I just finished reading the book Priceless by Tom Davis, president of Children's Hope Chest. His ministry organization works with individuals, churches, and businesses to care for orphans all over the world. You can check out more about Children's Hope Chest by clicking on one of the links at the end of this post.
I actually bought Priceless about six months ago. I've heard Tom Davis speak and a friend of mine told me to read this book along with the prequel to it, Scared, which is about AIDS in Africa. I was really excited when I finally found it at a used bookstore and vowed to read it in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, I didn't do that. I put it on one of my bookshelves and forgot about it. Then this past weekend I went home to Colorado Springs and the last night before I had to leave it caught my eye. Since it was late at night, I just decided I would put it in my truck to take the next day. I almost forgot it at home, but I was reminded of it minutes before I left.
When I finally got home and sat down to read it, I couldn't stop. I read page after page. For those of you who have never read or even heard of this book, it focuses on the sex trafficking industry in Russia. Below is video link to a synopsis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JjWWZRG14XE
That's heartbreaking data! But it is a sad reality of the world we live in. Like Davis writes in his book, "You can't deny the dark world has a very big hand in the trafficking industry. Think about it, it's the ultimate desecration- dehumanizing girls, keeping them from any kind of life, and allowing men to indulge their most base fantasies. And all in the name of money. There's no room for light. For God."
I have to admit, I have never been big on trafficking, not because I don't care- beacuse I do. Rather, because I've always felt helpless to truly stop it. Going to a Christian school, we had a lot of ministry organizations come and speak for chapels but nothing ever seemed to truly hit home for me back then. Maybe it was because I was so young and had never witnessed anything like that or maybe I was in denial. I don't know. But this book….goodness this book broke my heart and here's why:
I have a younger cousin named Alonya who was adopted from Russia by my aunt and uncle when she was very young. I have loved her dearly since the first time I met her. Even though we don't live near each other now, we still write letters and such to stay close. Now I can't help but think how grateful I am that God led my aunt and uncle to adopt her. I can't help but think that if they hadn't, she would have had to face the same evil situation that so many other girls in Russia and almost every other country around the world do every day. It hit home for me right then and there.
I believe God had me read this book at this time in my life for a reason. During the World Race, one of the countries my route visits is Thailand- a country deeply imbedded in the sex trafficking industry. This is also one of the countries I see being really hard for me because it seems like most teams work with women in this situation while there. I feel like God is trying to bring this to my attention and prepare for it now. I feel inadequate to actually help these women- mostly actually mere children. Honestly, what can I really do for them? I don't know what God has planned for me, but I can feel that He is already up to something.
I do know that sometimes it's in the darkest places that God's light is the strongest. Where darkeness has a grip, I believe God has acted to open the way where light has started." These girls are someone's daughters, sisters, friends, maybe even mothers. they have been abandoned by men, but they haven't been abandonded by God. He's there, even in the darkest night and he knows their worth.. To Him, they are all priceless. Isaiah 43: "you are priceless to me. I love you and honor you. So I will trade other people for you. I will give up other nations to save your lives. Do not be afraid. I am with you." This novel is such an incredible reminder of how priceless a person's life really is. I pray that you read it and are as moved as I was. Here are some links for you to follow to learn about Trafficking etc:
http://www.sheispriceless.com/
www.Hopechest.org
http://iEmpathize.org
www.NotForSaleCampaign.org
http://www.IJM.org
http://www.SCTNow.org
“I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses. All of us.…" – Sara Crew (A Little Princess)
