On my recent travels, I ministered into a church that had gone through a number of problems. In fact they had only just finished a 30 day fast. You might think “Wow…!” But God exposed every wrong foundation and corrupt motive during that time.
The main issues were that two women, who were in the worship team, were actually practicing prostitutes. And this was widely known. Also to one or two of the elders who made occasional visits at night to where they solicited.
It’s amazing how we can try to have church and yet cover up or ignore what we know to be a disaster waiting to happen.
For myself I had not only to counsel the Pastor while I was there but also deal with a number of other people - including the two prostitutes involved. However as the two prostitutes shared how they had become what they were – I became more aware of the difficulties that many are facing around the world today. You see – it would be easy for us to quickly come to some conclusions and prejudge or judge these people. Even Pastors can not do anything – in most cases – to help them.
I found that in listening my heart went out to them – and would like to help – but the question is “How…?”
These girls were brought over from Nigeria by a “Madam” (a female Pimp) and the cost of bringing them illegally into Europe – is 50,000 Euros. When they arrive, they are immediately made to start paying that off – at least 3,000 Euros a month to their Madam. These girls had already been on the streets for four years in the city of Florence – performing tricks for as little as 10 Euros at a time. If they try to get out they are beaten. Not only by those who have enslaved them but even by those who dominate them through sexual acts at night.
You might say, “Are these people still able to go to Church?” Yes. Simply because it is their only refuge - in most cases (even the Madams have been known to be church members!) O’yes even in the church that you attend - there are things going on that you do not know about.
You may now ask, “What can we do about all of this?” Well - of course we can pray – but prayer without action is hopeless.
The trouble is that many of them are travelling illegally throughout the world and the abuse is growing. We often hear about the Europeans enslaving the Africans. But the truth is that every society is involved with entrapment or enslavement. In this case however Nigerians are enslaving Nigerians. In Iraq Muslims are killing Muslims.
But I want to speak to any Pastor who might be reading this… lets be a voice together and perhaps find a way of dealing with these issues in our cities. Being a voice to the Government and providing refuge where we can. Lets stop playing church and begin thinking about people. Church is not about attending just so that we can receive the latest blessing. Church is about reaching out and allowing Christ to touch people’s lives.
These women were saved – BUT – enslaved.
Pray with me that we can find practical answers to help those who have been trapped by those who brutally engage in “PEOPLE TRAFFICKING.”
Sincerely Thoughtful…
Dr. Alan
PS: To read more on people trafficking – go to www.stopthetraffik.org. Thank you for your time…
