The content of this particular blog post, "birthed out" of a stirring in my heart; a stirring in my soul. A stirring caused by a deep and vivid awareness of how many people still need to be set free from slavery. And this time, I am not just talking about the slavery of sin. This time, I am talking about slavery in a literal sense.... Can you believe it still exists in the 21st century? I certainly couldn't. But I was rudely awakened to the cold, hard, truth. And I cannot help but feel compelled to share my awakening experience with you. Therefore, if I may, please allow me to explain it to you...
It all began, as I watched the first four Passion 2012 sessions streaming online; (especially the ones regarding slavery and human trafficking). I was taken aback by them. My mind could not conceive, that even now-in the 21st century- slavery still exists! It sounds utterly unbelievable to me! But the fact of the matter is, that 27,000 people around the world, still find themselves under the heavy burden of slavery in some form. For instance, there are some precious people, who have worked at rice mills under the hot sun, for 18 straight hours a day, for very little money. And as if that were not enough, they are still in debt with their “master”-so to speak; which in turn, further traps them into this vicious cycle of slavery. A cycle which must be broken! I understand it must be hard to believe; (for it certainly was for me.) But once again I say, slavery is an ongoing cycle, which can be perpetrated from generation to generation if not stopped.
As a matter of fact, according the account of an actual slave who works at a rice mill, both his grandfather, and father, worked at the same rice mill until they were deceased. This particular individual, started working at the rice mill, as a slave, at the age of twelve. And he is still enslaved. He does not have the money to pay the ever-increasing debt to his master; (which has been passed on from his grandfather to his father, and from his father, to him.) You see the vicious cycle here? And if something is not done about it, his son is very likely to have the same fate. But it doesn’t have to be this way…
We CAN do something about it! We MUST do something!
We cannot sit idly by, as we watch the perpetuation of slavery in the 21st century!
We cannot simply ignore their suffering, and not actively participate in some way, shape or form, in order to change their harsh reality!
But before I conclude this blog post, and tell let you-the reader- know how you can join us as we fight for freedom, I cannot neglect to mention human trafficking. It may sound like a distant reality…until you hear about one story. One Person. One Face. One Life. And suddenly, everything changes….
She is a young Russian woman, who had no choice but to go back to her parents’ house-along with her little daughter-after her husband left their country of origin, in search of work and a better quality of life. Only, he never returned. Hence, this young mother had to fend for herself, her daughter, and her family. She started looking for a job opportunity in a foreign country. And she found it; she found a job offer in a newspaper advertisement. She applied for it, and got the job. She was to go to Lebanon. She was initially told that she had a six-month contract. However, when she finally arrived in Lebanon, things were different; VERY different. What she thought was supposed to be a six-month contract, gradually escalated from extraneous hours of housework, to scarce meals, to starvation, and ultimately, to being forced to sleep with men…
...She was trapped; with no way to escape. She had become yet another victim, (among thousands of others), of human trafficking, and slavery.
So, you see, it is no longer such a distant issue; (is it?)...
...It has certainly become a vivid reality to me. And it MUST be stopped!
We must do something!
If you would like to join us in this fight to end human trafficking and slavery, please click on the following link: https://secure.268generation.com/dosomethingnow/give/freedom (or copy and paste the URL.)
Your prayers, donations, gifts, and contributions to this quest for freedom are greatly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly appreciated! Thank you!
As for me, I cannot go now.
But my heart goes out to you!
I love you!
I care for you!
My heart breaks for you!
I hear you!
And though I cannot go now, please let me be your mouthpiece in the meantime…
You are not alone!
You have a voice!
We hear you!
We will speak for you!
You are dearly loved.
Hold on, just a little longer….
Freedom is surely coming for you!
That is what I pray,
In Jesus’ name,
Amen, Amen, and Amen!
Scriptural food for thought: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36; New Living Translation).
May God bless you all!
To God be all Glory, Honor, and Praise!
Forever and Always!
Amen! Amen! And Amen!
