1. a person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result
15But He saves the needy from the sword of their mouth
and from the hand of the mighty.
16So the poor have hope,
and injustice shuts her mouth.
-Job 5
Monday of this week brought me a conversation about child trafficking - from Atlanta to India.
I followed up the conversation with an email containing various organizations that I've gotten to partner with, and it occurred to me that even more people need to be in the loop. (and since this week is another FB fast :D blogging is the timely answer, woohoo!)
And before I had the trafficking convo, I was in Job Sunday night and Job 5:16 LEAPT off the page and has continued to sit heavily in my spirit...I believe it couples perfectly with child slavery and this truth could be made tangible in the lives of so many people --- if we're willing to DO SOMETHING.
(and now, the email.)
These are some local trafficking organizations that I've gotten to volunteer with/donate to before...hopefully you can find an easy way for you to plug in and help stop the demand! :)
Stop Child Trafficking Now (SCTNow)
http://sctnow.org/
I first heard about this organization back in January 2010 at a conference I went to. Then, a lady at my church actually stepped up to be the coordinator for the Atlanta walk/run in 2010 and 2011, so I was able to participate in a more tangible way than just donating money (which is STILL necessary & helpful & awesome, but it's different when you're physically doing something.) This is probably the organization I mention the most, because they're all over the U.S. Their focus is on raising funds to pay for private investigators to find and stop all these different sex trafficking rings.
Wellspring Living
http://www.wellspringliving.
This is an Atlanta-based organization that provides healing, restoration, and counseling for women & girls that have been sexually abused. They have also come and partnered with the SCTNow walks we've had in Atlanta. (another thing I SO appreciate about these trafficking organizations -they're so quick to combine resources & work together, because they all have the same goal!!) Wellspring has tons of different volunteer opportunities and easy ways to donate.
Do Something Now
http://268generation.com/
I will be attending Passion 2012 in January (a 4-day conference for 18-25yr olds -- all about making JESUS famous & combining worship with justice!), and each year (this will be my 3rd time going) they have a "Do Something Now" center. With 20-30,000 students in attendance, the past 2 years we've been able to help raise a couple million dollars for dozens of different causes (from water, to food, to trafficking, child sponsorship...).
THIS coming year, "During the four days of the conference, our goal is to raise $1 million to fund incredible organizations that are fighting to bring prevention, freedom, and restoration to those trapped in slavery." They have 6 different organizations listed that you can read more about and see if you're led to invest in one of those, too.
Honestly, organizations like these are the propelling force that makes me want to eliminate my student debt as quickly as possible, so I can pour any extra funds towards this need. Especially within the U.S., it's not like this is un-stoppable...it's absolutely heart-breaking, but it's not something that people can remain silent about once they're aware it's going on.
I'll stop now. :-) Hope this helps as you continue to pray & find an area to plug in!!
Truly and really - please DO something. Now.
