Human Trafficking – A21 Campaign
Information from the A21 Campaign … www.thea21campaign.org
After a trafficking journey that typically involves deception, rape, beatings, and constant threats, victims are often forced to live in confining and unsanitary conditions. Once formally put to work, human trafficking victims can be forced to service from 40 to 110 customers in one day.[1] Malnutrition, sleep deprivation, as well as emotional and physical abuse become day-to-day normalities. In addition, forced abortions and the contraction of STI’s, Hepatitis B & C, and AIDS are ever looming probabilities. Life for a victim of sex trafficking is hell on earth. This injustice is the reason The A21 Campaign exists.
THE STATISTICS: FOCUS EUROPE
- Trafficking in women is the second largest global organized crime today, generating approximately US$12 billion a year.[2]
- There are 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide.[3]
- Over 25 percent of sex trafficked victims are trafficked from Southern and Eastern Europe.[4]
- 90% of victims trafficked into EU member states end up in the sex industry.[5]
- There is an estimated 20,000 women and girls trafficked into the Greek sex industry, earning Greece the title: “the center of trafficking in Europe.”[6]
- One study reveals that one in every 10 Ukrainian persons knows someone in their community who has been trafficked.[7]
- Tragically, only 1-2 percent of victims are rescued, and only 1 in 100,000 Europeans involved in trafficking are convicted.[8]
** Click on the picture to see 21 ways you can help
Story of a victim (Human Trafficking)
Sarah* was recently brought to the A21 Crisis Shelter, where after being welcomed by A21 staff members, she asked, “What do you want from me in return?” When the reply was “absolutely nothing,” Sarah* broke down, and through tears shared her heartbreaking story of being trafficked.
After growing up in an abusive home, Sarah* was trafficked as a young teenager, beaten, raped, and was forced to “service” as many clients as her traffickers brought into the small room where she was held prisoner. She tried to escape many times, but was always found and punished in incomprehensible ways. Finally, with the help of the authorities, she was rescued and brought to the hospital where her fractures and bruises were attended to. Due to the severe starvation that she experienced, her health was in very poor condition, but after spending some time in the A21 crisis Shelter, she has improved significantly and is on her way to full restoration.
The sad reality is that there are many girls, at this moment, that are suffering at the hands of traffickers, and many of them will never find the hope or security that Sarah* has found. This is why The A21 Campaign and local authorities are partnering together to ensure that justice is carried out through the legal system. With the recent court case victory in Greece, and future cases planned, we have the ability to establish precedent, raise awareness, and see traffickers face the consequences of their horrific actions. But more importantly, we have an opportunity to help fight a growing horror around the world.
Through the amazing support of individuals and businesses, we have the ability to see many stories, just like Sarah’s* become a reality. A21 wants to extend a special thank you to everyone who contributed to the sponsorship of 13 girls’ future court cases through the I-Heart Revolution initiative: “This Means Love.” We also want to give a shout out to (Give Value), a newly created organization that designs and sells merchandise to help raise awareness and funds to support A21. Make sure you check out the link and consider sporting a new hoodie or t-shirt with a message!
We know that it takes everyONE to make a difference in the fight against human trafficking – and you play a significant part! Each month we are seeing new girls rescued and restored, as well as new doors of opportunity opening to be able to reach even more victims. If you haven’t checked out our resources section on the website, make sure you take a look for ideas on something you can do this month to make a difference!
* For the protection of victims of human trafficking in the care of THE A21 CAMPAIGN, all names and details pertaining to specific cases are always changed.
tedious & boring lives…
GREAT NEWS! Every one of us is called to a purpose beyond just going through the motions. Thankfully this means we are not stuck living tedious and boring lives!! If you are not specifically sure what your purpose is there are some basic things all Christians are commanded, yes commanded, to do.
- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19 (this means you have to talk to people about Jesus)
- “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
- “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
- “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
This hardly scratches the surface, but don’t let that overwhelm you. Instead think of it as an AMAZING adventure that we get to be apart of because of Gods grace and mercy.
Remember God takes this very seriously.
James 2:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive your selves. Do what is says.”
James 2:26 “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 4:17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
Impossible?
The great thing about the Spirit is that we are NOT limited to things we are naturally good at. He enables us to do whatever we are called to; no matter how large, impossible, or intimidating it may be.
Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us“
Are you living your life in the power of Christ?
Do you see evidence of His power at work within you?
What is God calling you to do?
How can you walk in His power this week?
Hebrews 10:38 “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Remember we have no reason to be afraid to live in faith because nothing is impossible with Him and we already know who wins in the end.
This week pray BIG prayers, that God would give you the opportunity to work on His behalf.
1 Peter 3:11
Hello friends! This is my first podcast. God has been laying on my heart to share what I have been learning in my personal devotions. Today I was in 1 Peter. Key verse 1 Peter 11:3. Enjoy! Feel free to leave a comment and share what you God has been showing you.
Click here –> the bold AND
“Let My People Go” by Christine Caine
MARVELOUS podcast by Christine Caine: what it means to be FREE in Christ and the responsibility that comes with freedom.
“You were created to do more than aim for retirement and die, we need to get rid of our wish bone and get a back bone. Deliverance is not freedom, a lot of Christians have been delivered but are not yet free“
The last half gets good!!!
Click here –> Freedom by Christine Caine
Initial Response
I can feel the growing pains. Being opinionated I feel these a lot; yet, being stubborn less often than I should.
As I watched a documentary tonight I realized that for nearly every point made in the video I had an immediate argument to either support or combat the idea. Then I realized that the majority of my arguments were arguments I had heard from other people, phrases I had heard in the media, facts I had read somewhere, or simply an opinion I had developed along the way.
Although many of these arguments are strong I began to realize that I was not directly referencing scripture to back up my view points. Thinking about it, could I pull out a Bible verse or Bible story for support? Yes probably. But what concerns me is that that was my second response rather than my initial response.
So I had to ask myself some questions…
Is my opinion being formed more by the opinion of others and christian media or by the Bible? If my opinion is being formed by others and Christian media are my actions as well? How can I act like Jesus if my initial response is that of someone other than Jesus?
Think about it… What comes to mind first when you read this list? Poverty, Abortion, AIDS, Christian, Gay Marriage, Pornography
Remember I’m not asking if your view point can be supported by scripture I’m asking if it is formed by scripture? Then how does scripture suggest we respond? Try not to reference verses generally but specifically.
The Rule Book
As I scanned through some of my past conversations I realized a shift of perspective that had taken place in my life. I asked myself…
Am I more focused on how close to the world I can get before sin or how close to God I can get before heaven?
Have you ever asked yourself that question? I realized that much of my effort as a new believer was focused on what I can and cannot do. I was always asking myself questions like… Is it considered gossip if ___? How far is to far when you are dating? How much do I have to tithe? Can I still watch these movies and listen to this music? Can I still wear these clothes?
I was focused on defining the very minimal amount I could give to God. How far can I push it before I am sinning? But slowly a transition happened. Once my focus was on Him, my desire began to shift to Jesus rather than the world, all the details began to fall into place. I no long spent extended amounts of time trying to justify my actions. It became easier to hear the Holy Spirit over my thoughts and it was not longer about rules.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Are the things in your life helping you seek first His kingdom? OR Are you simply trying to live by a “rule book”?
Prostitute Birthday
Prostitute birthday party.
Selfless Servants
The goal is all wrong…
I think to often the Christian mentality is that if we …
Stop drinking Stop having sex Stop swearing Stop doing drugs Smile at our neighbor
Dress appropriately Attend Church and highlight our favorite Bible verse
Then we have become “good” Christians we have started to live out our calling and are being good examples to the rest of the world. We become comfortable when we feel like we have reached a point when we are doing “nothing wrong”.
Lets Step it UP 
…
We need to move from “good” to living out of faith. Not only that God will provide for us but that we may be asked to step out of our comfort zone, comfort finances, comfort location, comfort friends, comfort career and go to a place in our life when we are truly reliant on God.
I have realized by watching many of my mentors, who have an immense passion for Jesus, that they have come to a point where being a believer of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with what God can do for them, but rather about what they can do to serve God and serve others.
Cleaning our life is only one part of the puzzle and although it has its own benefits we are missing the goal to become selfless servants of God, which is often accompanied by miraculous moments of surrender, by stopping there.
“Would I love You enough to let go, Or would my love run dry, When You asked for my life” -Sidewalk Prophets
The challenge: Step out of your comfort zone by tangibly picking something to serve God and others with this week.
The Motions
“I don’t want to go through the motions, I don’t want to go one more day” … “I don’t want to spend my whole life asking what if I had given everything”
Discovering Authentic Faith
What is a believer?
Do not answer these questions by opinion but to find verses that answer them from a true biblical perspective and let the Spirit interpret them. Take time to pray about it this week.
Questions to start thinking
Has your relationship with God actually changed the way you live?
Do you see evidence of God’s kingdom in your life? What kind?
What does it look like to be totally in love?
What does a believer’s life look like?
Matt 22:37-38
Would you describe your-self as totally in love with Jesus? Why?
Why does this matter?
James 2:17-19
What action have you seen in your life this week?
Matt 10:32-33
In what ways have you acknowledged God before others this week?
Revelations 3:15-16
What does a lukewarm person look like?
The Character of God
What are some words that describe the character of God?
List some of your own.
- Never-Changing
- Protector
- Forgiving
- Provider
- Healer
- Love
- Powerful
- All-Knowing
- Just
What does is mean when we say God is Just?
What does it mean to fear God?
Where do we see this in the Bible?
Do you fear God? Do you live your life like you do?
Hebrews 12:1-6
*Some questions taken from Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Stephen Baldwin’s Story
Sometimes being willing to tell your story is the most powerful thing you can do. Are you willing to share yours?
Life Changing Events
Who doesn’t look forward to the exciting life changing events? Graduation, moving, landing the perfect job, finding the best church, or even that one life changing sermon that gives you direction for the next year.
So often waiting for the next big exciting thing became my focus. I was always praying for God to do something HUGE in my life. But in reality the majority of our lives are made up of the “average” days not the life changing events.
During these average days it was easy for me to grow stale, lose passion, and feel like God wasn’t talking to me anymore. I remember always thinking as soon as God tells me what to do I’m am going to do it. I can’t wait to do. If only He would tell me so my life could be productive and exciting.
Until finally I realized that God had already told me to do something and I wasn’t listing. God told me to get to know him, read my Bible, hide His Word in my heart, be disciplined! I realized it wasn’t that God was not talking to me but rather that I was picking and choosing according to what interested me.
Once I started to be in his word DAILY a crazy thing started to happen. God started to use me. Even my “average” days became exciting. God started answering my simplest prayers and revealing himself to me in the smallest but still extremely exciting ways.
I wanted to be used in the Big things but I was forgetting the little steps.
God doesn’t leave us idle and waiting without direction. He directs us to be in his Word and to make disciples. We can’t pass up this step in anticipation for the big events. My challenge to you is to wake up 30 min early two weeks in a row and spend undistracted quality time with God. Only in our individual times with God everyday can we grow increasingly in the direction God wants us to.
A great analogy I read in Andy Deans book “Learn How to Study the Bible” was how when we don’t eat food for several days in a row we will grow physically weak. The same thing if we don’t have spiritual growth everyday we will grow spiritually weak. Church on Sunday can not sustain us the entire week.
My next life changing event is to listen, pray, and be in the Bible everyday!
Ephesians 6:14-18 Armor of God
Roe, Wade, and I
On Jan 22 1973, 37 years ago today the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Roe in the case of Roe vs. Wade, making abortion legal. Although I wouldn’t be born for another 15 years this decision changed my life.
I was pregnant by 17, I had an abortion by 18, and become hopeless by the time I left the clinic. My mind was lost in the same prayer that one morning I simply wouldn’t wake up; that I could somehow escape the reality that I would never be able to meet my baby.
At some point it doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks about the decisions we make in life. It doesn’t matter why we make the decisions we make. The only thing that matters is that we are forgiven and that no matter how hopeless we become nothing is too low or big for Jesus to bring us through.
Sure I’m pro-life but this isn’t a big push for that. The one thing that I want you to know is that the only way you can be completely free, forgiven, and find joy after a painful past is through the grace given by Jesus.
Remember God is bigger than Roe vs. Wade. God is bigger than abortion, bigger than drugs, bigger than depression. We can’t explain why things happen. All we can do is have faith in a just God. If you ever want to talk, share your story, or hear the rest of mine I would love to talk. If you have been hurt by abortion you are not the only one. And most importantly Jesus loves you!
1 John 1:9
Romans 8:28
Abortion information:
Abort73.com
Post-Abortion resources:
Forgiven and Set Free Bible Study
Pregnancy resources:
Stanton Healthcare Boise, ID
(208) 855-5095
Nationwide list of Pregnancy Centers
http://www.covenantnews.com/pregnant/
“Can I Live” Nick Cannon
Psalm 73: 21-26
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Christine Caine
“Its very hard to change a world that your not in, its even harder to change a world that your the same substance as”
My Confession
Confession of a Lukewarm Christian
When people say Christians are hypocrites they are talking about me.
Jesus told me to feed the Hungry … James 2:15-17 Isa 58:6-7
Instead I filled my pantry with far more than I could eat
Jesus told me to spend time with his people … James 1: 27, Colossians 4:4-6
Instead I spent my time at the movies
Jesus told me to cloth the poor … Luke 18:21-25 Isa 58:6-7
Instead I filled my closet with brand name clothes
Jesus told me to ask for wisdom … James 1:5
Instead I remained ignorant
Jesus told me to draw close to him … Isa 29:13, Col 3:1-2, James 4:8
Instead I surfed the Internet
Jesus told me to reach the suffering … Luke 14:12-14
Instead I filled my week with Church activities
Jesus told me not to be concerned with trials … James 1:2-4, 12, Matt 10:32-33, Heb 10:38
Instead I backed down in fear rather than talking about my faith
Jesus told me to stand up for the weak … Psalms 12:5, Col 3: 12
Instead I stood up for what was popular
Jesus told me to love my neighbor as my self … Matt 22:39, James 2:8
Instead I refused to go out of my way to make time for them in my schedule
Jesus told me to love my enemy… Matt 5:43-47
Instead I gossiped about them
Jesus told me to forgive … Eph 4:31-32, Col3:12-14, Matt 18:21-22
Instead I remembered every wrong
Jesus told me to have a relationship with him … Matt 23:25-28, 16: 24-25
Instead I played religion
If you have met me or people like me you have not experienced Jesus. You have experienced Christians in the world consumed by culture. I challenge you to learn who Jesus is not what we have portrayed him to be.
If you are like me, I challenge you to change with me, and start living a life of Faith not of comfort. To learn more: read Crazy Love by Francis Chan or join the group No Longer Lukewarm on Facebook a group where we can encourage each other to break the cycle of the lukewarm Christian.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive your-selves. Do what it says” James 1:22
Kelly Antonczak
