Why One Dress?

Many of the girls who are trafficked only have One Dress.
We are wearing One Dress to remind us each day that wearing only One Dress is reality for these girls.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Putting a face on a number.

Hey, it's me - Christy. While my dress hangs in my closet and the one month is over, I feel like I have entered into a time of processing and mulling over all that I learned in July. Perhaps it comes from the fact that I am preparing to talk to my church's ladies' fellowship group about sex trafficking and how we might be involved in the abolition movement. In an attempt to continue to learn and process what I want to see happen from this one month experience, I volunteered along with my fiance at a free viewing of The Whistleblower that was sponsored by Not for Sale Georgia

The movie puts a face to the statistics of sex trafficking. And the movie points to the utter brutality and sin of man. I spent the entire movie tightly gripping Jeremy's hands. Cried on my drive home. Cried in bed, as I prayed. I laid awake for hours as I pondered these girls that were mysteriously out there somewhere who were so hurt and broken. And I had nightmares of sex trafficking.

I don't say this to deter you from viewing the movie, nor to say that it is not for the weak of heart/stomach (or whatever that durn phrase is). No, I think we ALL need to see this movie or something of the thing. Sex trafficking is a relative hidden evil in this world.  We do not see the girls (and boys and women and men) being manipulated and tricked. We do not see the abuse nor the bondage... and unfortunately the saying 'out of sight, out of mind' is all too true.


Look throughout Scripture and you will see that God has a special concern for and calls His people to have a special concern for those who society has made helpless, weak, needy and downtrodden. They are NOT 'the least of these...' in a derogatory sort of way... but rather our culture has stripped them of the ability to take care of themselves. I think God even tells us that a part of worship of Him and a part of our witness to the world is by breaking bondage and caring for "the orphan and the widow and the sojourner" - those that have been oppressed and made weak by our culture. (Isaiah 58. James 1:27) And I believe the victims of sex trafficking very much fall into this category.


James 1:27 tells us that we are to 'visit the orphans and widows in their affliction.' Does that signify an entering into their affliction? If we are blind and ignorant of the suffering that our society and culture has created or permitted to exist for different people, how can we visit them in their affliction?


I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of pain and suffering that exists in this world. My heart aches, and my arms long to hold those who have been so badly hurt. What can I do? What is my call? Sex trafficking is but one of many social injustices. It is but one of many areas of brokenness and need. Is my call to just raise awareness? To help end the stigma the victims face of being called child prostitutes? Is it to know how to better vote at the polls? Is it to get involved in local ministries? I feel like I have done so little over these past few days. I have learned much, but how does that help?


Come back, Lord Jesus, come back! But until that day comes... more grace! Oh how we need more grace! (Revelations 21:1-8; 22:20-21)

      

No comments:

Post a Comment