CAMPAIGN: ONE LIFE AT A TIME

“THERE ARE MILLIONS OF GIRLS TRAPPED IN SLAVERY RIGHT NOW. IF WE CAN HELP RESTORE THE LIFE OF ONE GIRL, THEN IT IS WORTH IT.”

While visiting Greece on a recent trip, I had the surreal opportunity to meet a few of the girls who had been rescued from human trafficking. Each of these girls’ lives had been turned into a nightmare, and their stories were full of disappointment and brokenness. I could see sadness in their eyes; I could hear fear in their voice; I could see pain physically on their skin…my heart broke.

Just a year before, we welcomed the first girl, Zoe, into the A21 Crisis Shelter. We were ecstatic to have the opportunity to see ONE girl rescued and restored, as we slowly watched her find hope in Jesus. We have since been able to see over thirty-five girls rescued in one year, and have witnessed many miracle stories. As I sat on the couch, surrounded by 12 of these girls, a conversation that will always remain with me began.

They told me their stories of being beaten, raped, and forced to “service” up to 100 men in a single day. They told me about being tricked by their friends, sold by their families, and deceived through false job advertisements. They told me about being shipped in containers to Greece, and living in rooms the size of closets. These girls experienced more death, horror, and abuse than anyone should ever have to endure, and it was so evident that they could see no way out.

One of the girls begged me to let her stay, saying: “I will die if you send me back to my traffickers.” I tried to let them know that they were now safe, and that because of A21, they did not have to fear anymore. These words sounded so “nice” and made me feel really “noble,” until one of the girls started shouting:

“Where were you? Why didn’t you come sooner? Don’t you know that there are thousands of girls out there who are suffering in a living hell?!”

I was speechless. My mind began to flood with thoughts: “Why hadn’t I come sooner? What was I so busy doing? There is a lost and broken humanity that is crying out, desperate, and needing to be rescued…what could I have possibly been doing that was more important?” All I could say to this precious girl was: “I’m so sorry.” What else would have been sufficient in that moment? After all, she was completely right.

The Church exists to fight these battles of injustice, bring light to the darkness, and rescue and restore those who are oppressed and broken. And to be honest, this mandate is a little difficult for those who have become so accustomed to a comfortable, complacent, lukewarm, apathetic Christianity (which is the majority of the Church!) We must reach beyond our lives, our problems, our prayers for ourselves, and actually arise to be the Church God has called us to be. Humanity is waiting…

I realize that the number of girls we have been able to rescue through The A21 Campaign is small in comparison to the overwhelming 27 million people who are enslaved on the earth today. But as long as we remain focused on the One and see how God values and loves every One, we will continue to play our part and will make a difference…One life at a time.

Christine Caine