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Anti-Trafficking Dreams

Cincinnati, Ohio
Apr 9, 2018
3 min read

Since returning to Cincinnati (My Hometown) this past fall, after being on the mission field for 7 years, I’ve begun working with trafficking victims in Over The Rhine. Before sharing testimonies in my next newsletter, I wanted to share a bit of what God has revealed to give me His heart for the abused.

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Eight years, ago I awoke in a cold sweat, heart racing. Bursting emotion swelled as I cried, “Jesus, help them! Do something!”

Right away, I heard him softly say, “Don’t be afraid, Casi. Help them. They need you!”

I saw ships full of people caged like animals going down the Ohio River between downtown Cincinnati, OH and Covington, KY. The night sky revealed their faces paralyzed by fear. What I saw next haunts me. Their captors removed their chains and lined them up as they pulled into port between the two cities. It was as if their captors no longer needed to chain their victims. They owned them. Captive by invisible chains, victims hung their heads low in the dark streets, continuing on like cattle to their pen. I cried out to them, “Ask someone for help! You can be free”, but they refused to listen. Some passersby saw them but didn’t understand. No one helped them. I could barely breathe as evil claimed their fate.”

I have carried this vision for years, not knowing how or when to help. He’s given me many dreams and deposits over the years from His heart about human trafficking. However, I have never forgotten the first faces of those owned, captive by invisible chains.

This past spring I had another dream.

I stood in a dank cellar room. A little light filtered the dark room, as I looked around. I could make out dark figures all around me and a door at the top of a rotting wooden staircase. I was tempted every second to shrink back in fear. Fear seemed easier than courage. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I found a trap door in the center of the room. I could faintly hear voices coming from beneath it. Something rose up in me. My whole being resounded, “I must help them, no matter the cost.” However, I knew I was too weak to battle the dark figures around me. Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jesus standing at the top of the staircase beaming with light. His power rose up in me. I saw a tear fall from His eye as I strode towards the trap door. I lifted one woman out at a time, motioning towards Jesus, still standing above. My heart swelled with joy as they saw His face. They went to Him. The enemies cowering around me dared not stand against Him. They knew their place. All of my fear was gone.

Deep down inside, a passion to see captives set free from trafficking burns. He’s melting away all fear as I take one step at a time with Him. I know His power against the enemy!

This summer in Mozambique, God said, “Return to your roots, your Jerusalem…” God led me around the world, as many of you know, since 2010 but has now lead me home to my Jerusalem (Acts 1:8) to fight against trafficking.

I’m volunteering with a ministry in Over the Rhine called Women of Alabaster that reaches out to prostitutes, addicts, and homeless women. We give them some Jesus, prayer, meet their needs, help them with court, prepare them for rehab, take them to rehab and follow up meetings, and assist them in the hospitals. For most, we are their only family. It’s an incredible privilege to serve these women!

How To Pray For Me?

1. Finances: I’m working and balancing ministry downtown with Women of Alabaster, as it is volunteer work. I would love to spend more time downtown with the women we minister to.

A job that can work with the schedule I have with Women of Alabaster
Partners to join with me so I can be more full-time downtown.

PS: Praise report: I’d been praying for a car to get around the city. I was processing how much I’d need to save per month and wondering how I could afford a car. Then, my grandmother decided she no longer desired to drive, so I’ve inherited her car. Yay Jesus!

2. My Heart: The things I see downtown and the stories I hear break my heart.

Pray for a steadfast love for the women we minister to. That I may never give up on them, even when things seem impossible.
Pray that I wouldn’t burn out but would live out Acts 20:24

I’ll Write Soon! God Bless!

Casi Holtman

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