“Through sorrow and deep emptiness, He healed my brokenness and my shame.”
Tracy was sold and trafficked to men at the age of 18. Many were much older, and the way she
was treated left her feeling deeply broken and ashamed. It led her down a very dark road filled
with overwhelming shame and self-hatred.
She began to self-harm — cutting, pulling her hair out, burning herself — anything to feel or not
feel. She turned to drugs and fentanyl to numb the agony she faced, often praying she would
not wake up to see another day.
But morning kept coming.
She spent her entire 20s and part of her 30s trapped in this cycle, feeling unworthy of love and
believing the only thing she had to offer was her body. Her reality felt distorted, and her view of
herself was deeply wounded.
Then came a turning point.
Tracy was given the opportunity to enter treatment and face her demons head-on. Slowly, she
began to heal. For a long time, she could barely lift her head — she felt completely beaten down
— but healing had begun.
“God met me exactly where I was. He rescued me and filled me with a loving peace and
deep sense of acceptance. I poured my body and soul out to Christ — and He heard me.
Through sorrow and deep emptiness, He began healing my brokenness and shame.”
And then, life began to change in ways she never imagined.
God blessed her with a son — someone who loves her unconditionally, who calls her beautiful,
holds her face, and makes her feel loved and protected. Soon after, she was blessed with a
daughter. Today, Tracy has the opportunity to show her daughter what a strong, respectable
woman looks like.
She no longer lives in shame and fear. Instead, she pours into others what was so freely given
to her. She carries a fire that cannot be put out. God continues to place women in her life to
love, support, and uplift — and she now sees that as her calling and purpose: to share her light
with others who are still living in darkness.
“One Purse has supported me financially throughout my journey, helping remove
barriers as I continue moving forward. I am deeply grateful for the program and for the
encouragement from Raquel, who oversees the scholarships and the support I’ve
received along the way.”
Tracy graduated with her bachelor’s degree last year — something she once never imagined
possible. She is currently pursuing her MBA and continues receiving support through One
Purse.
“In all my accomplishments, I honor God in every success. My education and career
have played a huge role in my healing and growth as an overcomer. Going back to
school and stepping into this work showed me that my past does not define my future. It
helped rebuild my confidence and my overwhelming sense of purpose.”
* The name in this story has been changed to protect the individual’s identity.