Note: This post contains some details that may not be suitable for younger readers.
Here was an organization with a similar passion as Natalie Grant’s The Hope Foundation and the International Justice Mission, both of which I have supported through the years specifically because of their work with young girls who are sexually exploited. Why had I never heard of Project Rescue before? They are helping the girls that some would never touch; they are battling an evil some will not even acknowledge as existing. Human slavery has not ended in America, much less other parts of the world such as Asia and Eastern Europe. Did you know that one million new children are drawn into the commercial sex trade every year? Can we even comprehend such a number? Do we even care?
A girl who is purchased by a trafficker for as little as $150 can be sold to customers as many as ten times a night and can bring in $10,000 a month profit. With minimal expenses, police as co-conspirators, and almost unlimited victims to prey upon, trafficking for sexual exploitation is surpassing the sale of illegal drugs as the preferred industry for criminals. In India, there are approximately 10 million prostitutes, and an estimated 300,000 – 500,000 of them are children. In the city of Mumbai, 90% of the 100,000 women in prostitution are indentured slaves. - Project Rescue Issue Overview
I am selfish and stupid if I ignore reality. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I know it exists. This organization’s purpose to Rescue, Restore, and Prevent is one I whole-heartedly support. The need and magnitude of this issue could easily seem overwhelming and too difficult. I may not be equipped or able to save one million children this year from slavery, but I can do something.
I’ll have to look up that book. Thank you for the reminder to be in prayer for these women.
Isn’t it strange to think that just a few different circumstances in our lives and we could have been those women?
Wonderful! I love to hear of organizations such as this. I have a sweet girlfriend who is currently in India (near Mumbai) right now ministering to children. She said the spirit of oppression is very, very physical over there, and encourages all of us to pray strength for those working to bring restoration and hope.
Oh yes… how crucial it is for us to speak on behalf of those who have no voice. This issue breaks my heart. Thank you for sharing this, Natalie.
-Mary
(This is a little sidenote to Natalie – it need not be included in my comment. =) Please pass it on to her, if possible… Here are two websites that were sent to me by YWAM friends. My friends were blessed to be able to meet and speak with Hakani. The sites immediately caught my interest & my heart.)
http://www.hakani.org/en/
http://www.lirs.org/DonateServe/advocate.htm
Something also to remember is how so many of those nameless faces out there suffering these things are our sisters. Truer then blood sisters with families and hearts that are as easily broken as our own. Amen! Support them… but even more so pray for them.