Defeat Human Trafficking

“Therefore, love the resident aliens, for you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.” - Deut. 10:19

Told that they will have well paying jobs when they come to the US, thousands of refugees and immigrants are tricked into forced labor and human trafficking every year. They are deceived by traffickers to believe that they will have work here in the US. Once they begin working, they are held captive through never ending debt or by physical containment, by not knowing the language, having their papers confiscated, not knowing a trusted individual and often being under constant threat of physical violence, they work in plain sight in our public businesses every day.

The official difference between an immigrant and a refugee is that an immigrant comes to this country on their own accord either legally or illegally. Refugees are classified as someone who has been forced to flee their home country due to war, persecution, natural disasters or violence. A refugee most likely is unable to return to their home. Regardless where we stand politically as individuals regarding how our country and a community should care for immigrants and refugees, as Christians we are mandated to look at every person as the image of God and treat them with love and respect.

To help prevent human trafficking, sometimes all it takes is for us to pay attention to the people around us. To investigate when something does not look or feel right. To extend a helping hand. Here at Holy Trinity we have a long tradition of welcoming foreigners into our parish and church. A Tradition that continues today. We have been blessed with a beautiful church and facilities. It is our responsibility to welcome foreigners, to help support them and to protect them from being taken advantage of. In the past as well as the present we have opened our doors and hearts. We have provided space to house mission churches, provide refuge and food, trauma informed resources, work, recreational activities, spiritual guidance and community to those in distress. May we continue to emulate our Holy Icon “The Hospitality of Abrahim”.

Defeat Human Trafficking
Study the Issues; Be a voice; Make a difference

Below are a few Podcasts that help everyone understand what Human Trafficking is:

End Human Trafficking Podcast #1 - "What is Human Trafficking" Learn what human trafficking is so that you can begin to study this issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending it.
End Human Trafficking Podcast #2 - "Human Trafficking is BIG Business" Learn about some of the business and economic issues that drive human trafficking so that you can begin to study this issue, be a voice, and make a difference.
End Human Trafficking Podcast #3 - "Children in Human Trafficking" Learn about how children are involved in human trafficking so that you can begin to study these issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending it.
End Human Trafficking Podcast #4 - "Physiology of Children in Human Trafficking" Learn about how the physiology of children plays a major role in human trafficking.
End Human Trafficking Podcast #5 - "Annual Trafficking in Persons Report" Learn about the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report that is issued by the U.S. State Department.