Have you ever read scripture and wondered, “if I was David, would I have enough faith to throw a stone at a giant?

Would I have enough faith to be obedient enough to build a huge ark when there had been no rain?

Would I have enough faith to continue to pray knowing I would get thrown into a den of lions if I got caught? And would I sing praises to God so loud in jail the other inmates would hear after my friend and I were beaten with rods like Paul and Silas?”

To make this question easier to answer, I asked myself, “what would a modern-day situation look like?” And I found one.  Would I sing praises to God after a program (a 24/7 safe home for survivors of sex trafficking) we, Community of Hope, worked so hard to develop and implement, a program that would help orphans who were sex trafficked heal and find restoration through Christ, have to close due to lack of funds? Can I praise God through this situation, my Lion’s Den of guilt of not being able to help these victims of sexual and physical violence? The jail of contemplating doubt of what I did wrong, and what could I have done differently? I could have. But some how, as I was talking with God, he told me it would be ok. He would be providing mana, and it would be OK.  OK I said to Him.

I believed the large money would come in. It costs $500,000.00 to run a home with 24 hour staff and services to heal from sexual violence, for mental health services, dental and health services, eating healthy, and to have freedom to just breathe and feel safe for the first time.

 I believed we would receive the money we needed so hard I could walk on it. Afterall, we knew God was calling us to do this kind of work. But you know what…it hasn’t come yet. But what has, are several new monthly donors, some as large as $1,000.00 a month! New connections to people and other organizations in NB and other provinces with the same passion and mission. New volunteers with different skill sets. More requests for presentations from groups and schools! And we operated fully on volunteers, operating our drop in, for 3 whole months! The blessings…the manna…kept coming, just differently than I expected.

At drop in, RAHAB’s REFUGE, (yes, named after a sex worker in the Bible, because it is a drop in for sex workers!), in 2025 we served 65 unique individuals, and provided over 1000 services for them. They can get a cup of hot coffee, a hot meal, personal hygiene items, a place to rest, get a hot shower, and access community services. We continue to be open, getting to know these amazing women and provide them services.

If you would like a free presentation about Sex Trafficking; how to recognize the signs, how to help, and local resources, or to see our REAL TO REEL photo exhibit, please email info@communityofhopenb.ca

God has given us a pause from our 24-7 healing home, to restructure and rebuild in a new way financially, in building connections, in services being provided, and in the people we serve. In all of this, God made a way for us to expand a new service too, Hope Kitchen!

It is our hope and vision to open another home like this in the future. We are planning and building for it, as God leads us.

Follow our journey on Facebook! See how God is leading us while we praise him. You will see our rebuilding as he leads us with new fundraisers and events to compliment any grants we may receive. You will see the awareness and educational opportunities that continue to be brought forward. You will see the partnerships and pathways of help He is leading us in. Be a part of our Community, a Community of Hope, in Him.

Next upcoming:

HOPE RISING CONFERENCE April 17^th! Register at communityofhopenb.ca

On June 6, a Tidal Bore 5km family walk/run/roll, HOPE RUNS ON, in memory of Anthoy Hawkes waterfront Moncton.

…and much more coming!

May your faith be big enough to carry you through any adversity to a place of praise.

Sincerely,
Elaine Jackman

I would like to especially thank Inspire FM for brining unity among all the faith based non-profits in the Moncton area. Under Terry’s leadership, we meet quarterly to share our challenges and blessings and are able to strategically plan our events in support of one another. Without this opportunity, and without the free advertising they provide for each of us, we would not know how to best pray for each other and be encouraged of how the hand of God is moving right in our city. Thank-you Inspire FM, for this inspiration!