Defined by Merriam-Webster, nefarious is “flagrantly wicked or impious”. ”Nefarious” is also the title of a documentary Evette and I watched on Tuesday—a very powerful, eye-opening, and heart-wrenching film. ”Nefarious” is about the issue of human-trafficking in the world, focusing specifically on prostitution as the primary avenue for this slavery.
The film talked about how these women got wrapped into the sex-slavery—either kidnapping, trickery (promised a job in a big city and desperate for a new life or a way to support their family in their home country), their families sold them (many parents in Thailand, for example, upon hearing their newborn is a girl are relieved because she could be sold and the family could receive an income from her use as a prostitute), or how prostitution is glamorized in places like in Nevada, our own back yard.
Artwork from the East Side Gallery (the longest remaining portion of the Berlin Wall).
Regardless of how the women initially got reeled into the industry, there was very little hope in them getting out. The women were literally broken. As a wild horse is broken for riding…so are these women…they are broken sexually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, left as hollow shells with their spirits warped and their lives no longer in their control. The mind games and verbal abuse they receive from their pimps or traffickers leaves them brain washed. If a woman were to leave, she would fear getting caught and then being beaten naked in front of the other women or traffickers. Even if a prostitute was in an environment in which she freedom to leave, she does not have freedom to leave—where else will she go? Their life in the brothel or on the streets servicing 10, 20, 30 men is what they eat, live, and breath every. Single. Day. They are there because their life circumstances leave them no other choice…they wouldn’t be there if they felt they had no other choice.
“I had no choice.”
These women have no choice. Even if an individual were to talk with an active prostitute and she said she had the freedom to leave, that is no doubt a lie—the things running through her mind in response to the question to try and her protect the pimp who brain washed her or her incessant denial—or simple momentary blindness—to her present depravity is no doubt the source of her response. These women feel they have nowhere else to turn. And no woman wants to sell her body as a profession. No woman. It is a last resort. Prostitution is an industry feeding evil—Satan who is seeking to destroy each and everyone of these women (or men) in addition to the men (or women) who are selling them.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
-John 6:68
I have so much more yet to learn about the causes and effects of sex-trafficking, particular here in Europe. I have actually be offered a unique opportunity to go to a 4-day anti-human trafficking conference in Cyprus this month. The conference is conducted by the European Freedom Network: http://www.europeanfreedomnetwork.org/equip-conference.html
I leave November 18th and return November 22nd. I am really excited and thankful for this opportunity to learn more about the issue of human trafficking and what efforts are being made to put it to an end. The plan is to begin my work with NeuStart after I return, which I am also really excited and thankful for.
Please, take this moment to pray for those trapped in trafficking and the leaders of this wicked industry…human trafficking affects the lives of 27 million voiceless voices. And Jesus Christ is the only one who saves.
“Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
-Acts 4:12
Praise the Lord there is salvation to be found…so as Christians, why waste time as the world stumbles, wandering into eternal darkness and torment? We MUUUUSSSTTT wake up and stop napping in the light. Wake up! Wake up!!!!! Let’s begin with prayer.