Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6
Prayer breaks chains and gives favor that is supernatural. It enables rescue and puts people in the right place at the right time.
Greetings!
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
I pray you are reminded of who God is, and how powerful He is on your behalf, this Christmas season.
This month’s newsletter is a little different as I want to let you know about a special day in January and how you can get involved. This day, and this entire month, is a heightened time of human trafficking awareness. I encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for ways to encourage, ways to get involved, and way to bring awareness!
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day – Sunday, January 11, 2015
In 2007, the U.S. Senate designated January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness of sex slavery, labor slavery, and other types of trafficking – worldwide. It is a day to bring global awareness of people who need freedom and rescue. I would like to encourage you to get involved in raising awareness by starting something in your community. Getting involved can be as elaborate as planning an all-day community event to simply sitting with a few friends who are interested and will allow you to show them a 3 minute video testimony.
Here are a few simple resources and ideas to help you get started:
Get Involved in a hands-on Way:
Send a card to a trafficking survivor in care of Rescue Freedom. Our current card project has been extended through January 15th. Spread the word and encourage friends and family to send an encouraging card to a boy or girl in Central Asia. Find more details here.
For those who like to run:
There are many “fun runs” which support the fight against human trafficking. You can run for human trafficking survivors! Claudia Stokes, President of Southeast Texas Aglow and her husband have run a race benefiting human trafficking survivors for two years in a row. Claudia joined 1,200 individuals to run in Katy, TX. She placed 1st in her age group last year, and 2nd again this year. As Claudia points out, “Events like this one inform, educates and brings awareness of this critical issue to the church and the whole community.”
For those who like to walk:
Would you walk a 5K fun run, but can’t find one to walk in? Follow the footsteps of Darlene Jenks, Area President for Central Arizona Aglow, and host an anti-trafficking prayer walk! Make it a community awareness and prayer event, or you can even start a weekly prayer walk. (If your New Year resolution is to get healthier… what a way to do it!)
To see where you nation ranks, see the TIP Report:
To view your own country, and read a 1-2 page summary of how trafficking is being combatted in your nation, as well as an explanation for its tier standing, click on “Country Narratives” and the first letter of your Nation under the 2014 TIP Report main page here.
To see where your U.S. state ranks:
Check out Shared Hope International’s “Report Card.”
For those on Facebook:
Share the Aglow anti-trafficking statistics video. It’s less than 2 minutes long, and gives a quick look at global trafficking.
For a look at trafficking in America:
“Please someone come get us.” Watch this 3 minute video from the A 21 Campaign which tells a powerful story, illustrating the difficulty and danger of escaping a pimp.
For a look at trafficking through GANGS in America:
Watch this 2.5 minute video trailer from Shared Hope International: Chosen: The True Story of America’s Trafficked Teens.
If you need some encouragement…
“Where are they now? After a rescue operation.”
Watch this 1.5 minute video from the International Justice Mission.
For your friend who likes to dance:
Share this video with them and encourage them to participate in Dancemeber this December.
For those who like movies:
Some movies I would recommend are the Nefarious documentary and the fictional movie “Not Today”. Nefarious is a documentary, and can be subtitled in 20+ different languages. It gives insight into trafficking in many regions of the world.
“Not Today” is a story format, rather than a documentary, and looks at trafficking in India. Trace of Innocents starring Mira Sorvino and the Chosen documentary from Shared Hope are also powerful movies. These act as a great tool to bring awareness, and can act as a springboard for prayer, discussion, and ways to get more involved.
For your friend who isn’t interested at all:
Ask them to put the U.S. National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number into their cell phones: 888-373-7888. Why? So in case they ever see anything suspicious, they can call the hotline or give the hotline number to anyone who might need it.
Crisis Numbers outside the U.S.
As a reminder: Always put your own safety first. Gather information discreetly. Never confront suspicious persons.
Pray! Pray! Pray!
A care and concern for those trapped in modern day slavery is a concern that crosses all sorts of barriers. Pray that people’s hearts will be softened and opened to the reality of what is going on, and continue to pray for creative ways that you can get involved in a hands-on way. Thank you for continuing to pray for trafficking victims and for Rescue Freedom International as they continue to rescue, restore, and empower those caught in slavery.
As we’re in the midst of cold winter months, please continue to pray for trafficking victims:
- Pray that victims would know the peace and goodwill of Christ.
- Pray for the basic needs of trafficking victims to be met.
- Pray for basic needs, such as food, shelter, and blankets, to be met for homeless/run-aways. During the cold winter months, survival sex (exchanging sex for basic needs) is more frequent.
- At this time of year when many are lonely, there are a higher number of people seeking sex for sale. Pray for the buyers, that they would find peace and love in Christ.
- And finally, pray for those conducting rescues and raids on behalf of trafficking victims. Pray for divine favor and protection.
Standing in the gap with you,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Anti-Trafficking Specialist
Aglow International
