• About Us
  • Locations
    • California
      • Southern California
    • Denver, CO
    • Florida
      • Broward County, FL
      • Jacksonville, FL
      • Miami, FL
      • Naples, FL
      • Orlando, FL
      • Palm Beach County, FL
      • Tallahassee, FL
    • Georgia
      • Atlanta, GA
    • New Jersey
      • South Jersey
    • North Carolina
      • Charlotte, NC
    • Ohio
      • Northwest Ohio
      • Southern Ohio
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston, SC
    • Tennessee
      • Nashville, TN
    • Texas
      • Dallas, TX
      • Austin, TX
  • Publishing
    • Content Guidelines for Publishing
    • General Article Submission Guidelines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Friday, April 8, 2022
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Nashville Christian Voice
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Government
    • Nashville
    • National
    • Politics
    • Tennessee
    • World
    Thousands Join Pro-life March in Peru

    Thousands Join Pro-life March in Peru

    New Program Helps Churches Provide Mental Health Support in UK

    New Program Helps Churches Provide Mental Health Support in UK

    Ukrainian Children Hopeful in Palm Beach County

    Ukrainian Children Hopeful in Palm Beach County

    Pro-life Groups Demand Justice After Exposé at University

    Pro-life Groups Demand Justice After Exposé at University

    Private Spiritual Life Counters Christians’ Role as Disciples—Barna

    Private Spiritual Life Counters Christians’ Role as Disciples—Barna

    Christian Rivals Unite to Restore Holiest Jerusalem Church

    Christian Rivals Unite to Restore Holiest Jerusalem Church

    Survey: 84% Americans Revere Jesus

    Survey: 84% Americans Revere Jesus

    Christian Charities Unite for Ukraine

    Christian Charities Unite for Ukraine

    Ad Shows New Jesus to Skeptics

    Ad Shows New Jesus to Skeptics

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Books
      • Education
      • Entertainment
      • family
      • Food
      • Health
      • Humor
      • Relationships
      • Travel
      Jeremy Camp doesn’t write songs for radio: I want to ‘connect with the heart’

      Jeremy Camp doesn’t write songs for radio: I want to ‘connect with the heart’

      Minno is the new streaming platform for Christian kids — and it’s excellent

      Minno is the new streaming platform for Christian kids — and it’s excellent

      Newsboys say they will tour until they are 80: We are just getting started!

      Newsboys say they will tour until they are 80: We are just getting started!

      Netflix’s ‘A Week Away’ is a must-watch faith-based musical

      Netflix’s ‘A Week Away’ is a must-watch faith-based musical

      Netflix’s ‘Penguin Bloom’ has lessons about family, life and death

      Netflix’s ‘Penguin Bloom’ has lessons about family, life and death

      There’s a new streaming platform — and it’s a great option for families

      There’s a new streaming platform — and it’s a great option for families

      Pixar’s ‘Soul’ has multiple great messages about life

      Pixar’s ‘Soul’ has multiple great messages about life

      Actress Miya Horcher Leads With Love

      Actress Miya Horcher Leads With Love

      ‘Jingle Jangle’ is Netflix’s best family-friendly movie yet

      ‘Jingle Jangle’ is Netflix’s best family-friendly movie yet

    • Church
      • All
      • Missions
      • Pastors
      • Worship
      Extollo International: Raising and Lifting up the People of Haiti

      Extollo International: Raising and Lifting up the People of Haiti

      Patrick and the History of St. Patrick’s Day

      Patrick and the History of St. Patrick’s Day

      A Candid Interview with Steve Austin, Author of ‘From Pastor to Psych Ward’

      A Candid Interview with Steve Austin, Author of ‘From Pastor to Psych Ward’

      The English School in Marietta Georgia is Touching Lives and Sharing the Gospel

      The English School in Marietta Georgia is Touching Lives and Sharing the Gospel

      Reaching the Nepali Bhutanese in Harrisburg, PA

      Reaching the Nepali Bhutanese in Harrisburg, PA

      A Blueprint for Prayer: Three Personal Petitions

      A Blueprint for Prayer: Three Personal Petitions

      Why a House Church?

      Why a House Church?

      App Sees Increase in Bible Engagement with 1 Million New Subscribers in 24 Hours

      App Sees Increase in Bible Engagement with 1 Million New Subscribers in 24 Hours

      Weighing In On Death of John Allen Chau

      Weighing In On Death of John Allen Chau

    • Sports
      Bitterness Strikes Out

      Bitterness Strikes Out

      Kia’s Amazing Journey

      Kia’s Amazing Journey

      Bengals Chaplain Kicks COVID-19

      Bengals Chaplain Kicks COVID-19

      NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown opens up about faith

      NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown opens up about faith

      Taking the Next Step: An Interview with Noah Turner

      Taking the Next Step: An Interview with Noah Turner

      To Empower and Encourage

      To Empower and Encourage

      Are You Passionate?

      Are You Passionate?

      There is Another Way

      There is Another Way

      Did God See That Coming?

      Did God See That Coming?

    • Home
    • News
      • All
      • Government
      • Nashville
      • National
      • Politics
      • Tennessee
      • World
      Thousands Join Pro-life March in Peru

      Thousands Join Pro-life March in Peru

      New Program Helps Churches Provide Mental Health Support in UK

      New Program Helps Churches Provide Mental Health Support in UK

      Ukrainian Children Hopeful in Palm Beach County

      Ukrainian Children Hopeful in Palm Beach County

      Pro-life Groups Demand Justice After Exposé at University

      Pro-life Groups Demand Justice After Exposé at University

      Private Spiritual Life Counters Christians’ Role as Disciples—Barna

      Private Spiritual Life Counters Christians’ Role as Disciples—Barna

      Christian Rivals Unite to Restore Holiest Jerusalem Church

      Christian Rivals Unite to Restore Holiest Jerusalem Church

      Survey: 84% Americans Revere Jesus

      Survey: 84% Americans Revere Jesus

      Christian Charities Unite for Ukraine

      Christian Charities Unite for Ukraine

      Ad Shows New Jesus to Skeptics

      Ad Shows New Jesus to Skeptics

      Trending Tags

      • Lifestyle
        • All
        • Books
        • Education
        • Entertainment
        • family
        • Food
        • Health
        • Humor
        • Relationships
        • Travel
        Jeremy Camp doesn’t write songs for radio: I want to ‘connect with the heart’

        Jeremy Camp doesn’t write songs for radio: I want to ‘connect with the heart’

        Minno is the new streaming platform for Christian kids — and it’s excellent

        Minno is the new streaming platform for Christian kids — and it’s excellent

        Newsboys say they will tour until they are 80: We are just getting started!

        Newsboys say they will tour until they are 80: We are just getting started!

        Netflix’s ‘A Week Away’ is a must-watch faith-based musical

        Netflix’s ‘A Week Away’ is a must-watch faith-based musical

        Netflix’s ‘Penguin Bloom’ has lessons about family, life and death

        Netflix’s ‘Penguin Bloom’ has lessons about family, life and death

        There’s a new streaming platform — and it’s a great option for families

        There’s a new streaming platform — and it’s a great option for families

        Pixar’s ‘Soul’ has multiple great messages about life

        Pixar’s ‘Soul’ has multiple great messages about life

        Actress Miya Horcher Leads With Love

        Actress Miya Horcher Leads With Love

        ‘Jingle Jangle’ is Netflix’s best family-friendly movie yet

        ‘Jingle Jangle’ is Netflix’s best family-friendly movie yet

      • Church
        • All
        • Missions
        • Pastors
        • Worship
        Extollo International: Raising and Lifting up the People of Haiti

        Extollo International: Raising and Lifting up the People of Haiti

        Patrick and the History of St. Patrick’s Day

        Patrick and the History of St. Patrick’s Day

        A Candid Interview with Steve Austin, Author of ‘From Pastor to Psych Ward’

        A Candid Interview with Steve Austin, Author of ‘From Pastor to Psych Ward’

        The English School in Marietta Georgia is Touching Lives and Sharing the Gospel

        The English School in Marietta Georgia is Touching Lives and Sharing the Gospel

        Reaching the Nepali Bhutanese in Harrisburg, PA

        Reaching the Nepali Bhutanese in Harrisburg, PA

        A Blueprint for Prayer: Three Personal Petitions

        A Blueprint for Prayer: Three Personal Petitions

        Why a House Church?

        Why a House Church?

        App Sees Increase in Bible Engagement with 1 Million New Subscribers in 24 Hours

        App Sees Increase in Bible Engagement with 1 Million New Subscribers in 24 Hours

        Weighing In On Death of John Allen Chau

        Weighing In On Death of John Allen Chau

      • Sports
        Bitterness Strikes Out

        Bitterness Strikes Out

        Kia’s Amazing Journey

        Kia’s Amazing Journey

        Bengals Chaplain Kicks COVID-19

        Bengals Chaplain Kicks COVID-19

        NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown opens up about faith

        NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown opens up about faith

        Taking the Next Step: An Interview with Noah Turner

        Taking the Next Step: An Interview with Noah Turner

        To Empower and Encourage

        To Empower and Encourage

        Are You Passionate?

        Are You Passionate?

        There is Another Way

        There is Another Way

        Did God See That Coming?

        Did God See That Coming?

      No Result
      View All Result
      Nashville Christian Voice
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home Featured

      From Slavery to Feedom Through Forgiveness

      by Guest
      May 28, 2018
      in Featured, National
      0
      From Slavery to Feedom Through Forgiveness
      0
      SHARES
      47
      VIEWS
      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

      An Interview with Maria Suarez by Cindy Powell

      If you met her today, you would never know there was a time Maria Suarez had no hope for her future. Subjected to circumstances that would break even the strongest among us, she spent her days fighting to stay safe and sane. She wasn’t living; she was barely surviving.

      But she did survive. Now that she is on the other side of the nightmare, she is speaking out. However, the first thing Maria wants you to understand is her motivation.

      “It is all about giving. I want to give, to help, to save and prevent others from ending up where I did.”

      Maria Suarez

      Maria’s life started in humble, yet secure surroundings. She grew up in a small rural village where everyone knew everyone, and trust came easily. When she was fifteen, Maria and several members of her family immigrated to the United States. Soon after, she met a woman who offered her a job cleaning house for an elderly couple. Trusting the woman, Maria eagerly agreed. However, nothing happened for a while and Maria thought the woman forgot. When the woman finally returned and approached Maria again, everything happened quickly. Too quickly. Maria wanted to tell her family, but the woman told her to get in the car if she still wanted to work. She insisted there was no time for anything else—this job had to be quick and fast.

      Quick and fast lasted nearly 30 years.

      Together they drove to the house of an older man. Maria didn’t know the area and didn’t speak the language, so she had no idea where she was.They left Maria in the living room while the woman and man went to speak in a back room. Everything in her gut told her something was off and that she should run. But she held onto the hope that everything would be alright, so she stayed.

      It was the last time she hoped for much of anything for a very long time.

      Everything in her gut told her something was off and that she should run.

      The man, who initially smiled sweetly and pretended to be kind, had purchased her for $200. He told Maria she was his slave and he could do whatever he wanted with her. And he did. Within 24 hours, after Maria tried to protect herself during a scuffle, the man locked her outside without a stitch of clothing.  When he brought her in later, he raped her after she had fallen and been knocked unconscious. This was only the beginning of the nightmare.  He became her daily tormentor subjecting her to sexual, physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual abuse. The man claimed to be a “witch” and engaged in occult rituals and practices.   Although she was able to contact her family at some point, his threats to their safety and daily mind games kept her quiet and compliant.

      The nightmare continued for six long years. After this, the story took a turn straight out of a crime novel. A young man renting a converted garage apartment attached to the house became enraged by the older man’s constant noise and intrusion. During a confrontation, he beat him in the head with a heavy wooden board, killing him instantly.

      You would think this would have been the end of Maria’s nightmare. Instead, she found herself in a different kind of prison. This time a literal one.

      Before the police arrived on the scene, the young man handed Maria the board and told her to hide it under the house. Maria was used to doing what she was told so she complied. Although she immediately cooperated with the police—even showing them where the board was hidden—she was ultimately charged and convicted as an accessory to murder.

      She had no record, had not participated in the crime, and had herself been a victim, yet due to the ineptitude of a fumbling attorney who was later disbarred, she was sentenced for 25 years to life.

      Despite this gross injustice, prison was a welcome reprieve. When she was arrested Maria says, “I fell to my knees and wept tears of relief. I knew I was finally safe.”

      Still in her early twenties when she was sentenced, Maria had no concept of a 25+ year prison term. As the years passed, the relief faded. Anger took its place as the fog of the previous decade cleared and Maria woke up to the reality of her situation. The man she had feared in the day began to haunt her dreams. Even from the grave, his torment and control over her life continued. That is until Maria did the unthinkable:

      She forgave him.

      Seeing her daughter’s torment, Maria’s mother urged her to pray knowing her freedom would only be found through forgiveness. It wasn’t quick or easy, but in choosing to forgive, Maria not only found freedom, she found peace.

      Even more importantly, she found hope.

      Maria was still physically behind bars, but for the first time since her ordeal began, her heart was free. She began to live again—even in prison. She got her GED. She learned English. She became involved in advocacy groups.  She spent much of her time helping others.

      Through one of these advocacy groups, the Board of Prison Term Investigation, Maria’s wrongful conviction was finally reviewed and overturned. On May 25th, 2004, after 22.5 years behind bars, Maria was finally as free on the outside as she already was on the inside.

      That’s when Maria’s remarkable story of hope really blossomed. She started the Maria Suarez Foundation, a survivor-led nonprofit dedicated to eradicating the enslavement of youth in Southern California. She also started Green Ants, a cleaning service that employs survivors of human trafficking, offering them a sustainable future.

      She started the Maria Suarez Foundation, a survivor-led nonprofit dedicated to eradicating the enslavement of youth in Southern California. She also started Green Ants, a cleaning service that employs survivors of human trafficking, offering them a sustainable future.

      “I want to help others who are at risk. I want them to be aware of their surroundings and able to recognize the signs of those being victimized, so they can report it. I want this generation to be aware, so they avoid the hole to begin with.”

      Maria Suarez didn’t just survive, today she is thriving. Her journey from bondage to freedom was costly, but if even one person avoids the same fate because of her willingness to speak out, Maria’s story of hope will live on.

      The Maria Suarez Foundation is actively looking for like-minded volunteers and partners to help build a safer and more hope-filled world for at-risk youth in the Southern California area. If you’d like more information on how you can help, visit www.mariasuarez.org, or email Maria at mariquitasdream@yahoo.com. Please also visit the Green Ants Cleaning Service site at www.greenantsinc.com, and if you are in the local area, consider them for your housekeeping and cleaning needs.

      This article was originally published in the Spring 2018 edition of Voices of Justice Magazine

      Cindy Powell

      Cindy Powell is the Senior Editor of Voices of Justice, a digital magazine that shines a light on the injustice of human trafficking. She is also a writer and speaker who has been leading prayer teams and prayer ministries for over 20 years. Her greatest desire is that her words—whether praying them, speaking them, or writing them—will reveal the heart of God.
      For more information about Cindy or Voices of Justice go to http://voicesofjustice.org  or http://cindypowell.org

      Facebook Comments
      Tags: human trafficking
      Guest

      Guest

      Next Post
      Tennessee Titan Brett Kern Talks to Nashville Christian Voice

      Tennessee Titan Brett Kern Talks to Nashville Christian Voice

      Recommended

      Christian Girls in Colombia Forced into Marriage

      Christian Girls in Colombia Forced into Marriage

      3 years ago
      Kia’s Amazing Journey

      Kia’s Amazing Journey

      2 years ago

      Popular News

        Connect with us

        About Us

        Nashville Christian Voice is part of One Christian Voice, a growing Christian news network in the United States. We share world news, national news, stories to inspire you and information on activities and events in and around Nashville, TN.

        Locations

        California
        Colorado
        Florida
        Georgia
        New Jersey
        North Carolina
        Ohio
        Pennsylvania
        South Carolina
        Tennessee
        Texas

        Connect with us

        • About Us
        • Advertise
        • Contact

        © 2018 Nashville Christian Voice - Member, Evangelical Press Association.

        No Result
        View All Result
        • Home
        • News
        • Lifestyle
        • Church
        • Sports

        © 2018 Nashville Christian Voice - Member, Evangelical Press Association.

        Welcome Back!

        Login to your account below

        Forgotten Password?

        Retrieve your password

        Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

        Log In