A 10-year-old human trafficking victim is freed from a brothel in Southeast Asia where she had been abused and sexually exploited. Another child, age 9, is released from indentured slavery in India. Meanwhile, across the ocean in East Africa, a 13-year-old orphaned boy is ushered into a residential home for youth after 5 years of struggling to survive alone on the streets.
While removing these children from their respective residences of horror required valiant efforts on the part of their rescuers, one might argue that the greatest work on behalf of the boys and girls has just begun. For, as both biblical and modern-day cases reveal, it’s in the aftermath of oppression that some of the most complex obstacles to healing and restoration come to light.
Among the hindrances to a victim’s restitution is the ongoing threat of enemies. The Amalekites ruthlessly attacked the Israelites when they were “exhausted and weary” after fleeing slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). Today, equally relentless perpetrators seek to recapture children who are weak and vulnerable following their extraction from an abusive situation.
Guilt, stigma, and chronic poverty are additional barriers to a child’s lasting deliverance. What can you do to bring forth positive change on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of girls and boys who are trafficked each year?
• Pray that child traffickers will be arrested and brought to justice.
• Pray that rescued children will receive the ongoing love, care and protection they need.
• Support organizations that are providing holistic aftercare for boys and girls. They’re used by God to provide true deliverance (Isaiah 63:9).
More:
With Your unfailing love You lead the people You have redeemed (Exodus 15:13).
Next:
How can you help free innocent boys and girls from commercial sexual exploitation and other forms of slavery and abuse? How does God view these children?
lindagma on July 5, 2010 at 6:35 am
There is no greater sin than those against innocent children… and they are in our country as well. It is also the hardest thing to explain to a non-believer… that a loving God would allow such horrific things to happen. It aptly points out that Satan is alive and well and that we, as a blessed people need to be about His work in reaching a lost world… even those who would enslave children. Charles Stanley, this 4th of July message, encouraged us as a people to be on our knees praying for our nation for the next 140 days. Surely we cannot be effective in the world until we turn back to God.
donreid77 on July 5, 2010 at 7:25 am
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Just do it.
Invisible on July 5, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Yes, they are in our country as well. Most people have no idea. Most people can’t be bothered and don’t really care as long as it doesn’t affect them or their family. They see the horror unfolding right before their eyes and they just turn the light out and close the door. “Thank ‘god’ it’s not us.” Yeah, I guess that’s appropriate if on the right side of the door. If you’re on the wrong side of the door then all hope is gone when you hear the quiet shuffling of feet and hollow sound of that door closing on any hope you might have foolishly believed was available. It’s usually not prostitutes, whores, or “women of the night” who find themselves being given for the pleasure of others, unwillingly. It’s daughter’s and nieces, granddaughters and even mothers. It’s women and little girls who once had hopes, dreams and … sorry, I just read this and frankly became angry. I really don’t see that prayers will do anything at all. God does not hear the prayers of the lost, nor the prayers given on behalf of them. It’s going to take opening their eyes to the lives of these girls, boys and women, and being willing to get a little dirty in order to try to pull them out of there pit. Prayer is nice, but it doesn’t accomplish much. I know there are organizations such as the one mentioned in the days post, but there aren’t enough. There just aren’t. I’m sorry.
Isaiah 63:9 (NLT)
9. In all their suffering he also suffered,
and he personally* rescued them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them.
He lifted them up and carried them
through all the years.
How I wish I could believe this. Life says that it’s a lie.
R R Kelkar on July 5, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Invisible, I live in a country in which millions of children are being exploited in different ways – forced to work, made to beg or steal, deprived of education, and so on. I can easily understand Roxanne’s viewpoint as well as Invisible’s anger.
Invisible, what I would like to say here is that Christian life is a kind of triangle – with prayer, faith, and action at its three corners. Prayer alone may not accomplish much unless it is backed by faith and action. Action alone may not succeed if not supported by prayer and faith. Faith needs action too. So, Invisible, do not lose heart and do not give up!
Invisible on July 5, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Faith, RR? Really? In the god of Israel? The god of the old testament? Where is he right now? Is he impotent? NO,. Is he incapable? No. So, where is he when a child is on there knees begging for the god that they’ve heard of to come and rescue them. Where!?
Invisible on July 5, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I’m sorry, I have no place commenting here. I apologize and did not mean to become angry with you RR Kelkar.
roxanne robbins on July 5, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Invisible – Your honesty is appreciated. For years I wrestled with the same questions and doubts concerning God’s involvement and love (or lack thereof).
When I visited Africa for the first time, four years ago, I was horrified by the poverty I witnessed, and pleaded with God to help me understand His role in the lives of the suffering people I saw. One afternoon, at a refugee camp, I saw the filthiest, poorest children imaginable. As I looked into their eyes, I was consumed by what I believe was God saying to me, “See these children. I LOVE them.”
At that moment the Lord called me to not only pray but to also put my faith and prayers in action as a reflection of His love for those children.
Subsequently, I moved to Africa where God has – despite the suffering I see around me – restored my confidence in His love and compassion.
Gary Haugen, of the International Justice Mission, wrote a book called, “Good News About Injustice.” May I encourage you to try to get your hands on a copy? Mr. Haugen does a far better job than I in conveying God’s heart for the oppressed and the role He calls us to play in their deliverance.
Please keep bringing your questions to God but be prepared because He will likely call you to be part of the solution you’re wanting to see on behalf of the suffering people you’re concerned about.
Blessings to you,
Roxanne
fieldlily on July 6, 2010 at 5:24 am
Invisible- I understand your rage. There is so much injustice in the world it hurts. But God is not responsible for this. You ask why He doesn’t do anything to stop or help, but I think He asks why don’t we. I know everyone in the world is not in a position to help but many are. I also wonder how it is that humans can treat or mistreat each other in such ways and why the existing governments allow it to go on. It is all a result of sin. Many don’t help because they are afraid, they have little themselves, they don’t know where to begin, the list of reasons or excuses goes on.
I don’t know a great deal about anything in particular, but this I know in my heart, God does care. I believe He uses people to try to help. He called people to be His prophets to raise awareness of sin so there could be repentance and salvation. Have you ever read the book of Jonah? Not everyone wants to accept His call, but He does get the job done. He may even call you or me into His service. It is painful to see all the horror that is in this world but God doesn’t cause it people do, and those he calls to help don’t always respond. Those that do can only do so much without help, and they get burned out if they have no relief. I do understand your anger and so does God. He can help you find a peace that you can’t even imagine. He has helped me.
Invisible on July 6, 2010 at 10:20 am
Roxanne and fieldlily, I apologize for my anger, it was not towards the writer of the original post, nor towards the poster named RR Kelkar. I respect the heart you have for these children and appreciate your exposing some of the horrors of this world, and trying to do something about it. I accept your responses and have given them thought. Roxanne, god would never call me to be a part of the solution and that is part of my anger and frustration. I came here trying to learn and understand the draw of the god of the old testament. It was the first post that I viewed and it sparked a curiosity that has festered for over 35 years. I should have left it at that. I have not gone through archives but since finding this blog have simply read the post of the day. Sometimes feel a desire to respond with thoughts or questions, sometimes I do not. This one just hit me like a sledge hammer to the chest. I’ve never done so publically or actually ever, apart from two people I have learned to trust. I feel I need to say it in order explain my anger, yet I also realize it means that I will be giving up an opportunity to maybe get some questions about god answered here. I should have walked away from this post, but didn’t, so it’s fine.
My anger is not coming from the lack of what people are doing. That gives me hope for other children. I was one of those children. Different country, different set of circumstances, but the same horror. Yes, I hate this God for all that he did not care to do. I won’t apologize for that. Jesus I have learned of in the past few years and do feel drawn to. I do not need pity, I need nothing. I told because I allowed my anger to pour out and I take ownership of that. Needed to explain that my anger was not directed at any posters or their thoughts or beliefs. I can’t explain the rage that suddenly went through me as I read this post, it just surfaced and I didn’t handle it well. I’m truly sorry. Just want to go from this post letting you know that I do appreciate your hearts for these children and all that you try to do and hope for them. Thank you.
fieldlily on July 6, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Invisible,
Please don’t stop reading this post or stop responding. You cannot gain answers if you stop seeking. It is okay to vent anger, we all do it, we all know it is voicing differences of opinion, but we can’t grow if we don’t hear the differences and balance them with what we believe. Just try to have an open mind and ear to what you read. I am truly sorry to hear you were one of those children and I can’t imagine what you lived through. Keep seeking to know Jesus more and you might find some peace and healing for your spirit.