For the most part, human trafficking is a depressing subject. Women of all ages are forced to live a life of bondage and prostitution and are denied their identity and freedom. That's the reality. Very few victims are rescued and given a chance at a new life. Like I stated earlier, less than one percent of human trafficking cases in America are solved. There are not a whole ton of success stories that come to mind when this topic is mentioned. BUT, there is hope. Victims truly are set free and rescued. By the power of Jesus Christ, there is hope. The story can end victoriously. "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." {Isaiah 43:18-19 // NIV} Earlier this month when I was praying against human trafficking and all the dirty business that surrounds it, I came across this verse. And it was powerful. I knew it was how I needed to be praying for these women in captivity. I am believing in more rescue stories. I am trusting in a God who is fully capable of using His servants to bring justice to victims. This is possible. This is a hopeful story, I just know it. He alone can bring healing from physical and emotional wounds. Jesus can do a new thing in these innocent children and young adults. Redemption is possible and we better be believin' it. So while human trafficking is mostly a heavy topic to discuss or learn about, remember there is hope. Remember there are rescued victims and there will be more. Our God is a powerful God and through Him all things are possible. Declare victory and freedom in His Name! Pray in the affirmative for slaves. Be confident in the spirit there is healing. There is HOPE. And just because I love the picture painted in this dance...
Be encouraged. Pray for those who are enslaved - for victory, for freedom, for justice, and for HOPE.
Looking for more on the fight against human trafficking? The following organizations are dedicated to put an end to modern day slavery, whether it be through rescue, rehabilitation, prevention, or employment for trafficked women and those at risk. Find a way to help and bring hope to someone's story. Buy a bag. Wear a t-shirt. Tell a friends. Anything you can to support these missionaries and do your part to end slavery. Check it out!
Rescue Her {http://www.rescueher.org/} Love146 {http://www.love146.org/} Breaking Free {http://www.breakingfree.net/} Hello Somebody {http://www.hello-somebody.com/} Slavery No More {http://www.slaverynomore.org/} My Refuge House {http://www.myrefugehouse.org/} International Princess Project {http://intlprincess.org/}
Didn't catch part 1? Read it here! So now that we're all caught up on our stats, let's dig a little deeper into the subject of human trafficking by looking at the Biblical side of things. Well, we know that human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery. Victims are stripped of their most basic human rights of liberty and freedom. They are forced to work (labor trafficking) or perform sexually for others (sex trafficking) against their will. Most are held in some sort of prison or a brothel and handcuffed, abused, and treated like commodities. Essentially, their lives are stolen. Bottom line, this is just wrong. What does the Bible say about all this? Throughout Scripture, a beautiful picture is painted of a God who has a heart for saving people, especially those who are lost, broken, and held in captivity. All human beings are valued and created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He loves the trafficked and the traffickers; they are precious in His sight. However, God stands for justice and hates wrongdoing (Isaiah 61:8). This is obviously not right in His eyes. But where His spirit is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). Freedom from sin, slavery, and bondage. Jesus proclaimed while He was on earth that He came to release prisoners and liberate the oppressed (Luke 4:18). He sees all things. He loves trafficked victims and longs to set them free. So, what is our role we play in this mess? How do we react? We are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and stand up for the poor and helpless. Justice must be served (Proverbs 31:8-9). We are called to intercede for those in bondage. The prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). We need to PRAY for victims currently in captivity and against future trafficking incidents. This alone is an incredibly powerful weapon in the fight against slavery. We are called to action. Scripture tells us that the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us, because the Lord has anointed us to set the captives free and proclaim that prisoners will be released (Isaiah 61:1). This is not merely a suggestion; it is a commandment. We are Jesus' hands and feet on earth. We must bring those victims justice and give them living hope, Jesus Christ. They need us. They need HIM.
Well, I hope this gives you a bit of a Biblical perspective on human trafficking. Remember to continue to raise your voice, pray for the oppressed, and get it on the action! The fight to end slavery is SO ON.
Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery that refers to the buying and selling of people against their will for sex or labor purposes. This $32 billion a year business is the second largest criminal industry in the world, followed only by drugs[1]. Each year in America, there are 200,000 women forced into the sex trade, 14,500 to 17,500 humans trafficked into this country, and less than one percent of trafficking and slavery cases are solved[2]. Bottom line, this is something big that is getting little attention. The average age of a street prostitute is twelve to fourteen years old[3] (whether this is forced or voluntary prostitution, I am unsure. Either way, it's sickening.) Victims are sexually exploited and used any way their pimp pleases. Examples include prostitution, pornography, and other nasties I don't even want to repeat. Some girls are forced to sleep with twenty-five to thirty men daily[4]. If there was no demand of sexual lust amongst the population, sex trafficking would be put to an end. Period. America is listed on the top ten locations and destinations of human trafficking[4]. Our home state of California holds three of the top trafficking cities, which includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. The largest human trafficking incidence in America happens every year, at the Super Bowl[5]. Pimps, victims, and johns go unnoticed due to the substantial size of the crowd. Talk about literally hiding in plain sight. So there you have it, a little preview of what is known as human trafficking. There is some pretty yucky stuff going on in our backyard that we are incredibly blind to. This is happening. Here is your wake up call. Don't take it lightly, this knowledge is powerful. Raise awareness and pray for these victims. They deserve justice. Put an end to human trafficking.
Being the good little college student I am, I feel the need to give the works cited/references/whateveryoucallit info.
"Reading Between the (Head)Lines: Human Trafficking in America" Dr. Dale Archer, Psychology Today, April 11, 2013, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201304/human-trafficking-in-america
Kevin Bales & Ron Soodalter, The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today (Berkley, CA, University of California Press, 2009).
http://www.casre.org/about/slavery/ (Retrieved on September 30, 2013)
"Former Sex Trafficking Victim Shines Light on Dark Underworld of Super Bowl" Naomi Martin, The Times-Picanyune, February 1, 2013, http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/02/former_sex_trafficking_victim.html
"Super Bowl Is Single Largest Human Trafficking Incident in U.S.: Attorney General" Eleanor Goldberg, The Huffington Post, February 2, 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/03/super-bowl-sex-trafficking_n_2607871.html
Ladies and gents, it is officially 2014. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Now I don't know about you, but I'm not typically one to set a ton of mindless new year resolutions each January. If I did, it would sound like this: ~ Know God MORE. ~ Love MORE. ~ Clean my room MORE. ~ Give MORE. ~ (insert verb) MORE. And that's so...vague. If this was my list I would ask myself, what's their purpose? How can I practically achieve this? Why am I doing this again? I need vision, not lists. I prayed God would grant me renewed vision for 2014. We should be asking, "What do You want me to accomplish?" not, "What do I want me to accomplish?"
What's your mission and vision from God for 2014? (Seriously, I almost typed 2013. Woops.) What does He what you do achieve this year? For me, it's Mark 10:43-45. "...Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." {NLT} When I read this passage yesterday, it hit me. I need to become a servant. And what better way to begin a new year than with a heart full of serving others. In this vision of 2014, I see selflessness. I see myself needing to crucify fleshly desires. I see relying more on His strength. I see giving. I see fulfilling joy. I see becoming a leader. I see Jesus. And this motivates me more than any list of new year resolutions. Thank You, Jesus! 2014, let's DO THIS.
