Doug Dworak, director of Tiny Hands International, came and spoke yesterday at a luncheon I was blessed to attend. And I don't want to forget. I don't want step back into my suburban bubble unchanged. With tears in his eyes, and great tenderness in his heart, he shared the various ministries in which the organization is now involved.
The issue of child sex trafficking is atrocious. And it is so tempting to turn my eyes away in utter disgust. To hear him say that young boys are now being sold for body parts, or that children live their entire childhood under their mother's bed while listening to her perform sex acts, enslaved in a brothel--this is the devastating reality. And I don't want to forget.
I don't want to be like those the Lord describes through the pen of Isaiah, "How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers...Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them." (Isaiah 1:21, 23b) May that not be us.
Before our compassionate God, the fatherless find mercy. (Hosea 14:3b) But strongholds must be broken. The enemy has deceived and billions of dollars pass through this degrading, damaging industry every year. So what can we do? What can I do--young mother to three children safe in their home? Three things:
1. Pray. This is not a "churchy" cliche. Oh it can be. But the believing prayer of God's children causes structures to collapse. Doug said that when they began fasting and praying every Wednesday for this cause, the number of women intercepted out of trafficking increased from 49 to 1000 in less than a year! Prayer and fasting IS a weapon mighty in God.
One way you can commit to pray is through the One Girl initiative. For only $10 you can get this amazing bracelet, hand stitched by the women of Princess Home in Nepal. Friend, this is the very least we can do--support these women and get on our knees against principalities of darkness. Get yours today!
2. Donate. I know there are a plethora of organizations asking for help. But I will tell you, you will not find an organization any more faithful with funds than Tiny Hands. This director and his small stateside staff diligently seek the Lord's will and desire to be ever-faithful with every dollar that passes through their hands.
3. Stay informed and inform others. Set aside one hour and watch the video entitled The Day My God Died. Then speak out. Let others know of this disgrace and show them how they can also join the effort to abolish.
Our God is a faithful, compassionate God. As John Piper says, "He does not play catch up with the enemy." This is a difficult topic to reconcile. But may we begin with His character and look at this devastation through His eyes of grace. He is reigning on high.
