Refuse to do Nothing: What is Still Needed? #HumanTrafficking

Chapter 15: What is Still Needed

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. – Edmund Burke

It has been such a pleasure connecting with local advocates and experts in my community to learn, discuss, and educate locals about human trafficking. Over the past few weeks, I have received several emails from people asking me simply, “What can I do? What are the next steps?” These are important questions. I’m hosting the last event in our “Refuse to do Nothing” Human Trafficking Education & Awareness Series next weekend and I look forward to sharing next steps with my local community.

I am glad Shayne and Kim close this book by answering the question, “What else is still needed?”

Training for first responders,
Direct assistance for survivors,
translators,
offer professional and personal life skills to survivors (think accounting, photography, sports, activities),
Neighborhood watch groups, and
more church involvement (167).

One of the speakers from the RTDN series serves women at a local strip club in our area. The women in the clubs are oppressed and most of them hate the night life, but feel as if they do not have other options. As a way of encouraging these women to take the bold step to live out God’s purpose for their lives, the speaker and women from her church regularly ask the women in the club, “What’s next?” The women in the club may not be in a position where they are ready to hear about the message of Jesus; however, they often agree that they were created for something better. Sometimes it’s just down right hard to find hope and see light in the midst of so much darkness.

Such is the case with us. I have been educated over the past few months. I have educated others. The closer I get to the problem and the more I am able to see, the more difficult it is to continue in these small efforts. It is emotionally and spiritually draining, which also leads to physical stress. When I get weary, I am reminded that we are talking about people that are created in the image of God. 27 million of them are trapped in modern-day slavery. My heart sank again when the IJM representative informed us of the Global Slavery Index’s recent report that increased the estimation to 29.8 million. This reality is dark and it is overwhelming, but we are asking the right questions when we want to know: What is still needed? And what are the next steps?

At the International Justice Mission Global Prayer Gathering, President & CEO, Gary Haugen encouraged attendees to offer bold prayers of intercession because God’s truth and light dispels the darkness that seems insurmountable. Engaging human trafficking is a spiritual battle and God’s Word has much to say about this present darkness:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12).”
“He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them (Ps 94:23).”
“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God (John 3:20-21).”
“Who among you fears the Lord and obeys that word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God (Is 50:10).”

What’s next? The biblical charge for you and me is for us to walk in the light together. Join focuses with the churches in your community and share what you have learned. “Whether church leaders don’t know about the issue or it’s just not a priority, it may be your role to bring it to their attention and begin to engage those you do know in the church. Collaborate with anti-trafficking agencies, law enforcement, social workers, attorneys, government and nonprofit agencies (168).”

From Author, Kimberly:

If you really suppose you can do nothing to overthrow slavery you are greatly mistaken. You can do much in every way: four things I will name.

1^st. You can read on this subject.

2d. You can pray over this subject. (I have not put reading before praying because I regard it more important, but because, in order to pray right, we must understand what we are praying for (170).

3d. You can speak on this subject.

4^th. You can act on this subject.

You are needed in the new abolitionist movement. Join [us]. Refuse to do nothing (170).

Resources:

You can join us at the IJM Advocacy Summit on June 9-10, 2014 in Washington DC. Register to be a force for freedom!

For Churches: Read “The Just Church: Becoming a Risk-Taking, Justice-Seeking, Disciple-making Congregation” by Jim Martin (Note: Book review coming to the blog next week.)

Blessings, © Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 2014

Refuse to Do Nothing Book Discussion

Chapter 1: The issue of Human Trafficking

Chapter 2: We’ve Done This Before

Chapter 3: So you want to be an activist?

Chapter 4: Take Action #HumanTrafficking

Chapter 5: Be Brave, No Excuses

Chapter 6: Stop the Violence

Chapter 7: Not in My Backyard

Chapter 8: Sex for Money

Chapter 9: Be the Nosy Neighbor

Chapter 10: Congo, Your Phone, and Child Slaves