Nadia is from a highly persecuting nation. After being outed, she was disowned by her parents and an honor killing award was issued by her father – all because she is lesbian.
She ran for her life and hid outside all night to escape death. The next day, she found a job that offered employee dormitories in another city. It was going well, until her father found out. He sent men to capture her and execute her! Even factory management turned against Nadia and agreed to hold her against her will under the men arrived to kill her.
In desperation, Nadia made a high-risk escape! She literally ran for her life!
Due to our history assisting LGBT+ people in persecuting nations, our website is showing up high in the algorithm. As Nadia googled for help, she found Posture Shift and reached out in need of urgent assistance.
Within hours, after confirming facts, and in conjunction with trusted local partners, Posture Shift had her on a train to a safe city where she was warmly welcomed into a Christian Youth Hostel.
Nadia is not her real name – and we have aged and modified her facial features to keep her safe. After a long train ride and basking in the safety and warmth of the Christian Youth Hostel, she wrote to Posture Shift with this heartfelt update: “Jesus saved me! He saved me! This is a miracle! I have never had anyone protect me like this! It must be my God!”
Nadia has been safe for just 10 hours after many weeks of life-threatening fear. She is exhausted after much trauma and a long train ride. But she just rested from a first full night of secure sleep. And she will have three meals a day. Today and every day.
In the coming weeks, Nadia will interview for entrance into several universities. This young adult has a brilliant mind. She will get a degree and Posture Shift will pay for her tuition, books, materials, room, board, clothing, personal items, and medical care.
She forgives her parents. And one day, compelled by her Christian faith, she plans to financially help her family and “pay it forward” by helping Posture Shift assist the next young person.
We will also find ways she can work for Posture Shift remotely to earn some money to partially pay for her education.
Last year, Posture Shift invested nearly $75,000 USD into the lives of dozens of LGBT+ individuals around the globe facing life-threatening persecution. This year, we could invest $100,000+ if our Justice Initiatives Fund is replenished.
Yes, we will need your help.
Some wonder why I call out the national rhetoric that hits many minorities so hard. Simple. We are on the frontline of watching young people at risk to being trafficked and murdered. I don’t do it out of some need to express political conviction. I do it to save lives.
When the west is not a viable safe haven and US rhetoric becomes cruel, developing nations are free to persecute, imprison, torture, and execute LGBT+ people with impunity. Even in the west, it is becoming more cruel and punitive – particularly for trans individuals.
Look at this girl’s face. Nadia is a child of God who has a personal relationship with Jesus. And her own father wants to kill her.
Instead, she will have a future. She told me, “I know that God will protect me from every harm for He has rescued me from death!”
To Nadia: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Lord, truly, You will protect Nadia! Amen.
<<APRIL 25 UPDATE>>
Nadia is enrolled in an engineering degree program. She scored high on an entrance exam and has already started her academic work. As we assist young people like Nadia, we often absorb full responsibility to assist them beyond tuition, room, and board. In Nadia’s case, she experienced an infection of both her eyes. Through local partners, we arranged for her to see a doctor and obtain prescribed medications. She is still recovering but doing much better. Nadia is back to being able to see clearly and study well for her course work.
Posture Shift delivers assistance to LGBT+ individuals like Nadia in highly persecuting nations via our Justice Initiatives Fund. This fund allows us to meet on-demand needs when LGBT+ individuals face life-threatening situations around the globe. Your partnership is the only way we can keep funding the rising need. Give today to help us keep assisting Nadia and so many others like her. Thank you so much for your support!
