Years ago, I heard a story about a couple who were walking on the beach. They were walking along, talking and enjoying the fresh air. Every now and again, the woman would see a little starfish on the shore, stop and pick it up and toss it back into the sea so that it could live.
After awhile the man laughed and said, "you're wasting your time, you know. Thousands of them wash up every night. What possible difference can you make doing this?"
With that...she picked up another one...tossed it into the sea and looking her companion full in the face said, "It made a difference to that one!"
Well, I thought of that story this morning while I was reading about a growing problem in the world. A problem that you may have thought ended with the abolition of slavery. I know, I did. But I was wrong.
Slavery not only still exists...but is now said to be the second largest criminal industry in the world. Yes...I said, SLAVERY.
Over twelve million people worldwide are bought and sold for forced labor or sexual exploitation. 80% are female. 50% are children. The majority are forced into the commercial sex trade.
Does that turn your stomach the way it did mine?
32 Billion dollars a year is made off the trafficking of human beings. And that is an overwhelming thing to think about. So most of us just...don't.
But remembering that little story about the couple on the beach touched me this morning...and made me realize that, though I cannot do everything...I can do something.
And so I decided that one thing I can do is to tell you. I believe the more that people are aware of this...the more we can do to stop it. And I joined an organization called "Pearl Alliance". You'll find them on the right sidebar of this website.
It's part of John and Lisa Bevere's ministry, so I trust them impeccably. John and Lisa are dedicated people whose ministry I have followed for years. They are greatly used of God and have a made a huge impact on my life. I hope you will take a moment to view the video that I have here. It's brief and to the point and will open your eyes to this heinous and still growing, problem.
Pearl Alliance from Allan Nygren on Vimeo.
And if you cannot help financially...you can still pray. Prayer works my friends. Pray that God energize them in their work in this area and give them the favor and the finances they need to continue. In so doing, you will become a modern day Abolitionist. I did...just this morning. And it took no time at all.
And even if you just send them 5 bucks and give up a Starbucks coffee this week... it will help. Five dollars goes a long way when we all do it.
That's what I did...as I read the following words, and was reminded of the story of the couple walking on the beach...
“To Succumb to the enormity of the problem is to fail the ONE, and SHE MATTERS!”
Kate~
dern-day slavery is said to be the second largest criminal industry in the world.
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