Relentless Journey

A woman and her child decided to go out for a small date. She is shopping around and all of the sudden she feels herself being pulled away with her daughter. Her and her child are in a dark van not knowing where she is going. When she arrives at the location you are forced to do unimaginable things, the child included. Now this may not be a reality for you, however this has been for over 20.9 million people. That is people 800,000 a year (Do something Para 5).Young girls are especially targets right now. Not many people are aware of this horrible business but today I plan to make you aware of the horrors of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking needs to be stopped because it has a negative effect on people in the society.

During the film, I was able to hear the victims’ account of what happened to them as the portrayed their encounter with sex trafficking as well as their families experience. The youth remained anonyms for their own protection but, consisted of young girls in their early to middle teens. The girls were unanimous in their explanation as to why they would participate in the documentary, where they would be at risk of unmasking their identity. They didn’t want any other children to be sexually exploited, and have to live through the suffering that they have and continue to undergo. The consistent theme heard in the girls’ and their families’ stories was that their lives are forever changed. Before being trafficked, the girls were described as bright, vibrant, happy young ladies and after they are portrayed as broken, angry, and isolated. A representation that their innocence was lost. It was very heartbreaking to hear the trauma the youth underwent, as they described physical abuse and the use of drugs to control them. They were sold for sex up to 20 times a day without any choice but to comply. The mothers described how they felt when they first saw their children on the web page Backpage.com for sale. It was devastating. I couldn’t even image having to see my children in that type imagery being sold for sex. Once their babies returned home it was an adjustment. They blamed themselves as parents for letting this happen to their children. The youth also blamed themselves, they

"I want to do some mission work. I'm currently unemployed, and It hurts when family calls me a loser for having no job. God told me I don't need to do a regular job. I need to do something with a purpose. I will be a missionary by God's grace.

Human trafficking doesn’t happen in third world countries only. It doesn’t just happen to poor people and it certainly doesn’t solely happen to women. It is present here in the USA but it is hidden, and even worse, so are their victims. They are everywhere yet invisible. They are silently crying for our help through their eyes and smiles. According to Polaris, “…the prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States is still unknown, we do know that women, children, and men are being sold for sex against their will in cities and towns in all 50 states”. Human trafficking can happen to anyone even to Theresa Flores, the author of “The slave across the street”(“Sex trafficking” 2015). An average 15 year old American girl, coming from a privileged background and a respected family became a victim of sex trafficking and through her book, she convinces us that human trafficking doesn’t have a specific demographic.

Considering Trafficking is not only in the United States, but all over the world, there are multiple organizations that are willing to help. These organizations are either helping victims that have already been affected or are still in the human trafficking business. One in particular organization is in the Dominican Republic. The organization, SCORE International, was founded nearly thirty years ago and has impacted many people through short term mission trips (“Ministries”). There are missionaries that live on campus and all over the Dominican Republic (“Ministries”). SCORE has many areas of ministry, but the ministry that is involved with human trafficking is called the Lily House.

Human trafficking is a serious problem in modern society. In fact, the United Nations has referred to it as “one of the gravest human rights violations of our times” (“Secretary - General Calls Human Trafficking”). It is a fast growing industry that affects millions. No gender, age, or status is spared from the cruelty that is trafficking. To stress this point again, human trafficking is not just a problem of the “world” or “United States”, in general. As previously seen, it strikes very close to home, affecting hundreds of men, women, and children of our own community. In fact, “North Carolina ranked as a top-10 state for human trafficking with Charlotte being the top destination. It is estimated that more than 1,700 girls are trafficked

The poverty and abuse with no relent that many of these women go through is shocking and eye opening.

Over the past few years, I have had many opportunities to share myself in the service of others, but most importantly by mission trips to Guatemala. On such trips I helped indigenous Mayans living in some of the most impoverished regions. Throughout the duration of my visit, I helped build basic stoves, prepared and handed out food bags, gave away live chickens, handed out donations and water filters, and participated in eye clinics. While these actions may seem average, their impact has left a lasting effect.

I am an Emeritus General Authority from the Quorum of the Seventies, native of Mexico, and I have written a small book to encourage young people to go on a mission.

The person that my group is donating to is Vanessa Cecilia a single mother of one son Yeiden. They live in Ecuador. She

The reason I have been wanting to volunteer with Rahab Sisters and the reason why I did is because ever since I took a human trafficking class at Warner Pacific I have been interested in learning more about sex trafficking and how alive sex trafficking continues to be in

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” (Margaret Mead). My senior project was a masquerade to raise money for human trafficking relief. Seeing as I would have needed to be trained to help one on one with those who had been affected by trafficking, giving money to an organization that houses and rehabilitates them was the best way that I could help. The Engedi House is a safe adult home with a friendly family atmosphere, specifically created for housing those affected by human trafficking. The residents are required to complete the activities of home life and the Engedi Learning Center.

Thank you once again for your interest in Road to Freedom (R2F). The initial incorporators/ officers, Jasmine Heard, Yousef Ali, Molly Beckman and I are ready and excited to move forward with this organization and help those affected by human trafficking. It has been decided that the legal name of this organization is Road to Freedom. Road to Freedom’s official mission statement is as follows; “Road to Freedom is dedicated to the wellness of those affected by human trafficking in Florida and will provide resources as needed to help victims overcome this obstacle in life.” At the initial meeting, there were many things that were covered but there are still many things that need to be addressed. This organization memo will address those.

Twelve years ago as I walked pass an abandoned house on the way to my father’s workplace after school, a man standing in the doorway of the house exposing his penis, tried to lure me into the house. Fortunately, I was able to escape unphysically harmed. However, the psychological impact will always linger. For that day, I realized how willing some people are to pray on innocent children, without any reservations regarding the physical and mental consequences they will inflict. This encounter also gave me the ultimate goal to direct my business career to anti-human trafficking endeavors.

In spring of 2016, my youth group and I began planning a trip to a neighboring city. This wasn’t just any trip however, we were going on a mission. Each of us there were bound and determined to