Last week was a little bit tough for me....not because anything was particularly "wrong"...but because I was wrestling.
Wrestling with the fact that...
Wrestling with the fact that there are women and children (and, who are we kidding, there are men as well), trapped in situations that my mind cannot (or maybe does not want to) comprehend.
Wrestling with awful wonder over what is being done - skeptical that anything is being done. Wrestling with my role in this...what can I really do?
And then there was a little research...and a blog emerged...and my heart is a bit more hopeful...though still grieving and utterly saddened by the slavery that is so very present in our world today.
Some thoughts...and resources for you...
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking. As the world's fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe. Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of modern-day slavery.
There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will.
Every. Thirty. Seconds.
We want to stand united with Christians around the world against the scourge of modern-day slavery – here are a few ways to do that:
Pray. Often On your own. In groups. Go to God on behalf of those trapped in this horrific bondage.
AFM Opportunity: City Prayer - Tuesday nights, 9 pm, International Lounge
Educate yourself and others. Learn as much as you can about human trafficking and what you may be able to do to help. Click here for an excellent source of information on modern day slavery. Nick posted a blog back in September with some thoughts and resources.
Support existing efforts. Thankfully, there are numerous organizations doing incredible work to combat human trafficking. (their names are links to their websites):
Love146 – a non-profit organization founded by former Mercy Shipper, Rob Morris. Love146 works to end child trafficking and exploitation. Their vision: abolition and restoration.
Agape International Mission (AIM) working primarily in Cambodia, AIM’s goal is to defeat child sex trafficking. “We will fight until we’re victorious. We need as many soldiers as we can get.” AIM’s projects prevent, rescue, restore and reintegrate.
A21 – Exists to abolish injustice in the 21st century. A21 works primarily in Australia, Bulgaria, USA, Greece, South Africa, Norway, and the UK.
Exodus Cry – based in Missouri, impacting the world. Exodus Cry is built on a foundation of prayer and is committed to abolishing sex slavery through Christ-centered prevention, intervention, and holistic restoration of trafficking victims. Exodus Cry produces films and present screenings with the intent of educating audiences about sex trafficking and inspiring them to become modern-day abolitionists.
International Justice Mission – headquarters are in Washington, DC, USA. IJM works through 17 field offices throughout Africa, Latin America, South America, and Southeast Asia. IJM is a global team of nearly 600 lawyers, social workers, investigators, community activists, and other professionals. Their mission is to “Rescue thousands. Protect millions. Prove that justice for the poor is possible.”
3 Strands – works primarily in the US, Cambodia, and Nepal. Their vision is a world free from human trafficking. Through employment, education, and engagement initiatives, 3Strands Global empowers a worldwide community to combat human trafficking.
Red Thread Movement – working primarily in Nepal. Red Thread believes that with your help, sex traffickers can be stopped and not ignored. With your help, the victimized girls will not feel forgotten, but will know they are loved. The first step in action is awareness. Break the silence by telling others about this injustice.
Not For Sale is based in California and is impacting the globe by providing survivors and at-risk communities with shelter, healthcare, and legal services, first attending to the most basic needs of individuals who have suffered extreme trauma. They are dedicated to addressing the profound and enduring effects of violence and exploitation. Only once their physical and emotional well-being is established can we begin to work together toward long-term opportunities for education and employment.
Parker Clay partners with the non-profit Women at Risk in giving back to help more women in Ethiopia realize their potential and to empower them. By purchasing products from Parker Clay, you join this movement. Woman at Risk has been helping women in Ethiopia for over 18 years through rehabilitation, counseling, and skills training. 94% of the women that have completed their program have stayed out of the commercial sex industry.
So what can you do? Plenty!
So what can you do? Plenty!
Pray. Read more on these web-sites. Give. Support. Start something of your own. Let God use you to help abolish modern-day slavery.
