Though I still wait on Him, I am not to be silent.

So, here it is, my first blog post on the sex industry; prompted by a seminar from 'No More Traffik' last week during which we discussed and were informed of the nature and causes of trafficking. Firstly, here is a quick overview of the facts...

Trafficking: 'The coercion, movement and exploitation of people for profit.'

•  Sexual exploitation makes up 79% of human trafficking.  Most of which is at the expense of women and girls.

• The next most common form of trafficking is forced labor.

• Though the term 'trafficking' involves movement, it is most often not over international borders but something that occurs close to home.

• Trafficking occurs in at least 160 countries.  

Why? Because there is a demand. Because a body can be sold multiple times a day over years, making it the largest source of income for organised crime.

Why? Because poverty and emotional vulnerability create an opportunity for exploitation.

Why?  Because not everybody views people as made in the image of God.  A certain mind set is required for somebody to perceive another human as a commodity to be used or sold.

So why am I writing about this?
Though as mentioned earlier, this post was prompted by a seminar, it was several years ago that I first heard the specific call of God on my life to work with women in prostitution. I accepted it as something to come into action far into my future.  But now I feel the stir of the Lord.  He has been molding and breaking my heart as He prepares me, and now though I still wait on Him, I understand that I am not to be silent.

In the seminar, having been presented with the facts, we were asked which aspect of trafficking personally offends us most... what is it that resonates with my heart specifically?  What brings ME to tears?  Personally my desperation is found in the theft of dignity that is involved in the sex industry....but for the person beside me it will likely be something else.  This is powerful and beautiful; we do not barge into these issues as if we can conjure up anything to contribute to the efforts of justice, rather we look into ourselves to discover the burdens and resources already at hand and bring them to the Lord as an offering to be used and multiplied.  For some they have a great anger when they consider the traffickers, for others they are overwhelmed by the tragedy of the stories of victims, some approach with a law degree or the gift of counselling others the ability to public speak.  It is with this individuality that we can creatively begin to tackle the issue.

With creativity and individuality, but also with an acknowledgement that by myself I have nothing to offer.   Alone Lucy can not storm into the brothels and deliver justice to the owners and bring about restoration for the victims.  I have neither strength nor expertise and I know nothing of suffering.  But I wait on one who does.

 I come simply with an imperfect desperation for the renewal of dignity and justice and a young life committed to see change.Where that commitment will take me I do not know, but I felt that I should write for the first time about the deepest and most mysterious burden of my heart, that perhaps one day I can look back on the journey and witness God's hand at work from the start.

"Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated O Jerusalem; loose the bonds of your neck O captive daughter of Zion." Isaiah 52:2