There were more slaves in the single year of 2004 than in all the previous centuries put together.
That’s what the speaker told us.
Last night, I attended an event for International Justice Mission. While we dined on wine and cheese, a worker from India told us stories of slaves–men, women, and children–working in brick kilns. Some were beaten. Some were sexually abused. One man had seven-inch needles driven into his thighs.
These are the people they save.
I first learned of IJM from the band, Jubilee, who supports them with the proceeds from their music.
IJM gathers evidence, takes it to the local authorities, and goes on raids with the authorities. After freeing the slaves, IJM takes them back to their villages and begins after-care, which includes training for a new job and counseling. They also work to hold the slave owners accountable by taking that evidence to the courts.
IJM workers are driven by their Christian faith–their belief in the sanctity of life and their responsibility to carry out the gospel through freeing the oppressed.
You can support IJM financially, through volunteering, and with prayer. They’re especially looking for lawyers, case workers, and police authorities to help with their skills.
Last night, I picked up a book that tells the stories of some of the rescued victims and the people that saved them, Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom. I’m looking forward to learning more about IJM through these stories.
i first learned of IJM on an episode of oprah (not nearly as cool as hearing about it from a band) and i remember wondering how i could support or be involved in the work they do. it’s brave and beautiful and so needed. it’s great to see people filled with faith taking action in the places where it matters most.
I love the work IJM is doing. It’s honorable, risky, and beautiful. Gary Haugen is a modern-day prophet, in my opinion. I’m glad you got a chance to hear some of their stories last night.
I love that you are promoting IJM because it’s a great organization! You also might check out Kay Marshall Strom’s book, Once Blind.
Thanks for the book suggestion!
Truly through no doing of my own, I worked at IJM for a little while. I left there with not only eyes that wouldn’t look at the world the same but with a great deal of respect for Gary Haugen. He not only has the vision that began IJM but he is such a man of integrity. And as such I feel that their work remains above reproach. The work IJM does is truly awesome. If you’re looking for something unique and obviously meaningful to give to someone this holiday season, IJM has a holiday catalog that I think is cool. I don’t know if they did this last year or not but here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/4lwajv.
Heather, I’m so excited to hear you went to one of the dinners! “Good News About Injustice” is Gary’s first book and it’s still one of my favorites. You should check that out too.
It’s probably one I need to read over somewhat regularly to be reminded of God’s charge to us to seek justice for the oppressed.
I didn’t know you worked there! I love hearing things like this–that the organization is just as full of integrity from the inside as it appears to be from the outside.
I did work there, first as their receptionist and then in data management. There is a deep commitment, on Gary’s part, to the spiritual formation of his employees. The work day starts with personal devotions that you can do in whatever way you feel is appropriate, prayer, meditation, etc. And then every day at 1100 the staff comes together for prayer for the ministry and those it serves, the staff and whatever else comes up. I think that’s part of what makes me appreciate IJM so much because I know the tone that is set behind the scenes when it comes to what they believe is one of the only ways they can continue to do what they do…prayer. Which is what the Global Prayer Gathering every year is all about. If you can go to that…it’s an incredible week of worship and prayer. But I’ll stop rambling now. Haha!
we are blind. (It certainly is easier, isn’t it?)
That’s true. I know there’s a delicate balance between opening up our eyes to the horrors out there and becoming sentimental about them–sentimental in the sense that we want to know, we itch to hear the stories, but we don’t do anything about them. So I appreciate books that don’t overly dramatize things and also give you practical things to do with the information you’ve been given.
I think this book is one of them.
I thought you might want to check out my blog. I’m trying to raise money for IJM, and help people become aware of what is going on in the rest of the world.
Thanks for posting about this.
http://callingforjustice.blogspot.com/
Thanks for letting me know, Amy.