Recently, I did research on the subject of human trafficking, for my public speaking class. We were asked to do a persuasive speech on an issue we are facing in our world today. I could not think of a better subject to try to persuade people to get involved with than the subject of human trafficking, because it is rampant in our world today. One of my friends asked me to send him my speech, because he wanted to know more about this subject. He said post it and let people hear it, but i am not allowed to use a speech for a class in another platform, so i decided to write my findings here in my blog.
According to the U.S State Department, 24.9 million people worldwide have been stripped of their freedom in one form or another, worldwide. That is 3 times the population of NY City! These statistics are staggering and hard to hear and comprehend. I want to talk about what is being done to end this heinous crime and what we can all do to help.
As a Christian, and a Mom of 2 daughters, a grandmother to 3 precious grandsons, and a beautiful granddaughter, and a gorgeous, kind niece, I want to be educated about the dangers we face in the world today. It is important we all understand what is happening all around us and how we can help end this crime against our children. I do understand that my research is probably lacking and I only understand a small portion of the severity of this issue, but I plan to learn more and change that fact in my life. I hope you will so the same.
Cry Freedom Missions, here in Goldsboro, works tirelessly to help trafficked individuals in our home town. The way I understand this situation we face here in our hometown, is that girls are trafficked through our town using I-95 and I-40. Both are thoroughfares that go all the way up from Florida to NYC. It is important anyone being trafficked and coming through our town this way be rescued, because once they make their way up to New York they are usually killed. If we can reach them here, we can make a difference in their lives.
A-21 Campaign is also worth checking into. They go worldwide and rescue children from sex trafficking and from the slavery of working 12 hours a day and never getting a break to eat or even get something to drink! I recently read about 2 girls who were rescued from 12 hour work days without even as much as a water break. This broke my heart. How much of this is going on in our world and what can we do to stop this horrible crime of our children?
Today, I read where US Marshals rescued 39 missing children. I am thankful for the hard work that these Marshals did and what many other agencies are doing worldwide to end trafficking. Human trafficking and modern day slavery has recently come to light more than any other time in history. I believe this is due to the fact Jeffrey Epstein and other operations such as his have been uncovered and been made known to many people worldwide. Some of the ones arrested have started naming names of powerful people who are involved in this horrible crime against our children and people are taking notice.
I do not know everything that can be done to help these agencies, but I know a few things we can all do. First, we can pray! Pray for these people to have safety as they go in and rescue these men, women and children. Second, we can give of our time and money. Ask local agencies what you can do to help. Do they need volunteers? Do they need financial resources?
I do not understand (and I never will), why people do horrible things to other people. Why would they hurt a precious child? I have always chosen to believe most people are genuinely good and I still believe that to some extent, but recently I have come to realize there is a level of evil in the world many of us cannot comprehend.
At the end of my speech, I talked about being the hands and feet of Jesus. Jesus says in his word, in I Corinthians 15:58 we read, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain”. (ESV). Everything we do, no matter how big or small, is not in vain. God can use the smallest financial gifts and all the behind the scenes, unnoticed, work we do for Him to make a huge impact.
Dear Lord, I ask you to pour out your blessings on everyone who works to rescue anyone from slavery. I ask you to comfort the many who have been trafficked and bring them a peace only you can provide. May this crime come to light even more and come to an end. Please save our children. In your name, Amen.
Digging Deeper 