Elizabeth Friend is passionate about women finding freedom from human trafficking and being able to walk in the fullness of Jesus’ love. She loves to bring joy in simple ways like laughter, silly games, and experiencing nature.
She values connection and authenticity and aims to bring that into every interaction that she has.
Elizabeth loves walking with women and children as they realize who they are and what it means to walk in relationship with God.
Isaiah 42:1
“This is my servant whom I uphold. My chosen one in whom I delight. I will put my Spirit on Him and He will bring justice to the nations.”
⬆️Please watch this short video on how Elizabeth partners with Wipe Every Tear to offer women freedom from the sex trade.⬆️
What is your ministry with Wipe Every Tear?
In Wipe Every Tear, I have the honor of connecting people to the mission and engaging our community. I get to plan events, manage the office, and encourage people to get involved! I get to onboard new staff members and ensure that they have the opportunity to use and grow their gifts and skills.
How did you know you were called to anti-human trafficking work?
I feel called to love God and love others. In this season, that just happens to be accomplished through a ministry that rescues women out of a life of trafficking.
I realized that I had a passion for freedom and justice while I was a part of the World Race Gap Year program. In Nepal, I got to meet women that were being exploited in the sex trade.
We chatted, ate pizza, watched Shrek, braided each others’ hair, laughed, and just hung out. It continued to reaffirm the reality that the only thing that separated these women from me was the lifestyle that they were born into.
I really just love people! So, through this job, I get the ability to continue loving people that have been marginalized and exploited.
What is one interesting thing you’ve learned about survivor care?
One valuable thing that I have learned is to redefine the idea of “success” in survivor care. Previously, I had considered the statement, “a new woman came into our care” a staple of success. Now, I know that it is so much more than that. To really be successful and advocate for her best interests, it is important to be aware of the long game.
Does she have opportunities for gainful, dignified employment?
Have the factors that made her susceptible to the sex trade been alleviated?
Is she still stuck in the same cycle of poverty, or has she been truly set free?
Additionally, I have found that it is important to define success on “smaller” terms.
Success isn’t just seeing someone rescued from the sex trade. It is also seeing someone choose to go to counseling! Or learning to care for their children! Or choosing to join the worship team! Or finding hobbies that they enjoy!
These are all metrics of success that can often be overlooked when we’re so focused on the “big” stories.
What all do you do in the US to help in the fight against human trafficking?
In the US, we support all of our staff and operations in the Philippines. We do this through local events, jewelry sales, and social media communication. By managing the back-end logistics of Wipe Every Tear, we allow our Philippines staff to do what they do best!
In the Boise area, we partner with other local nonprofits to encourage them and advocate for their work. If we have individuals that look to us for local anti-trafficking work, we point them to our ministry contacts and empower them to serve where they’re called!
Tell us about a personal experience with your ministry that has stuck with you?
On my first vision trip, I was able to go into the bars with a fellow volunteer, Todd. While we were in the bars, we began conversing with a woman, Julie. Throughout the night, we heard Julie’s desire for education. We heard how she wanted to be living a different life, but she didn’t feel that she had any other options. We heard about her kids and her family and her desire to care for them.
Todd paid her bar fine and she was free to leave for the evening. Together, we left the bar and headed to a local fast-food restaurant, Jollibee. We continued to chat, get to know her, and share about the opportunities that are available with Wipe Every Tear. At that moment, she decided that she wanted to leave the sex trade for good and pursue an education.
Julie, Todd, and I walked back to our hotel. A Filipina woman, a white male, and me. Walking through the dark streets, I was very aware of the image that we gave off. It looked like just another transaction. It looked like continued exploitation, but it wasn’t! This was the Kingdom in the streets of Angeles City!
This was the moment that redefined bravery and courage for me.
Julie left behind the life that she knew for the hope of something better. She put her trust in us and our authenticity. A few weeks later, we saw pictures of Julie in her school uniform! She posted on Facebook saying, “Thank you Jesus for this education.”
That evening, on some small scale, I was able to feel the weight of the life that was left behind and the life that has yet to be lived!
Many people want to see human trafficking end, what are some practical ways they can help do that?
First of all, I would encourage people to continue having conversations. Talk with your coworkers about human trafficking. Talk with your kids about how pornography fuels the demand for sex trafficking. Talk with your spouse about where to invest your resources and what it looks like for you to get involved.
By making these topics open conversations, we’re able to shed light on the subject and bring awareness to those that lack it.
I would also encourage people to find a nonprofit that advocates and propels real freedom and ask the best ways to support it! Choose one, commit to it, and invest in a variety of ways!
The most pressing need could be different for every nonprofit. At the end of the day, every nonprofit is in need of funds. For international nonprofits, the best way to support can often be monetary support. Donating can be a great way to continue supporting nonprofits that are making an impact.
Supporters are necessary to ensure that the continued needs of the women in our care are provided for!
After learning about human trafficking, how did you overcome the feeling of helplessness?
I am often reminded of the huge scale of human trafficking. It can be disheartening to consider the millions of individuals that are exploited. In the moments that feel overwhelming, Jesus reminds me that just one woman is worth it. One woman’s life that gets reoriented towards His love is worth a lifetime of service!
What is your hope for the women and children that will be helped by the work you’re doing?
I hope that they are truly set free! That they are set up for sustained life that impacts many generations to come. I hope that their best opportunity is no longer living in the sex trade. I hope that they find relationships that continue to restore them to the love of the Father. In a way, I hope that we never need to see them again!
That the gifts that were offered to them through Wipe Every Tear allow them to be independent individuals that are adding the value of Jesus’ love to the world. While I would love to have each of our scholars return to visit and hear about how they’re living out their new life in Jesus, I hope that the gift of their time with Wipe Every Tear truly translates to holistic freedom for each of them!
How have you seen yourself change and grow while helping survivors of human trafficking?
I have seen myself grow in increased sensitivity to exploitation in many areas of life! I am more aware of the gravity of sex trafficking, the undercover exploitation of pornography, the nature of exploitation in the clothing industry, and the significance of the exploitation that occurs in the foster care industry. All of these things are really close to home!
Through working at Wipe Every Tear, I have grown in awareness of these avenues of exploitation and compassion for those within these various industries. It has inspired me to change the way that I shop, the conversations that I have with parents, and the way that I dream about a family in the future!
How can we pray for you?
You can pray for me to allow my gifts to be used well by Wipe Every Tear.
That I would grow in awareness of the ways that He has made me and how I can use that for His glory.
You can pray for wisdom. I really feel that I need it every day! I couldn’t do this without His wisdom and guidance.
You can pray for perseverance! That He would be my sustainer and the one to allow me to continue advocating for each of the women in our care.
How has The Cause helped you in your ministry?
The Cause has been exponentially beneficial in my ministry with Wipe Every Tear! Their willingness to care for the administrative tasks allows me to focus on ministry. Additionally, the strategy offered by each of The Cause employees has been huge! Their wisdom and insight spurs me on and encourages me.
Truly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without their willingness to be used by Jesus in this way!
How can someone support what you are doing?
In this season people can support us through prayer, social media advocacy, financial support, and buying Christmas gifts from Tayo Collective, which helps support our ministry. Please continue to pray, give, and use your voice to help end human trafficking!
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