In the morning, I quickly dressed and headed into town. I couldn’t get the abused girl out of my head, but even more, Sophie. Where could she be? It would break my heart if she ended up in a situation like this. I stopped at the McDonalds on the corner and ordered some breakfast and coffee for three, then I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. I parked in the back in front of room 1034. I grabbed my purse, got out of the car and walked to the door with my offering in hand.
“Lord, please help me find the right words and give me wisdom in this situation.” I prayed before knocking on the door. I saw the curtains barely move and the locks clicking open.
“Thanks for coming, Pastor Elisha. Jade is still sound asleep.” Vanilla whispered. She grabbed the drink carrier with the three coffees from my hand and smiled.
“You are welcome. I thought you girls might be hungry.”
“Come to think of it, I am starving. That coffee smells wonderful, thanks.”
We sat at the small table and chairs near the window as far from Jade as possible to not wake her. I couldn’t help staring at the small girl on the bed, her right eye almost swollen shut and the bruising on her cheek looking very angry. I sighed and then sat down, giving Vanilla my full attention. Vanilla was such a pretty girl and I hated that she was working at the club, but I also hoped that eventually, she will be able to get out as well. I know it is not what God wants for her or any of those girls. I can only pray that He uses me to help give them hope and the realization they can do anything they put their minds to and that He loves them. Jesus doesn’t condemn them and neither do I.
“Then the best thing we can do is find her a new place to live, preferably in another state. A new identity would be great, too. I have been working with an ex-military friend of ours who is now a private investigator and he is going to help with these types of things, but we haven’t had time to really get anything set up. I’m afraid it might be too dangerous from what you have said to wait too long to get her out of here.” I explained.
I glanced over to where Jade was laying as a moan escaped her lips when she turned over and the right side of her face landed on the pillow. My heart ached for this poor girl. I was so grateful that Vanilla was willing to contact me, I just wish I were better prepared. This is exactly the reason I have been trying to set up some type of program to get women away from their abusive partners. So many of our runaway girls have come from abusive homes, or already been abused, but I have vowed to get them healed and healthy. I truly want to help women like Vanilla and anyone who is being hurt who wants out.
“Well, I do have a friend, Carlos, who owes me a favor and has people that can get it done. He might be able to help us out this time since we really don’t have time to waste. I tried to call him while I was waiting for you but it went straight to voice mail. I am just waiting to hear back from him.” Vanilla said. “And thanks for your ideas, I was so caught up in getting her out of immediate danger and cleaned up that I hadn’t thought of our next move.”
“Well, how about we eat our breakfast and you can tell me a little about yourself while we wait.” I said as I started unloading the goodies onto the table.
The MisAdventures of Vanilla 