It’s not what you think.
No.
It’s much worse.
The “s” word you’re thinking of pales in comparison to the “s” word I have on my mind.
The “s” word on my mind….is deplorable…appalling….despicable
Especially in 2014.
Yet….there are more than at any other time in history.
Unimaginable.
Why should there be even one?
What am I talking about?
Slaves.
Human trafficking is modern day slave trade.
There are lots of words that people use to make it sound more palatable.
But that doesn’t change the reality.
And one more thing.
It isn’t over there.
It’s here too.
There are slaves in North America…maybe even your hometown.
There are 21-30 million people in slavery today. They are forced to work without pay, under threat of violence, and they’re unable to walk away. You can find them in brothels, factories, mines, farm fields, restaurants, construction sites and private homes.
Does it make you sick?
It should.
Today is Freedom Sunday.
It’s a day where people all over the world are shining a light on those living in the darkness of modern day slavery.
Will you do something for me?
Will you please watch this video? Please?
Educate yourself on human trafficking. Visit Free The Slaves. Their website is extensive. Please spend some time there.
Will you do something?
Will you be creative and save money to give to free slaves?
Will you care for a child so that child doesn’t end up in servitude?
It’s lent.
Lots of people are giving things up.
Would you consider giving up coffee?
Or chocolate?
Or sugar?
There’s something interesting about lent and the practice of giving something up.
It helps us have a physical response to what Jesus did for us.
If whatever we give up is something that we crave or eat or drink every single day without thinking, it requires thinking to keep it off our lips.
What if there was a greater purpose to what you give up?
Abstaining from coffee, chocolate, or sugar is one way to know that you are not supporting an industry where slaves are an integral part of doing business. This industry depends heavily on child slaves. Does that not give your favorite vices a bad taste?
How about taking the money that you would have spent on coffee, chocolate, or sugar and give it to free slaves?
If you stop by the coffee shop most days…that will add up to a slightly larger amount.
What if you invited your friends to join you in this.
You can do it for lent….or forever.
If your purchases of coffee, chocolate, or sugar are organic or fair trade or direct trade, you are probably not supporting modern day slaves with those purchases. (Keep in mind that this is a far reaching epidemic. Industries include cocoa, coffee, and clothing to computers, cars, and cell phones are supported in part by slave labor.)
But, if you need a tangible reminder of this modern day atrocity, to feel it and care more, join in abstaining and giving also.
Who’s in?
Who’s going to talk about it with friends?
Who’s going to make a difference?
I know it’s the second post for the day.
And it is not the usual fare.
Thank you for reading it.
Be extraordinary!
Diane
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Diane, human trafficking is huge! I had no idea until a few years ago. Thank you for sharing this information so people will know how much this is really happening. That’s a great idea to use the money saved from whatever people give up for lint to donate to the cause!
His blessings,
Kim
Hi Kim!
I think in 2006…I’m not quite sure…we were in Orlando for a conference and stayed a few extra days. On Saturday night we decided to find a church to attend. After the service had started we discovered that they were having a guest speaker. We did a few eye rolls….first time at a church and a guest speaker. Phooey. Then they announced that the guest speaker was ill so they had a second guest speaker. Okay…do we even want to stay? Well….the speaker was excellent. He was from International Justice Mission and opened our eyes and broke our hearts about this travesty.
Thanks for your words of encouragement. I had several unsubscribes of the blog today following the arrival in readers inboxes. But….it’s worth it, isn’t it?
This is a sad fact in our world. I’ve become conscious of it because of a friends mission in educating others and lobbying. It’s horrendous how human lives are so devalued. I need to check for that fair trade mark…I get lazy…thank you for the reminder.
Mel…it’s soooo easy to gloss over this stuff. I’ve been especially challenged with few funds and knowing what I’d like and the “price” someone else has “paid” for my treats.