I was in LA yesterday to see Dr. Parks’ partner, Dr. Ivry, who is another incredible oral surgeon. I broke a temporary bridge 😯 but so grateful it wasn’t my post.
Dr. Ivry was so kind to fit me in last minute on a Saturday! Also, I couldn’t believe my dentist, Dr. Homyak, also came over to bring the night guard she made me! I have never seen such a dedicated group of doctors! They truly serve with skill, professionalism and compassion! Thank you to all, I feel blessed to finally received the answers to get to the “roots” of my health challenges! 👍😂 🦷 While I was in LA, my husband and I drove by some of the areas where the riots occurred, and the scenes broke our hearts! Seeing where peaceful protests were tragically hijacked and turned into senseless destruction, pained my heart. I especially sorrowed for the innocent victims that suffered from this unjust behavior. It left me pondering on the real effects this pandemic shut down has really had on human life. The opening line came to me from “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
This pandemic has brought out all of the sides Charles dickens spoke about. Despair or fear makes it easy to give up and think these are the “Worst of Times,” but with Hope, we don’t have to be afraid to see the truth of life and make the necessary changes to create the “Best of Times.” By changing our selfish fears and replacing them with hope and love for one another, is when true change happens.
We free our thoughts up from selfish negativity to being there for those who mourn. Those without incomes and in some cases those who have lost homes and even family members. And we feel better about her own situations because we become God’s hands and eyes.
Some of the most vulnerable among us are…. the children. My daughter Rachael spoke to me this week about the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30th. At first she was filled with the helplessness and anxiety that go along with learning about such horrific things going on like trafficking and child exploitation. One night was particularly difficult after reading stories of survivors, when the thought came to her. “Do not be afraid, educate yourself. There is no better way to know your enemy, than to look them in the eye.” Since then, she has found peace along with others who share the strong desire to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. NOW—SHE IS A LION and I love her soooo much! Her example has inspired me to enlarge my advocacy for children by shining more light on the abhorrent issue of child sex trafficking. All change is done one person at a time and by getting involved, we can CHANGE THE WORLD for these children and save countless others through our efforts.
Here are a few REAL statistics:
• There are 30 million estimated slaves in the world. 10 million of those are children. 2 million of those are forced into commercial sex trade
• According to globalmissingkids.org 460,000 children go missing every year in the US. With some numbers closer to 800,000.
• This is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. Generating 100 billion dollars each year.
• It is a global epidemic. However, the US is becoming the destination for human trafficking. The demand is HERE.
• This isn’t a third world problem. This is happening in our country, in our cities, in OUR neighborhoods!
• The US is now the number one consumer and producer of child pornography.
• On average a trafficked child is victimized 5.4 times per day in the US.
• 50% of people trafficked over international boarders are children.
• Most Children who are sex trafficked are under the age of 12.
So...what can we do to help?
1. Educate yourself by learning the signs of trafficking. Operation Underground Railroad is a great resource to check out! Also, if you suspect someone is being trafficked call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1.888.373.7888
2. I have donated to Operation Underground Railroad. These donations go towards rescue missions and much needed aftercare programs and much more.
3. Attend events or demonstrations about Child Trafficking and support businesses online or in your area that donate to the cause.
4. Don’t be afraid to use your voice! You don’t need to have a huge following on social media to speak OUT and speak UP for those that cannot speak for themselves!
5. Volunteer at anti-human trafficking organizations
6. Pray! Pray for those still enslaved, pray for those recovering. Pray for those on the front lines, fighting for these babies. Pray to know how you can help!
Tim Ballard from Operation Underground Railroad tells the story of when Abe Lincoln met Abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. He was heard to say “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” Remember a movement starts from the ground up, so if you wonder what it would be like to be part of something big, help shine a light on the horror of child trafficking.
The Savior said it best…
Mark 9:42 “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
Please pray if you should help and if so join me in this fight to protect these “little ones.” Sorry if this isn’t as uplifting as previous posts but this IS a plague spoken of in the Bible. It’s a dangerous one that has been with us far too long! Unlike Covid-19, we need to take the masks “off” these predators faces and stop them.
It is up to us to halt trafficking before it destroys the souls of more children. We can make a difference! God Bless these precious children!!!