It’s been almost a year since my eyes were opened. For almost a year now I’ve carried the responsibility of what I know.
That over 27 million men, women and children are enslaved against their will. In our world. Right now.
That 1,000,000 children are forced to sell their bodies every day in the global sex trade. In our world. Right now.
That the slave trade generates $32 billion…billion…annually. In our world. Right now.
Right now this is happening. As I write this blog, as you read these words, there are children crying out for someone to rescue them. There are women desperate for God to answer their prayers. Just stop for a moment and listen. Listen for their pleas. Listen for your heart to break. Listen for what God is calling you to do. Because we are His answer to their prayers. We are His response to their cries. And we are responsible for fighting for justice here on this earth. Yesterday was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Which a nice way of saying, ‘We still live in a world that sells people as objects, where slavery still exists, so start learning about it and do something.’ Do something to make a difference. Tell somebody. Donate money. Pray bold prayers. Give up your life. Go visit other nations. Become a social worker or a lawyer. Educate yourself. Fight. Let your heart be broken and moved to action. Just do something.
My eyes were opened in Banglaore, India. Check out the blogs I wrote while I was there.
a bangalore english assignment.
Redemption on the Streets of Bangalore.
I wrote about the realities of life for thousands of women sold into prostitution in Bangalore. I wrote about Hope* and her baby, Jessica, that I absolutely fell in love with. And just today I got this update from the organization we worked with. When I met Hope, her hair had been chopped short (which is common for women sold in India) and now it flows down to her shoulders. Jessica (a baby her mother wanted nothing to do with when she was born) just turned a year old and is walking around all over the place. I wish I could post a picture of them, but I won’t for their safety. But picture a beautiful, strong woman holding the cutest little Indian child ever. 🙂 I fell in love with Hope and Baby Jessica and I have prayed for them ever since I left. While the realities are harsh, our God is a God of justice and of Redemption as you can see from this update. They just had a Christmas celebration where over 1100 prostitutes showed up and Hope told her story.
Several girls gave their testimony of what their life had been like before coming to Rahab’s Rope, and what it is like now. The most powerful of the day was Hope*.
Hope is very shy and soft spoken, and it was a surprise that she wanted to share her story. I shared her story a few months ago but to refresh your memory; she was gang raped, left for dead, became pregnant, and her family kicked her out.
She said that she had never experienced love until coming to Rahab’s Rope. In tears at the Celebration, she shared her story and told how in all of her difficulties she had prayed to the many gods but none would help her. When she was brought to Rahab’s Rope and learned of Jesus and prayed to Him, her life has completely changed. She said she has experienced true love and peace.
She encouraged all the women there to do the same. Hope had the entire audience captive with her words; it was the quietest the building had been all day.
David Dass followed up with a message and an invitation. Over 400 girls and women stood and indicated they wanted to know this same Jesus that Hope has come to know.
Please pray that the girls understood and that our staff will be able to reach out and meet with each one in the coming days.
