While we were in Turkey, we served at a house of prayer. During the second week at the Prayer House, they started praying for those involved in sex trafficking. As we prayed, I began to think about the cities and places we had been to during our trip. For example, while in Nepal, I visited a business that is working to prevent children from being sold into Sex Trafficking by helping the parents to make money. I also remembered feeling the heaviness that I experienced as we walked in certain areas of the cities where sex trafficking exists. My heart was breaking while we were praying for the girls and for the men who are holding them captive.
This subject has always grieved my heart. When I was at Christ For The Nations, I had wanted to do something about it and now, it was like God was rekindling my passion to fight for the girls again. I remembered the words spoken over me in prayer at CFNI – “that I have a heart to be a voice for the voiceless; that I have a heart to defend those who cannot defend themselves or who others will not.” There have been times in my life where I have known this to be true and I can, at times, be outspoken. I wanted to do something right then! Having four older brothers who taught me to defend myself, I was ready to go kick the butts of the people holding the girls captive. Now, don’t worry I did not go do that. I know that this is a spiritual battle and prayer is powerful!
Here are some of the things I prayed and would love for you to join in agreement with my prayers for these things as well:
1. That God’s light will shine brighter than the darkness around those held captive in the red light districts.
2. For the Lord to convict the men who are trafficking the girls and they would come to know who God is. That God in turn would use them to help bring the girls out because they know how the system works better than anyone else.
3. For the Lord to bring the girls out of captivity and for them to find their identity in Christ. Also that they will know that God has a purpose for their lives.
4. That the deception that is behind sex trafficking will be broken and God’s truth will be found.
5. For the people called to go and bring the girls out will rise up.
6. For God’s divine ideas and direction for the organizations that are saving girls right now.
For me, I am still asking God to show me what my part is – is it to be a voice to bring awareness to this issue, is it to support financially, or am I to actually be a part of helping bring the girls out. Please join me in prayer, that I will discern God’s will regarding my involvement.
Sex Trafficking or Trafficking in general is something that is happening all around the world. YES, even in the United States. In American, it happens every day not only during big events like the super bowl. Most people are not aware of how big an issue this is. The saddest part is that this is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, generating more than $150 billion dollars every year. Even sadder, only 1% of victims are rescued.
Here are the estimated number of people trafficked in a year:
The United Nations estimate over 30 Million people worldwide are trafficked.
79% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 18% involves labor exploitation.
Types of Trafficking:
Sex Trafficking, forced labor, bonded labor, involuntary domestic servitude, and child soldiers.
How are they Trafficked:
False job advertisement, sold by family member, loverboy, abduction, trafficked by a friend, false immigration and other.
How to help:
One way is getting educated about human trafficking.Here are two organizations in American that are working against Sex Trafficking. Go check them out and see what you can do.
rescueher.org
a21.org
Whats God’s heart:
Proverbs 31:9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves for the rights of all who are destitute.
I dare you to ask God what you can be doing about it and add Sex Trafficking to your prayer list.
Also my friend B who is on the World race wrote a blog about this subject as well. I encourage you take a second to read it. Also if you feel lead, she is still fundraising for her World Race trip.
https://betzaidamendez.theworldrace.org/post/taken
