Well...well....well, it's 2020! What a year to become painfully aware of the truth.
I had big growth goals for this year, as I am sure we all did. However, my areas of growth included becoming a better wife and mother. When I started out my growth plan I had signed up to go through a very specific parenting training.....then we got hit with a pandemic and everything slowed down immediately. I was okay with it at first. I wanted life to slow down. I needed life to slow down. But, what has been uncovered in the midst of the pandemic is something I tried very hard to avoid learning about.
Sex Trafficking
Human Trafficking
Slavery
Missing persons
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse rings
Prostitution rings
Missing children
These are not words that I wanted to hear about. They are not words to be taken lightly. As I began to dig into sources and the truth of what is happening, I become furious. I was initially angry with the people who are doing this. I was angry with the people who knew about it and did nothing. I was angry at the people who have hid it from us. I was angry that we have been lied to from our own "trusted" news sources. But then, I became angry with myself. How could I avoid learning about this for so long? How could I say I wanted to "look into it" and eventually help but not see it as priority? What did I think was actually happening to these children that go missing EVERY DAY? How could I dare say things like, "I can't look into it because it's too painful" or "I don't want to know because I have kids and those things are horrible." People like me are to blame. People who have an idea but put forth no action are to blame. People like me are exactly the type of people that allow these monsters to keep doing what they are doing. They hope for people to stay in that state of mind that I was in. I am happy to declare that I AM WAKING UP! Every day I am learning more and more. I want to give you a few facts first and then I will tell you how to FIGHT BACK with me!
Facts:
-Human trafficking currently has more people enslaved today than ever before!
-It is a fastest growing criminal industry in the world generating over $150 billion annually.
-It is even more profitable than drugs because humans can be resold.
-The United States is the highest consumer of human trafficking, disgusting!
-Some of the youngest that have been rescued from sex trafficking include babies. That should infuriate us!
-Women, men and children are victims.
-A high percentage of trafficking cases begin with a relationship, especially by meeting "new friends" on social media platforms.
-The average age that a child enters into sex slavery is 12-14 years old.
I really can, but do not want to, go on and on about this. I hope you see the urgency!
I have come across 3 organizations that I have researched and I know are making a difference. There are several more, however, I can not promote them without fully investigating there validity, because unfortunately, there are MANY who claim to be helping rescue children or adults from sex slavery when in actuality they are doing the opposite. Please be very careful when donating to any organization. ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH!
This organization is founded by Christine Caine, a very well-known and respected activist, author, speaker and evangelist. Their vision is clear, "We
believe in a world without slavery. For 10 years now, we've rolled up
our sleeves and set our feet to action. Why? Because in a single moment a
number can turn into a name, a tragedy into a victory, and a belief
into an action." Their mission is to abolish slavery everywhere, forever.
I love that on their website you can get further training and even volunteer, as well as donate.
This organization was founded by Tim Ballard, a former special agent for Department of
Homeland Security. Their mission is clear, to rescue children from sex trafficking.
This organization began with his father accidentally discovering human trafficking while he was on vacation. Their mission is to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. I encourage you to dive into the pages, information and stories.
All
of these organizations my family has committed to support financially. I
will even be volunteering when the opportunity arises. I hope and PRAY
that everyone reading this will click the links above and do your own
research and see that we must join this fight because so many lives are
waiting for us to take action. The number of children that go missing
each year is close to 1 million. That is unacceptable. Now that we know
better we must do better.One last thing, you can even donate through your every day Amazon purchases, see how below.
I
will be honest, this whole topic is heavy on the heart. I have shed
lots of tears praying over this. I have told my loved ones that I am a
completely different person. I can't even look at the world the same.
The things I used to be concerned with are no longer important to me.
This is. I no longer want to be entertained, I want to be informed. Fighting for the lives that God died on the cross for is what I am committing to. *Fair
warning * after digging in you may never be the same, that is my prayer at
least. Let's fight for the people that God wants to give another chance
to.
Lots of love, Mel
