She stopped by Braking Cycles the other day. Just out of the blue, Maddy came by to say hello and to share how life was going with her and her two little ones. Impromptu visits are always precious, but this one was extra special. It had been about ten years since I first met Maddy. She was 16, had a two-year-old son, and living on the streets.
I will never forget one of the first encounters I had with Maddy. I had only been with Transitional Youth a few months and was still getting my bearing on the new job. Our volunteers and I were setting up for the evening’s meal when all of a sudden, I hear screaming and glass breaking. I turn to see Maddy tumbling down the stairs and beer bottles crashing against the wall just barely missing her. She was being chased by a pimp who demanded she return to him. She ran to where she knew she would be protected. Street Church (aka the TY drop in center). She was safe inside for a while, but at the end of the night, she returned to the streets.
Fast forward a few months later.
I was driving down the freeway headed to Street Church. And all of a sudden, I see someone who looked like Maddy. She was hard to miss with her beautiful white blond hair that went to the lower part of her back. My heart sunk as I knew she was on the streets in that area for a purpose. She was being trafficked. I circled back around to find her and couldn’t. I circled again. And again. Finally, I found her. All I had to do was pull up beside her, and without any words at all, just a huge sigh of relief, Maddy got in the car.
I said, “Maddy, you must be hungry, let me buy you something to eat.” We shared a meal, went for a drive, talked and cried and prayed. And it was in those tender raw moments, Maddy said yes to the good plans God had for her. I took her straight to a treatment center where she could detox from the drugs she had been on since she could remember and it was there her new life began. She never returned to the streets, the drugs or trafficking again.
Today Maddy works full time, has her own home and takes care of her two beautiful children. She stops by Braking Cycles often to say hello, to share the good news of her continued sobriety and healthy life, and to let me hug on the babies. We always mention that day as a reminder of God’s intricate working in our lives. Only He could have orchestrated the connection on the street that day. Only He could know the moment she was ready to say yes to a new way, and have all the provision necessary to lead her to freedom.
There are countless young girls like Maddy out there. Today, Transitional Youth has three homes that serve these young girls. We are thankful to each of you for your prayers and partnership in making this road to freedom available for our girls.
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