Next steps in facing injustice and slavery

Two weeks ago I was invite by my friend Nathan Oates of Emmaus Church Community (also in Lincoln... look collaboration in the same town... I will resist to comment further). It was a really honor to share about our journey as a faith community into the places of injustice, oppression, and need from Cambodia to Lincoln, CA. The context of the interview was primarily around the brokenness of our lives, communities, and systems. This past summer I had the chance to have a front row seat for the heinous, heart-wrenching and soul splaying evil of human trafficking, namely sex slavery of young girls. Many asked after hearing all the brutal and disturbing stories, what can I do. Here's my attempt to answer that here in suburbia.

Dear Emmaus Church Community,
I was deeply blessed and inspired by your willingness to address the uncomfortable and disturbing topic of human trafficking a few weeks back. It is a tragedy that shakes us to our core when we really stop and
realize what is truly wrong with the world (and us). The emotions can be very awkward, raw and somewhat surreal. We do not see often (if ever) this evil up close and when we do it still seems far away from our suburban lives. Yet, for so many around the globe (and even in Sacramento) it is a daily reality. But with all the emotion and even anger, what’s one to do? I mean, really do about these heart-wrenching stories of injustice and abuse? Here’s a few places to begin.
Pray: It’s always the first and best response to the oppression of people. God heard the suffering of His people and it moved Him to action (called Moses out of comfort and hiding to dangerous engagement).
Support: Whether its financial or relational support for those who are on the front lines of this battle. Please check out AIM4Asia.org and International Justice Mission online.
Go: It might be that God is placing a burden on your heart to actually go and work along side these amazing organizations and leaders. Feel free to email me at onelifechurch.org about traveling to Cambodia in summer 2010. Also, I know Emmaus will have global missional opportunities as well. Go for it.
Seek: This is perhaps the hardest and potentially dangerous responses. Read the local communication sources (Lincoln News Messenger, Sacramento Bee), surf online for local and regional issues related to human trafficking and seek a way to get involved. There are local coalitions that seek to be a transformative force in our region.
Share: Tell others about what you are learning and experiencing. Share the move of God in your heart and the restlessness of not being idle as so many are oppressed and used in our world. Who knows God may do a work in their hear and they seek to get involved.

Lastly, Jesus spoke about the “least of these”. He talked about the over-looked, the ignored and the avoided (communities, tribes, or people groups). His heart went out to them, he pursued them, engaged with them and touched them. He even said that the Kingdom was for them. To be like Jesus is to be in the places and with the people he was. You’ll find the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Grace and Peace, Troy