ZOE Spring Newsletter 2025

Freedom Newsletter

At the Thai-Myanmar Border, Traffickers Are Waiting Thousands of children are at risk right now.

INSIDE: HOW YOUR SUPPORT CAN CHANGE THEIR STORY.

Your Support Is Fueling Real Rescue and Lasting Restoration

The ZOE USA team has the privilege of working alongside local and federal law enforcement during local and statewide operations like California’s Reclaim and Rebuild. These collaborations have led to the rescue of vulnerable children and the dismantling of exploitative networks. Each encounter, each child, each breakthrough reminds us: this is a spiritual battle. We sense God’s favor resting on this mission. Doors are opening that no man can shut. And as we look to 2025, we’re preparing both practically and prayerfully

to scale our rescue operations and bring restoration to even more lives.

But we don’t work alone. Your prayers, your generous giving, your belief in the mission, and this calling are God’s provision in action. Every step forward is powered by faithful partners like you. Thank you! Let’s continue to rise together with radical faith and compassionate action. The future isn’t just safer, it’s redemptive. And it’s coming!

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4 (NIV)

Justice & Hope Restored Through Partnership With Law Enforcement: Operation Reclaim & Rebuild 2025

As part of the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, ZOE partners with law enforcement to rescue victims and provide resources for restorative care. This past January, ZOE participated in Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, a statewide effort to combat human trafficking. Here are the results reported by law enforcement:

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild Results:

• 166 adult victims identified

• 11 sexually exploited children rescued

• 333 suspected sex traffickers and buyers arrested

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, ZOE’s USA National Director, David Cox, shared powerful insights from the operation during the LAPD Press Conference.

“Imagine it’s 1 AM. The streets are in gridlock—not from commuters or an accident, but from buyers lining up to purchase a human being, some as young as 14 years old. Some of these children are raped hundreds of times before they even get a driver’s license. This is human trafficking, and it’s happening right now.

David added, “This crime is happening every day. It’s not just law enforcement’s problem—it’s our problem.”

Scan the QR Code to watch the press conference.

Your Voice Echoed in Washington: Together, We’re Shaping Laws to Protect Children

In March, Andrea Smith, ZOE East Coast’s Community Services Manager, and Ester Yu, ZOE’s Western Regional Director were privileged to join the Anti-Trafficking In Persons (ATIP) Roundtable in Washington, D.C., where legislators, survivor leaders, and anti-trafficking organizations united from all over the nation for the single most strategic and substantive Capitol Hill gathering on federal and state anti-trafficking laws.

The goal of the ATIP Roundtables is to provide a bipartisan bridge between Congress and experts to see more legislation pass into law.

ZOE believes ending child trafficking requires both direct support for survivors and advocacy at the legislative level. Partnering with government leaders, fellow nonprofits, and courageous survivors allows us to speak with one voice, pushing for meaningful change. Because of you, we get to ensure survivors have the support, justice, and healing they deserve.

Andrea Smith, ZOE East Coast’s Community Manager, shared about the event:

“In the same way, we say ‘there is no trafficking without demand,’ they’re saying we need to criminalize the demand. If people know that there’s going to be a massive penalty attached to exploiting a child, then it takes away the victimization and the demand...”

Your Giving Equips Frontline Heroes to Fight Child Trafficking

Thanks to your support, January propelled the ZOE East Coast team into high-impact action during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. From the start of the year, the team has been on the frontlines— averaging one outreach or training event every week this past quarter.

These gatherings equipped juvenile probation officers, social workers, mental health professionals, judges, and foster/ adoption agencies with the critical tools they need to recognize and respond to trafficking. Together, we’re not just raising awareness, we’re building a community that’s informed, empowered, and ready to protect vulnerable children.

You Brought the Light of Christ to Remote Villages in Thailand

Once a month, ZOE Thailand’s Leadership Training (ZLT) program students travel to predominantly Buddhist, animist, and spiritist villages to share the gospel. In December, ZLT students collaborated with a Christian club at Rajabhat University and hosted a large-scale Christmas event to share Jesus and the meaning of Christmas. Their goal was to reach 500 people, but the Lord exceeded their expectations, as always, and 724 people attended.

The evening was jam-packed with Jesus through the gospel, prayer, worship music, dance performances, raffles, and artful theatrical performances of Jesus’ life. By the Lord’s power and grace, most attendees declared Jesus as Lord!

Following the accepted invitations to new life, local churches and fellowships connected with the new Christfollowers to nurture and strengthen their faith. ZOE Thailand is so thankful for your financial support, items, toys, food, or powerful prayers.

Scan the QR Code to learn more about your impact in ZOE Thailand:

You’re Empowering Children: How a Simple Card Game is Transforming Child Safety in Mexico

Because of your generosity, the Memorama of Zión el León & His Friends memory card game has become a cornerstone of human trafficking prevention training efforts in ZOE Mexico—equipping people through school programs, events, and mission trips with essential prevention skills. Its influence continues to grow, serving as a key resource for educating people of all ages.

This memory game may look simple, but it powerfully teaches children safety, boundaries, and how to recognize red flags in a fun, age-appropriate way. It also opens the door for meaningful conversations between kids, parents, and educators while also protecting children before they’re ever at risk.

The game’s impact has gained widespread recognition, earning ZOE Mexico a feature on the front page of a prominent newspaper in Oaxaca, highlighting the game’s impact and the ongoing mission to protect children across Mexico. Together, we are setting up our future generation for success—one child at a time.

Voices of Hope: Transforming Youth in ZOE Japan Through Story & Media

A Powerful Story of Hope & Redemption

As a part of ZOE’s mission to REACH every person with the gospel, ZOE Japan is excited to announce the release of a new testimony video! It captures the powerful story of a young man’s life that was radically changed by God!

“This was the true love that was missing in my life. That’s what I realized. I really felt Jesus, who loves me unconditionally, wrapping His arms around me.”

Scan the QR Code to watch the video.

Protecting Young People from Sextortion through Manga

Sextortion cases are on the rise, ensnaring more young people in their traps. At ZOE, we believe education is the first step to staying safe online. One powerful tool Japan uses to educate youth is manga, a medium that resonates deeply with young people. That’s why we collaborated with Drawbridge Creations, a manga ministry organization, telling the story of a high school girl who falls victim to sextortion.

At ZOE, we often see that victims don’t recognize they’re being exploited— and even when they do, it’s hard to break free. That’s why we use relatable tools to help youth understand the risks to make safer choices. Together, we’re empowering the next generation to stand up against injustice and take real steps toward a world where every child is safe, free, and protected.

Scan the QR Code to learn more about how to support ZOE Japan.

Thanks to You, ZOE’s Curriculum Is Shaping Hearts and Minds Across Australia

Thanks to your support, ZOE Australia’s Modern Slavery Curriculum has continued to reach classrooms across the country. Teachers from all over Australia are downloading the curriculum, equipping students with vital knowledge about the realities of child trafficking. Both curricula are designed to align directly with the Australian Public School geography curriculum. Your support ensures this education remains free and accessible to schools. You’re helping raise a generation that’s not only informed but deeply moved to take action.

URGENT NEWS: The Hidden Crisis at the Thai-Myanmar Border and How You Can Help

Right now, children fleeing violence in Myanmar are walking straight into another crisis: human trafficking. In Mae Sot, a major border town, traffickers are waiting, preying on families with no food, no shelter, and no protection.

Just weeks ago, over 7,000 people were rescued from scam centers in Myanmar, trafficked and enslaved under horrific conditions. But these rescues are only the beginning. Every single day, more children are targeted, and many are never found. This crisis is growing by the hour. But you can change the outcome.

For 16 years, ZOE International has been on the ground in Mae Sot. Because of donors like you, we’re fighting back—before traffickers can strike.

One 15-year-old girl told us, “A man offered me work, but I remembered what you taught me—I said no.” That moment of courage only happened because of someone like you.

With over 90,000 refugees living in this region, many for generations, traffickers know exactly where to find their next victim. We must reach children before they do.

Time is running out. Every day we wait, another child is at risk. Your support today isn’t just help, it’s a lifeline.

Your gift today helps us:

• Educate children, families, and teachers to recognize and resist traffickers

• Provide emergency food, clean water, and medical care to desperate families

• Distribute shoes and clothing to prevent disease and exploitation

Please, give now. Be the one who stops trafficking before it starts. “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted… to proclaim freedom for the captives.” — Isaiah 61:1

“Thanks to Life Outreach International (LOI), we’ve been able to provide new shoes to Thai communities in need. These shoes protect children from getting diseases such as hookworms or strongyloidiasis as well as protecting them from insects or snakes bikes.

This practical help and meeting this need allows ZOE to love the poor not just in word but in deed,” said ZOE Co-Founder, Carol Hart.

3,000 Miles. 8 Cyclists. One Mission: End Child Trafficking

On June 14, 2025, ZOE International will participate in Race Across America as an 8-man cycling team, riding the 3,000-mile non-stop transcontinental relay from the California coast to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Did you know these cyclists ride with purpose? To stay connected to their “why,” each cyclist writes the name of a youth* they are riding for on their arm and prays for them throughout the race. When physical strength fades, it’s the heart that keeps them going.

Scan the QR code and follow the team during the race.

ZOE International

P.O. Box 221510

Santa Clarita, CA 91322

goZOE.org

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*Youth’s name edited for privacy.

“I’m a teacher, and I have kids. I’m riding because seeing injustice happen to the vulnerable, especially when we live in a country with limitless resources and still choose to do nothing, is heartbreaking.”

Nate

Eakin, ZOE RAAM Cyclist