We’ve talked here about story before, about how everyone has one and most stories are more painful than we might initially assume. But people won’t tell you that in line at the grocery store or at the PTA meeting. Or at church. But there is an entire population of people today who may not get the opportunity to share their stories even if they wanted to.
There are 27 million people worldwide whose stories are being held hostage because they are living as victims of the slave trade. Eighty percent of those stories belong to women and children. Today, some sources believe that the 2011 Super Bowl will be the largest human trafficking event in US history. While we eat our bean dip, thousands of men, women and children will be trafficked into Dallas for the purpose of sex and labor trafficking.Writing that sentence breaks my heart, and I know it breaks yours, too.
There are more statistics (and also here) and I know they’re hard to read. It’s only been two years since I learned about how serious this issue is. There is a ministry at my church called Aboltion! that exists to raise awareness, to provide resources for partners already established in this ministry nationwide and around the world, and to pray for freedom for the captives. The only hands and feet God has on earth are ours. And today, I beg you to use yours to pray for freedom for the victims of human trafficking.
You won’t be praying alone. Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and that is the most important thing about this day – to raise awareness. We have to know about it. It’s the opposite of what I want to know. I want to put my fingers in my ears and sing. But that won’t save those victims. My friends in Abolition tell me that as their network continues to grow, awareness of the issue grows. And awareness and education are two key components to more rescued victims and more prosecuted perpetrators.
As dark and overwhelmingly oppressive as this topic is, there is hope in this world for these victims. I want to leave you with a glimpse of this hope written by Gary Haugen, President and CEO of International Justice Mission. He tells the story of Glenna, a young woman living in the Philippines who was lured away from a group of friends, and physically forced into the waiting taxi of a pimp. She was terrified, and knew that she was about to be sold. But when the taxi arrived at a nearby hotel, the “customer” was actually an undercover police officer partnering with IJM. The pimp had been under surveillance for months, and Glenna was freed before she could be abused.
“Today, Glenna is a happy young wife and mother. She has graduated from IJM Cebu’s job-readiness training program and is grateful for and proud of her new career, working at a local bakery. She is cared for deeply by IJM Cebu’s team — men and women who seek each day to reflect the kind of relentless love their Maker has shown them.”
Would you join with us today and pray for those on the front lines of the rescue missions all over the world? May the Lord multiply their efforts and protect their hearts from darkness. And may he wrap up each victim in his love, and bring them into freedom and safety. Re-write their story, Lord. Bind up their broken hearts, and set the captives free.
If you would like more information on the issue of human trafficking and how you can become an abolitionist, please visit the following sites:
Abolition! – a step-by-step guide outlining how you can become involved
Tiny Hands International , and on twitter @tinyhandsintl
North Carolina: Not For Sale Campaign -North Carolina, and on twitter @Not_For_Sale
United States: Shared Hope, and on twitter @SharedHope
Around the World: International Justice Mission, and on facebook
If you are interested in starting an organization like Abolition in your own church, send an email to abolitionministry(at)yahoo(dot)com
Come, Lord Jesus.
Thank you for sharing this Emily, I had no idea of those statistics… I will be passing this on.
Emily´s last [type] ..Embrace It
Like you I want to put my fingers in my ears, but then what about them? Thanks for the links, I want to learn more about this. It’s just awful and sickening that in this day and age and in this country, it’s even possible. I heard something about it a few years ago w/ the Super Bowl was held in Phoenix. Thanks for sharing a topic that may not be all warm and fuzzy but is necessary.
Jessica
Jessica @ These Are The Days´s last [type] ..Customizing a track homepart 1 Kitchen & Laundry
It is so real and awful – and important to know. I hate knowing. But the alternative is worse, isn’t it?
Emily´s last [type] ..to know their stories
Oh my. I had no idea about the Super Bowl being a trafficking event. That bean dip will be a reminder to me.
Tracey´s last [type] ..One Word 2011 Patience
wow breaks my heart to read this as I am sure it did for you to write this. Thank you for making me aware of the depth of this. I will pray and ponder……
THIS is so important. This is caring for the fatherless. THis is God’s heart.
Thank you for the post.
I remember now that He is the Ancient of Days, asking that He’ll lead us in Justice and in Mercy.
Amber@theRunaMuck´s last [type] ..pour me out- fill me up
I know it is a big problem in the Philippines. Another problem there is that many of the girls there sell themselves into it willingly, thinking it will help them get out of where they are, only it leads to darker ways than they ever imagined.
I know it is rampant overseas but never thought of it here.
Thank you for sharing this.
Sharon´s last [type] ..Worn Smooth
more heartbreaking is that many parents in the Philippines sell their own children into it.
Sharon´s last [type] ..Worn Smooth
oh. i cannot imagine.
I will be sharing this with our church, Emily. Thank you for bringing it to my attention again. My flesh wants to ignore it, but it’s something that has to be dealt with. My parents have a ministry in the Philippines called Abounding Grace Ministries. They go once a year and feed, clothe and minister to the Filippino people. They had to miss this year. I will share your blog with them so they can see another area that needs to be addressed in their ministry.
Thank you.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Thankful for
Oh, wow. I love the name of their ministry. May grace abound, indeed.
Emily´s last [type] ..to know their stories
Heartbreaking is such an understatement, but it’s the only word that comes. Thank you for sharing.
Imperfect´s last [type] ..A Snow Day
thanks for the post, emily. my life is too comfortable.
kendal´s last [type] ..cornerstone
I’ve seen and heard a lot about human trafficking over the last few years, but I haven’t done much research into what is being done about it. I’m going to do more now, and, I think, get some of my Leadership kids talking about it today in class and see what they think. Thanks for sharing this! I’ll definitely join in praying, and will see what more is out there. Oh, and I have a friend who works for IJM, and it’s really cool!
Thank you Emily. I will be praying.
Linda´s last [type] .. Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Thanks for sharing Emily. I had no idea about the Super Bowl. The comfort of my life makes the statistics easy to ignore. I will pay more attention. Thank you for sharing your heart in so many ways. You are such a source of encouragement to me.
Emily´s last [type] ..Reading List 2011
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve already forwarded a link of the blog to several friends. So many people think Human Trafficking is a problem in “other places”. Well, it’s here and it’s a problem. Thanks again for opening our eyes.
Love that you posted this! I didn’t know that today was National Human Traffiking Awareness Day! Thanks for sharing…..a young man in our church started something called DACS (Designers against child slavery) and he works with the Blind Project….two really great organizations working to bring awareness to this issue and assistance to those who are living in this reality!!!
Thanks for sharing the names of those organizations, Danielle!
I wrote up something as well…and quoted your post (hope that is okay!)
Danielle´s last [type] ..This Year
Such an important yet heartbreaking topic…thank you for taking the time to bring it to the front of our mind!
Morgan´s last [type] ..For Love Alone
This is a pretty startling statistic. What I don’t find are sources for your claim. Without the sources of where and how these numbers are determined one doesn’t know if these are the result of deep investigations, over exaggerated rhetoric, or poorly underestimated guesses.
Don’t get me wrong, something terrible is happening in human trafficking and has been going on since the beginnings of time. The time is long overdue for us to address the issue. Knowledge is power, which is why you are raising the issue for your readers, thank you. Because knowledge is power source references would enhance your message.
Oh, if you do site a source, please don’t so it as poorly as http://abolitionministry.org/statistics/ where the reader has to dig through mountains of information on other sites to find the information and the context for which it is given.
Keep up and even improve the work you do in HIS name.
Thanks Blair – This post is by no means exhaustive. I haven’t done any studies myself and I can’t prove any of it. I can only link to those who are doing the work themselves.
I did find this link with IJM with perhaps more in depth information, if you’re interested.
http://www.ijm.org/statistics&factsheets/viewcategory
This blows my mind in the worst way, but you’re right, we can’t help if we don’t know. Thank you for sharing this information!
Brenda´s last [type] ..First Snow 2011!
I can’t imagine the feelings a person feels being trapped in that situation.
This is why it’s so important, even in the US, to be aware of your circumstances whether in a strange city or your own hometown. Don’t just trust that someone has good intentions or that their stories are true.
Nikole Hahn´s last [type] ..2010 in review
Thank you for writing this, Emily. This is a cause God has placed on mine and my husband’s hearts. Sadly, our city is in the top 10 for human trafficking in the nation, and we want to do something about that by someday running a ministry for these girls and women. There is an excellent organization in our area called Courage to Be You, which recently opened Courage House, a place for trafficking survivors to rebuild their lives: http://www.c2bu.org/. Praying with you today.
Praying along side you, my friend. Be encouraged in Him.
Lara´s last [type] ..praying against human trafficking
Emily,
Thanks so much for this post today. I have read other blogs about trafficking, but did not realize the enormity of the issue.
Linking to your site today.
Shayne´s last [type] ..Pictures and a Prayer
You put it well, that part about wanting to just put your fingers into your ears and sing. I do too. But we can’t. And this mission of ours, as believers, is near and dear to my heart. As a grad student in American history and later as a teacher, my specialization was the antislavery movement. I have file upon file, box upon box, of books and articles and primary sources that all deal with the history of slavery and abolitionism. It was the part of history that compelled me the most. And what people don’t realize is that slavery has not been abolished and it’s more insidious than ever. It’s not history. It’s now. I’m praying that God may somehow use me in this modern movement to tell stories again and to be a real-life abolitionist.
Our church has also become involved in a big way and partners with Shared Hope and Hope House, a safe house in Asheville, NC for women rescued from sexual trafficking. This past year we brought “Cargo” {a musical from the UK that tells the story of abolitionism from the 18th-century to today} to our community. They’re wanting to see it brought to more venues in the U.S. I sense so much momentum from the Christian community and beyond and I really have hope.
Thank you for this post and for what you’re doing to help. I didn’t even know it was a national day to raise awareness! {Sorry for such a long comment. I get a little wordy on this topic.}
Scooper´s last [type] ..Noise
My husband is also the CEO of an organization working on this issue, specifically as it relates to child sex trafficking and exploitation – they work closely with many of the orgs you mention above:
http://www.love146.org/
Thanks for highlighting this issue, Emily!
Jamie
steadymom´s last [type] ..My 2011 Ethical Spending Challenge
Thanks for all these referrals, Em!
Thanks for sharing this Emily.
Prudence´s last [type] ..Free The Captives
Hi Emily,
Great blog today. I live in the DFW area and am so amazed at the publicity all this is getting before we host the superbowl this year. I pray that it does indeed help. Wanted to share a couple more links with you. Looks like someone above already shared one with you…
love146.org
This site launced today: itsnotmyfault.org
Also this music video: http://vimeo.com/14421267
Praying for our sisters today,
Elyse
Oh Emily…
This has been heavy on my heart this last year. Someone I grew up with is involved with this
http://love146.org/
and it is an AWESOME organization with beautiful fundraising ideas!
Thanks for this!!!
Melissa@one thing´s last [type] ..I Heart SMILES!
several have mentioned love146 so I added it to the links. Thank you!
It breaks my heart everytime I hear about these human trafficking stories. I spent a summer volunteering last year to convince politicians to do more about this issue.. this is the 21st century, stuff like this isn’t supposed to happen.
Dr Natura´s last [type] ..My Medifast Recipe
Thank you…i am praying. I force myself to watch every news program,sob thru it, see the wonderful undercover work being done,and pray for their work&safety. I’ve passed this along to 8ppl I hope can be instrumental in adding prayerful voices. -s-
God led me to a passion for advocacy in this area in the most peculiar way – through a Christian fiction book. I read very little fiction, certainly never historical fiction, and pretty much never Christian historical fiction.
Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love captured my heart and took it captive for this cause. Brilliant read about so many things, but it has compelled me to learn about all of this that makes my heart break and my stomach lurch.
Fantastic list. I’m planning a big event for Love146 . . . revealing details on Friday.
I’m so thankful for the movement God is raising up to fight for justice, mercy, and restoration!
Megan at SortaCrunchy´s last [type] ..Achieving Your Parenting Goals in 2011 through Parenting with Positive Guidance
That Superbowl statistic blew me over. I passed on your blog post on Facebook.
Lady Dorothy´s last [type] ..Winter Manifesto
This is one of those issues that has been quietly brewing in my heart over the years and I’m not quite sure where or how I’m meant to respond. Right now I pray, but I also keep trying to listen for where God is leading me on this subject. I actually worked with a lady who’s brother ran an organization in Cambodia, doing similar work as IJM. I think of them and pray for regularly. Their work is so hard. They are true heroes.
Natasha´s last [type] ..Haiku
Isn’t it terrible what human beings are capable of doing to each other in the name of money?? It never ceases to amaze me. This is a wonderful thing to put in my prayers today. Thank you for educating many more people to this horrible issue.
Pattyann´s last [type] ..Love One Another
The statistics are so overwhelming that my brain wants to reject them. “That can’t be true. There’s nothing I can do. Move on.” My friend, who is the youth pastor at our church, is huge into social justice/human trafficking issues. He is constantly presenting opportunities for us to participate in causes and support the people who are raising awareness and helping those in slavery. Thank you for doing the same, Emily. It all just turns my stomach.
Melissa Brotherton´s last [type] ..1 AM
I have a burden for this as well! My oh my, how sad!!!!!
Beth´s last [type] ..What I like best about my family
thx for this Emily ~
another you might like to connect with is Sweet Notions.org and Shannon Hopkins – lots of links to info on her 10 yr long involvement in areas of justice including her amazing ‘Truth isn’t Sexy’ campaign …
blessings… just sorry i didn’t know about the jan 11th date earlier – i’d have posted it as well