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I’m done with numbers. Numbers are too black and white and just don’t seem good enough when dealing with human trafficking. Numbers are just numbers. They are only words spoken and lack any attachment or feeling and understanding. It’s just not that easy when it comes to buying and selling humans. And that is why. They are humans; not cattle. You can’t number them and move them along. We are complicated beings and require much more out of life and from each other than a number. It’s important to hear survival stories of the rescued. Stories are bridge builders. They bring humanity together and open the door with an invitation to stay for dinner, serving a fine dish of common ground. Moms and dads are compassionate towards the world’s hungry children because they can’t imagine their own children being hungry. Women are moved by the Eastern Congo conflict where women are repeatedly raped and sexually mutilated by rebels and child soldiers because they know someone who has been sexually assaulted. I find it is the same with human trafficking. The numbers are so big, the issue so overwhelming, it all seems so far away from our lives here in America. But that’s not the case at all. I’ve mentioned in previous posts of this series that I met a beautiful young Egyptian woman, Shyima, not too long ago. Shyima is a local (Orange County, CA) survivor of domestic slavery. The article is a few years old now but I encourage you to read her story. She is not one million; she is one. Stories like Shyima’s compel people to act because we can relate to her in someway through her story. We can all identify with her as a fellow human and created in the image of God. One million enslaved in America is a bit much. But if we’re talking about one, that’s a little easier to deal with. So I encourage you to forget the numbers today and listen to only one. Consider the God who created all things, both the seen and the unseen and who also created Shyima. Consider the God who wants the best for his children and think about the children in your life and what you want for them. Consider the God who knows you more intimately than you know yourself. This is the God who although he created everything, became like his creation in the person of Christ so that he could reveal to us his story. We identify with Jesus because of his humanity. God is no longer an overwhelming white-bearded-man who sits on a ginormous throne on some far away fluffy cloud. He came to us as a baby. It’s where our humanity started and it’s where he chose to begin his. When Jesus ascended back to heaven, we were given his spirit so that the story of God could reach not only our humanity, but our souls also. The spirit takes up residence within us when we surrender our lives story and enter his. The big far away God is now so close, we can talk to him, eat ice cream with him, surf with him, celebrate with him and take naps with him. Stories are personal. I had the chance to meet Shyima. Her story is now personal to me and because of that I will do all that I can to prevent what happened to her from happening to other children. I will stop looking at the numbers as numbers and start considering the stories hiding behind them. Some things to consider when being aware of a potential trafficked person: A victim of trafficking may look like many people you see every day. However if you see someone who *appears to be unable to speak for themselves *someone else is controlling them *they appear fearful, especially of law enforcement *someone else has their documents (passport/identification) Then, you should call 888.3737.888 (National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline). There are stories like Shyima’s all across America that need to be told. To hear more stories of modern day slavery survivors, check out the following links. |
