Walk in Faith: Su Su's Story

Read the story in the Collection Lookbook

Su Su’s smile lights up the room as she celebrates the latest milestone in her baby’s life. She feels at home in this bright, sunny room that her family and the Eden staff have nearly completely filled. She is often amazed at the journey of faith that brought her to this new life after so many long years of suffering and uncertainty.

When Su Su was 11 years old, her family was thrown into a crisis by the death of her father. As the oldest child, she left school for a factory job. But Su Su didn’t earn enough at her new job to support her family. So when her boss told her about a better job in China, she leapt at the opportunity. The young girl trusted her boss’ promises of being well taken care of and earning a higher salary.

But upon crossing the border, everything changed. Su Su was locked in a house, dressed in a wedding gown, and made to take photos with a strange man who then locked her in his hotel room for several days. Su Su was living inside the nightmare of being sold to a stranger as a bride.

Days later, she was driven away by the man’s family. Slumped in the car and surrounded by people she couldn’t communicate with, Su Su thought about her situation. She realized that if she didn’t act now, she would never see her family again. If she didn’t try to run, there was no hope for her future.

At the first possible moment, she tricked the family into letting her stay in the car to rest while they got food. As soon as she gained some physical distance from them, Su Su bolted into the night. Shivering under a tree’s protective branches, she listened to the family searching for hours. When it finally got quiet, she flagged down a car and was taken to the police, who arranged her return to Myanmar.

Upon returning to her home country, social services referred her to Eden. At Eden, Su Su learned she was pregnant. This was yet another moment in her life when she had to act immediately. She wanted a new start, and she had faith that this was possible. 

Su Su had faith that a new life was possible, and began to walk down a new path at Eden.

Like so many times in the past, Su Su bravely stepped out in faith and fully embraced the Eden program. As she began her new life, Su Su’s family recognized the difficulty she would have as a single mother. However, with the support of Eden’s program, they were confident in committing to love and support this brave young woman and her unborn child.

Su Su began counseling, started a job making jewelry, and learned how to care for a baby. Before her son was born, Eden supporters donated to shower Su Su with much needed baby supplies.

One hundred days after his birth, Su Su, her family, and Eden staff celebrated the day her baby received his name. In Myanmar culture, he went by a nickname until this milestone, and we were overjoyed to all celebrate together over the traditional bowls of noodles. Su Su’s baby was one of the first at Eden, inspiring us to establish a mother and child shelter to support Su Su and other young mothers like her.

Through courage and unwavering faith, you can overcome great odds. This collection is a reminder of the story in the Bible where Jesus walks on the stormy waters. Peter called out to Jesus ‘say my name and call me forth!’Jesus called to him and Peter stepped out into the storm, regardless of what was logical or what society said. So should we bravely step out into a world filled with darkness, to spread light, life, and hope.

The Walk in Faith Collection was inspired by stories like Su Su’s. Each day we are amazed by the faith and courage the rescued women at Eden have shown in the face of such overwhelming odds. We hope these pieces inspire you to step out into the waves of life and find the courage to stand firm in assurance of who you are and who you have been called to be.

Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!” Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!” “Come and join me,” Jesus replied.

- Matthew 14:27-29 

*United Nations Office for Drugs & Crime, 2016