Kate Saurman is serving in Brazil under Shores of Grace – a ministry focused on those in prostitution, abusive situations, homelessness, and addiction. She will be training under Meninas Dos Olhos De Deus to prepare for opening a safe house in Recife, Brazil. Recife has become known as one of the world’s worst cities for child sex-trafficking and sexual tourism. There are an estimated 700,000 children in prostitution in Brazil and Recife is the center of that problem. Kate’s passion within this battle is for loving the broken where they are and laying a bridge for them to walk into safety. Alongside street outreach, Kate is a photographer. Part of her desire is to raise international awareness of the issue through images that portray the reality and beauty of these people. As an artist, healing through the creative process has become a staple to her ministry. She plans to pursue further training in art therapy so that this gift may be offered to the girls Shores of Grace will take off the street. For individuals who have endured severe trauma like all of these children have, the non verbal components of art and music are often the most healing way of counseling, identifying, and releasing the intensity of what they have experienced in a gentle and controlled manner. Kate’s heart for Brazil is to learn as much as possible about the human trafficking situation there and love to the fullest capacity all those trapped inside it; to bring dignity and value to the prostitutes and the poor in the favelas. Through working with grassroots arts and culture (musicians, creators, seekers of all forms) she believes that family and identity will come to supersede circumstance on all frontiers; seeing a new generation arise whose gifts are nurtured, allowing a culture take root where love prevails. Where the broken can dream again – for more than survival and with a flourishing hope that comes from knowing the depth of God’s love for them.

For more information on Kate’s heart for the arts and photo essays from Brazil visit: www.thedistortionprocess.com

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