"Through the power of Christ, we are learning to live in simplicity, thankfulness, contentment and
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Monday, December 29, 2014

Human Trafficking Awareness Sunday (Jan. 4)

“He redeems their lives from oppression and violence; their blood is precious in his eyes.” Psalm 72:14, CEB

They are slaves — child soldiers, teens forced into prostitution and middle-aged women working as indentured servants. More than 20.9 million men, women and children are held against their will, scared to leave and unaware of their rights. They are victims of greed, false hope and broken promises.

The crime is human trafficking. The people of The United Methodist Church are working to stop it. We care about issues happening beyond the doors of our local churches and outside our comfort zones.

The invisible victims may live in our neighborhoods, work at local businesses or attend area schools and colleges. We may buy products they make, benefit from services they provide and unknowingly invest in unscrupulous deals brokered by their captors.

Criminals lure vulnerable people into involuntary servitude, debt bondage, sex slavery and more. The enslaved endlessly fold and glue matchboxes, cultivate fields unprotected from pesticides and spend childhood used as sex toys. The perpetrators dehumanize, torture and steal the sacred worth of God’s children.

By proclaiming faith in the God of freedom, United Methodists condemn slavery as wrong. God calls us to proclaim release to the captives and set the oppressed free (Luke 4:16-19).

Your support of the General Board of Church and Society through the World Service Fund frees people with aching hearts, battered bodies and broken spirits. Because of people like you, the lost return home. Thank you!

From General Board of Discipleship: God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us with earthly delights. Let our life as a church community become like a watered garden. Make us radiant over the goodness of your gifts! May all who enter our midst flourish with new life. Help us to share with our neighbors generously from your bounty. We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen. (Jeremiah 31)

Human Trafficking Day is next Sunday. Learn how you can alleviate human suffering. Go to http://umc-gbcs.org/issues/human-trafficking.


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