Ayantu’s Journey to Trust Again
Ayantu* left home with the promise of a job opportunity to help support her family.
Tragically, she instead was placed into domestic work by a broker, being passed from unstable house to unstable house, treated as disposable by everyone she met.
Then, she ended up on the street.
Uncertain. Afraid. Angry.
When a stranger offered her a place to stay, Ayantu thought her life was turning around.
Instead, she ended up in another volatile job.
By the time police intervened and placed Ayantu in the All God’s Children International & Tim Tebow Foundation House of Hope for Girls in Ethiopia, her life was defined by distrust and fear.
Ayantu spent her first days in the home isolated.
She withdrew from every opportunity to interact with the other residents or staff.
And she was insecure and careful in her behavior, fearful that any mistake would lead to severe punishment.
She needed hope. Healing. Joy. Peace.
It was gradual—but eventually, Ayantu started building relationships with the staff and residents at the House of Hope.
For the first time since leaving home, Ayantu felt secure.
Our staff helped Ayantu overcome her most limiting belief: if she were to trust anyone, she'd just be let down.
As our staff met Ayantu in her hurt, they showed her they weren't leaving, no matter how hard things got.
Before entering the House of Hope, Ayantu had never heard the Gospel.
But as she opened herself up to healing through counseling, the Holy Spirit worked in her heart.
It started with curiosity.
Then, as Ayantu chose to attend Bible studies and prayer and devotion sessions hosted at the House of Hope, she began to be moved by her peers’ testimonies.
She sat silently listening and learning about the goodness of God. Absorbing every moment.
Then one day, when the staff asked who would like to lead prayer, Ayantu shocked them by lifting her hand into the air.
That day, for the very first time, Ayantu prayed for herself, her family, and her country.
From that moment on, Ayantu wasn't so afraid. She wasn't so timid.
And she knew the weight of her faith.
Prayer is still a pillar of Ayantu's life today.
Ayantu went from struggling to trust others, doubting her self-worth and purpose, to believing in a future filled with possibilities.
The girl who isolated herself from others developed trust, not only with those physically around her but trust in God as well.
As the team continued supporting Ayantu through processing her trauma, she shared her deep desire to reunite with her parents and sisters.
And having seen her significant growth, our team knew Ayantu was ready to return home.
Our team met with Ayantu's family, preparing them for her return and strengthening their familial bond.
Together, they built a plan for reunification and even developed a follow-up plan to check on Ayantu's well-being after reunification with her family.
In late February 2025, our team officially reunified Ayantu with her family.
We are so proud of Ayantu and for the incredible journey she has made to heal from her trauma and build a better future for herself.
Please join us as we pray for this sweet girl and her entire family—and please help us pray that even more girls will experience healing like Ayantu!
*Name changed to protect privacy.