A light brown two-story house sits on a busy street. Things may look calm on the outside, but on the inside, empty boxes are scattered about, labeled with words like “Family Photos” and “Clothes.”

The atmosphere inside this house is filled with many emotions, feelings such as sadness, excitement, and hope.

In this house lives freshman Grace Donaldson and her family. They are preparing for a monumental move to New Delhi, India in July 2010.

Even though Grace and her family have lived in India before, this particular
move has become much more difficult than assumed.

“It is exciting to be returning to a place where we have dear friends, love the culture and the food,” mother Lucy Donaldson said. “It’s saying goodbye to friends and loved ones that is proving
to be a challenge.”

They consider the emotions of being torn between two different countries to be one of their biggest stresses, but it’s not changing the family’s decision to move.

“My father is starting an executive coaching firm, and my mother and I are working for an organization called Project Rescue that works to help women and children enslaved in human trafficking,” Grace said.

In 2006, the U.S. State Department estimated that as many as 17,500 men, women, and children are trafficked into the U.S. each year, many for sexual exploitation.

Project Rescue exists to rescue and restore women and girls who have experienced the tragedy of trafficking and sexual slavery. Project Rescue is able to change the lives of these young women by rescuing them and placing them in shelters.

Through these shelters and other efforts, Project Rescue has brought freedom to over 1,000 young women and girls in India and Nepal.

“This issue needs to be brought to light, and every single person makes a difference,” Grace said.

Her friends also recognize the impact the family will be making.

“It is an amazing idea,” friend Julia Carney said. “She is going to be able to change peoples’ lives in so many ways.”

It seems the one most affected by the move is Grace herself. Having to meet new people and experience a new culture can be very stressful.

“When you are new, people judge you right off, and with those judgements it can be hard to make new friends,” Grace said.

Another hard part for Grace is leaving behind the friends that she has become so close to.

“I’m afraid people are going to forget about me,” Grace said, “and that I won’t be a part of their lives anymore, that I didn’t make a difference.”

Even with the short time that Grace has been here she has yet to realize the lasting effect that she has made on peoples lives, and even after she leaves that effect will still be there.

“Grace is one special person, The type of person you know you have never met like this before and may never again, “ Grace’s youth pastor Jamey Bridges said. “I love her faith, confidence and heart. She inspires me. I love her parents and know that what they are doing is worth it.”