Do you have children? How about grandchildren? Nieces or nephews? What would you do if a child you knew and loved was being held captive? What if they no longer had a name but instead were only referred to by a number. Doesn’t that sound horrible? Sounds like something from a horror movie doesn’t it? But it’s happening today, for real, all over the world!
The four man band, “The Wrecking” led worship at the church I attend, Bethel -The Church at Franklin Mills this past weekend. They are a gifted band who has visited Bethel several times over the past few years. Check them out at http://www.thewrecking.net and click thru either the YouTube or MySpace links to hear their music and view some videos. Not only are they a great band musically, but beyond that they support Love146, an organization that tries to bring to light the enormous problem of modern day slavery, in particular, child sex trafficking.
There are more people enslaved now than there has ever been previously in the history of the world. Most estimates put the number at over 27 million people, most of whom are females and children. Every enslaved individual is a child of God. His heart must ache when He see what they go through. This industry generates over 32 billion dollars a year! God has put the shattered lives of these people on the hearts of the members of The Wrecking. So at each performance they take a little time during their set to talk about this nightmare and what Love146 is doing to combat it. I encourage everyone reading this to check out the website, www.Love146.org You won’t be able to leave that site without being affected.
While you are there take a look at “Love Story-How We Got Our Name”. It tells how the organization began and got its name. It’s the moving story of a little girl about 11 years old, in Southeast Asia being sold for sex. She was grouped with other little girls, all in identical red dresses, in a room to be viewed by the predators for purchase. The only way to identify a girl was by the number pinned to her dress. This girl’s number was 146. Please read about her.
You may ask, like I did, but what can one person possibly do? Well, first and foremost we can each pray. God has given everyone of us the ability to pray. And prayer can make a huge difference. Second, just by telling others about this problem it will be brought further into the light and exposed. (I hope this blog helps to do that). Third, support organizations like Love146 that are on the front lines in this battle.
So when you are enjoying your own children, or looking after your grandkids, or see the neighborhood kids playing, think about that little girl Number 146. And then ask yourself, what would I do if that was my child?
