God is in the business of massively changing the world with the most unexpected or unlikely of methods.
Who could have predicted that God would have a young Christian woman from Texas, best known for writing and hunting, would find herself halfway around the world helping victims of sex trafficking (among other horrors) rediscover their dignity and self-confidence?
Even supposing they could have predicted it, how many would have guessed He would have her using Jiu-Jitsu to do it?
Regis Giles did exactly that on her recent visit to India.
Here’s her story:
Have you ever had moments of complete despair and hopelessness; phases of darkness where you were afraid to think of a future? Imagine being born into that. Where your only future was to be a child bride, sold into sex slavery or to beg and scrape for your survival.
Superstition and cultural beliefs kept certain peoples of India in that generational curse.
This is who I met at the Hope Partnership Center; 121 girls who lived in that darkness, afraid to dream of a future.
Today, they are alive and thriving because of a few brave souls who took it upon themselves to give them hope and a future. This Heaven on Earth place provides warm beds, good food and an education through college for all the girls.
Girls who show up frightened and unwilling to talk for years, you can now watch playing games of tag, walking side-by-side talking about the day, braiding each others hair, laughing and smiling as they go.
When visiting there I offered them my talent: the art of jūjutsu, a self-defense system that equips the girls to survive an attack from a bigger, stronger person.
During my time there I had hoped the lessons would instill a sense of self-confidence, self-worth, and a joyful heart. This is exactly what happened.
When watching the girls train on the mats, laughter and smiles were all around. Walking around after their lessons you could see a new sense of courage in them, a confidence that wasn’t there before. Bold like lions.
One of the leaders informed me that after given all this love and encouragement, most of the girls were still afraid to dream because of where they came from. Thinking that they would have to return to that dire reality once again.
That thinking kills the spirit of hope and brings tears to my eyes, because I am a dreamer and never found it frightening to think of a positive future.
What words of consolation would you offer someone who’d lived through such horrors?
The outline of Regis’ message was drawn from scripture.
If we are heirs to the throne as Romans 8:17 outlines then…
–How much more will He bless our lives?
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
–With only His words God spoke into existence the world we live in.
“And God SAID let there be light, and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 He can speak into existence a life you’ve never thought possible. You just have to surrender and trust Him with your life.
–Dream BIG for God:
He has chosen you for such a time as now.
Commit your life, your dreams to God and He will take you on a journey you never thought possible.Do NOT be afraid to DREAM, because it is FAITH: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Regis adds,
By the end of the trip they were sharing their dreams of the future with me. What a joy, what a joy!
One thing can be certain, I went there to bless these girls with my time and talent; yet they have blessed me with their dreams.
I cannot wait to return to them with a curriculum and more instructors to help them become jūjutsu champions. Those who have donated to help with this trip, I thank you. Today I ask for continued support and new support.
If you would like to know more about giving hope back to women and girls who had theirs stolen from them, you can visit their website:
Here’s a badass book on how to be a Warrior Chick by Regis Giles — daughter of our very own Doug Giles:
From the book:
Do I want this to be happening? Why is his hand on my waist? Is he really fondling my breasts? What do I do? Why is he in a bathrobe? Why is he taking off the bathrobe? God, I need to get out of here! I thought this was going to be professional.
No one, unless they’ve been in the same situation, can ever really understand the stress and self-doubt one goes through when sexual harassment occurs.
Regis Giles’ new book will teach you how to escape the world of #MeToo victim and become the #WarriorChick you were meant to be!
Think Miss Giles knows a thing or two about taking care of herself? You’d better believe it.
She and her sister Hannah were the very first two female Valente Bros black Belts. That’s a feather in your cap, for sure.
She’s also a world-class huntress.
Get your copy of How to not be a #MeToo Victim, but a #WarriorChick today!
