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.
I'm attaching an article found in our local newspaper. It was a small notice with the headline "Man faces human trafficking charge". Jacksonhole is a town on the west side of Wyoming on the edge of Yellowstone Park and Teton Range, very much dependent on the tourist trade and draws the high dollar of many millionaires etc. that have second and third homes there. Several years ago, I did some government survey work there and was amazed at the numbers of minority and alien workers. It was a wakeup call to realize that where you have big money and homes, you will have domestic household help and that will often times be minority and under the table paid help, etc. As I did random interviews MANY didn't even speak English, and often were from Guatemala, Columbia or El Salvador.
One wouldn't think you would find that in Wyoming, would you? Yet these are not residents, only part time visitors. They come as household workers with their employers who, perhaps, stay for several weeks or a maybe a month. They'll do this two or three times a year; seasonally most likely. They come in summer to fish a bit and then maybe a few weeks in winter to catch the winter sports or hunting.
The article focuses on a middle management fellow that exploited ignorant workers. There are many Hispanic workers hired to build the beautiful (and HUGELY expensive) homes in Jacksonhole that are lived in for a few months a year! It made me realize that human trafficking comes in different forms. Exploitation of another person IS human trafficking! It doesn't always mean sexually.
Even though I was not aware of this particular situation, I instantly knew in my spirit and had the affirmation that as I pray over my State daily and weekly, asking the Lord to guard and protect this Land from abuses, that all darkness will brought into the Light of Christ, that justice will prevail- that these prayers DO go forth and do not return void as He has promised. We are releasing His power to help those in need, those who cannot help themselves, those who are caught in the ugly web of human trafficking.
It really brought it home to me- it's my State and it's my watch!
What powerful words from our Wyoming State Prayer Coordinator! - “It’s my state, and it’s my watch!” This should be our cry. Your state. Your city. Your land. Just like in the book of Jeremiah, let us rebuild the wall in front of our own homes. Let’s call out our land in prayer, and in doing so, let us be watchmen.
Let’s take a minute to look a little more into labor trafficking and what it looks like.
Labor Trafficking appears in many forms such as:
- Small Business Workers (Nail Salon, Hair Salon, Dry Cleaners)
- Restaurant/Buffet Workers
- Construction workers
- Agriculture/Farm Workers
- Domestic Servants (Nannies, Housekeepers)
International trafficking is very lucrative and traffickers can afford to put time and energy into luring their trafficking victims. Many victims are lured from poverty stricken nations into Europe or the United States. People are lured often through family connections – a “friend” of a relative, or through elaborate schemes. It’s important to recognize how victims are lured and essentially trapped:
- Trafficked victims are promised a better life, legitimate work, fair pay, legal documentation and citizenship, and at least some surplus to send home to family.
- Upon entry into the country, the individual’s original documentation (passport, etc.) are confiscated by the trafficker. He/she is told they will be deported (or worse) if they contact the police, since they are in the country illegally. They are also told the countries law enforcement is corrupt, and that even if they spoke the same language, they wouldn’t help them.
- Threats are often made against their family – and carried out.
- And many victims are far away from home, with no idea how to get back to their home and family.
What does labor trafficking look like?
Simply put, victims are often working difficult, low paying jobs that not many others would like to work. The key to look for in these situations is:
- Jobs often include a specific skill set, where workers can be relatively isolated.
- Workers documentation and ID are kept from them.
- Workers are not allowed basic freedom – leaving their workplace, talking to others.
- Workers are denied basic rights (normal work breaks, minimal food, sleep on floor, etc.)
- Workers are often abused and neglected; many are sexually abused.
What can I do?
First of all, look for signs of unusual behavior in the places you frequent. If the servers in your favorite restaurant seem withdrawn or on edge, like someone is watching them, maybe they are. If the manicurists or stylists in the salon you frequent seem unusually obedient or afraid of a manager, this might be a sign. Keep your eyes open. If you have a gut feeling that there might be something really wrong, it probably is. Call your national anti-trafficking hotline and tell them what you noticed. Tips can always be anonymous, and they make a difference. They provide documentation for law enforcement to investigate. Don’t hesitate to pick up that phone.
Secondly, pay attention to legislation in your area. One great area that we will talk more about getting involved in is legislation. If you live in the U.S. please check out Shared Hope International – click on your state to see what current anti-trafficking bills are in process. Pray over these issues, and VOTE. Another source, for those who live in Europe, might be the Anti-Trafficking website of the Council of Europe.
Suggested Resource
U.S. – I love suggesting People Magazine as an anti-trafficking resource. I think it’s so quick and easy to hand off to someone who might not otherwise be interested – and I love that this popular magazine is taking an interest in anti-trafficking!
The February 24, 2014 issue has an article called “My American Nightmare: My Escape From Slavery” by Shyima Hall. Shyima Hall documents her life story – being sold by her parents at age 8. She spent years as a family’s servant in Egypt, and in California. Shyima also has released a book titled Hidden Girl.
Website and App - Free To Work
Start shopping responsibly with helpful information from this website and app. By shopping smarter, we are making a difference in labor trafficking.
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
