During our time spent with our ministry, we have been looking at working to deepen our connection with organizations and churches alike. “Why are you working with both of these groups,” you may ask. The answer is simple, the organizations working on the front lines combating these problems have the passion, vision, and direction, while on the other hand, the Church of Jesus Christ has the ultimate answer to all of the problems that the organizations are experiencing. The more we have Christ and His answers in the fight to combat the darkness of this world the more progress we make.
There is an encouraging word about this in God’s word. It says in Matthew 5:14 that a small lamp expels darkness. Remember that in the difficult times of life or when you are facing temptation. Light is much more powerful than darkness. It only takes a small light to make the shadows of life disappear. That is what we are called to be as a ministry, not a big light but just a lamp for the room God has placed us. We have no power and can take no credit; God is both the fuel and ignition of our lives. We have only one choice, to follow or not to follow. Faithfulness is the only choice we have to make, and our faithfulness, in both big and small things, glorifies our Father in heaven.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“
(Returning from rabbit trail)
Over these past few months, we have connected with organizations working on the front lines as well as the rehabilitation process. We have connected with churches and have been doing research into the local demographics and geographics to see how the “big picture” plays out here. Ultimately, we want to see these issues from a macro and micro perspective. If we only see things from how they are affecting individual victims or “johns” then we are keeping a big question from being answered on an important front. “What is driving the industry here?” Without this question, we cannot look at bringing an end to the problem as a whole.
The truth is there are three ways we can look into issues such as sex trafficking and the refugee crisis overlapping. We can look at them from either a “pre” or “post” perspective. What do I mean? I mean this, we can either focus all time and energy on helping victims heal from the abuse that was put on them, OR we can use that time and energy to try to stop the issues themselves. The third option can be the most devastating, risky, energy and timing consuming of all of them, which is to fight and put effort to try to rescue the ones already slaved. Everyone working in these areas must choose their approach, but all the approaches are extremely needed.
We see cities, such as San Francisco, in need of discipleship with many many young people coming out of a lifetime of sexual abuse. In the same breath, we see an unending cycle where if one person is rescued from trafficking the demand is high enough that more women are found to replace them. It is business with humanity as the merchandise and the industry is only accelerating as we become more polarized and desensitized to what is already evil.
It is interesting (not necessarily in a good way), how every micro economy works similarly but differently when it comes to the cause and effects of brutality. For example, as we currently drive the streets of the San Francisco bay area and have conversations with people we can begin to hypothesize about the causes for these issues in this city specifically. As I mentioned earlier, the cost of living here is astronomical and as many people seek solutions for this problem they come to only one conclusion. “I need to work more.” We have met multiple people working two jobs during the day and then working another at night. They get up each day to start that process over. I was told the other day that if someone wants to retire in the area where we are staying that they would need “four million dollars”. I know… I know what you are thinking, “But people get paid better there right?” Well yes and no. The minimum wage is $15 (and some cents) an hour but that does not make up for the cost of living. Taking into account, for example, the cost of gas be around $3.60gl to $4.20gl, housing is anywhere around $1,000,000 low-end for sale or around $2400 per month on a low-end rental for a one-bedroom.
So as parents are off working all of the time what happens to the children? Now I do not believe that many people want to neglect their kids. I am assuming that parents want their own child’s best but when you end up living to work instead of working to live your family is not at home anymore. Family has become coworkers and colleagues. Many of these children can struggle to find themselves in the difficulties that this situation provides and seek the affection that they desire from their parents in other people. Including pimps, gangs, drug dealers, and “boyfriends” who are looking to break the 
young woman or lady for the pimps and traffickers. On the other end, some of those same people who are working like crazy to pay the bills and who may be going through a difficult relationship or marriage think that it is okay to go “let off some steam.” I have heard stories of “Johns” who have gone to places such as Cambodia or Thailand to numb themselves after losing his family in a car accident the week or two before. What is the point here? Hurt people…hurt people. And as society becomes more self-focused because of pain that has been experienced the more rampant the symptoms of pain and brokenness will spread.
We need to heal. Heal ourselves, our families, our communities, cities, and counties, and that will only happen if the pain inflicted on us is not digested and vomited back out on this world. There is only one who can give us freedom from this. He is the one who gave us commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” He also said, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…” (Matthew 5:30-31, 44) These are words we must live by. That is our goal and challenge. To love.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.” Micah 6:8
Blessings,
Care. Equip. Share. 