January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month. It’s been a decade since I first learned of its existence (more on that story here). During that time, the one aspect of human trafficking many people find most difficult to believe is that it often happens close to home. By that I mean that it happens in local communities all across the United States and that many victims experience trafficking in their own homes, not primarily as a result of kidnapping.
Human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry with an estimated 40 million people trapped in its systems (https://www.ijm.org/slavery). From a financial perspective, trafficking humans is preferable to drugs or other commodities because you can traffic a person over and over and over again. It is also easier to hide human trafficking because it happens behind closed doors and victims are often either too afraid to ask for help or not believed when they do.
The key to understanding human trafficking and to fight it is to realize that trafficking’s root cause is vulnerability. Human traffickers target individuals whom they can exploit, manipulate and control. The easiest people to target then are those who are often overlooked such as refugees, the homeless, individuals with substance use issues or mental health concerns, runaways, or those connected to the foster care system.
When people learn the truth of human trafficking, their response is often, “What can I do to help?” My answer is always to start small and do what you can. Below are a few simple suggestions to fight human trafficking, and most of them can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Learn the facts
The first place to begin is always to educate yourself on what is true about human trafficking and what is a myth. Though posts suggesting traffickers are looking for victims at your local shopping complex are popular on social media, those posts are meant to be sensational more than truthful. It is better to learn the truth of human trafficking from sites like the Human Trafficking Hotline or A21.
See something, say something
Once you have an understanding of the signs of trafficking, you may begin to see red flags as you go about your daily life. I recommend putting the National Human Trafficking Hotline number in your phone to call anytime you see something suspicious (1-888-373-7888). The best course of action is always “if you see something, say something.”
Become a support person
Though visions of kicking in doors and rescuing people chained to metal bed frames may sell movies, it’s the people serving vulnerable populations who are the true heroes. It may not feel exciting to volunteer at a homeless shelter, become a mentor for an after school program, or parent a foster child. But these are three of many ways you can be a stable support for a vulnerable person which leads to a lesser chance of them falling prey to the wiles of a human trafficker.
Shop with intention
You can also learn which industries are most likely to use slave labor and alter your purchasing habits to limit the likelihood of using products made by slaves. SlaveryFootprint.org is a great resource for learning more about labor trafficking and what you can do to stop supporting slave labor through your purchasing. End Slavery Now has a free buying guide that is a great tool to use as well as other good information and resources. Dozens of online stores like Made Free and Trades of Hope provide products to support anti-trafficking efforts and even provide income for those who have been freed from a life of slavery.
Support anti-trafficking efforts
If the idea of kicking down doors still appeals to you, you may consider financially supporting agencies who work with local police forces around the world to free those trapped in slavery like A21 or International Justice Mission.
Prevent child abuse
Another option I highly recommend is to take the 30 minute training on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children provided by Darkness to Light. If you are a parent, an educator, or in church leadership of any kind, I highly recommend you also take the Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse Prevention training. These trainings will teach you how to protect the children in your sphere of influence from sexual abuse, which creates vulnerability for human trafficking. As a certified D2L facilitator myself, I can vouch for the quality of these trainings and the efficacy of preventing the most vulnerable of us all—our children.
Help the one
When I consider the overwhelming problem of human trafficking, I am reminded of the story about the gentlemen throwing starfish back into the ocean after a storm. When a passerby mocked his efforts as barely making a difference in light of the hundreds of creatures littering the shore, the man’s response was to throw another starfish into the sea and say, “It made a difference to that one.”
It may seem that whatever you might be able to do is minuscule in comparison to the global problem, but eternity will reveal the ripple effect your donation, purchase, or phone call made in the life of an individual and their family for generations to come. Maybe you can’t help the millions, but you can help the one—and we all know what God can do with even the smallest of offerings given from a kind and generous heart.
Today is Shine a Light on Slavery Day, established and promoted by the End It Movement. (You can read my first post on its inception in 2013 by clicking here.) As explained on enditmovement.com,
END IT is a Coalition of the leading organizations in the world in the fight for freedom.
The #EndItMovement has mobilized thousands of people, corporations, and organizations to bring awareness, prevention, rescue, and restoration on behalf of the 20-45.8 million people trapped in modern day slavery.
How YOU can shine a light on slavery
The topic of slavery seems overwhelming…and it should. There are more slaves today than at any other point in human history. It appears impossible to conquer, but you can make a difference!
Begin:
Draw a red X on your hand, take a selfie, and post it using #EndItMovement. That’s all it takes to add your voice to the growing number of freedom fighters around the globe.
Keep going:
Want to spread the word, but don’t know what to say? Share this post on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter using the sharing buttons at the bottom. For more information on Modern Day Slavery, follow the link at the top of the page.
If you want to go farther, visit End It Movement to share stories or videos to help raise awareness among your friends and family who might not know slavery still exists. When I first became a freedom fighter, most of my circle of influence had never heard about modern day slavery. You can be the one to tell those you love about those who have no voice.
You can also donate to one of the End It Coalition Partners or find a local organization in your area like:
If that doesn’t satisfy you, consider using your unique gifts and talents to take part in the fight.
Raise money through a 5K or freedom ride
Write articles on your blog
Make jewelry, blankets, downloadable art, stationery, or whatever makes you happy
Use the resources in your hands now to impact others. God gave you these special gifts as tools to be a blessing. Get creative!
Love your neighbor
When asked what the greatest command in Scripture is, Jesus responded,
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. – Mark 12:30-31
Personally, I cannot imagine a better way to love my neighbor than to fight for those enslaved in my town, my state, my country, and around the world. Will you join me?
Click EndItMovement.com to find resources, read freedom fighter stories, locate partners, brainstorm ideas, and even purchase clothing to promote the End It Movement.
Click here to sign the International Justice Mission petition to ensure the End Modern Slavery Initiative (EMSI) is given the resources it needs.
Before jumping into the review for Unashamed, I’d like to give you a little backstory on how the author’s ministry has personally impacted my life.
I learned of Christine Caine through video of the Passion Conference several years ago. At that time, I had not heard the words “human trafficking.” I didn’t know that there are approximately 27 million people enslaved today, more slaves now than at any other time in history.1 I had no idea that Atlanta, a city I had lived in for five years, was one of the 14 leading cities in the United States for commercial sex trafficking of children.2 All of this changed during the 40+ minutes of that video.
God interrupted my blissfully ignorant existence that day and broke my heart. Christine taught on the Good Samaritan and shared her testimony of how she came to start the A21 Campaign—a bold mission striving to abolish injustice in the 21st century. As she spoke, God used her passion to expand my desire to reach women for Christ. My life will never be the same. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Since then, Christine has written three books detailing much of her story: Undaunted, Unstoppable, and Unashamed. I have found her written words to be just as powerful and directed by the Holy Spirit as her spoken words. She has also recently started Propel Women—a ministry targeted at raising up godly women leaders. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with both ministries mentioned and all of her books.
Unashamed
In her latest book, Unashamed, Christine shares how Satan began to bind her with cords of shame in kindergarten. Instead of making new friends as she had hoped, she became a target for bullying her very first lunch period. She compensated for her hurt and loneliness by excelling in academics and athletics. But rather than receiving praise for her accomplishments, she was told that good Greek girls weren’t supposed to be smarter and more accomplished than the boys. She was shamed into hiding her true self. In addition to her struggles at school, Christine began to be sexually abused as well. Even after coming to know Christ personally, her pain, fear, and unforgiveness held her in bondage.
Throughout the book, Christine shares how God lead her step by step into freedom. It didn’t happen all at once. God, our Good Shepherd, leads us gently out of our past and into our future. But over time, the Holy Spirit helped her to forgive those that had damaged her. His power broke the chains of her shame, allowing her to walk freely in Jesus’ name.
To be honest, I first bought Unashamed because I wanted to use up a gift card. I didn’t think I needed it. I was wrong. God used it to show me I have unknowingly been walking in shame in certain areas for years. Unashamed stirred within me a desire for healing in these areas. I know that God wants me to be free, and I know that my ministry will be greater for it. I am choosing now to take a hard look at my past through the lens of the biblical principles Christine used for her own healing.
Whether or not the subject matter speaks to you, I encourage you to read this book. At the very least, you will be blessed by Christine’s journey of forgiveness and freedom. Hopefully, you will also embark on your own.
Over the last several days we have all reflected on Memorial Day, a day set aside to reflect on the great sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom. Memorial Day was originally established to honor the 750,000 lives lost during the tragic years of the Civil War, more than all the other conflicts in the United States’ history combined.
Between the years of 1861-1865, approximately three-quarters of a million American fathers, sons, and brothers lost their lives at the hands of their fellow countrymen. A united nation we were not. These families were decimated for differences of opinion, a desire to rule over others, the love of money, and the belief that some men are created in God’s image and others are not.
History is repeating itself.
Sadly, these beliefs are still prevalent today. Republicans fight against Democrats, Muslims against Christians, Straights against the LGTBQ community. Everywhere you look there are women denigrating men and men devaluing women, purchasers choosing economy over the lives of slaves who are making the products, and people crying out for the legalization of sex work without consideration of the overwhelming majority who are forced or coerced into the “work” without their consent.
All of this infighting is not just about differences of opinion, but an overwhelming foundational attitude that people who are different from me are wrong, possibly less than human, and definitely undeserving of God’s grace. A few are so bold and drama hungry to actually say it—the rest too polite. The blog posts, sermons, and social media debates may not directly include the words “you are not worthy of the gospel,” but the message comes across loud and clear. The 50 States of America are experiencing a second civil war, and tragically, Christians are often at the front lines.
Truth goes marching on.
I believe in right and wrong. I believe God’s Word is our ultimate authority in determining truth and that we as Christians must live according to the Scriptures. However, holding fast to biblical truth does not give us the right to treat other human beings as less than what they are—cherished image bearers of God, carriers of the life-giving breath of God, and people for whom Jesus died.
Yelling at someone never causes them to seek Jesus. Arguing over political points of view does not unite us as Americans. All of this bickering is little more than self-promotion, elevating ourselves to the position of judge and jury, making ourselves like God. We are all on very dangerous and unhallowed ground. God is the Righteous Judge of all nations and He makes His position very clear in Psalm 82:2-4:
How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked. (HCSB)
Instead of focusing on equality, tolerance, acceptance, and individual rights, why don’t we do what the Scripture says? Imagine with me people on both sides of the gun issue working to provide a loving atmosphere, food, and protection for the inner city children of America. How would that impact gun violence, gang affiliation, and the need all children have for love and a full tummy?
What if bloggers quit writing open letters to this person and against that celebrity and instead used their voices to promote beauty and love for the hurting and oppressed? Might that put a dent in suicide rates, cause church goers to be more understanding, and help the unsaved see themselves as the cherished ones God sees them as?
Righteous anger has its place.
Justice does as well. But this epidemic of “I’m better than you” has got to stop! The “it has to be said” attitude needs to give way to forgiveness and mercy. It doesn’t have to be said. Your opinion is only that—it isn’t gospel. God is judge. We are but unprofitable servants.
I am pleading for a cease fire from caustic words and hateful glances. Let us give thanks for the freedoms we all hold dear and endeavor to use our freedom to serve others. Let us put down our arguments and write someone a note telling them how loved they are by God. Let us honor the fallen, both of the distant and recent history, by choosing to live peaceably with all men. Paul called for the same in Romans 12:6-21. Showing respect to someone who opposes you is not to forsake your convictions, but to trust that God can work through love as He has promised to.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 ESV
Instant oatmeal is a wonder of modern technology. Just add water, microwave, and breakfast is served. I never really considered this breakfast staple in any other fashion until I recently started opting for more whole food options rather than their processed counterparts. Do you know what I learned?
Oatmeal is good.
I mean, really good. It’s good sweet with brown sugar or savory with veggies and spices. Oatmeal in my home is no longer meally and chemically tasting, but hearty and delicious, equally suitable for breakfast and dinner.
It may be a silly example, but in my quest for better health I have seen multiple correlations regarding oatmeal and other good choices in my life.
Good choices are intentional.
“Fast food” is mindless. Just grab and go. Quality food takes time to prepare and enjoy. The same is true in life. When I take time to outline and write by hand, my content is better. It’s more real and honest. It’s cleaner and more on point. When I write on screen, the temptation to publish too quickly takes over. Quality is traded for the instant gratification of feedback.
The same can be seen in art. Designers tell customers they can have something done fast, cheap, or good, but you can only pick two. Writing, design, business, parenting—whatever your focus, remember that the default choices might be easy and convenient, but the best choices are intentional and require time.
Good choices multiply.
In this small change of choosing whole foods, I have also discovered new foods that I enjoy. I’ve tried kale, fresh mango, star fruit, quinoa, goat cheese, and a number of other things. I’ve tried new recipes and new tips for food preparation. I’ve also changed my cleaning supplies to all natural choices, and some beauty products as well.
Why? Because one area of life flows into the next. Everything is connected.
This also applies to bad choices. One Netflix video can easily become five and so on. Making sure that your choices are intentional will plant seeds in many areas in your life for positive change.
Knowledge really is power…for change.
I used to think that organic options and clean living products were gimmicks to try to get people to spend more at the grocery store. But then I started learning what actually happens to our bodies when we put things on our skin and eat without guidelines. The truth propelled me to change.
This echoes my last post about what happened when I learned about sex trafficking and modern day slavery. That knowledge completely shifted my focus and even changed my life direction. I no longer look for the cheapest products at stores because I am informed on how slave labor is used in developing many of those products. Often, saving a few dollars in America costs those overseas their freedom. It’s worth it to me to spend more money on products that are being sourced ethically than to get a good deal. Knowledge fueled that change. The more I learn, the more I allow that knowledge to shape my choices, the better I am as an individual and leader.
Small changes can make a big impact.
Am I 100% consistent in making wise choices? No. Sometimes the instant oatmeal way of life wins. But I am choosing the good over the easy more and more because I want to be a woman of quality, good health, and good conscience.
As an example, I was encouraged today by a post from Humans of New York. Currently, the photographer behind the internet sensation is in Pakistan recording the lives of the people in that country. He did a series of photos on the fate of the people working in brick kilns against their will. He told his followers about Fatima, a woman fighting against all odds to bring her fellow citizens freedom. In just three days, HONY followers raised nearly $2 million dollars to help Fatima fight bonded labor in her country. One guy with one camera chose to spend one month of his summer in a foreign place. Because of his influence, he has made a huge impact on the future of those trapped in horrific conditions that would otherwise never have a way out. Little things matter.
So tell me, have you had any life impacting realizations over breakfast? If so, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
Also, If you are interested in supporting my ministry or taking part in my writing process, please visit my Patreon page to learn more about how you can do so.
Thank you for stopping by today! Your readership and engagement means so much.
I have often joked about being incapable of feeling, and I’ve even been called an ice queen on more than one occasion. But the truth is more complicated than that.
The truth is, I am at the opposite side of the emotional spectrum with those who identify as HSP’s (Highly Sensitive Persons) and empaths. Instead of feeling nothing, our default is to feel everything. We have highly tuned nervous systems which makes us very sensitive to sounds, tastes, lights, colors, and other things that seem normal to the rest of the population. Empaths have a heightened sensitivity to others emotions and physical energies. We not only pick up on others emotional levels, but also subconsciously internalize those emotions. This can be incredibly helpful in counseling situations, but it can also be overwhelming and physically draining, even causing physical ailments at times.
As a defense mechanism, HSP’s and empaths learn to put up walls and shut things out. We don’t watch the news. We don’t listen to stories about broken bones and surgeries. We use earbuds in crowded areas to ward off sensory overload. We ignore our imaginations, we shut down our emotions, and sometimes we flat out refuse to care.
disease
crime
genocide
puppy mills
food deserts
ISIS
human trafficking
homelessness
child labor
contaminated water
abusive relationships
It’s too much. The hurt is too great, the world is too big, and we often feel that we are too small to stem the tide. What can one person do? And if we care about one thing, we have to care about EVERYTHING, right? So…into the sand we go, head first.
When I first learned about sex trafficking, I was shocked and appalled, which quickly turned into a wildfire of anger. Maybe because I’m a woman, or an aunt, or afraid of rape, or because I’m an empath—it’s difficult to say. But the truth gripped my heart that day and refused to let go.
You can imagine my confusion when I started sharing what I had learned and people didn’t want to know. I heard things like “I just can’t think about that” and “I have too many other things to worry about.” Several people said, “doesn’t that just happen overseas?” as if an act so evil against one human doesn’t impact us all.
I didn’t understand how people could react in these ways until I saw myself in the same light. I too had become deadened to the pain of others in many areas. I’ve chosen, at times, to look away from the hungry man holding the cardboard sign. I’ve clicked away from the photos of innocents being beheaded, and turned off videos discussing embryos being dissected for their organs.
Hiding is easy. Pretending to not see has its benefits.
But what if we did see? What if we did feel?
What if we had a God who was powerful enough to change things?
What would the world look like if we made the decision to feel again? What if we faced the injustices around us and responded with “God can” instead of “I can’t”? What if we looked at the pictures of people trapped in slavery? What if we read the stories about the displaced refugees fleeing ISIS?
What if we fought the ostriches inside of us and took a stand?
There is a war against humanity raging all around us, and Satan is the captain at the helm. We can numb ourselves in our bunkers with our lattes and Gucci bags, or we can strap on our helmets of salvation and our shields of faith and storm the gates of poverty, slavery, disease, and more.
We who are Christians have been given freedom in Christ. It is a precious gift that came at an unimaginable price. To hoard what we have makes me question whether we really received the genuine article or if we just wanted to join Christianity as a social status choice. To truly be carriers of the gospel, we must accept our responsibility to take it to the streets, the homeless shelters, and the refugee camps.
“By this we know love, that He laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” 1 John 3:16
Thank you so much for coming by my blog today and reading these words. It’s an honor I do not take lightly. If you are interested in supporting my ministry or taking part in my writing process, please visit my Patreon page to learn more.
