#bring back our girls

[Note from Beauty for Ashes: We first published this blog post by Lisa Harris on 9 May 2014. However, in the light of the latest news coming from Nigeria about some of the girls, it seemed timely to re-publish it, and it is our prayer that these girls will soon be found and returned to their families.]

Before I started researching my novel Blood Ransom, I knew nothing about modern-day slavery. It didn’t take long for me to realize that human trafficking wasn’t just something people on the other side of the world were dealing with. Slavery is a reality in my home country in the US.

In fact, there are 27 million people today who are enslaved around the world.

Think about that. 27 million individual lives.

The shocking fact is that human trafficking is world wide and can hit very close to home. Asia, Africa, Europe, and across the US as well. It’s become the second largest illegal and profitable enterprise in the world.

Just weeks ago, 276 girls were taken in the middle of the night from a boarding school in Nigeria. Today, the leader of the group that took them is threatening to sell them into slavery.

The group’s leader said in a video that he abducted their girls and will sell them in the market. He said that they are slaves and he will sell them because he has the market to sell them.

Young girls sold like goods in the market place.

This isn’t from a history book. This is real. Today.

What can we do?

I’ve mentioned before how God uses the ordinary to do extraordinary things for Him. While the task might seem overwhelming, we can get engaged and make a difference in the world around us!

First of all pray.

Pray for the men, women, and children involved in this horrific crime around the world, and right now, pray specifically the girls and families in Nigeria.

Second, inform yourself about what is happening.

There are a number of groups who are standing together to put an end to human trafficking worldwide.

Thirdly, don’t be afraid to go where you hear God sending you and reach out to those around you.

It might mean getting involved with a group who is specifically fighting human trafficking. Or it might be a hurting neighbor down the street, a lonely teen in your church’s youth group, or a forgotten elderly person in your apartment building. Through His strength, we can make a difference–wherever we are–one person at a time.

Make a difference in someone else’s life today!

Lisa

PS from Beauty for Ashes

Many of you know of Christine Caine and have heard her speak. FYI she has founded an organisation called The A21 Campaign which fights human trafficking and has branches all over the world. The good news is that they have opened a branch in Cape Town. Go to their website and get informed and read their article 21 Ways to Get Involved. You can also “Like” their FaceBook page.

Lisa Harris

Lisa Harris and her family have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Mozambique where she writes romantic suspense, leads a women’s group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry to provide for people’s physical needs. When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari.