins Publishers. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
July 2, 2021
I liked this book and found her story fascinating and heartbreaking. I believe this is considered a Christian book and it got a little too faith based in parts for me, but overall it was really good. 3.5 stars.
April 10, 2020
This was a moving story that pulls back the curtain on the modern sex trafficking industry. I think so few people have an understanding of what sex trafficking really is, and only associate it with women who are kidnapped and forced into prostitution. The world is so much bigger and more complicated than that. Rebecca Bender gives us a look into her life, every messy part of it. This book was well written and engaging. Bender gives us a look at her own spiritual journey as well. This book was eye opening, and I highly recommend it.
I received an advanced listening copy thanks to Libro.fm’s librarian ALC program.
I received an advanced listening copy thanks to Libro.fm’s librarian ALC program.
May 4, 2020
Riveting and informative.
Through her personal story, Rebecca shares how relatively easy it is for a girl to end up in prostitution and worse, to be trafficked within a system that is legal. Escort services, strip clubs, pornography. All of it is an easy pathway and cover for traffickers through which to funnel their victims.
And, once victimized by a trafficker, it’s incredibly challenging to find freedom as they masterfully prey upon one’s deepest vulnerabilities. As Rebecca eloquently illustrates through her first hand account, a trafficked person is not only held hostage physically, she is also held hostage mentally and emotionally by her trafficker.
Reading Rebecca’s heartbreaking yet hope filled account of her years as a trafficked prostitute, I understood better how a person could find freedom yet return willfully to her trafficker, which Rebecca did multiple times before finally and forever severing what she refers to as the “trauma bonds” with her multiple traffickers.
What I loved most about Rebecca’s story is how God’s faithful presence, love and protection was evident throughout all her life, even the very dark, dark moments of it.
It is not an easy story to read, but I believe it’s a necessary story to read as the access to pornography is ubiquitous, the vulnerabilities of young women as evident as ever, & the idols of money and power, which often drive the traffickers to do what they do, reinforced through media in all its forms.
I am typically a slow plodder through books. This one took me four days, one of the fastest reads ever for me. Surprising for the heavy content, but I think it attests to the skill of its author. I highly recommend.
Through her personal story, Rebecca shares how relatively easy it is for a girl to end up in prostitution and worse, to be trafficked within a system that is legal. Escort services, strip clubs, pornography. All of it is an easy pathway and cover for traffickers through which to funnel their victims.
And, once victimized by a trafficker, it’s incredibly challenging to find freedom as they masterfully prey upon one’s deepest vulnerabilities. As Rebecca eloquently illustrates through her first hand account, a trafficked person is not only held hostage physically, she is also held hostage mentally and emotionally by her trafficker.
Reading Rebecca’s heartbreaking yet hope filled account of her years as a trafficked prostitute, I understood better how a person could find freedom yet return willfully to her trafficker, which Rebecca did multiple times before finally and forever severing what she refers to as the “trauma bonds” with her multiple traffickers.
What I loved most about Rebecca’s story is how God’s faithful presence, love and protection was evident throughout all her life, even the very dark, dark moments of it.
It is not an easy story to read, but I believe it’s a necessary story to read as the access to pornography is ubiquitous, the vulnerabilities of young women as evident as ever, & the idols of money and power, which often drive the traffickers to do what they do, reinforced through media in all its forms.
I am typically a slow plodder through books. This one took me four days, one of the fastest reads ever for me. Surprising for the heavy content, but I think it attests to the skill of its author. I highly recommend.
February 5, 2021
I have never read a first hand account of trafficking from a survivor. Many organizations will share anonymous and summarized cases of trafficking, but hearing Rebecca’s story was very personal, and reading this story will remind you of the resiliency of the human spirit, give you a greater insight of the complexities of human trafficking, and demonstrate how faith aided this woman in every part of her journey.
*Trigger Warning - this book does cover some very heavy content so please be aware before reading.
*Trigger Warning - this book does cover some very heavy content so please be aware before reading.
March 7, 2022
Finished another spring break read! I didn’t know much about sex-trafficking in America, but I’m so grateful for the author’s willingness to share her story to raise awareness. At times this was a gut-wrenching read, especially knowing that it’s a true story. I don’t love her ties to Bethel church and some practices she mentioned (like generational sin and Sozo prayer), but the author’s ability to attribute her safety and escape to the Lord was encouraging nonetheless.
March 29, 2020
This memoir was incredibly moving. From the very beginning, God intervened in her life in so many ways. She was protected from horrifying events and eventually rescued out of the life that “claimed” her. Thank you, Rebecca for being so vulnerable and recounting such a tumultuous time in your life. It’s a must read. Some chapters were tough to digest but she has such a powerful testimony.
August 14, 2020
Rebecca Bender tells her story with with raw honesty and vulnerability, leading to an emotional but engaging read. Not only was I encouraged and deeply touched by Rebecca's testimony, but I learned a more accurate picture of what human trafficking can look like here in the United States. Anyone looking to educate themselves about human trafficking should read this book and seek out survivors like Rebecca who are sharing their story for us to learn from.
April 6, 2021
Learned SOOO much from Rebecca’s story— about how trafficking starts, how it progresses, trauma bonds, and relaps. This book gave me so much hope (but it wasn’t sugar coat-y either) for survivors as she shared the messy reality of healing spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, etc
August 7, 2022
A very, very important book! Rebecca Bender’s candor invites readers in on the parts of human trafficking we often miss (trauma, psychological abuse, poverty, etc.). She offers names and stories to numbers and statistics. Her bravery and commitment to honestly following Jesus are remarkable.
September 29, 2020
Wonderful to see the work that GOD did in Rebecca's life!
March 2, 2022
Wow. Powerful book about human trafficking The audio book is great as the actual victim who has been redeemed is the narrator.
July 21, 2025
I bought this book to have an interesting read for a few days. But I accidentally read it in a 4 hour bout of insomnia. I would definitely recommend.
April 30, 2025
Such a powerful read! I would definitely recommend it to anyone working in restorative care for sex trafficking survivors (where I work!), or anyone who would like to learn more about what a survivor has endured and the barriers they continue to break down in their lives. Rebecca’s story is sobering and her bravery to share it is commendable!
February 5, 2020
I completed this book several weeks ago and have had a challenging time forming words accurate enough to describe my experience of reading Rebecca’s journey. I finally decided my mere words, within a book review, cannot begin to “do justice,” about this amazing book, but I will try. So firstly, be sure to read it! There will be many moments in which you cannot fathom putting the book down because Rebecca’s writing style combined with her vulnerability in sharing many transparent details, will have you in awe of her courage! But most importantly, in awe of her triumphant victory towards freedom because of the relentless pursuit of God. Rebecca’s freedom was not only physical freedom; but spiritually, emotionally, and mentally too. Secondly, this book will allow you to see a glimpse into the horrific human trafficking epidemic in America (yes, globally too!); but many people remain unaware how prolific this injustice is at our back door. For me, there were moments in which I felt I lost my breath while reading all Rebecca endured. It’s truly by the grace of God she is with us today and her story poignantly unfolds into restoration and redemption. One of my favorite pages described Rebecca forgiving Kevin (I’ll let you read the book to learn who he is!). Rebecca conveyed, “Lord, I forgive him for the hurt . . . so much hurt. I don’t know about his childhood trauma or how the culture indoctrinated him. ....” (the prayer goes on! It’s beautiful!). You’ll want to buy copies for your family and friends!
February 6, 2020
This is one of those books that absolutely wrecked me. On an intellectual level, I am aware of sex-trafficking, sexual assault, and prostitution, but I confess to having nearly no first-hand knowledge of any of these crimes against the men and women, boys and girls, who are victims and survivors - or what their life is like before, during, and after their time spent living in abusive relationships. That is why I am thankful for women like Rebecca who are courageously speaking out honestly and openly about their own journeys. Rebecca makes it clear in her book that there is never a straight line, step by step process to liberating oneself from prostitution and sex-trafficking. Her journey goes around and around, forward and backward, up and down, in and out, until finally, she is able to break free from the hell she was living. However, she didn't forget, turn a blind eye, or keep secret the life she used to live. No, she chose to go back in, to educate herself, to speak publicly, to develop content for the education and care of others, to work with law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and to write this book. So that somewhere, someone will read it and decide to care. Decide to get out. Decide to help a woman in transition. Decide to become a trauma counselor. Decide to support organizations advocating for women. Decide to change their opinion of the woman on the street corner. Decide to let their hearts be broken for the stolen, abused, and forgotten. Decide to look a woman in the eye and tell her how much God loves her just as she is, no matter her past or her present. Rebecca shattered what I thought I knew about prostitution, and broke my heart for the women and men living it. Her book and story are more than worth your time.
I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher and author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher and author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 15, 2022
Human trafficking is such an important topic for all people, especially women, to know about, and Rebecca Bender's story was brutal to read in some places. She was tricked into what she thought was a loving relationship, and then transported to Las Vegas where her life as an escort and prostitute and human sex trafficking victim began and she got further entrenched into the cult of her "husband" and her "wives-in-law." Beguiled and manipulated by this abuser, none of the women knew what was happening; Bender just knew something wasn't right and she went through cycle after cycle of escape, recovery, and relapse into a dangerous life. Of course you root for her all the way through this book, thankfully knowing her story has a happy outcome, even if healing might be a continued lifelong journey for her.
However, as much as I support Bender in all of her healing and recovery and mission to stop human trafficking, as a standalone book about her experience and work, In Pursuit of Love doesn't quite live up to what I hoped. It's almost entirely a memoir, and I was hoping for a little bit more activism and social education about her recovery and the healing process and what signs and tactics people should know about when they suspect a trafficking situation. For all the talk about Bender's educational initiatives, she didn't include much of them in this book. I suppose I'm so entrenched in feminist writings that I was hoping for more a gut-punch of a book—and don't get me wrong, Bender's horrible experience was difficult to read sometimes—and I felt there was more commentary that could have happened that didn't.
Also, good for her for finding redemption and salvation in God and Jesus and Christianity, whatever worked for her to get out of her nightmare experiences, but in some places the heavy-handed bible quotes and constant referring to god's voice in her head (it's called your thoughts and your conscience) were unbearable. Just not for me.
However, as much as I support Bender in all of her healing and recovery and mission to stop human trafficking, as a standalone book about her experience and work, In Pursuit of Love doesn't quite live up to what I hoped. It's almost entirely a memoir, and I was hoping for a little bit more activism and social education about her recovery and the healing process and what signs and tactics people should know about when they suspect a trafficking situation. For all the talk about Bender's educational initiatives, she didn't include much of them in this book. I suppose I'm so entrenched in feminist writings that I was hoping for more a gut-punch of a book—and don't get me wrong, Bender's horrible experience was difficult to read sometimes—and I felt there was more commentary that could have happened that didn't.
Also, good for her for finding redemption and salvation in God and Jesus and Christianity, whatever worked for her to get out of her nightmare experiences, but in some places the heavy-handed bible quotes and constant referring to god's voice in her head (it's called your thoughts and your conscience) were unbearable. Just not for me.
January 8, 2020
Rebecca is a powerful voice of God and carries an anointing that breaks spiritual bondage....this is a must read!! I finished it in two days because I could not put it down! (I never do that!) Rebecca's story is so powerful! It not only gives all of us in the anti-trafficking movement another survivor perspective, but it’s a story of hope…hearing how God came through EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. The Lord truly pursued Rebecca as she walked through this journey. This story of redemption and restoration marks you. As a director of an anti-trafficking non-profit, this book not only increased my personal faith but my faith for the survivors we work with at SWITCH.
January 22, 2020
WOW. I could not put Rebecca's book down - I was gripped by her stories and inspired by her grit. This is a true story of redemption! I think her story will resonate with anyone who has messed up (that's all of us) and needs to find the fight to rise up.
I'm angered by the lies women fall victim to, and hope this book is an eye opener for anyone who desperately needs hope and freedom. Rebecca is the real deal - a brave survivor, fierce advocate and victorious and beautiful woman with so much to offer hurting people!
I'm angered by the lies women fall victim to, and hope this book is an eye opener for anyone who desperately needs hope and freedom. Rebecca is the real deal - a brave survivor, fierce advocate and victorious and beautiful woman with so much to offer hurting people!
January 24, 2020
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. If you are scared to read about the industry, you can trust her.
I stayed up late reading and woke again the next morning with her story on my mind.
It will be one of my all time favorite and memorable biographies.
I stayed up late reading and woke again the next morning with her story on my mind.
It will be one of my all time favorite and memorable biographies.
January 25, 2021
A friend of mine who is passionate about helping women who have been trafficked recommended I read this book. I have to admit, it was a more compelling read than I had expected. I finished it in 36 hours. Rebecca is a talented writer. The aspect that drew me in was how relatable her journey into trafficking was. Her story could easily be someone I went to high school or college with. Smart, healthy, popular girls are not beyond slipping into this life. If you want information about an organization that helps trafficking victims in Utah go to www.joinexitus.org
June 3, 2021
Overall a good story if you have never read a story about a sex trafficked victim. A fast read and a captivating story. Not knowing much about the author I dug in and then found she was EXTREMELY religious. That is not a bad thing at all but not what I personally was looking for. If you are religious you will really enjoy the signs of God she sees throughout her journey.
Even if I was not into the God stuff the warning signs she gives and the ways the men tricked her are very helpful to young impressionable women. The tactics of the pimps are scary and should be known by everyone.
Even if I was not into the God stuff the warning signs she gives and the ways the men tricked her are very helpful to young impressionable women. The tactics of the pimps are scary and should be known by everyone.
January 13, 2020
“ If you give me the same amount of time you gave the enemy, I will never be outdone! “ This book is Rebecca’s gripping beauty from ashes redemption story of the unrelenting, transforming love of God to deliver, and overcome years of bondage, abuse, trauma and lies. Jesus pulls us from the fire so we can turn around and pull others from the fire. And Rebekah’s life is beautiful, victorious proof of that. Her story left me changed.
December 1, 2021
Evidently, my understanding of trafficking is different.
March 10, 2021
(4.5 stars)
This is a difficult book to read because it is about one woman's journey into being trafficked as a prostitute—mainly in Las Vegas—and her painful journey out of the life (or "The Game" as most people in the life refer to it, no doubt to blunt the truth of the life). As Rebecca Bender freely admits, her ultimate deliverance came through the power of the Holy Spirit. Some things I learned:
1. The book is difficult to read because of the repeated choices that Rebecca makes to go back into the lifestyle when she has apparently escaped it. The choice to go back in is complex and multi-faceted, poverty staring her in the face, her desire for money and nice things, her trafficker making vague promises about starting a new life and real family with her, all of these came into play, but as you read the book it really is befuddling to see her choose to go back into a situation where she—as she herself puts it multiple times—has to work sunset to sunrise, no coming home early. We get a glimpse of the life, but Rebecca is wise enough not to get too graphic in her portrayal of the life, with the exceptions of the beatings she receives from her pimp/trafficker.
2. The journey out of prostitution is messy. Rebecca leaves Las Vegas at least twice, maybe three times. Indeed, one of the times she goes to drug rehab and encounters Christ and comes to faith, only to return to the lifestyle. Yes, she was a Christian and a prostitute for awhile.
After being viciously beaten herself and then witnessing her trafficker viciously beat his own teenage son, she finally does escape, only to promptly end up living with a guy in London whom she met in Las Vegas. Yes, she is a Christian while she is doing this.
She eventually realizes that this is not the kind of life she should be leading. She writes: "Shame and self-hatred came knocking on the door of my heart again. I had traded the violence for sexual and financial abuse and exchanged one crime family for possibly another."
Like I said, messy.
3. The journey into a new life is messy. Rebecca goes home to a small town in Oregon and ends up meeting a guy in church and getting married. She is determined to get her life straight, they are both committed Christians, this should be easy, right? No. It's a mess and Rebecca only goes partially into how messy it is. There is spiritual warfare, there is marital difficulty, there are bad habits to unlearn and good habits to learn. It takes awhile, but the Lord faithfully walks her through it all.
4. The weird way that the Holy Spirit uses Scripture. At several key decision points in her life, the Holy Spirit brings Scripture to her mind. Here is the weird/cool thing, sometimes she doesn't even know the verses that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, she has to look them up. One time it is just "1 Samuel 8" and she has to go read 1 Samuel 8 to see what it's about. Another time it is "Psalms 34," again she has to read it because she doesn't know the passage. The Holy Spirit doesn't work this way with everyone, it seems that He works this way with really messy, messy situations, but it's pretty cool to see.
How does it all end up? Today Rebecca Bender is a tireless anti-trafficking activist and started her own non-profit to help trafficked individuals recover from the lifestyle, but I'll let her explain: "The greatest reward of this new life is that I have surrendered all I had to the King of Kings, who has restored my life, called me out of darkness, and circumcised areas of my heart that were not of God."
Soli Deo Gloria
This is a difficult book to read because it is about one woman's journey into being trafficked as a prostitute—mainly in Las Vegas—and her painful journey out of the life (or "The Game" as most people in the life refer to it, no doubt to blunt the truth of the life). As Rebecca Bender freely admits, her ultimate deliverance came through the power of the Holy Spirit. Some things I learned:
1. The book is difficult to read because of the repeated choices that Rebecca makes to go back into the lifestyle when she has apparently escaped it. The choice to go back in is complex and multi-faceted, poverty staring her in the face, her desire for money and nice things, her trafficker making vague promises about starting a new life and real family with her, all of these came into play, but as you read the book it really is befuddling to see her choose to go back into a situation where she—as she herself puts it multiple times—has to work sunset to sunrise, no coming home early. We get a glimpse of the life, but Rebecca is wise enough not to get too graphic in her portrayal of the life, with the exceptions of the beatings she receives from her pimp/trafficker.
2. The journey out of prostitution is messy. Rebecca leaves Las Vegas at least twice, maybe three times. Indeed, one of the times she goes to drug rehab and encounters Christ and comes to faith, only to return to the lifestyle. Yes, she was a Christian and a prostitute for awhile.
After being viciously beaten herself and then witnessing her trafficker viciously beat his own teenage son, she finally does escape, only to promptly end up living with a guy in London whom she met in Las Vegas. Yes, she is a Christian while she is doing this.
She eventually realizes that this is not the kind of life she should be leading. She writes: "Shame and self-hatred came knocking on the door of my heart again. I had traded the violence for sexual and financial abuse and exchanged one crime family for possibly another."
Like I said, messy.
3. The journey into a new life is messy. Rebecca goes home to a small town in Oregon and ends up meeting a guy in church and getting married. She is determined to get her life straight, they are both committed Christians, this should be easy, right? No. It's a mess and Rebecca only goes partially into how messy it is. There is spiritual warfare, there is marital difficulty, there are bad habits to unlearn and good habits to learn. It takes awhile, but the Lord faithfully walks her through it all.
4. The weird way that the Holy Spirit uses Scripture. At several key decision points in her life, the Holy Spirit brings Scripture to her mind. Here is the weird/cool thing, sometimes she doesn't even know the verses that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, she has to look them up. One time it is just "1 Samuel 8" and she has to go read 1 Samuel 8 to see what it's about. Another time it is "Psalms 34," again she has to read it because she doesn't know the passage. The Holy Spirit doesn't work this way with everyone, it seems that He works this way with really messy, messy situations, but it's pretty cool to see.
How does it all end up? Today Rebecca Bender is a tireless anti-trafficking activist and started her own non-profit to help trafficked individuals recover from the lifestyle, but I'll let her explain: "The greatest reward of this new life is that I have surrendered all I had to the King of Kings, who has restored my life, called me out of darkness, and circumcised areas of my heart that were not of God."
Soli Deo Gloria
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