3MN: The Sound of Freedom, sex-trafficking, and you.

Happy 3-Minute Thursday!

You are busy, so let's make this quick. No fluff, no filler, no spamming. This newsletter will help you think in the best way and be a Christian on purpose.

💬 In the next three minutes:

☝️ The gritty world of sex trafficking.

✌️How a survivor says you can help.

👌 A few suggestions to take action today.

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🚐 Minute 1 - Disrupting modern-day slavery.

A film centered upon the gritty world of sex trafficking is among the highest profile films this summer. Starring Jim Caviezel, Sound of Freedom follows the true story of Tim Ballard, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent, who embarks on a daring mission to rescue trafficked children in Central America. The film uses raw emotion and graphic honesty to shed light on the exploitation of innocent victims.

Human trafficking is a vile mark of human depravity. While I have not yet purchased my movie ticket, I hear Sound of Freedom makes that abundantly clear. Human trafficking is a complicated and nuanced issue.

There are an estimated 27.6 million trafficking victims worldwide, including both sex and labor trafficking. The global profit from trafficking is estimated to be $150 billion each year. Many victims are regularly trafficked by family members, spouses, and intimate partners.

Traffickers prey on the most vulnerable, such as those experiencing migration or relocation, substance abuse, mental health issues, engagement with the child welfare system, or being a runaway or homeless teenager. They use their victims' vulnerabilities to gain maximum control and reliance. Because of fear, isolation, guilt, humiliation, mistaken allegiance, and professional manipulation, victims sometimes do not seek help or even recognize they are victims of trafficking.

🤟 Minute 2 - A quote from a survivor.

A word from Melissa Diehl, a survivor of human trafficking,

Remember that every person on the streets, in a club, on the internet, in a hotel room, WHEREVER they may be, have families and loved ones and hearts just as you do, and that they are worthy and enough. When you see us, could you just offer a small smile? Extend a small bit of compassion even though you may not personally understand? Small, simple actions have the potential to make a large impact, and now is the time more than ever before.

We have a shared humanity. A simple act of kindness could be the first stone laid of building a person's life back. Care more about capturing the moment, not knowing the impact.

📚 Minute 3 - We cannot pretend this isn't real.

Sound of Freedom puts child trafficking in the spotlight and there is nowhere for us to hide. We can’t pretend it isn’t real. But what can we do? I’m not going to Columbia to personally lead a paramilitary operation. I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time!

But, as survivor Melissa reminds me, we all play a part.

• Educate Yourself: This might mean you should see Sound of Freedom, read some statistics on human trafficking, or watch a documentary on the subject. Whatever method you use is fine, but just make sure you learn something.
• Support Anti-Trafficking Organizations: Contribute financially or volunteer with organizations that actively combat human trafficking and provide support to survivors. Here are three: Polaris Project. The Exodus Road. Love 146.
• Pray for Victims and Traffickers: We pray for many things we can see happening around us, but what about the things happening we cannot see. We can intercede through prayer, and I cannot imagine a greater thing to intercede.
• Teach Your Children: Raise your children to recognize threats and teach them about internet safety. Christian love and blind trust are different things. Here is a resource from Homeland Security.
• Practice Compassion: This all might seem a little overwhelming. Start small. Victims and survivors are all around you. Be the hands and feet of Jesus even in the smallest way today.

VERSE OF THE WEEK 🔥

S U F T W C S F T, F T R O A W A D.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. - Proverbs 31:8

Until next week,

Payton Minzenmayer

p.s. - Skittles' newest limited flavor may pair well with hotdogs.