“Hello, my name is Robert”, spoke a tall statured middle aged man. I paused and reciprocated the greeting with the exchange of my name, and we discussed a bit about our professions. It was a short and slightly awkward conversation, which can be normal when meeting new colleagues at a human trafficking conference. I did not give much thought to the exchange. My heart and mind were preoccupied that weekend because it was the first time I chose to attend publicly as a survivor of sex trafficking. A lot of counseling, talking with other survivors, and prayer went into the choice of coming forward with the truth about who I am and the background that led me into the work of Restore One. Despite my slight nervousness, I felt the grounding peace of the Holy Spirit as I proceeded through the weekend.
Between breakout sessions I was with Restore One’s film team conducting documentary interviews. Time was of the essence, so I turned all my anxiety into focusing on the proper completion of the interviews. Regarding the personal weight of the weekend, it brought my fixation into my work, completely unaware of what God would reveal before I returned home. It’s fascinating how oblivious I can be to the interworking of the Holy Spirit, especially when I’ve got my guard up.
Of my many anxious odd tendencies, one is attempting to be everywhere at once. After we finished the interviews, the rest of the film team took time to rest and recoup. With all my bottled up energy that was going to be impossible, so I insisted on pushing my personal envelope and went to listen to a few training sessions.
That day, every interview went extraordinarily well. However, combined with the sensitive nature of my own heart, I soon found myself overloaded, and beginning to mentally check out while thinking about everything else but the present. I saw Robert leave the breakout room, instantly giving myself permission to do the same. Once out from underneath the blazing fluorescent lights and powerpoint slides, I found the coffee table and with gratitude partook. With coffee in hand, I walked over to Robert. We struck up small talk about the conference and discussed a bit more about our professions, and he invited me to his presentation later that day.
To my surprise Robert was wearing a hippopotamus tie and with exuberance, I pointed out the obscure observation! He responded lightly, explaining it was his special presentation tie and that he has an affinity for hippopotamuses. He then showed me, Beepo a small hippopotamus that lives in his pocket on special days. He verbally told the reasons of why and as he spoke, my jaw almost hit the floor. Never in a million years did I think I’d meet someone who has this strange viewpoint. Uncannily enough, for the past few years, God has used hippopotamuses in various forms to remind me of his presence, strengthening who I am. When I see the image of a hippopotamus, it’s a personal God wink or sign I’m in the right place. Trust me, I see hippos in the most random but timely places! Coincidently that day I happened to be wearing my favorite brass hippopotamus necklace, which I shared with gladness, along with the hippopotamuses on my forearm tattoo. Anyone listening to our conversation would have gotten kick out of us geeking out.
Robert was just as stunned as me, to find that we both have an unusual liking for hippos. As the discussion continued we were both astonished by the odds of us meeting and agreed that the Holy Spirit brought us together for a reason.
Feeling awestruck but very comfortable, I shared a bit my own story and background. I disclosed that I was sex trafficked as a child and that I started personal recovery the year I co-founded Restore One. He listened with compassion and responded by sharing he, too was a survivor of sex trafficking. He empathized, explaining several points of his own journey, encouraging me to stay the course. As I left the conversation my head was spinning and my feet floating. I thought to myself, “Did that really happen? What a strange and beautiful collision orchestrated by the Holy Spirit.”
Prior to the conference I’d felt a wondering of how God could redeem several places in my past, particularly relationships that felt undone and discorded. Meeting Robert brought answers to that heartache of unknowing.
I often expect so much less, when God is always offering the abundant.
I’d given up on several spaces of healing, but God again showed up in kindness juggling my expectations.
I’ve since continued my friendship with Robert. I later learned that Robert preferably goes by Rob, so I respectfully refer to him as such. Chris and I were able to visit Rob several times last year meeting his family and even co-presenting together at a human trafficking conference. I am continually blessed by Rob’s honesty, kindness and encouragement. Sweetly, Rob officiated Chris’ and my wedding renewal on our 5 year anniversary. The ceremony was a remarkable moment in time, filled with redeeming memories and restoring our marriage union.
Reflecting back on the first conversation Rob and I had, I see that God loves to take our wavering hellos and string us together in relationships filled with blessing. God is the great connector. It’s so beautiful how one hello created a thread of relationship that has brought family ties to orphaned places in my heart and placement to relationship spaces I’d assumed would always remain empty. I’m so grateful God uses bizarre a creature like a hippopotamus to communicate his love and the grander connection we have to each other.
Meeting Rob and having another hippo friend has certainly lessened my doubt and grown my anticipation for the goodness found in each beginning and each hello.
Anna is passionate, a lover of God and sunrises. She is a wanna be poet and pour over coffee connoisseur. And in her garden she grows Drift Roses (of all things). She is a Master Level Social Worker and a 200 Registered Yoga Teacher. In 2012, along with her husband Chris, she co-founded Restore One, an anti-trafficking ministry that serves men and boys. Journeying through her own recovery process, she understands that healing is a painful yet beautiful path we must take to receive freedom. Anna believes healing is possible for everyone.
Anna enjoys throwing pottery, writing and teaching yoga and spending time with Chris.
Such a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing and showing there is healing and light at the end of some very dark tunnels.❤
Thank you dear friend, I’m so grateful for the space that Red Tent Living gives women to speak freely and honestly. Take care, Anna
Anna,
So much to think about as a reader. I’m trying to gather all my thoughts to type a response. When I read your story of revealing your past at the conference, I am aware that today you will reveal it to a whole new group of readers, I am thankful and applaud your bravery. I have prayed for you and your ministry, having been introduced to it through your writing at Red Tent. It never occurred to me that you would be a survivor of sex-trafficing. It is interesting to me how we sometimes miss what might seem obvious, in other words our ministries are often birthed out of personal pain and a desire to help others journey bravely on a path we have traveled. I pray today that as readers hear your story, that you will be covered in prayer and that you continue to draw attention and offer healing to those effected by this horrific industry. I love how God has showed up for you through the hippotamus. His creativity is limitless and his tenderness to reaveal Himself to us in the most unique ways is truely a personal gift.
Hey Jaimi, thank you for your prayers and the prayers for further covering of Restore One and healing for many survivors. It’s been journey and just as I shared in this blog I’ve seen the goodness of God in ways I never imaged. It’s incredible despite our past or the painfulness of our own stories, the redemption of Jesus continues to prevail in those dark places. I’ve had several say they never knew I was sex trafficked. Over the past years I’ve slowly began speaking and sharing pieces of my story, it’s taken a lot of counseling and prayer to get to place of being able to do so. I’m grateful for your tender words towards my sharing and the encourage in this comment. 🙂 blessings to you friend. In care, Anna
Dear Anna, I echo Jaimi Jones’ above response. I, too, did not know of your history of being sex trafficked. I am so very, very sorry that you suffered such abuse and trauma. I applaud your telling your story and will hold it with delicate care and love. Thank you for your bravery and for taking a stand to care for others. Thank you for the choosing to spend money on your education and training in order to be better equipped to help others.
Hey Becky, Yes, self discloser no matter who our history is so so delicate. I prayed so much as sharing this story came up, I felt the kindness of God remind me of this redemption testimony. It’s not been without pain or trial that I’ve faced recovery. My past does come up in my work, but I’ve continued to find my own healing as I journey with other survivors. thank you for support and love as I shared here. 🙂 It’s been a journey of sacrifice and yet I’ve received so much. I never thought when I started Restore One, that God would intervene in my life to restore so many broken places but that was the case and now I know that healing is possible and without question Jesus is the great redeemer who can restore all things. Thanks for journeying with me dear friend. Blessings to you! Love, Anna
Brave. Lovely. Thank you.
thank you Robyn :), blessings to you sister. love, Anna
I find it’s so much easier (read safer) to be a passionate professional, which I’m sure you also are. I’m in awe of your bravery to admit you are on both sides of this understanding. Feels like a shoes off, holy ground moment. Thank you.
Timi, yes and at times I must admit I’ve hidden my story or closed the door to disclosing that piece of history. And I find with I do share, God opens doors to conversations with others and even can connect dots for someone’s healing journey. Sharing is tough, but it’s worth the risk to be honest and vulnerable. Thanks for journeying with me. Take care, Anna
I love this post so much. As a poet, images speak so strongly to me and I was so captivated by your love for hippopotamuses! (I’m obsessed with blackbirds) How unusual and interesting. What a profound moment to meet your friend Rob and how his tie caught your eye. I love your posts. I’m so sad for what you suffered as a child. Thank you for your bravery in sharing your story, as it is so full of beauty.