Traffick Thursday-What Can You Do?

The justice fighters at YWAM Salem's Freedom Project put out a little pamphlet on what you can do to end trafficking if you have one minute, hour, day, etc... Here are some things you can do to end the present-day slave trade.

One Minute: PRAY for victims of human trafficking and for a generation to be mobilized to stand against injustice. BE A BILLBOARD by wearing a "SLAVERY STILL EXISTS" or "I AM NOT A COMMODITY" t-shirt sold by the Freedom Project.

One Hour: RESEARCH trafficking on the web and arm yourself with knowledge. TALK to a friend about trafficking and challenge them to action. WATCH a documentary on trafficking or, if you have a bit more time, rent the movie HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

One Day: VOLUNTEER your day at a local organization that works to stop human trafficking. DONATE a days wages to an anti-trafficking organization like the International Justice Mission or The Freedom Project. ATTEND a public awareness event that focuses on human trafficking.

One Month: ORGANIZE a fundraiser to benefit victims of trafficking. For ideas check out www.stopthetraffik.org. TAKE a short-term trip overseas to actively prevent human trafficking or to assist victims. PLAN a rally to raise awareness in your school, community, or work place. CHALLENGE lawmakers to prosecute traffickers and protect victims.

One Year: WORK full-time with an anti-trafficking organization. BECOME an activist against trafficking in your city. EDUCATE yourself by taking a class on injustice. CREATIVELY use your gifts and talents to be a voice for trafficking victims.

One Lifetime: HELP stop poverty, poor education, disease, starvation, economic hopelessness, political corruption, oppression, all of which contribute to the global epidemic of human trafficking.
(information taken from The Freedom Project)

I admit that the list seems daunting. A small part of me says, Oh I'll just pray. That is powerful and I'm so busy. What can I really do? Instead I have challenged myself to do more. Some people tend to think that this is only really a problem overseas and that we in the US can't do much to help. Unfortunately that is incorrect information. Here in Colorado Springs, the Christian ministry/church capital of the US as we are known, there are massage parlors that front brothels of trafficked girls. And I'm about 98% positive that if you dug deep enough you could find children for sale also. Your town is not exempt!! My commitment as of now is to do one minute, hour, day, and possibly month...and whatever I can in my lifetime. I am planning on starting a justice life group at my church to get them involved. You can influence and educate...you can make a difference!! And if you haven't watched Amazing Grace yet, do it. William Wilberforce is proof that the slave trade can end. Or if you happen to be in DC, stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial for a few moments. There is solid proof that something as big a slavery can be stopped!