human trafficking: $20 for a baby?

I attended a meeting sponsored by Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking (“ALERT”) over lunch today. I expected to learn, and I did. I expected to potentially discover some practical ways for day|twelve to love and serve our community, and I did. I expected to meet some people who are passionate about bringing healing and restoration to victims who need it, and I did. What I’m not sure I expected is some of the stories I would hear, like the one about babies in Honduras being sold into the sex trade for $20 each. For the equivalent of a movie, popcorn and a soda, some will sell a life. The world is certainly broken. But, there’s hope…

I know many of you reading this are already giving your time, talents and finances to places like ALERT, Streetlight, and VisionAbolition, to name a few. I know you’ve gone and served in places like Honduras, Figi or other parts of SE Asia, or here in the city of Phoenix. I was encouraged by the people who were there at this lunch; some have given their lives as “modern day abolitionists,”  because they know the slave trade is raging right out of our doors, right now. I am encouraged that more are pooling resources and doing what they can to rescue kids out of nightmare-ish lives.  Others are trying to go to the source and prevent the abusive homes that often push kids to the street and soon into slavery, mastered by a ruthless john or pimp. And, I’m encouraged because I know that God cares and that He hates this and His Spirit will fuel an army that will do all it can to one day see human trafficking become something only historians will write about. For now, though, there’s much to be done. God may want day|twelve invovled deeply in this issue, or He may just ask to support in other “smaller” ways. One tangible way to help now (and the director of ALERT encourage this) is to simply spread the word and let the world know there is help.

Immediate help is available to victims of human (not just “sex”) trafficking by calling 888.60.ALERT (888.602.5378) and resources are listed at http://www.traffickingAZ.org. Whether you TWEET this entire post or just tweet the number and URL, please let others know there’s help for those who need it. Thanks!