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Frequently asked questions
Why Tamar?
TAMAR is the name of not just one, but two women in Jesus’s family tree who were shamelessly exploited by the men who really should have been the ones moving heaven and earth to protect them (Genesis 38; 2 Samuel 13). To us, these biblical characters are archetypes of all vulnerable women everywhere who have been used and abused for sexual purposes, and their names evoke a CALL TO ACTION. They need compassion, they need protection, they need justice, and they need HOPE that is ultimately found in the God-Saviour. Only in relationship with Jesus Christ can any of us find true healing for our brokenness and the chance for an eternity-lasting restored life.
What do you believe?
Jesus was very intentional about bringing good news to the most marginalized and vulnerable people of his day. If his followers have been called to the very same mission of bringing his GOOD NEWS to the poor, sick and oppressed, it only makes sense for us to purposely venture into places where suffering is most extreme. PROSTITUTES are among the most despised and desperate people in any society, but in a place like Guatemala their suffering is compounded by poverty, lack of education and gender inequality. We bring the hope we have in Jesus from a shared state of brokenness and need, understanding God’s good and beautiful intentions for us include the whole of human life, that no one is beyond redemption, and caring HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS is the primary means God uses to extend his hope.
Who do you help?
We are currently spending most of our time and energy with women from LA LINEA, one of many prostitution hotspots in Guatemala City. On any given day there are around 150 women working out of tiny rooms along a strip of decommissioned railway track which runs through the heart of the capital city. As resources and personnel allow, we intend to reach into many other districts as well. The SEX TRADE extends to every corner of Guatemala with estimated tens of thousands of women working in brothels, strip clubs, closed houses or on the streets.
How did you start?
In June 2015, Shawn and Natalie ventured onto La Linea with coffee, snacks and a few random hugs, and they both fell in love with the women immediately. The Sagerts’ visits to the women’s individual work sites to share coffee, laughs, tears, hope and prayers grew more and more regular until they eventually opened a DROP-IN MINISTRY CENTRE right on the edge of La Linea. In 2017 other volunteers began joining their efforts and they formally founded a Guatemalan non-profit organization called La Esperanza de Tamar – Tamar’s Hope.
How do you help?
It’s always and ever about relationships. As we gain trust and friendship through our various light-hearted activities at LA PUERTA, our drop-in ministry centre, we wait until women are ready to take the very brave steps of seeking the good and BEAUTIFUL ALTERNATIVES God has waiting for them away from La Linea and away from prostitution. As they do, we walk with them individually and support them with education scholarships, vocational training, emotional care and spiritual discipleship.
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Some of our current projects and programs