The Solution

I’ve done a lot of very different things with a variety of different organizations with a plethora of different denominations in a few different places around the world, and as I have been on this journey, one thing that kept coming to my attention in every country has been the trafficking of people for the purpose of sexual exploitation via force, fraud, or coercion of some form or another. After studying the depths of trauma in doing personal research papers and projects at university, I came to understand the psychological impact that abuse and manipulation has upon an individual. While in Brazil, I had the awesome privilege to join others in intervention by going to street corners at night to talk to women and transvestites who are suffering in that lifestyle and encourage them out into a healthy lifestyle that will not devastate their body and emotions. I was encouraged to hear stories of women coming into the prayer rooms and finding freedom from their pain as they sat amidst the worship. In Thailand, I saw the power of prevention by working with at risk children from the hilltribes to educate them and get them off the streets before they are lured into trafficking. In Myanmar, I saw the loneliness and risk of homeless children with nowhere safe to go, but the power of healing that takes place when orphans come to understand who they are in Christ, and then begin to serve others in their community. In Cambodia, I saw the beauty of restoration as girls are taken into safe homes and are loved back to life and given training in practical skills that will empower them to reintegrate back into society. In Korea, I heard the cries of a woman being raped. In Europe, I felt the darkness of the streets where the bars and brothels were. In America, I have seen the devastation of poverty and drugs upon women who keep going back to prostitution after being degraded by those around them. I have seen how education, money, economics, law, counseling, etc are helpful solutions to this problem, but I have come to realize that it is ultimately a spiritual and moral problem that will not end as long as there is a demand, which the US and Brazil are fueling by producing the highest rates of porn in the world, forming unhealthy brain pathways in the minds of men starting from a young age. All the money in the world can’t stop evil. All the education in the world can’t stop evil.

All that said, this is the important part, so pay attention… SOLUTION: Jesus – The Righteous Judge, The Mighty Intercessor, The Provider, The Restorer, The Redeemer, The Healer, The Prince of Peace, The Resting Place, A Strength to the needy in distress, The Faithful Witness, The Deliverer. Only when the whole world comes to love this Man and what He accomplished upon the cross 2,000 years ago, will injustice cease. I have come to love the One who, when upon the earth, was: obedient, meek, lowly, guileless, tempted, oppressed, despised, rejected, betrayed, condemned, reviled, scourged, mocked, wounded, bruised, stricken, smitten, crucified, and forsaken, because I know that He is Merciful, Faithful, Holy, Undefiled, Separate, Perfect, Glorious, Mighty, Justified, Exalted, Risen, and Glorified. I know that, even when I have little to offer a suffering world with my little life and my limited resources, the most powerful thing I can give is the Gospel and the truth of the Bible because it is good news that leads to Life. Though I used to harbor bitterness and anger toward God before I encountered His love, I have found freedom in the years since in knowing that He is:

My Portion My Maker My Husband (Isaiah 54:5)

My Well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:13)

My Savior (2 Peter 3:18)

My Hope (1 Timothy 1:1)

My Brother (Mark 3:35)

My Helper (Hebrews 13:6)

My Physician (Jeremiah 8:22)

My Healer (Luke 9:11)

My Refiner (Malachi 3:3)

My Purifier (Malachi 3:3)

My Lord, Master (John 13:13)

My Servant (Luke 12:37)

My Example (John 13:15)

My Teacher (John 3:2)

My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)

My Keeper (John 17:12)

My Feeder (Ezekiel 34:23)

My Leader (Isaiah 40:11)

My Restorer (Psalm 23:3)

My Resting-place (Jeremiah 50:6)

My Meat (John 6:55)

My Drink (John 6:55)

My Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7)

My Peace (Ephesians 2:14)

My Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)

My Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)

My Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30)

My Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)

My All in All (Colossians 3:11)

And nothing can separate me from His love! Jesus demonstrated to a suffering world the power of servant-hood, radical love, and forgiveness, even toward those who crucified Him, as He said: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” He cries out for mercy. Serving with others in unity to bring healing to broken families and peace to the hurting will reap great JOY in due time, for the Comforter is near the brokenhearted.

God is the Strength of His people, and He will not rest until our salvation comes. Becoming rooted and grounded in love, and established in the faith, will bring forth justice and righteousness. Following the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is the best way to live life. I have discovered the power of Christ in me, and my own human weakness and frailty apart from Him. I can only do so much, and if I try to do everything and more perfectly, I will burnout, because I am not the Savior – Jesus is. I can’t do anything good apart from Him, but thank goodness I can have power to do good when I walk in holiness and repentance before God. Jesus is the Perfect One who died an unjust death so that we could be free and alive in Christ, given a living and an everlasting hope. That means we can rejoice always – we can take joy over and over and over again, like Paul, even in the midst of hardships, persecutions, sickness, hunger, etc. because when we are weak, then God is strong, and He builds us into more than conquerors as we set our hearts at rest in His presence.