Introduction to SOLD: The Human Trafficking Experience
For the past nine months, a growing team of Bethel attenders has been developing an exhibit to raise awareness about human trafficking, show the power of the gospel to address this evil, and to motivate participants to action.
Jessica MacFarlan, Krista Hanson, and I (Amber Bruce) came up with the idea last September. We were brainstorming projects about human trafficking that we could propose during the NExT Campaign. A lot of people have asked if we are partnering with a larger organization that has the exhibit and we are running it. Nope. We just made it up.
It’s been beautiful to see God working in and through people as this exhibit has been put together. He has given different gifts and talents to each team member to do each part. In the last couple weeks, all those different parts have come together into what promises to be an amazing experience.
It’s been a faith-building experience as we have reached beyond our capabilities and trusted God to show up. He has come through every time.
The journey has just begun. SOLD debuts this week in the Bethel Gym from May 9-20. After that, it will be available to travel to churches and events throughout the Northwest. There is still time to join the team!
Tomorrow and Thursday from 4-9pm, Bethel attenders and their friends get the very first opportunity to see the completed SOLD: The Human Trafficking Experience! Hope to see you there.
CAUTION: Do the the mature content, this experience is not recommended for children under 13. Those with a history of sexual abuse may want to skip certain rooms, go with a trusted friend, or find other ways to help fight human trafficking.
August 18th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
This is a terrible issue that deserves special attention… and especially so from city and community leaders. Although, I believe that responsibility lies on the whole community when it is discovered within, but more so on those with power and authority to effect change. This issue is one that freightens and brings about a certain discomfort to the community’s residents but this should not be a deterrent but rather serve as motivation to address the problem. Sadly, many a time is the issue of human trafficking pushed aside or overlooked because the victims involved are poor or people of color. Aside from the usual socially proscribed labels of illegal, gangster, white trash, drug user (crack whore)…. labels that racialise and genderdise or draw social distinctions… allow for a disengagement (seeing the other as less or dehumanizing her/ him so that the violence committed will not tug on our moral being) by those concealling or denying the issue (authority and city leaders). That disengagement, I say, is no different than the disengagement the perpetrators execute when violating the human rights of the victims. It should be taken into consideration that those children victimised by traffickers are VICTIMS. Any stigma attributed to them should be disregarded at all times and especially so for those of us who fail to see their humanity due to our prejugdment of others and the circumstances surrounding their lives. Not sure if I said that correctly but I hope I got the point across. We must remember that these are human lives we are dealing with and they deserve and need our help, and as members of society and children of God we must recognize our responsibility to these children.