Restoring Freedom, One Life at a Time

For over 50 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in ministry—a journey that still feels as fresh and profound as the day God first called me. Losing my parents at a young age shaped my heart for compassion and service, and alongside my husband, we’ve dedicated our lives to helping individuals and families find healing and hope.

A few years ago, we sensed a new calling—a pull to focus our efforts closer to home, right here in America. At first, we believed that path would lead us to foster care. We love children and families deeply; if you know my husband, you know his heart is as big as his smile. With that passion, we began the training process to become foster parents.

But God had a different plan.

During our foster care training, we were confronted with a reality that shook us to the core: many of the children in foster care had been victims of human trafficking. Like many others, we’d assumed trafficking was affecting distant countries. But learning that America is the #1 consumer of human trafficking was a sobering wake-up call. We couldn’t unsee what we had seen and knew God was leading us into a new mission field.

This revelation sparked a journey of learning, listening, and preparing. We heard firsthand stories from survivors, partnered with ministries on the front lines, and attended training programs in Nashville and Florida. The more we learned, the more precise our calling became. Having built orphanages overseas in places like Africa, it was time to make something here—right in our backyard.

The need is undeniable. Florida ranks #3 in the nation for human trafficking, and the demand for restoration and healing is immense. That’s why we founded Courageous and Free:

to bring hope, healing, and lasting freedom to girls who have been trafficked. Our mission is clear—to provide a safe place where survivors can rebuild their lives and rediscover their worth.

This journey has been anything but easy. Saying “yes” to God’s call often comes with unexpected challenges, opposition, and moments of doubt. But we’ve learned that obedience to His call is worth every cost. When God gives you a mission, you press forward—not for the accolades or recognition—but for the joy of hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Every step of this journey is humbling. Every girl we meet, every breakthrough we witness, and every story of transformation reminds us of God’s grace and faithfulness. Courageous and Free exists because of that grace—and we’re committed to sharing it with every survivor we encounter.