Men, end demand loudly

http://sharedhope.org/join-the-cause/become-a-defender/

Buy Ethically

Click here to watch the short video.

.

Another Informative Video

on a neat, interactive website.  http://thebackstory.mtv.com/

Informative Video about Sex Trafficking in the USA

There are several more eye-opening videos on this site: http://dontsellbodies.org/

radio interview and music video

Listen to this interview of a survivor of sex trafficking who works with Love 146 and the director of Houston Rescue and Restore as they explain in brief but excellent reasoning, the framework of the domestic commercial sex trade. 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133439415


This music video also is worth watching.  "Fragile" by Lamont Hiebert.  It's not your fault. 

God and Justice

I prayed that God would help me better understand the characters of both Him and of  those He created.  And this week, I came across four different sources that taught me separately about a this common theme.  I'll just type my thoughts here though they don't culminate to some fantastic conclusion now.

 
1) PT talked Sunday about creation.  We were created a little lower than the angels and above the animals.  "Therefore," he said, "humans should not be treated like animals and humans should not act like animals."  Unfortunately, both are happening and sex trafficking is a very real example: because some people choose to act like animals, others are being treated like animals.  

2) I read a point well-argued by Siddharth Kara, scholar-author of the book, Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery.  He observes a repetitive sequence through human history: desire left unchecked leads to suffering leads to anger leads to violence leads to destruction.  Though a secular writer, he essentially explains the reality of man’s sinful nature.  

3) On Thanksgiving, my Dad randomly texted me about Mark 7:20-23, "From within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.”  This is basically a list of those desires of the sinful nature which lead to and have always led to suffering.  

4) I have been reading Jeremiah and am now studying the flood.  I observed the very pattern described by Kara in biblical history: 
Creation/with God>desire>suffering>anger>violence>destruction/flood, 

Noah/with God>desire>suffering>anger>violence>destruction/Babel, 

desire>suffering>anger>violence>destruction/Sodom, 

Abraham with God while the process of d>s>a>v>d went on throughout the rest of the world.  Eventually d>s>a>v>d brought down both Israel and Judah (as well as Babylon, Egypt and Assyria). 

Now, as always, humanity is in a d>s>a>v>d process (human trafficking, genocides, racial & gender prejudices (esp in other counties), worldwide socioeconomic disparity, strings of evil dictators are evidence) and some day earth will face destruction by fire.  

We were not created for any of these dreadful ways- we are a little lower than the angels.  God is long suffering, slow to anger, and abounding in patience and love.  “Again and again, He allowed years to pass and human sin to develop until He displayed His authority and power and judgement.”  I don't think I have ever seen God the way I see Him now before.  He has always confused me, honestly, claiming to be just and gracious and wrathful all at the same time when I felt more like He demonstrated each of those vastly different qualities at distinctly different times.  Many think God is mean and demanding of adherence to a list of rules He made up without apparent reason and they joke that life is a cruel test to see if we can obey.  Well, I have never thought that, but I couldn't give a clear answer to people who ask about it- other than skipping to an explanation for grace while leaving out the why.  And when I found myself wondering, "If God is a God of justice, why is there is so much injustice in the world?" I just wanted an answer deeper than, "well, in order to bring justice, He'd have to take away freewill."  I want to understand the condition of the human heart and I want to understand the purpose of His precepts.  It is not surprising that a loving creator would desire for those He loved to live in peace and joy rather than self-induced heartache.  He lovingly gives us a clear description of how to live and how not to live and encourages us to be self-controlled then even empowers us with the spirit.  Our God longs for justice and justice will be brought.  I haven't figured all of this out yet and I may not ever fully, but I think I am getting closer.  

5) The video below also influenced me greatly this week.  

"This World is Teeming with Deceit"

Understanding Human Trafficking

Psalm 10.

Vengeance Is Not Mine

I often apply God's encouraging words for Judah to His encouragement for victims of sex trafficking.  Today, I read in Jeremiah 50:34, All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go.  Yet their Redeemer is strong... He will vigorously defend their cause.  The "captors" here are the Babylonians, but victims' captors are pimps and johns.

Jeremiah 50 essentially lays out God's plan to avenge Judah.  And I wondered, should I apply that vengeance to traffickers too?  I have said before that I feel like Gideon, amazed that God has called me to love the exploited, but that I would be more like Jonah did I not also love their exploiters.  But when I read scripture like this I ask, God, do you want me to love the captors or despise them?  Proverbs harps on the bitter end for oppressors and wicked-doers.  But Jesus dined with them!  The same God that extended grace to thieves and healed even His enemies avenged the captors of Judah, killing and destroying them completely.  Not to mention that Jesus is a savior to all no matter how great their past sins.  I pondered this for a while then realized that the answer is quite clear.  The Lord says, It is mine to avenge; I will repay in Deuteronomy 32:35.  In Romans 12, Paul wisely teaches, Do not repay anyone evil for evil... Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath.  On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thristy, give him something to drink.  

Here is my answer: God is just.  It is not mine to avenge the oppressed. That is all. Jesus dined with sinners and told us to do likewise. God "avenged His temple" and told us to leave revenge to Him. 

Love True in the Newspaper

To read Bob Makin's September 28 article about Love True, the awesome organization I am helping found, click http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/Central-Jersey-based-Love-True-ministry-takes-aim-sex-trafficking  Bob requested personal essays from each of Love True's directors.  Here is the blurb I wrote:

Like many workers in the slavery-fighting community I am motivated by a righteous anger against injustice, but I was primarily drawn to this mission by a desire to see the hearts of victims healed and restored.  I have always cared deeply about the hearts of women.  Once I learned about sex trafficking in 2010, I saw that little could damage a girl’s heart more than daily rape by stranger-clientele and the wrongful stigma that accompanies it.  Prostituted women, more than any need to be restored and told that they are beautiful and worthy of love.  After I embarked on this journey of building Love True, I wrestled with the decision to also love the men who dispirit these women.  For the first time, I saw pimps and johns (buyers of sex) as people who needed healing for their own hearts.  The hearts of would-be victims can best be protected by the restoration of those who provide the demand for their services.  If I really want to help women, I must help men too.  That is why I have taken the position as Love True’s Prevention, Education and Awareness Program Director.  I am drawing on my experience as a teacher to piece together the research of professionals into two innovative and interactive curricula to inform and train vulnerable young people and passionate community members.  My hope is that these programs will transform the futures of both men and women by freeing them from addiction and exploitation and by inspiring many to defend the vulnerable and support victims.

www.love-true.org

Excellent Video by iEMPATHIZE

This video is very informative. I recommend watching it.  Thanks.

The miniseries, Human Trafficking, is on Netflix right now if you are interested in learning more about the business, victimization and fighting of human trafficking from this fictional film.  I recommend that you listen to the informative speech delivered in the closing scene in the YouTube link below (FFW to :38 - 3:00). 

Fighting Human Trafficking through Legislation

There are currently three bills being considered in congress that could dramatically improve conditions for child victims of sexual exploitation and enable better enforcement of US laws against human trafficking.  Look at the EPCAT website to learn how to support these bills. 

 Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Human Trafficking Act of 2011
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act 

Thought Provoking

 

I'm not making a statement by posting this comic, my thought were just provoked by it.  I want to know what you thinking about it. 

This Saturday

Love True is hosting an awareness event July 21st at 6:30 pm. Come and learn about the sex trade in New Jersey, Love True's vision and steps you can take to help fight sex trafficking. Expect light refreshments, live music, an information presentation, a question and answer time and prayer. 

http://www.love-true.org/?p=166

Powerful

What this woman has to say is powerful yet upsetting yet amazing and true. So many people feel what she feels and are quiet.  So many people do not know what she and others feel and choose ignorance over the discomfort of finding out. Despite that, do not feel obligated to watch it.  

http://www.purepathonline.com/resources/

Finish High School

This is a good ad.

I'm loving this!

The English supporting Fair Trade 

http://step.fairtrade.org.uk/

In America

http://www.fairtradetownsusa.org/

May 19th Screening of Nefarious

Exodus Cry, a division of the International House of Prayer, presented the film, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls as a part of their Incurable Fanatics Tour in North Brunswick, New Jersey on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.. The Point Community Church combined with The Reformed Church of North Brunswick hosted the public event, which focused on educating fifty viewers about the global issue of sex trafficking, informing them about anti-trafficking efforts in the state of New Jersey and teaching them ways to join the movement.In addition to the film, guest speakers, Patricia Devine Harms (Chair of the Junior Leagues f New Jersey State Public Affairs Committee) and Amy Vincent (Chair of the Human Trafficking Advocacy and Awareness Committee) spoke about their work toward stricter anti-trafficking legislation in New Jersey and Heather Hunt (Assistant Director of Love True) introduced about Love True’s restoration efforts for victims rescued locally.

click to view on Love True blog: http://www.love-true.org/?p=137

From Left to Right: Heather Hunt (Assistant Director of Love True), Caroline Moore (Team Leader of Incurable Fanatics Tour), Amy Vincent (Chair of Human Trafficking Advocacy and Awareness Committee) and Patricia Devine Harms (Chair of Junior Leagues of New Jersey State Public Affairs Committee)

A coalition of churches and community members in Central New Jersey are joining together to see sex slavery eradicated in their area and victims restored. Methods may include: supporting anti-trafficking legislation, reporting cases of human trafficking, partnering with anti-trafficking organizations financially, running for Team Love True, raising awareness about the issue, writing letters to encourage recovering victims and challenging sexual culture. Activists also seek to prevent trafficking by protecting the vulnerable by volunteering with programs like Court Apppointed Special Advocates, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New Jersey, opening their homes to foster children and orphans and urging men to not support the sex industry.

Hosting Incurable Fanatics Tour

If you are reading from New Jersey, come to this weekend's screening of Nefarious: Merchant of Souls in North Brunswick.  Learn more about the film at http://nefariousdocumentary.com/. 

6 P.M. Saturday, May 19th

The Reformed Church of North Brunswick

17 Laurel Place (by Babbage Park)

View the trailer here: