Reality Check
"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know."
-William Wilberforce
Three and a half years ago, I was first introduced to the fight against human trafficking while interning for a non-profit near Atlanta. At the time, we were working very closely with a group known as Street Grace, which focuses on creating awareness for Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, as well as inspiring others to join the fray.
After attending several training sessions through Street Grace, my eyes were opened to the full scope of the issue. I immediately felt the call to take a stand, attending further training in order to become a volunteer speaker. By God's grace I was able to speak at events across the state of Georgia. I continued to seek opportunities that would allow me to fight the injustices of human trafficking, and God consistently opened doors for me.
A few weeks ago, God lined up an incredible outreach opportunity on Fulton Industrial with a group I had waited years to join, Victoria's Friends (VF). You see, you have to be 21 in order to go on the outreach, as we bring care packages to dancers in various clubs, sharing the love of Christ with them through conversations and these packages. VF offers many opportunities for these women, including a community group and life skills classes.
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. But what I saw was more heartbreaking than I could ever describe to you. I met a girl who was younger than me, absolutely beautiful and one of the kindest souls I have ever met. I don't know why she was dancing, but I know that as a woman, we are told so many lies about our worth, and there are those who seek to manipulate us and use us.
So many girls my age make jokes about "wanting to drop out of school and become a stripper." What they don't know is that the club is not as glamorous as they see in movies. That it's not like the movie "Pretty Woman." Richard Gere is not going to step in and save the day. In some clubs they may make a lot of money, but the money they make must be shared with others, like the bouncers and bartenders. They don't know what they have to give up in exchange for money, the little piece of themselves they lose each time. They don't know what comes with it, about the drug and alcohol addictions to numb the pain.
Then there's the demand. Not every buyer is male, just like not every dancer, not every victim of the sex trade, is female. But a major issue in society is the "boys will be boys" mentality. I have had guys tell me that they struggle with pornography, but that it's no big deal. They don't realize that many of the girls are underage. But that's illegal right? And illegal things never happen, right? They don't realize the industry they are fueling, the slavery they are taking part in.
After attending several training sessions through Street Grace, my eyes were opened to the full scope of the issue. I immediately felt the call to take a stand, attending further training in order to become a volunteer speaker. By God's grace I was able to speak at events across the state of Georgia. I continued to seek opportunities that would allow me to fight the injustices of human trafficking, and God consistently opened doors for me.
A few weeks ago, God lined up an incredible outreach opportunity on Fulton Industrial with a group I had waited years to join, Victoria's Friends (VF). You see, you have to be 21 in order to go on the outreach, as we bring care packages to dancers in various clubs, sharing the love of Christ with them through conversations and these packages. VF offers many opportunities for these women, including a community group and life skills classes.
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. But what I saw was more heartbreaking than I could ever describe to you. I met a girl who was younger than me, absolutely beautiful and one of the kindest souls I have ever met. I don't know why she was dancing, but I know that as a woman, we are told so many lies about our worth, and there are those who seek to manipulate us and use us.
So many girls my age make jokes about "wanting to drop out of school and become a stripper." What they don't know is that the club is not as glamorous as they see in movies. That it's not like the movie "Pretty Woman." Richard Gere is not going to step in and save the day. In some clubs they may make a lot of money, but the money they make must be shared with others, like the bouncers and bartenders. They don't know what they have to give up in exchange for money, the little piece of themselves they lose each time. They don't know what comes with it, about the drug and alcohol addictions to numb the pain.
Then there's the demand. Not every buyer is male, just like not every dancer, not every victim of the sex trade, is female. But a major issue in society is the "boys will be boys" mentality. I have had guys tell me that they struggle with pornography, but that it's no big deal. They don't realize that many of the girls are underage. But that's illegal right? And illegal things never happen, right? They don't realize the industry they are fueling, the slavery they are taking part in.
Our society wants to shame the victim, to look down on the individuals caught in the sex trade as if they are sub-human, undeserving of our time and attention. That's not what we are called to do as Christians at all. It's actually a lot like the story of the woman at the well from John 4. We want to be like the Jews, avoiding Samaria and the people who live there.
Yet Jesus went straight through, taking an afternoon to speak one-on-one with a woman he should have nothing to do with. This morning my pastor explained the way Jesus spoke to her. He convicted her of her sin without condemning her. Yes, she had many husbands and the man she lived with was not her husband. Jesus acknowledged her, speaking to her when most likely the rest of her community shunned her, causing her to go to the well midday when women went in the mornings. Not only did Jesus meet her where she was, he offered her a better way. He offered her love and satisfaction only he could give. He offered her a relationship, an ability to worship in spirit and truth.
So what next? What do we do? "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest," John 4:35b. If you read through verse 38, Jesus reminds us that there are many He has already called, all we have to do is reap the harvest. Jesus will do the labor, He will transform the hearts not us. But it is our job to go and tell of Him, to proclaim the gospel and His excellencies, to disciple and love our neighbor.
Yet Jesus went straight through, taking an afternoon to speak one-on-one with a woman he should have nothing to do with. This morning my pastor explained the way Jesus spoke to her. He convicted her of her sin without condemning her. Yes, she had many husbands and the man she lived with was not her husband. Jesus acknowledged her, speaking to her when most likely the rest of her community shunned her, causing her to go to the well midday when women went in the mornings. Not only did Jesus meet her where she was, he offered her a better way. He offered her love and satisfaction only he could give. He offered her a relationship, an ability to worship in spirit and truth.
So what next? What do we do? "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest," John 4:35b. If you read through verse 38, Jesus reminds us that there are many He has already called, all we have to do is reap the harvest. Jesus will do the labor, He will transform the hearts not us. But it is our job to go and tell of Him, to proclaim the gospel and His excellencies, to disciple and love our neighbor.
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