Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?
For thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,
and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you,
and I will save your children.”
Isaiah 49:24-25
Human trafficking is the illegal buying and selling of men, women, and children for reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, organ harvesting, or simply modern-day slavery. While it can be difficult to measure such a clandestine industry, there are an estimated 27 million people in the world who are victims today.[1] Trafficking generates an estimated $32 billion annually for its perpetrators.[2] In this area of injustice, the Philippines is a source country and, to a much lesser degree, a destination and transit country. Rampant corruption exists at all levels of government that enables traffickers and undermines efforts to combat trafficking. Some estimate that there are as many as 100,000 Filipino children bound in sex slavery.[3] Because of this, child sex tourism is a serious problem in the Philippines. [4]
We believe the two greatest needs in human trafficking are for the Church worldwide to become aware of the issues in order to pray and take action and to restore those who have been rescued out of the bondage of slavery. “The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners” (Psalm 146:7). And He so clearly calls us to “do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4). We can no longer ignore the atrocity that exists in almost every nation on the earth! It is time for us, as the extension of the Kingdom of Heaven to take action, bring liberation to captives and to restore life to those who have had theirs stolen from them.
The strategy of Hope For All Children in this area is twofold. First, by partnering with local government agencies and other non-government organizations, we seek to bring awareness to the areas of the Philippines that are most targeted by traffickers. As we travel and speak in different parts of the world, we endeavor to challenge the Body of Christ to rise up and take a stand against this horrific and growing atrocity.
Secondly, our “Hope House” seeks to be a safe haven for the broken and abused, a place where wholeness and restoration can come through a concentrated time of aftercare ministry. We believe that the Father longs to see His children made whole, and through a professional rehabilitation process joined with the work of the Holy Spirit, a transformation is possible!
How can you help see an end to human trafficking? Here are a few ways:
1. PRAY! Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to be a voice for those in bondage. Pray for the victims: men, women, and children. Pray for the salvation of perpetrators, traffickers, pimps, and madams. Pray that brothels and schemes would be exposed and brought to the light. Pray for law enforcement, judges, lawyers, and investigative agencies to do what is right in the sight of God.
2. Be a voice! Share with those around you about trafficking. Help bring awareness to the Church and call her to action. Be an advocate for organizations that are actively working for a solution. Call on your local government to take further action against trafficking.
3. Partner with Hope For All Children or other ministries who desire to see children’s lives restored. This worldwide issue requires that the Body of Christ fights together!
To contribute financially to the Hope House, Click Here.
To find out more about how to get involved, please email us at info@hopeforallchildren.com.
The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.
Luke 4:18-19