Why not?
As college students, we get asked “What is your major?”, as frequently as we get asked “How are you?”.  I have learned that people love to hear dreams and future plans; they like to be able to visualize with you where you will be in the next 5-10 years.

  When I explain that the program I am entering Moody Bible Institute to study is called Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation, I am often met with the response of, “Wow that’s awesome, but I could never do that.” I am always tempted to respond with “Me neither”. Because looking at this mountain of a multi-billion dollar industry, feeling my heart shatter in light of the 21 million lives stolen, then taking a look at myself in the mirror, I can say with complete confidence, “I can’t.”

But when I look at this mountain and I tell it about my God, my perspective is forced to shift.

I don’t remember specifically where I learned about human-trafficking, but I do remember the burden I felt. I believe God graciously breaks our hearts for what breaks His, and I think if it happened all at once, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

When I was a senior in high school, I began to take on the responsibility of this burden and the Lord gave me a new name for it - “my calling”. I researched, wrote papers, created projects, and finally constructed a four-piece art exhibit for my senior art show based on the issue of human-trafficking. Through that art show and sharing my heart on the issue, my passion grew and I saw God move in my life.

My freshman year of college I was still wrestling between working towards the American dream, or living the life I felt called to.

     That December, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Thailand through Cup of Cold Water Ministries. We spent a week serving in the red-light district of Bangkok. We served at a center that provides safety, skill-training, and healing in every aspect for those working to escape the sex-industry.

     During our time of outreach to the women working the bars, I noticed an indescribable emptiness when I locked eyes with the girls.
Many of them were younger than my 19 year-old self. When they realized that my heart was with them and that I had a different kind of love for them that was unlike the attention given by men stopping by, they opened their hearts to me.
     They shared about their families and their children and their past. They shared why they were indirectly forced to be there. For most, it was because they had countless people relying on them to provide. They seemed to be trying to convince themselves and me that this was only temporary.

As I stared into the eyes of one specific girl, I held her bruised hand and told her that she is precious, beautiful, and Jesus says she is worthy of immeasurably more. I couldn’t help but feel that was my purpose.
     I knew that in light of this experience, there was no way I could possibly go back to the States and live my life the same way.

I could not consciously be aware that this girl as well as millions of others, would be treated so poorly night after night, and yet still strive towards the American dream.
God had called and assured me that this is my purpose.

I have been so incredibly blessed to be given the life and the voice I have. I am able to speak up and people will listen to my words. My life and country provides a platform to speak up for what I see and freedom to act on it.

Unfortunately the 21 million people trafficked each years cannot say the same.

God has given me this life and this voice to not build myself up, but to extend my arms and lift up a voice for those who do not have one.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. ~ Proverbs 31:8-7