Have you ever been in disbelief at an invitation extended to you?  If I am going to be completely candid, I must admit, that is how I felt when I was invited to speak at the National Association for Attorney’s General Conference in Seattle last week….me?  Is it really true, you want little ole’ me, from Bend, Oregon to talk to State Attorneys General about how to stop human trafficking and my experience?

It was true. I had an amazing time last week at the NAAG conference. I was a bit star-struck at the privilege of sitting at tables in meetings with, eating meals with and even standing at a podium and speaking to some of the most powerful people in our nation, and also from Canada and Mexico. Yet, God's burning message my heart could not be stifled by my nervous, sweaty hands. ‘Human Trafficking IS happening in our own backyard and we MUST do what we can to stop it.’  

Here are just four things I learned/observed in my time at the conference:

1.     Networking was unabashedly endorsed, encouraged and beneficial.

2.     Everyone was doing something. There were moviemakers, donors, non-profit leaders, senators, attorney generals and survivors. Each was using the talents and power given them to help those trapped in human trafficking.

3.     I don’t dress as well as the fancy-smanchy folks from Washington D.C., yet they were still willing to network with me.

4.     Human Trafficking is on the radar of lawmakers in every state. In many states lawmakers, non-profits and law enforcement are coming together to change laws, and then enforce those laws, while providing services for victims.

The news about human trafficking is a 911 message to our nation and our world. Yet there is great hope to the U.S. that if we all take up the cause, link arms with law enforcement, social services and non-profits, we can stop this atrocity here in the United States. It won’t happen a week or month from now, and it won’t be easy. It will require effort and a change in thinking from all of us.

But there are things we can do today and tomorrow. Kudo’s to Attorney General Rob McKenna for taking this stand.

What can you do? Stay tuned, and put your thinking caps on. We will have some exciting opportunities to help stop this atrocity here in our backyard soon.

"Simple silence - Do nothing"
If you believe that human trafficking -- modern-day slavery -- primarily takes place in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, you're like most people.

There are more slaves in the United States today than at any time in history. Upon learning that fact people often ask me, "What can I do to help stop modern-day slavery or human trafficking?" Reading this article is a good start.

There is nothing the criminals involved in the modern-day atrocities of human trafficking and slavery -- the recruiters, the traffickers, the pimps and others -- want more than for decent people to remain ignorant about what they do. All they ask is that we do nothing. Simple silence. If the myth that "it doesn't happen here" can prevail, they have won.

This paragraph from my book, "In Our Backyard: A Christian Perspective on Human Trafficking in the United States," is part of the battle call to Christians to take up the fight against slavery as Christians did in the Underground Railroad.

Jesus was clear about Christian's responsibility to do something regarding issues such as human trafficking when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan. When asked what it takes to inherit eternal life, Jesus immediately replied we must love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. To clarify, he pointed to someone who sacrificially cared for a socially outcast stranger who had been stripped, beaten and left for dead. Jesus said "Go and do likewise."

In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus describes his mission. It includes evangelism, healing and proclaiming freedom for prisoners, and releasing the oppressed. That certainly describes the list below:

• There are 27 million slaves in the world today.
• Human trafficking is the second largest -- and fastest growing -- criminal enterprise in the world.
• About 80 percent of all U.S. trafficked individuals are female, about 50 percent are children.
• In addition to the 100,000 youngsters trafficked annually, 244,000 to 325,000 American children are at risk for sexual exploitation and sex trafficking every year.

Although more brutal than ever, modern-day slavery is not as obvious as it was centuries ago. Today human trafficking isn't limited by race, class or gender. Victims are not just the poor or disenfranchised. They come from every socio-economic group. And U.S. victims are not just foreign-born nationals. In fact, the vast majority of sex-trafficked children are American-born citizens.

Modern-day slavery looks like the fresh-faced young girl or boy who is being sold for sex by a pimp via the Internet. It looks like the domestic worker living with a family who abused her physically and sexually and where she lives in fear for her life. It looks like the factory or migrant worker who lives in a compound with barbed wire designed to keep slaves in, rather than bad guys out.

Human trafficking is the dirty secret that has been hidden too long in our country. It is in every state of this great country, from large cities to small towns to rural areas. It's in our backyard whether we live in the city or the countryside.

In written testimony Ernie Allen, President & CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, quoted one police commander who told him, "The only way not to find this problem in any community is simply not to look for it."

But wait. There is some good news here. One in three human trafficking victims is rescued because someone saw something that didn't look just right and reported it. If you are reading this article, you could be one to notice that incongruous detail and spare a young girl or boy or an adult a life of torture and pain.

Learning to recognize the signs of human trafficking is not as difficult as it may sound. From my experience, once you're aware, you will no longer aid and abet the traffickers with silence, but be an effective weapon in the fight to stop human trafficking. In following Christ's example, stopping my busy lifestyle to help is a must.

In short, as Christians each one of us can and should help protect our children and others from this horrific crime in our backyard. And indirect ministry such as prayer, donations of time or money, are no more valid than front line work. Whether by prayer, being aware, or giving time or money, faith means taking action. James put it well, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).

If you would like to be the hero of faith who opens the door to freedom for an enslaved stranger, I would urge you to read "In Our Backyard" or learn to recognize the signs of human trafficking by searching other resources.

A Christian response to a horror in our midst

As I pondered the enormity of the human trafficking problem I had just discovered, I was overwhelmed. I had heard of teen and preteen girls being sold for sex to any man who would pay the price. I had heard of women cleaning house and taking care of children sometimes 20-hours a day for wealthy families whose adults sexually and physically abused them at will. I had heard of prep cooks at restaurants being worked 15 hours a day, then having to spend another few hours at home cutting vegetables to take back to the restaurant the following morning.

Then I heard that all these people were afraid to leave their “employment” because their lives and the lives of their loved ones had been threatened by their traffickers. When I learned of the torture some of them had endured, it made me physically sick. My heart broke inside as I realized the enormity of pain endured daily by these innocent ones.

These trafficking victims are American-born children and adults, as well as some foreign-born nationals. All this is taking place in U.S. cities, towns and rural communities every day.

Our country, for the most part, is a place where people care about others. We have laws that can be enforced, and law enforcement and social service people who will compassionately help. Remembering that we live in a country where freedom and safety are the norm, not the exception, gave me hope to believe I could make a difference.

I began to ask God, What can I do? The answer I received surprised me. I didn’t consider myself a writer at all. In fact, I had complained many times that writing was my least favorite part of college. But as is often the case, God believed in me more than I believed in myself.

My book, In Our Backyard: A Christian Perspective on Human Trafficking in the United States, was published in early 2011. It’s an easy read, with true stories of victims, perpetrators and heroes related to this atrocity in our midst. It accomplishes the mission I envisioned, giving the reader an understanding of what human trafficking looks like in the U.S. and what to do when one sees it.

I challenge my fellow Christians to ask themselves, What is God calling me to do? As I have engaged in the fight against human trafficking in our backyard, I have come to realize that we can all do something with little to no interruption of our daily routines.

Here are some ways you can help, even as you’re driving or waiting in line. Pray. Talk to others about this problem in our communities. Watch for signs of trafficking around you; if you spot something suspicious, call the National Human trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888. (Put this number in your cell phone.)

If you have become educated about human trafficking, whether by reading In Our Backyard or another way, do more if you’re so motivated. There are plenty of anti-trafficking organizations in every state that could use your help with events, computer work, speaking at the local service clubs, donating, or even just setting up chairs and putting up posters.

In short, each one of us can help protect our children and others from this horrific crime in our backyard. Whether by prayer, being aware, or giving time or money, faith means taking action. James put it well, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

Your action in bringing awareness or assistance, however large or small, may save a life today. What will you do?

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back

Last weekend I had the privilege of bringing the Sunday morning message at the church of some very dear friends. I talked about how love is an action. James 1 says that faith without works is dead. I would contend that love without works, is dead.

Here are some of the ways that congregation was already carrying out the love of God

·        The pastors risk their lives regularly going in to China with the message of love. Chinese police know them by name.

---There are those graduating with Doctorates of Ministry in China now who have solid theology to help the underground church.

·        One person in the congregation told me about how she attends regular meetings for an organization that works on the streets to help trafficked young people in Seattle.

--- Every non-profit, including my own needs those faithful ones to attend regular meetings and help carry the load.

·        One elderly woman said she has been taking food and supplies to those who are in direct contact with young people who live on the streets for years.

---The work on the streets couldn’t be done without those supplies.

·        One woman was an intercessor-she wanted to pray and she wanted to donate to ministry.

---I have a personal appreciation for intercessors, they change the world on their knees.

---She obviously also understood that every dollar counts in fighting the atrocity of human trafficking.

·        Another oversees a food bank there

---Thousands have enough food to eat each year, because of thousands of hours volunteered at the food bank.

·        Another volunteers computer help for non-profits.

---Computer communication is key to any organization and some of us need that help more than others. J

·        Still another caught me before service saying she wanted so badly to be in the service but got a call Saturday night and needed to substitute in Children’s Church.

---Many heard the message that morning because of her work.

·        Many more asked how they can help, and came up with new ideas to help in the fight against human trafficking in our backyard.

---Some will be prevented from ever becoming trafficked and others will be rescued as a result of the work they started today.

¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. (Or being trafficked) ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

All of these had one thing in common. They knew how to put their faith and love in action.

Kudos to Bellevue Foursquare Church!

Now, think of something you’re doing to help others? Give yourself a pat on the back. Find someone else to pat on the back and let’s continue to link arms in the fight against human trafficking AKA modern-day slavery in our midst.

If you want to join the fight against human trafficking in the United States and don’t know where to start, start by reading In Our Backyard http://www.amazon.com/in+our+backyard which will give you ideas for any level of involvement.

    And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  I Corinthians 13:13