By: Judy DuCharme
“You’re brave to write this, Judy.” I heard that from a few people. I didn’t feel brave, but I
certainly wasn’t cavalier about the subject. I just knew I must write it, that the subject must be
addressed, especially with a Christian perspective. Again, I knew I wasn’t the expert authority,
as others had written about it, but I, too, must add the authority of the believer to this blight upon
mankind: sex trafficking.
A year or two before the writing, two friends shared their childhood. They had been left behind in
another country while their mother entered the U.S. illegally hoping to send for them later.
Unfortunately, they bounced around and ended up with a cruel aunt. They shared some of the
hurtful episodes of that time and how they finally were brought to the States by a new stepdad
who had to bribe the immigration official to get them across the border.
My friend said, “Maybe you should write this.”
Her brother mumbled and shook his head. I knew he wasn’t ready. And I knew, if I did write their
experiences, they would be woven into another story.
At that time, I was so aware of the terrible crime of sex trafficking throughout our country, in
nearby cities, and at the border. I knew if these children had run away as they wanted to, they’d
have been trafficked.
A year or two later, a story began to form in my head, probably in my heart. I’ve learned that not
every story that pops into my mind or is suggested to me by friends, is what God calls me to
write. It’s the one that won’t leave my thinking. I formulate scenarios while I’m walking the
beach, driving, or sitting on the patio, and sometimes as I sit in church. These are the ones I
must write. This story, Who Will Rescue Us? A Love Story, was that.
I started it, mid-summer of 2023, knowing it should be a novella, as too much of this information,
though enveloped in large doses of God’s rescuing power and the restoring power of
forgiveness, would be just more than most people can take. I also knew I must get the
permission of my friends if it was to ever be published. It told of the children left behind, but of
the mother and a co-worker who, while working together in a hotel, hatched a plan to rescue
trafficked girls brought into the hotel.
Then, in August, I went to see the movie Sound of Freedom. It’s heavy and hopeful at the same
time. At the end, the star, Jim Caviezel, talked to the audience. One statement he said pierced
my heart. “The most important people in the world are the storytellers.”
At that moment, I said inside, “Okay, Lord, I’ll finish this book.”
I did get permission from my friends, and I will keep them anonymous. Two months later, I sent
the whole manuscript to my publisher. They had published four of my books, so they knew me. I
did not send an email asking if they’d like to look at it – I just sent it. The next day, I received an
email saying how timely this work was, and the following day received a contract with the plan to
publish by late spring, early summer. Indeed, it released in June 2024, and by fall had gained
two awards, one in the contemporary fiction category, the other in the novella category.
When I’m selling my books or telling people about my books and present Who Will Rescue Us?
A Love Story, there are generally two reactions. One is great interest or recognition of bravery in
covering the subject, the other is a backing up, an unwillingness to delve into hurtful subjects. I
understand both reactions. I do explain that it is indeed a love story on many levels, as the
couple who rescue trafficked girls fall in love, and it is God’s love in them that prompts them to
set the girls free from their terrible plight. The ministry and path of forgiveness is tackled in the
story as well, giving a path to freedom from the internal bondage trafficking creates. And,
bringing the children subjected to the cruel aunt, back to their mother speaks of the enduring
love of parent for child.
My prayer is that the reader will enjoy it. Yes, enjoy. I believe readers will fall in love with the
children and relish the love story, as well as the strategies, of the rescuers. I want everyone to
become aware, be shocked, and become committed to do their part to stop the heinous practice
of trafficking. There are resources at the end of the book.
The questions raised and addressed are: Is it possible to rescue these children? Is trafficking
practiced where I live? How can I recognize it? Is recovery possible? Is forgiveness possible,
and necessary? And most importantly, if we don’t help rescue these children, who will?
My book may be brave, but it’s certainly my heart. Though I have strong feelings about the
border, I don’t reveal them in this book – I simply tell the story. It’s the truth, that no matter what,
God can rescue us from the most hurtful situations and restore life and freedom to us. That’s my
story about my story.
About the Author:
Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water.
Following graduation from Michigan State University, she worked as an announcer at a Christian radio
station. In 1984, she, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County, and she became a
ridiculous Packer fan. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling
that tugged at her all her life to write. She has ten books published and is the recipient of numerous
awards. She also writes for Guideposts Magazine and is a contributing author to the recently released
Room at the Table. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay,
worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her
amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.
