It begins

I met a woman by the name of Nancy a few weeks ago who works as the National Awareness Director for Shared Hope International. An organization dedicated to bringing justice, hope, healing and restoration to victims of human trafficking. What I should say is that God arranged for us to meet.

After the flame God had reignited in me concerning the issue I had begun to pray about how He would have me be apart of this fight. I asked God to direct my path if this was apart of His will for my life. I asked Him what part He would have me play...no matter how big or small.  

It was Sunday, January 9th the second week of our annual church wide fast. I was moved by Pastor Marks teaching on "Who we really are"(perceived projected and actual). I had an opportunity to pray with a woman who was going through a difficult time and that delay in leaving put me right in Nacy's path. As I prepared to leave Lindsay,a good friend of mine asked me to come meet "this woman". As I followed her towards the back she explained to me that the woman worked in an organization that fought against human trafficking. She was surprised at the way Nancy's occupation even came up in their introduction and immediately thought of me. She said " this has to be God".  I made my way to where Nancy stood. We introduced ourselves,shook hands and spoke about what she did and what God had sparked within me. We exchanged information that day and began e-mail correspondences.

She introduced me to SharedHopeInternational.org and sent me information on top of information about just how prevalent Human Trafficking was not only overseas, but right here in our big cities, our dark allies and our backyards. I was disgusted, I was outraged...I was intrigued. Nancy gave me information of hosting an informational meeting on the issue and a book 'From Congress to the Brothel', written by former Congress Woman and founder of Shared Hope International, Linda Smith.

I'm finding Linda's book both inspiring and gut wrenching. Nancy warned me that this book contained information that is not easy to swallow but that it was nothing compared to what she would give me next. Last night I dived back into the book. I read, and read completely oblivious to the time. When I ended for the night I was met with an array of emotions. I was burning with anger, I was disgusted...my heart was broken for the victims of Human Trafficking. How could such hate, and utter disregard for human life be present in this capacity??? I was shocked but not entirely surprised. This IS the world we live in...but the inspiration was driven by the rays of light..poking holes in the darkness of this reality. The inspiration came from Linda,from Nancy, from Chris Caine (A21campaign.org) and from the stories of the survivors. Yes this "monster" called Human Trafficking is UGLY, violent and ENORMOUS....but underneath it's thick tracks of evil are lives. Lives that are worthy and precious to God.