Train Up A Child

Train a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

 The most riveting part of the anti-trafficking training I attended was hearing from survivors.  We heard testimonies from two young women who were trafficking survivors – both Americans.  Both were born in America.  One of them was actually prostituted out by her parents.  The other survivor, Ms. Holly Austin Smith (http://hollyaustinsmith.com/), now writes for the Washington Times.  During the training, she showed pictures of herself before she was enslaved.  They were all pictures of a young middle-class, average American girl engaged in everyday activities, like playing with the family dog.  While she showed the pictures, she spoke about all the things that could have been done to prevent her from being trafficked.  Essentially, she became vulnerable for a number of specific reasons.  If you go to her website, you can get her “10 Proactive Tips to Protect Your Child from Traffickers”.

 Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.  If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.  Exodus 22:22-23

 A speaker representing Convenant House (http://www.covenanthouse.org/) spoke about how many teens are becoming vulnerable to trafficking just because they have no safe haven to run to.  Covenant House prided itself on its ability to take in any young person who showed up at their agency; but, due to budget cutbacks, they are now turning teens away.  Older youth (18 & 19 year olds) can potentially go to an adult homeless shelter; but some, for good reason, choose not to.  Pimps are aware of that fact.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  John 14:18

In light of all the doom & gloom, it was entertaining & encouraging to hear from the middle school students who formed Project Stay Gold (http://www.projectstaygold.org/), which they bill as a “student movement to abolish modern day slavery”.  When the students learned about the Triangle Trade from their social studies teacher, and then realized that there was a modern-day slave trade going on, they were motivated to do something.  They showed us little videos they created to raise awareness.  They are available for speaking engagements (but not too many, because they are in school).  They sold little rubber bracelets & t-shirts with “abolitionist” printed on them.  They were poised and articulate and concerned and active.  God bless ‘em!

 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

I tell you the truth,

anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Luke 18:16-17