Rise Up! to Human Trafficking

I follow a lot of blogs.  Many of them offer daily devotionals and inspiration, but one of my favorites (and I'm not just saying that because she may read this!) is Sarah Martin's Live it Out! blog.  You can find it here: http://liveitoutblog.com/

When the new year rolled around, Sarah came up with this inspirational movement called RISE UP!  We are to work to make Jesus famous and rise up in defeating the enemy.  To add to this, I thought I would post my own Rise Up! challenge.  And you should definitely check out Sarah's blog...she's pretty awesome :)

Meet Ashley, age 12.

She ran away from home when she was 11.

She had nowhere to turn to.

She thought no one cared about her.

And she had a secret.

Meet Michelle, age 16.

She had a troubled childhood filled with unthinkable pain.

Her father and mother were involved in drugs.

She ran away from home to escape the pain.

She too has a secret.

Their secret?

These are all true stories of young women that have been victims of human trafficking. 

What is Human Trafficking?

The entrapment, recruitment, harboring, transporting, provision, or obtaining of a woman, man, or child to sell that person into labor and/or the commercial sex industry.  Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion.  

Since January, my Acteens group has been working on a Human Trafficking Awareness project to raise awareness on this issue.  Here’s some startling facts we found about human trafficking:

Ÿ         1.2 million children have been sold into sex slavery.

Ÿ         161-the number of countries where human trafficking takes place, which includes the U.S.

Ÿ         80% of victims that are trafficked are female.

Ÿ         Human trafficking is a $32 billion dollar industry.

Ÿ         70% of all child/teen victims have suicidal tendencies.

It is said that 1/3 of all child runaways will be approached by a human trafficker within 48 hours of running away. 

With human trafficking at the forefront, there are more than 30 million slaves in the world today.  That’s more slaves than at any point in human history. 

Photo Credit: Today's Teen Online

Please, join our Ephesus Baptist Acteens in raising awareness on this issue.  We can make a difference.  God has called each one of us for a special purpose in life, and these young women, children, and men are no different.  They NEED a voice because they do not have one.  They NEED support because they do not get it anywhere else, and they NEED to know that God’s love is present for them and that God’s people love and care for them. 

Join me in the fight.  For more information, click on my page for human trafficking awareness.  This will send you to Abolition International, a foundation started by Natalie Grant.  There, you can read person stories and find out how YOU can be the change you want to see in this world. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today feeling defeated by this horrific issue that exists in this world.  I pray for each person out there today Lord that may be a victim of human trafficking and those that have been fortunate enough to escape that life.  Help us to be leaders and not followers.  Help us to stand up for your kingdom and be examples of your love and mercy in this world. Please continue to give us knowledge on this issue so that we may be disciples for you and fight against ending human trafficking.  In Jesus name, Amen.

And just because it’s Thursday and this song has been in my head non-stop for the last few weeks, enjoy:

Love is Here by

Tenth Avenue North

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Blessings,

Amanda