Does the Thirst for Change Overpower the Hunger of Your Kids?
Every time I sit down with one of the Amadas—our beloved women—I’m overwhelmed by the weight of their reality. Nearly every woman we talk to tells us how desperately she wants to leave prostitution. They see clearly how this work is harming them, but the heartbreaking truth is that leaving feels impossible unless something drastic changes.
Just last week, one Amada told me, “I would love to leave, but my family depends on me. We can’t survive without my income.” Others echo similar pain, talking about how they hate their job and are “just waiting for a man to come along and take me out of this.”
These conversations are soul-crushing. I find myself saying, “You are seen. You are loved. There is someone who wants to lead you out of this life just as He once led the Israelites out of Egypt.” But the beautiful, heartbreaking part is — many of them already know Him. They talk about God, the way they see him, and the relationship they have with him (albeit with varying levels of sound theology).
But still, they are stuck. Not because they want to be—but because the reality is grim. If a woman walks away from prostitution, she risks starvation—for herself and her children. In Ecuador, job opportunities are scarce. The economy is fixed in such a way that more people are looking for work than there are jobs available. Only those with higher education or specialized skills have a chance… and most of our women haven’t even finished high school. Even when jobs are found, they’re often exploitative: with less than favorable conditions, excessive hours, and unlivable salaries. For many of the Amadas, the choice isn’t between good and bad—it’s between bad and worse.
But that’s where hope begins.
At End Slavery Ecuador, we are committed to changing the narrative. We walk alongside these women, helping them finish their education, pursue vocational training, and take meaningful steps toward dignified work. We also provide discipling and spiritual development—gently correcting harmful theological misunderstandings and helping them see a God who doesn’t just love them in theory, but is actively working for their freedom and restoration.
Will you join us?
Your prayers, support, and generosity make this work possible. Together, we can help more Amadas take their first steps toward freedom, healing, and lasting transformation.
Those who are financially supporting me are already involved, and our women and I are so grateful for you! However, I did want to share that we have a new relief program. We have had conversations with women who haven’t eaten anything for three days, or women who only eat one yogurt all day because it only costs a dollar and it was all they could afford. Because of this, we have begun allocating resources to those in desperate situations. The ministry is donating five $15 grocery gift cards every a month. Additionally, another worker and I have elected to donate 4 cards a month (each) for the foreseeable future. I wanted to open up this opportunity to my supporters as well. There is no pressure to give whatsoever, but if you feel called to help a woman by providing groceries for them ($15 can buy about a weeks worth of groceries), I wanted to leave my Venmo here @michaela-seifert. Every dollar I receive I will put towards the grocery gift card for the woman, and I would be happy to send a copy of the receipt of a picture of the woman receiving the card (her face will be covered to follow our guidelines)! Even if you can’t or don’t feel called to help financially, I ask for your prayers for these women. Our hope is that by meeting some of their most basic needs, we can help them to be able to think about the future and the change God wants to do in their lives.
Answered Prayers
• All of the major events, trainings, and conferences we’ve had have gone smoothly
• Being able to host people in my new apartment and feeling very at home
• The Lord brought so many unexpected women to our conference to hear the Word of God and receive prayer
• The Lord’s provision in this season
• A new alliance with an organization who can offer additional training and programs to our women
• Seeing response in our women to God and what He is doing through us
• My first discipleship in Spanish went really well!!
Prayer Requests
• For all of our Amadas searching for new jobs and opportunities
• For one of our older Amadas who found out she is pregnant, that it would be a healthy pregnancy and God would protect her and the baby in her womb
• For another Amada, whose child was recently admitted to the hospital
• For our new Relief Program, that God would use it to reveal himself
• For our women, every part of their lives, they need Jesus and to feel his love