- Every day 5,760 more children become orphans
- Each day 38,493 orphans age out (are released from the orphanage because of their age)
- Every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home
- These studies also show that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals
- Another study reported that of the 15,000 orphans aging out of state-run institutions every year, 10% committed suicide, 5,000 were unemployed, 6,000 were homeless and 3,000 were in prison within three years…
- An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year; (THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2005)
- 2 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multibillion-dollar commercial sex industry. (THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2005)
(From http://www.orphanhopeintl.org/facts-statistics/)
Over the last year, as I have pursued God's heart for the orphaned, I have learned about the atrocity that is called human trafficking/prostitution. If you read the facts above you will see how orphans and trafficking/prostitution are clearly closely related. These kids are not just numbers. Grouping the children together-1.2 million children trafficked-does not describe the individual lives that are being destroyed by men buying them for sex . Each one of the children that make up the 1.2 million child has a story. Each child has lost their parents most likely and some have even been sold into the sex industry by their parents. But, each child has been given life by the Creator, who gave you and me life. Therefore, their life is just as valuable as yours and mine.
These trafficked children are being raped numerous times a day. They are being fed little and some are kept in cages. They likely know no human touch, except when they are being raped by men buying them for sex. They are full of shame and guilt for the life that they must live. Each trafficking situation is different, but they likely include one or all of these.
What is God's heart for these children?
He declares them His alone:
3 For this is what the Lord says:
“You were sold for nothing,
and without money you will be redeemed. ”
and without money you will be redeemed. ”
Isaiah 52:3
He gave them Jesus:
“1Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations. "
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations. "
3...in faithfulness he will bring forth justice...
4 He will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
4 He will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Isaiah 42:1, 3-4
He anoints us to help in His releasing them from captivity:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.."
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.."
Isaiah 61:1
So that's what I'm doing. God has a different plan for all of us, but I am attempting to live my life in a way that is completely given to God for Him to use for His purposes, which for me I believe is the release and healing of these children.
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