“God is in This Fight”….are we?

   

  Please read to the end. Don’t turn away. There is hope…maybe even through you…

  When I first began to learn about the horrors and realities of human trafficking, especially those involving helpless children, I wanted to bury my head under a pillow and shout out, “I can’t hear you!” My first visual exposure was years ago through the Rescue Life ministry of James Robison’s Life Today International.** The spotlight was then on countries like Thailand, The horror of it kept me awake at night, and I gave to this ministry which focuses not only on rescuing adults and children, but also on trying to prevent their being trafficked in the first place. They also minister healing to victims, teach vocational skills for a new start, and provide orphanages and schooling for rescued children. 

   Over the past decade, however, I began to learn how widespread this indescribably cruel and life-devaluing practice is in our own country, as well as all those in ‘ other ‘first world’ countries. I discovered also that victims’ own families, including their parents, sell them into trafficking, as do workers in the foster care system where children are especially vulnerable. 

    I didn’t want to know these things. I wanted to run away from having ever heard about them. But I kept seeing in my mind the faces of real children (as young as two years old) staring out from behind padlocked bars, abused 10-12 times a day with no escape. I felt like throwing up. Fear took hold for my own grandchildren and even my adult children. (Adults in their forties are also part of the trafficked population.) 

   I donated money, prayed for the ministry (and others like it). I knew it wasn’t enough. Hebrews declares we should care for those in prison as if we were right there with them.*** Jesus says we are accordingly considered sheep or goats by the way we care for strangers in need****. Prayer is crucial and the most powerful thing you can do, but it must be followed by active obedience. (Take time to reread James 1.)

   After viewing “Sound of Freedom,” which I dragged myself by the collar to go see, I knew I had to do more than donate and pray. I had to take additional action. I searched the net and found a locally-based ministry and offered to volunteer. Since then I have met an amazing man with a ‘do-something’ aviation ministry. Invisible Angels fills the gap between escaping victims and their sources of restoration, hope and healing. Ted flies them; from their escape point where they have no money, no ID, no support, and nothing but the clothes on their backs; to people and organizations dedicated to helping them not only survive, but start life anew.

   The testimony of the innumerable miracles and crazy perseverance it took to create and sustain this life-giving ministry is found in his true story, God is in This Fight.* [Incidentally, if you have a friend or family member into aviation, this book includes eye-opening details about what it takes to operate this ministry from a pilot’s viewpoint.] However, Ted shares not only about the miraculous development of the ministry itself but also provides vital insights into our growth in the Word, in our relationship with the Lord, and in the battles we face to completely trust and follow His direction. He will keep you on the edge of your seat and inspire you wherever you are right now in responding to God’s current call on your life. 

   If your question regarding the fight against human trafficking is “How can I make a difference?” here are some suggestions from Ted. However, he will be the first to tell you that listening to the Holy Spirit for direction is priority one. God may certainly give you other actions to take.

Ted: “ Many people have the same question: How can I help? You can make a significant impact by partnering with dedicated support and rescue organizations through small monthly donations. To illustrate, if one thousand people each contribute just $10 a month, that amounts to $10,000 monthly, which goes a long way in supporting their vital work. Consider partnering with safe homes such as Selah Freedom (www.selahfreedom.org), Life Recaptured (www.liferecaptured.org), Created of Tampa (www.createdwomen.com), Camille Place (www.camilleplace.com), Missing Peace (www.missingpeaceministry.org), and Her Song (www.hersong.org), as well as placement organizations like Free Indeed (www.iamfreeindeed.com). Support organizations such as Invisible Angels (www.invisibleangels.org) and The Freedom Aviation Network (www.freedomaviationnetwork.org). These are all run by highly trained professional staff and volunteers…. Beyond financial support, two key items top the list of what these organizations need: funding and awareness. Have conversations about human trafficking within your community, from youth groups to corporate gatherings. You can contact any human trafficking organization, and they would be more than happy to provide a speaker for an event to raise awareness and educate others.” —Ted Greenfield.

 I (Julie) would add James and Betty Robison’s Rescue Life* ministry to the list of trustworthy organizations.. As another example of what these ministries may need, one in my area told me they could use help putting on fundraisers and manning tables at events. You can search out an organization in your area and put yourself on their volunteer list for whatever is workable for you. Many of us are older and can’t run a marathon, but we can help in many other ways. Start by donating even small (or large!) amounts regularly to one or more groups of your choice. (I highly recommend Invisible Angels, because they work in conjunction with the other groups listed, helping survivors reach them, many times from other states.) Share with friends and get the word out! There are many who care but are either unaware or don’t know what to do to make an impact. Share and give as if someone whose life is a living nightmare depends on it. It might well be a small child.

*Invisible Angels: www.Invisibleangels.org

 Available on Kindle ($5.99) or other ebook, as well as in paperback: https://www.invisibleangels.org/our-story

 *Rescue Life:: https://youtu.be/WEEV2TvD_8c?si=J343tKShHh4Y8y6N 

 **”‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:35-40 NIV)

***Hebrews 13:3  Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering..”

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This is a scary one:

Matthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal