This, basically, is a repost. However, recent news hit my heart again. What amazes me is how the Lord protected me in those days. I was a Christian, yes. I was not 12, which is an age that is sometimes grabbed by the pimps. As I say in my post, I was 22 and I looked about 16, and was obviously traveling a long distance. Consequently, I somehow jumped out to this guy's attention. And, as I describe, he did not give up. However, neither did my Heavenly Father.
Even though some of the recent news was referring to Minneapolis-St. Paul, and we know sex trafficking has been taking place there for some time, it also has been a significant issue here in Omaha for many, many years. Studying our area's history, it has not been uncommon. However, it is usually slipped underground and rarely dealt with officially. I'd like to fight for it to be destroyed, believe me.
The Lord had me write this a few months ago, and has touched my heart again to share truthfully. Hope it will touch yours.
========================
Sorry if
this is too blunt, but thought I'd toss this out, and you can choose whether to read it or not.
On FB someone mentioned the seriosity of it right now and mentioned an article about Seattle.
Well,
it's been going on in various parts of our country and all around the
world for many years. A ministry friend of mine is in Greece at this
moment, ministering to the prostitutes in one area. These "women"
are often young teens, forced into this life, and no one is stepping up
to free them. Overall, sex trafficking has been one of my ministry
study areas for many years.
Thought I'd share one episode involving me that occurred about 44 years ago. You'll certainly see that this has been a common occurrence; it's not just a "today" issue.
In March, 1968, I left East St. Louis, IL. I had been there for about a year, working and in a street ministry. Because of some serious issues involving race rioting and street fighting and the people I was heavily involved with during those events, I was, basically, forced to leave town and return to the Northwest.
I was on a bus and it stopped for a couple hours for layover and transfer in Kansas City, MO. As soon as I was off the bus, a man came up to me and flashed his rings at me, and opened his jacket to show me more and more jewelry.
I was 22 at the time, looked about 16. Even though I had a tough background, very little "sweetness and light" connected to me, I was shocked, confused, and, unfortunately, didn't try to find a security guard or police officer [don't even know if bus stations had them in those days]. I tried to get away from him, and he always followed me and always found me. He kept telling me that, because I was such a cute girl, there was a party he wanted me to go to and he would let me have a good time that night and they would make sure I was on the bus the next day so I'd reach home. Later, to try to push me closer to agreement, he said they would pay airfare for me so I could get home quickly. Once, when I was in the women's rest room and lounge, the door was hammered. I was the only one who wasn't involved with children, so I answered it, and it was the man again, trying to get me to go out with him. I quickly shut the door and hid inside. When I had to leave, I mixed in with a group that was also heading out, so he couldn't get near me.
When it was finally time to get on the bus, I DID!! FAST! He still stood outside flashing the rings and trying to convince me to get off the bus. I was very relieved when the engine started and we hit the road.
I was sitting beside a man who seemed to have a tough background, and after a while I told him what had happened and asked if he knew anything about it.
He laughed. "Yes," he said. And then he described it. The man was trying to convince me to go to a "party", but it was going to be only drugs and sex, and I would never be going home. I would either be forced into sex and do the "job" they had for me, or I would be dead. No other options.
Every once in a while, I remember this event. I know that, just a couple years earlier, living in Seattle-Tacoma area before the Lord broke into my life, I might easily have been tricked and sucked into that world. And death would have occurred... either from their hands or my own, since I had suicidal depression/mentality during those years.
If this happened to me all those years ago, in a public location, why would we think it wouldn't happen today, here and there, and all over the world? And with all the digital connections people have, the ability to flee could be more difficult. It just ain't an easy world out there.
I guess the only way to close this is to say that I love my Savior for many reasons... and His kindness and protection for that short stretch of time in that bus station should be near the top of the Love-List.
And I worship Him, day and night, and will forever and ever.
this is too blunt, but thought I'd toss this out, and you can choose whether to read it or not.On FB someone mentioned the seriosity of it right now and mentioned an article about Seattle.
Well,
it's been going on in various parts of our country and all around the
world for many years. A ministry friend of mine is in Greece at this
moment, ministering to the prostitutes in one area. These "women"
are often young teens, forced into this life, and no one is stepping up
to free them. Overall, sex trafficking has been one of my ministry
study areas for many years.Thought I'd share one episode involving me that occurred about 44 years ago. You'll certainly see that this has been a common occurrence; it's not just a "today" issue.
In March, 1968, I left East St. Louis, IL. I had been there for about a year, working and in a street ministry. Because of some serious issues involving race rioting and street fighting and the people I was heavily involved with during those events, I was, basically, forced to leave town and return to the Northwest.
I was on a bus and it stopped for a couple hours for layover and transfer in Kansas City, MO. As soon as I was off the bus, a man came up to me and flashed his rings at me, and opened his jacket to show me more and more jewelry.
I was 22 at the time, looked about 16. Even though I had a tough background, very little "sweetness and light" connected to me, I was shocked, confused, and, unfortunately, didn't try to find a security guard or police officer [don't even know if bus stations had them in those days]. I tried to get away from him, and he always followed me and always found me. He kept telling me that, because I was such a cute girl, there was a party he wanted me to go to and he would let me have a good time that night and they would make sure I was on the bus the next day so I'd reach home. Later, to try to push me closer to agreement, he said they would pay airfare for me so I could get home quickly. Once, when I was in the women's rest room and lounge, the door was hammered. I was the only one who wasn't involved with children, so I answered it, and it was the man again, trying to get me to go out with him. I quickly shut the door and hid inside. When I had to leave, I mixed in with a group that was also heading out, so he couldn't get near me.
When it was finally time to get on the bus, I DID!! FAST! He still stood outside flashing the rings and trying to convince me to get off the bus. I was very relieved when the engine started and we hit the road.
I was sitting beside a man who seemed to have a tough background, and after a while I told him what had happened and asked if he knew anything about it.
He laughed. "Yes," he said. And then he described it. The man was trying to convince me to go to a "party", but it was going to be only drugs and sex, and I would never be going home. I would either be forced into sex and do the "job" they had for me, or I would be dead. No other options.
Every once in a while, I remember this event. I know that, just a couple years earlier, living in Seattle-Tacoma area before the Lord broke into my life, I might easily have been tricked and sucked into that world. And death would have occurred... either from their hands or my own, since I had suicidal depression/mentality during those years.
If this happened to me all those years ago, in a public location, why would we think it wouldn't happen today, here and there, and all over the world? And with all the digital connections people have, the ability to flee could be more difficult. It just ain't an easy world out there.
I guess the only way to close this is to say that I love my Savior for many reasons... and His kindness and protection for that short stretch of time in that bus station should be near the top of the Love-List.
And I worship Him, day and night, and will forever and ever.
============
This is what caught my attention today and hit my heart.
9 comments:
Sex Trafficking is such a horrible plague in our world. Thank you for sharing your story. My prayer is for God to set free all of those currently in bondage.
Thanks for sharing that CaryJo, and for commenting on my site today. My heart is still pounding from your experience, and you got out safe and sound! It breaks my heart for these young girls who are tricked and forced into that life.
Thanks for your truly understanding of these events and how they can happen to just about anyone, just about anywhere. I'm still a "fighter", but simply want to see this horrible "career" brought to justice, especially by our Lord of Justice.
Oh, what a scary circumstance, yet it has opened your eyes to see the ugly that really is happening out there. We need your voice. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for drawing attention to this important issue, friend.
Thanks for sharing this. How frightening for you but how amazing is our God that He protected you from that! May He empower us all to warn and protect those who are at risk. Blessings to you!
I'm not sure who your friend is in Greece, but we partner with A21 Christine Caine in Greece. My daughter wants to go intern with the ministry when she is 21. Thanks for sharing your story. We have a house here in my city that is full of kids that have been trafficked from Mexico. It's a sick world. So thankful God was watching out after you!
I'm visiting from Jennifer's blog. I have six daughters and the thought of this happening to them makes me shudder. So glad God protected you.
You are Blessed indeed, my Friend. Thank you for sharing this at With Heart Wide Open. Amazing story.
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