For Valentine's Day, once again our "Angel Team" in Rome hit the streets around midnight to share GOD'S LOVE with victims of commercial sexual exploitation, being our third time out since December. We've had a stretch of bitter cold with snow and ice, but last night was the first in a while which was relatively warmer. However, the "treasures" as we call them, still must stand scantily-clad for hours despite the temps hovering around freezing. And there was an alarming number back on the boulevard.
Before going out, we gathered to put our gift packs together, to read some Scripture and to pray. We prepared for them: a red rose, tied with a sachet we filled with chocolates and a floral card containing a Bible message and addresses to 2 local churches. The Lord led us to include message in Italian:
"We love because He first loved us.....You are loved!"
We also brought a thermos of fruit tea.
In a spirit of prayer, with Brian as our chauffeur, we four "angels" would go out in pairs to approach the treasures. We encountered more than 20 young women, who gladly accepted our gift and a cup of hot tea. We exchanged names, as we hope to be able to greet them again as a familiar face. Some of the treasures were trans(vestite/sexual), and they seemed more independent, older, established in their own territory. But most were very young Romanians or Moldovans, with a couple Russian-speaking foreigners. In some cases there was a more seasoned older woman among them who was probably in charge. The younger ones would defer to her and seemed ill-at-ease. The older ones would attempt to create an impression of autonomy and freedom – perhaps this is why the younger victims look uncomfortable, and restrained.
Meanwhile, men in vehicles and on foot are swarming and prowling about like hungry wolves.
We cannot forget the reality of CONTROL -- whether it’s perceptible to us or not – control of what they say, of their behavior, of location, control of the victims by the exploiters, control of every piece of pavement as territory. Tragically they are like puppets on string. It’s all about the reality of behavior that is FORCED.
Yet, as we approached them their smiles seemed genuine. One treasure exclaimed, “You girls came out in the cold with gifts…for ME?”
In December, a 20-year-old from Romania told us she’d just arrived in Rome, and it was her second night selling her body on the street. She’d promised her Mama she’d go to Rome and get a job and provide for the family. There she was, the new girl on the block, shivering in fishnet stockings, miniskirt and stilettos. We prayed for her and she cried. With 2 fines adding to 600 euro from the police, she asked, “How will I pay these? Now I have to sell more services!” Worse, naively thinking she could work the street on her own, she does not realize the greater danger: she would inevitably be bought and sold and then become someone’s slave.
We cannot be deceived by the air of carefree, casual banality to this business – it is a degrading, ugly, brutal, evil business that is destroying the lives of victim and exploiter.
Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-7
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world, looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special people, zealous of good works.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Exodus Cry on Modern Slavery

Exodus Cry: The Mission Briefing from Exodus Cry on Vimeo.

"Sex Sells"

Sex Trafficking: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
I used to believe a couple myths: such as the myth that human trafficking takes place in dark corners of faraway, third-world countries. And then there’s the myth that women in prostitution are just “that type” of women, choosing that lifestyle. I also believed that in our advanced, western civilization -- with democracy and equal rights and education -- we had put an end to barbarism and slavery.

Appallingly, certain human realities persist in the 21st century: greed, lust, poverty, abuse of power, the misuse of sex, the corruption of the Free Market, and the woeful vulnerability of women and children. If any issue confirms the basic depravity of man, it is human trafficking.

Yet, when we take action to protect the victims -- who aren’t even our own kin -- we reflect the image of God. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, behaved in radical contrast to the norms of His day by esteeming and defending women – all of them. He sheltered and valued children – all of them. He called for justice for the oppressed, release for the captives, and restoration for the broken.

What I’ve learned about sexual exploitation today has blown away my preconceived ideas. Reluctantly, I have come closer to this reality and now I cannot deny it or turn away. Let me share some things I’ve learned.

The Scope of the Problem
Commercial sexual exploitation involves the maximum benefit to the exploiter and a suspension of basic rights, dignity, autonomy, physical and mental well-being. It can include stripping, prostitution, live sex-shows, and pornography.

We are talking about no less than a global and local industry of rape for profit.

In the EU, 120,000 women and children are trafficked into member states each year, 90% of whom end up in the sex industry. In Great Britain there is a growing number of child prostitution rings whose men “groom” teenage girls for commercial sex, through every tactic from wooing to rape to enslavement.

In the U.S. it’s estimated that 100 - 200,000 kids – many as young as 12 years old -- are exploited in the domestic sex trade. Many of these youth in Britain and the U.S. were runaways, from troubled homes, or victims of abuse at home.

The home should be the safest place for a child, but for many, it is a place of sexual violence to them. Ultimately many girls reach adulthood still trapped in prostitution. Remember that often a woman in prostitution began as a child enslaved.

The Lord God told the Israelites in Leviticus 19:29: “Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.”

Demand and Supply
According to one advocate, "Sex trafficking happens when and where there is a demand for prostitution and a context of impunity for its customers." The demand for commercial sex has increased with the availability of online pornography and a consumerist view of sex. Trafficking occurs because criminals take advantage of poverty, unemployment, and a desire for better opportunities. Young victims fall prey to traffickers because no one is there to protect them.

A Salvation Army spokeswoman says:
“Children cannot protect themselves from the insidious and overpowering dangers of those that wish to use and abuse them. The responsibility therefore falls upon the larger society to protect and ensure the safety of these, our most vulnerable citizens.”

What Can We Do?
The first thing is to understand the heart of God about this issue. How does He view the people involved? Jesus showed the love of the Father for every person, without partiality. No one is beyond the reach of His love. God’s justice compels His people to act justly and to speak up for the oppressed. His grace compels us to show compassion and mercy. God’s desire is to redeem and save and restore both the victim and the victimizer. And, we need to better understand God’s design for sexuality.

Second, pray for the victims, pray for the ones you see on the boulevards, for the advocates reaching out to help the victims, for the clients. Pray for the young people – girls and boys -- in your sphere of influence. Pray the Lord would open your eyes to see what you must, in order to intervene if necessary.

Third, create awareness of sex trafficking by talking to your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and church members about this dangerous and evil reality. Educate at-risk girls on self-esteem and “Lover Boy” scams. Advise young women to be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true.

Then, address demand issues: including pornography and sexual addiction. Ask your church to run a program on Male Sexuality and addiction. Help teenage boys avoid the vicious trap of online porn which leads to a demeaning view of females as objects and a warped approach to relationships. There are ways we can protect minors and help them develop a healthy respect for self and others.

Churches can make a great impact in combating and preventing sexual exploitation in our communities.

We can lobby or boycott travel agencies which sell sex tours to other countries. Name and shame such companies. A current example is Ryan Air whose CEO promises to make in-flight porn accessible to passengers.

Campaign against the legalization of prostitution, which degrades and corrupts everyone involved, raises the risk to vulnerable minors, and correlates to an increase in the crime of trafficking -- contrary to popular belief.

For those who are set free: physical, emotional, and spiritual healing is needed for victims who are rescued.

For more insight, I've posted two links (see below for previous posts) to excellent short videos about this scourge: "Jacob's Story" from the point of view of men, and a brilliant documentary focused on Europe. Please dare to draw near to this dark corner where so many are suffering and trapped.

Watch this space for more. Let's talk about this; let's shine the light.

For My Brothers....

Jacob's Story from Unearthed on Vimeo.

The Global Sex Trade: A 21st Century Evil

Sex slaves - Slavery: A 21st Century Evil - Al Jazeera English (follow the links to watch this)

No One Volunteers to Be Exploited • EFCA Today

No One Volunteers to Be Exploited • EFCA Today

"The Tectonic Shift of Christianity..."

I've been doing some reading on current and future trends in global Christianity. At

the same time, I'm reading about the spread of Gospel faith during the Roman Empire (Cities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome by Rodney Stark). Between the two, others may see a disconnect -- where I see thrilling connections!

Jesus made this public declaration: "I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it," (Mat 16:18) and He has been ensuring the spread of His Message across borders and barriers ever since. Both then and now, one most effective means for achieving this is via migration. During the Roman Empire, Christ followers carried the Good News with them as they traveled and where they settled. They were fleeing persecution and severe conditions and emigrated to other lands. Numerous are the accounts of upper class Roman citizens who were introduced to the Gospel by their foreign servants. Stark notes that "Christian community in Rome seems to have come as a result of migration of men and women from Palestine and Syria."

And today the journey continues.

Steve Hoke and Bill Taylor describe this trend:

"The tectonic shift of Chrisitanity from the Global North to the Global South teaches us that the Spirit is moving South without abandoning the North. And the new glocal mission call is 'from all nations to all nations.' Our global missional partners truly reflect 'from every tribe, nation, tongue, and people.'

"The nations of the world have come to the West, a great opportunity to tell them the great Story of Christ. It is also an invitation for Western churches to be infected with the family and celebratory values of these younger Christian communities now implanted in the West.

"The surprising faces of 'missions from the margins,' from the nobodies, from the 'underside of history,' from the Chrisitans migrating around the world - legally or otherwise. They are on the move, following freedom, jobs and a better place for their families, and they take the Gospel with them.

"The revitalization of the Christian church of Europe will come in part from the vital faith and conversion of migrant peoples, especially from Africa and Latin America."

"Today's missions movement (and I would add, Church growth in our cities) is a truly globalized mosaic, with servants from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the South Pacific."

Yes, we live in tumultuous times. But God is using geopolitical upheaval for His excellent purpose of spreading the Good News. The Lord of the Harvest is raising up laborers by mobilizing people for such a time as this.

Signs of Life

Sarah and I do not have too many 24-hour periods when we have the opportunity either to share the Gospel or broach spiritual subjects with five of our neighbors. We are keenly aware that our brothers and sisters are praying for us in these days surrounding the English courses, so we wanted to let you know how the Lord has been working.

Sarah met Joanna (Italian, not her real name) in her English class at the local library. She came once to the class, they were introduced, and she came back the next week just to ask for an appointment with Sarah. Joanna is an art history expert, and this was the lens through which she was familiar with so many scenes from the Bible. She was really intrigued to know someone like Sarah who gave credence to the original biblical accounts. Believe it or not, Sarah was the first person she had ever met during her lifetime who believed in the validity of the Bible. What a privilege it is to be able to speak for God in this way. So, Monday afternoon, below the walls of the Vatican bastion, they met for coffee and talked about the reality of Christ and his Message.

Tuesday morning Sarah was asked to help keep some order at the sports camp that a group of Dutch young people were putting on in cooperation with our Italian Baptist Church. Normally I could have helped out with that, but 1) my foot is still healing, and 2) I have no soccer skills. An Italian mom and grandma showed up with a young boy to participate in the camp. It is great how God teams us up with people. Karen is a summer intern, our age, with International Teams’ Refugee Highway. How beautiful to see the gift of evangelism demonstrated in a believer. What becomes evident is not a method, but a passion for the Gospel. Karen has only been here a few weeks, so she needed Sarah to translate as she presented the Good News to this very open mother and grandmother. Those two women were equally floored to hear about the reality of a Message that they had discounted because of an organized religion they no longer respected. Forget the religion; they were very interested in hearing more about the Truth. Grace and Stephanie (not their real names) live in the same neighborhood as Zach and Naomi. They may be able to attend a new group if the Lord continues to lead us to start that in September or October.

About the same time I was hobbling out my front door on crutches (if you didn’t know, I broke my foot about a month ago during my regular morning run – bright sun in the eyes, deep pothole). It is amazing how many people talk to you in Italy when you’re injured. Almost every neighbor in our building has stopped to talk to me this month, the same people who hadn’t said “Ciao” for two years. General rule about ministry in Europe: own a dog. General rule about ministry in Mediterranean Europe: have a young child, at least one. General rule about ministry in Italy: break a bone and appear to be infirm or in need. All of these lead to multiple conversations!

I finally learned my upstairs neighbor’s name as we stopped on the sidewalk to compare crutches. She told me about her hip replacement. When I mentioned getting injured just before organizing the English classes with our Italian church, she asked the inevitable, “So what’s the difference between Catholic faith and yours? Is it Christian?” So we began that discussion, talking more about the authority of the Bible than about religion. She confided that she held very little respect any more for the religion she had grown up with. So I planted a seed about the possibility of reading the Bible together. We’ll see where that goes.

Just a couple of hours later I met with Andrea (not his real name), a refugee I had met during the English course. Andrea is from the Muslim world, but had received a Bible in his language some years ago when he met a group of Christians in Finland of all places! It’s amazing how Christ pursues us in life and upheaval. Before an open Bible we were able to piece together three languages to begin to take a look at the Good News in John. We spent two very good hours together and feel like the Bible itself, through the Spirit of God, did the communicating. This was a promising start. Stay tuned.