On Valentine’s Day, 2019, FEBA Philippines’ station in Davao, DXFE, celebrated its anniversary with unlikely guests – a group of sex workers. “The Lord placed them in my heart,” recalls Magnolia, the station manager. “He impressed it upon me that these prostituted women must feel so excluded, especially on Valentine’s Day.”

The team invited a group of these women as special guests and encouraged listeners to donate clothes, makeup, and more as gifts. The team hosted a special dinner, gave them roses and Bibles, and shared the story of Rahab, the courageous prostitute from Jericho who saved the lives of two Hebrew spies and became an ancestor of Jesus.

This was the start of the Blessing Rahab program.

There are more than 4,000 registered sex workers in the city of Davao. Due to limited resources, the Blessing Rahab team focuses its ministry on just one of the city’s streets, inviting 20-30 women from there to participate in seminars where they learn skills, such as meat processing or herbal oil and liniment making, that might enable them to earn a living through alternative means. The practical approach is only one aspect of these gatherings.

“We distribute Bibles and share the love of Jesus with them in tangible ways,” says Magnolia. “We also pray with them and encourage them to share their burdens and problems with us. We don’t give them any assurance that we can help them solve their problems, but we offer a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. More importantly, we point them back to Jesus … We make it a point to make them realise that Jesus’ love is inclusive.”

While Blessing Rahab does not have a radio program dedicated to it, it is discussed during other broadcasts. The team invites listeners to participate in the program by sharing their time and resources without prejudice, and they are welcome to join in when there are special events with the Blessing Rahab ladies as guests.

Since starting the Blessing Rahab program, Magnolia says, they have learned to love people unconditionally. “In the beginning, we were so scandalised when we heard the words they spoke [and] the vulgarity of their actions and clothes, but we have learned to love them and embrace them (literally). We cry with them and we hold their hands like sisters.”

The team’s efforts are having an impact on the Blessing Rahab ladies. One of them shares, “To them, we are people, not trash. They also pray for me to be a good person, as well as my companions. They help you, give you advice, check on you to see how you’re doing or if you have any problems, and they give assistance. Thank you very much to DXFE for providing for us and thank you for helping me.”