For Sale

Pop-culture is an interesting thing. The recent mainstream success of Slumdog Millionaire has brought images of India to the front pages of our newspapers and award shows. Over the past few days various news reports have indicated that one of the young stars of Slumdog was essentially put up for sale by her father. The father of Rubina Ali (young Latika in the film) is now denying some of the reports, but it does seem that some sort of arrangement was in the works. Clearly Rubina's recent stardom has not changed the difficult circumstances in which she lives. Unfortunately, one of the difficult circumstances that is a regular part of life in India (and other countries) is the threat of being sold into various forms of slavery.

The fight against human trafficking, sex slavery, and other human rights violations has become a trendy thing in recent years. I'm pleased with that. All humans are created in the image of God and we should champion for human freedoms. Unfortunately, we in the conservative end of evangelicalism have, at times, surrendered this area of deep physical need to those who may or may not even care about someone's spiritual freedom, much less be in a position to address spiritual issues. The good news is that trend is shifting, thanks in large part to some key individuals with an amazing organization.

International Justice Mission is a human rights organization driven by the biblical call for justice and freedom for the oppressed. I've had the opportunity to spend some time with some individuals from the organization and to participate in one of their Global Prayer Gatherings and I can tell you that the work they are doing is amazing. Here's a bit of what they are working to combat:

• The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in excess of $32 billion (U.N.)
• Each year, more than 2 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade (UNICEF)
• 27 million men, women and children are held as slaves. (Kevin Bales, Disposable People)
• 1 in 5 women is a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. (U. N. Development Fund for Women)
• More than 1 million children live in detention, the vast majority awaiting trial for minor offenses. (UNICEF)

In case you haven't heard of International Justice Mission prior to reading this post... Check them out. Pray for them. Get involved. Partner with them.

Be willing to learn about the horrors many are facing to begin to understand what role the Lord might want you to take in the solution.

"Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
-Isaiah 1:17

(sidenote-- Okay, I'm three blogs in and sheesh, these are all HEAVY. I'm about to go get some Laffy Taffy so that I can steal the jokes of the wrappers as fodder for my next post. Never fear, comic relief is on the way)