In 2016, sisters at Bakhita Villa, a safe house in Lagos, Nigeria, helped rescue and rehabilitate nine victims of human trafficking. St. Louis Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem, director of the safe house, talked to GSR about her ministry, why she feels drawn to St. Josephine Bakhita, and why so many people are at risk for being trafficked today.

After a fire destroyed the Islamic Center Mosque in Victoria, Texas, hundreds of people of diverse faiths came together in a show of compassion and solidarity. 

Notes from the Field - I notice the injustices in the world around me a lot more. I notice the people around me a lot more — the people I interact with on a daily basis, but also the people I pass by and never speak to.

"Just looking at the grass, or flowers, and sitting in the sun; the beauty of nature helped me recover."

Sacred Heart of Jesus Sr. Florence Nweonuma was on the front lines helping draft the law that outlawed trafficking in Nigeria in 2003. Global Sisters Report caught up with Nweonuma in October to hear her reflections on two decades of anti-trafficking work.

"World wars have been fought and lost; for every war is against the world and every war against the world is lost."

GSR Today - "Please remember that you have allies here." A sample letter may inspire you to reach out to Muslim neighbors with a simple message: We see how Muslims are being treated, and we don't like it.

"Wow, he's hot!" I exclaimed recently as I gazed at a good-looking guy in a television commercial.

The young woman standing next to me looked at me in shock.

"You can't like guys, you're a nun!" she said indignantly.

My immediate reaction was: "Yes, I can!" I proceeded to explain to her that a woman does not shut off her sex drive when she joins a monastery or convent, even if that might make life a bit easier.

A Zambian village's two-week ceremony welcomed young women to adulthood, culminating in a prayerful, joyful gathering of family, friends and neighbors. Truly, God was in this place, and I and came away with a heart full of gratitude.

GSR Today - There are 2.4 million trafficking victims globally. With regional and national organizations that provide support for smaller groups and ministries, sisters around the world are working together to save victims, operating safe houses, rehabilitation programs, educational programs, and public campaigns.