Love in Action

An abundance of bold and beautiful colors greets customers as they enter the doors of Rahab’s Rope, a mission-driven nonprofit organization with three retail stores located in Gainesville, GA, St. Simons Island, GA, and the newest location in Clayton, GA.  In addition to the brick-and-mortar stores, the organization boasts a prolific online and wholesale presence, providing customers opportunities to shop with a purpose while funding a living and fair wage for artisans from around the world, including the United States.

In 2004, founder Vicki Moore learned of the staggering statistics around human trafficking, primarily in South Asia, prompting her to ask God, “Why isn’t someone doing something about this?”  His response, “I want you to do something,” catapulted Moore into launching Rahab’s Rope, which exists to equip “women to build sustainable lives of hope and opportunity—one handcrafted piece at a time.”

With products recently featured in Southern Living’s gift guide and on Live with Kelly & Mark, Rahab’s Rope offers unique options for the savvy shopper who appreciates their mission of restoring “hope, purpose, and dignity to the lives of women and children in South Asia.” As an early supporter of the organization, Gainesville resident Kent Tilghman “never leaves the shop empty-handed,” noting that she is “a huge fan of the mission and the employees are so kind, plus they package each purchase beautifully!” An accredited 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Rahab’s Rope operates with a business plus donation model, providing multiple options to support prevention, intervention, and aftercare for thousands of women and children.

According to Giving USA 2025: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2024, “U.S. charitable giving grew to $592.50 billion in 2024.”  Just as Americans demonstrated their generosity through a record increase in total charitable contributions in 2024, Rahab’s Rope embodies the same spirit of giving, where people put their love for others into action, as it says, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

WNC native and current North Georgia resident Savannah Reaves spent her childhood participating in short-term family mission trips.  Her passion for helping others continued into adulthood, as she discovered more opportunities to serve, both locally and abroad, while in college. While a student at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Reaves frequently shopped in the Gainesville area, where she discovered a downtown boutique that stole her heart. “I first found Rahab’s Rope when I was in college and fell in love with their mission and unique products.  Even though I don’t live in the area anymore, I still love to shop through their online store.  They have beautiful gifts and their holiday decor is my favorite!”

With a vast array of products ranging from household goods, jewelry, and clothing, Rahab’s Rope showcases high-quality artisanal items that represent “good money” earned by the creators.  When establishing the organization, founder Vicki Moore drew inspiration from her biblical studies, specifically the story of Rahab in the Old Testament. As a woman with an illicit past, Rahab defied expectations by helping hide Israelite spies under flax plants in her home, while also securing their later escape by use of a rope. Rahab’s actions and trust in God led to her and her household’s salvation as the city crumbled around them. During her studies, Moore’s professor posed the question, “If Rahab had so much flax in her house, do you think she made the rope in the story representing her rescue?”

The thought of Rahab possibly making the rope that aided her rescue prompted Moore to connect the symbolism with “young women being rescued from trafficking and requesting to be taught a skill to support themselves, representing their rescue. The rope or product represents safety, redemption, and freedom.”

In her 21 years leading Rahab’s Rope, Moore shares that the lessons have been plentiful, with one specific reminder: “In the services we provide, what we see as a need is not necessarily what they see as a need.” They regroup, building relationships and trust, establishing what truly meets the needs of the people.  Sometimes that looks like exchanging a tutoring center for a medical clinic, which later leads to a more successful educational outreach than originally planned. The late Ruth Bell Graham, Christian author, speaker, and wife of evangelist Billy Graham, once said, “My job is to take care of what’s possible and to trust God with the impossible.” Following that same mindset, Moore remains focused on the primary goal of following the Lord’s call to “do something.”

Rahab’s Rope joined the downtown Clayton, GA community in the summer of 2025, celebrating its grand opening in early July.  Rabun County resident, business owner, and interior designer Holli Phillips shares that she is “glad to have a shopping option with handmade, unique items that also help support women in need.” Although an in-person visit allows customers to explore each colorful and inviting product display, online shopping at www.rahabsrope.comremains convenient as well. For those interested in a more consistent option, consider the Journey to Joy monthly subscription box, which provides a beautifully packaged gift of artisan-made products along with a story of one woman’s Journey to Joy.

Feeling inspired to help?

Highlands-Cashiers Plateau residents can visit Rahab’s Rope at 32 E Savannah St, Clayton, GA, or online at www.rahabsrope.com.