Being a parent is difficult, at times, but imagine if your 19-year-old daughter was a victim of sex crimes. That's what faced this week's podcast guest, a father who talks about how crucial his faith in God was in this disturbing situation, theirs being the 1st human trafficking case prosecuted in Georgia/USA involving an adult survivor. I will be moderating a special panel discussion on Thursday, February 26 in Columbus GA with Keith Cooper, his daughter/survivor Rachel Thomas, and the detectives who also advocated for her, the Micah's Promise "Luncheon Celebrating the Promise of Hope and Healing": https://www.micahspromise.org/events/5th-annual-luncheon-celebrating-the-promise-of-hope-and-healing.

(4:04) Now 70-yr-old Keith Cooper talks about what happened to his daughter and what the Lord revealed to him about unconditional love, with timing that prevented her suicide. He is vulnerable about how his Christian faith was tested and how God is using his daughter now to help trafficking survivors all over the nation. There are also details in the book they co-authored "Rachel's 5 Miracles": https://www.amazon.com/Rachels-Miracles-Fathers-Daughter-Trafficking/dp/B0CXQWRCRM.

(16:41) He has advice for other parents going through traumatic times, choosing the Lord instead of evil temptations, Bible verses that were instrumental in their situation, and the relationships of fathers/daughters.

(33:10) Keith and I dive into those words HOPE and HEALING, in the title of our event later this month...what he hopes people get from our panel discussion...also getting past bitterness/anger to blessedness quick...also the importance of being open about the messy things in life to prevent crimes, save lives.

(50:50) We close out our chat with his focus on physical health, eating well, walking daily - which is spiritual for him. (54:30) And Keith closes our episode out in prayer. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to the podcast and share #RunTheRace with others.