Bianca Olthoff
About the Author

Bianca Olthoff is an (in)courage alumni who spends most of her time working as Chief Storyteller for The A21 Campaign, a global anti-human trafficking organization. By day she's a freedom writer who advocates for justice, but at night she's a step-mom who loves to have dance parties with Parker, Ryen, and Ricci [a.k.a. The...

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Bianca,
    Yes, it’s hard to fathom that in this day and age there is human trafficking and that slavery still exists. Here in the US, I believe we are especially blinded to the fact. We don’t want to believe it. The organization I work with helps free children from the bonds of slavery as well. It is amazing how a heart can soar when it is set free…praying for you and the work that you are doing. Our God is ABLE…with Him nothing is impossible!
    Blessings,
    Bev

  2. I’ve been in my current residence for 5.5 years now; but before moving in, I was homeless for 5 years. Until I became homeless, I had no concept of what it meant to walk in someone else’s shoes, although I was arrogant enough to think I did. To me, “walking in someone else’s shoes” was just a mere expression people used. “You can’t understand a person’s pain until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” and “You can’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Guess what? It’s true. I live in the richest county in FL, a county that believes if you’re homeless you did something to put yourself in that situation. You’re either a washed up alcoholic, a burnt out drug addict, you’re too lazy to work, or you’re too mentally and/or physically disabled to work. THAT doesn’t match my experience. I came from an upper middle class family and I became homeless due unresolved family issues. I’m also epileptic; but until my dad passed, I was capable of working and actively seeking work. After he passed in Nov. 2008, my body crashed and it would take me 2- 3 years before I was medically cleared to return to work and school. I was also in school while I was homeless until my dad passed. After I was medically cleared to work again, I resumed my job search; but I’ve been unable to find employment. I am also back in school and doing well there. I had to go through that because prior to that, my perspective on homelessness was the same as my county’s. I’ve learned a lot and it began with being able to identify with them by uncovering my lifetime food addiction that I was unaware of because it had been undiagnosed. When I shared with those chemically addicted (which I have no experience with) how I handle food— emotional binge eating—, they explained to me that it works the same way. Then, I had something real to work through and I could identify with them, putting me in a position to demonstrate the love of Christ and minister to their needs instead of judging them. It took my losing everything. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone; but at the same time, I wouldn’t change it because of what God did in me and through me, through that experience. Be blessed.

    • Keri,

      Thank-you so much for sharing your pain and triumph with us.
      May you continue to be blessed,
      Penny

    • Keri,
      Prayers for you for good health! May God provide a good job for you and shower you with blessings beyond your dreams!! I pray you can feel His loving arms around you at all times!! Thank you for sharing your testimony here! You are an inspiration to me!
      Father,
      Help Keri with her medical, and financial issues. Shower her with blessings upon blessings!! Give her the strength to carry on each day and help her with the schooling and give her the job you want her to have!
      AMEN!
      (((((Hugs)))))

  3. Bianca,

    Thank-you for your post and bringing us awareness. I am learning more and more of what goes on than I have ever realized. Thank-you, to you and the organization for being their light. You really define the meaning of, “love the neighbor.”My prayers are with you all.

    Penny

  4. JUST before I clicked to read your post, God was reminding that our God makes the impossible possible. My “impossible” is on a much smaller, personal level. But, I’ve seen that as I (we) trust in Him, look to Him to do the impossible, he does indeed make it possible.

    I love your passion and your truths in this post. We have to remember that in the travesties that seem too big for one person to come against, God is bigger. And he can show us what our part is in coming alongside Him in the work He’s doing.

  5. I felt tears prickle my eyes, reading those statistics, Bianca. With others I pray God multiplies your efforts, expands your reach, and supplies the needs of your organization. May those sad statistics miraculously and quickly change, to reflect God’s power, love, and grace working through you. Praise God for your passion and perseverance. P.S. I’m going to download your Prayer for Our Sisters of Sorrow and continue to lift you up.

  6. I learned about human trafficking several years ago and am part of a trucking industry that keeps our eyes out for situations where it may be occurring. I also support Night Lights International and share whenever I can information of how God is working thru them and others. Thanks for this post.

  7. Love this. If we truly try, we can make a difference. If the whole world got together and tried “a little” we could do a lot… 🙂

  8. Bianca,

    May God richly supply all the needs of A21 and help you rescue those men and women. Thank you for doing this work and obeying God!!

    Thank you for this reminder “may we never forget our mission field is the first step outside of our front door.” Like you stated not everyone is called to go overseas, but each of us is called to love our neighbor. For me that looks like going to visit my aging dad 3X week and chatting with the other residents.
    Blessings 🙂