21st century abolitionists

This week, we had a wonderful conversation with a very gifted leader and human rights champion named Pierre Tami. He began Hagar Project International in Cambodia in 1994 as a safe house for abused women and children, freed sex slaves, disabled 'throwaway' kids and others who society neglected. Today, Hagar in Cambodia has grown to 550 employees working in the first ever soy milk manufacturing plant, a catering company and a handicraft business. He has been recognized by Colin Powell for his brilliant, holistic vision that includes not just a safe house and counseling but also skills and training that empower women to work and contribute to the local economy. Hagar International is now branching out into other nearby countries that have similar social injustices of slavery, abuse, sexual exploitation and violence in the home. Pierre began with a clear vision from the Lord and has not veered from that path for the past 13 years. Its obvious God's hand of blessing is upon this humble man's work to end suffering and abuse of the "Hagar's" (those who must escape) in his sphere.

If you are up for a shocking report on the world's situation with global slavery, buy Dave Batstone's book Not for Sale. Part of one chapter details Pierre's work in Cambodia and the rest of the book describes unbelievable situations around the world. I will caution you that the content is horrific and graphic so don't read it until 1) you have read your Bible first and 2) want to act on what you have read. Its not light bedtime reading.

Perhaps this Christmas season would be a good year to donate to a worthy cause such as Hagar International or the Note For Sale campaign. Considering the few resources most of this humanitarian causes have at their disposal and considering the monumental task they have of trying to free over 27 million people sold into slavery (most of them kids by the way), your one time (or continuous) donation would be very welcome. Think about it - if this was your 8 year old daughter or nephew or cousin, wouldn't you want someone to help? At the very least, check out the websites to see the stories of redemption, hope and freedom that projects like Hagar and Not For Sale bring to those to who were forgotten and enslaved. You won't be the same.

P.S. to those in Canada and the US: slavery exists in our own neighborhoods. Don't think this is just a plague of developing countries. Our borders traffick enslaved people, too, so don 't be smug and don't remain ignorant.