I have only watched parts of the excitement and heard the speakers. My girls have been a part of the whole thing. Until 2:00 or later in the morning. Every morning. For three days. I have only talked to them a few times but I can tell you that they are on fire for the Lord. Makes my heart smile!
The theme for the conference is freedom. Did you know that there are over 27 million slaves in the world today? Actual human beings who are being held against their will and forced to work for another person. Some of that work is hard labor in farms or factories or homes. But a lot of that work is in brothels or warehouses turned into sex houses or strip clubs. Most of the women who are slaves are really girls. As young as five or six. Children being sold like property. Children being raped and beaten and used.
Did you know that Atlanta is one of the main hubs for human trafficking in the U.S.? My Atlanta. Your Atlanta. The same city that my girls have spent the last four days in. Right around the corner from where they are there could be a girl being transported from another country in route to a life of horror and pain and death. I am hardly able to comprehend it. The statistics and the pictures are like a movie. Something we would not let our children go see. But, it is very real.
So real in fact that the City of Atlanta has started a task force dedicated to the task of identifying and deterring sex trafficking in our state. Imagine. The problem is so big that it takes a task force to help stop it. Our church began to get involved in this problem a few years ago. So, for my girls, this is not a new subject. They already knew the statistics and had heard some of the stories and actually know some of the people at the front lines of the movement in Atlanta. We have a dear friend who works with one of the ministries that walks the streets at night and goes into the strip clubs to meet these women. They offer a hug and a listening ear. But most of all they offer Jesus.
As with most things in this world, He is the answer. Jesus. Not to simplify the issue or make light of the problem. But that is the answer. The only answer. Jesus brings freedom. He came to set the captives free. These 45,000 students have been made aware. They have been equipped with knowledge and been offered a chance to do something now. Pray that some of them will act. That some will give. That some will take part in the fight to stop this injustice. But most of all, pray. That is our best weapon. That is something we all can do.
These students alone raised $100,000 for the city of Atlanta's task force. They presented it to the Mayor yesterday afternoon. As of yesterday, they as a group had given over $1 million dollars to freedom. Imagine. A group of 18 - 25 year olds giving that kind of money. Not pledged or promised. Given in tangible form. Amazing.
Pray for these students. Pray that Jesus continues to be their focus. That the invasion of their hearts this week will be carried on to their campus and into their dorms and continue to be shared over the coming year. He is the answer.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
Our oldest son has been there, too. Thanks for adding your perspectives. I've been watching it online over here in Germany. What an incredible calling this generation must have to be entrusted with this message. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletemelinda
My son, Rory, and his friend Billy are also there. I too, like you, have been glued to my computer. I wanted to experience it with them. I have heard the crackling in their voices and the fire in their heart over the telephone lines in those 2 a.m. calls on their way back to the hotel. So proud of all 45,000 of them. So excited about what this generation is "up to"........ in so many places, doing God's work so willingly, joyfully, prayerfully..... It's so inspiring. Thank your girls for me for saying "yes" to God and let them know each night God says about them, "Those are my daughters, and I'm proud of them."
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