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| Vision Unveiled |
| Heavenly Night Project Vision |
By Kelita Haverland, Director & Founder of Heavenly Night
Child - Sex - Trafficking...
These three words should never be used in the same sentence.
For millions of God’s precious little children these words define their childhood descent into sexual slavery. While our own daughters play with their dolls,  ride their bikes and go to school, there are innocent children being sexually molested and raped, serving grown men several times in a single day. Children as young as 3 years old, living in dimly lit rat-invested rooms are suffering an assault on their dignity, freedom and safety. This is not an X rated movie. This is their REALITY.
In the fall of 2006, I watched a documentary on TV that revealed the stark and shocking truth of the childhood sex trade in Cambodia. As I watched and listened with horror and disgust, I began to experience a dagger-like pain piercing right through my heart. I began to weep. I wanted to reach inside that TV and pull each beautiful girl out to safety. I wanted to hold them in my arms, rock them gently and let them know that everything was going to be all right. That they were safe. That they were loved. I cried so much for the next 3 days.
The moment that changed my life.
A year earlier I had written in my journal “God break my heart with the things that break yours”. I had no idea that this is the way He would reveal His own heart to me. This is not a place one willingly chooses to go.
Through a series of amazing connections, I was soon in contact with Brian McConaghy of the Ratanak Foundation in Vancouver. His organization was beginning to fund a safe house and rehabilitation centre for young girls being rescued from the brothels in Cambodia. Immediately I knew I had to do something and that I would need to go to Cambodia. That opportunity came quickly.
My husband Gord, our 14 year old son and I travelled with a team of 8 to Cambodia last summer for 3 weeks. Because of the very high security for these girls I was one of the few to have the chance to visit the first 16 young girls who had entered the restoration centre. I had the privilege of singing, speaking and then praying with them. I looked into the eyes of these beautiful girls between the ages of 9-17, some who were HIV positive, others with gonorrhea and syphilis but all who had been abused and were needing to experience true worth as a human being and a safe loving place to heal. These girls are the few fortunate who have been rescued. Thousands just like them are being held captive everyday.
We saw the darkness of this poor, broken and corrupt country. We felt its pain. I knew that I wanted to help and make a difference in the lives of these girls.
Long before the trip God had began to unveil a vision of how my music could help to raise funds for this new centre, be an advocate for this important cause and hopefully ignite a fire in the hearts of people here in North America to fight these injustices. My passion and urgency to touch and impact the lives of hurting people was growing at a fast pace.
I envisioned a Christmas CD and a large benefit concert with music that would touch people in a deep and profound way. Music that would heal souls. The live concert would be backed by the finest musicians in Toronto, include a children’s choir, plus a video presentation in support of the cause and one song performed to live footage from our Cambodia trip. A concert of traditional and contemporary Christmas music while featuring a selected few original songs that would speak into the lives of people hurting both here at home and overseas.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I have a small understanding of the extensive damage and trauma caused to these children. The thought of their world is, without doubt, overwhelming. However, to help out in a tangible way starting with one child at a time doesn’t seem quite so impossible. It sincerely has been my heart’s desire to advocate on behalf of the child victims, to aid in the healing and rehabilitation of those being rescued and to encourage others to get involved. I have now seen the way this Christmas project has impacted its viewers and listeners as well as educated and inspired them. People have discovered a concrete way of contributing to the precious lives of these forgotten and broken little souls. I am so thankful for each person.
Since taking ownership and accepting this mission I have stood back and watched God’s hand brush over every aspect of this project. People have come together to raise awareness and funds and my desire and goals for Heavenly Night continue to move forward.
I have been surrounded with wonderful people who have supported me with their resources, talents, encouragement, belief and love. I am extremely grateful and blessed by trusted friends and so many new ones. "Heavenly Night" is now a very special part of my life.
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