Once in Greenwich, a man who appeared significantly older than his advertised age of 42 greeted Taylor at the train station and then drove her to the largest house she had ever seen. He changed into his swimming trunks, she put on a skimpy bathing suit, and then, by the side of his pool, she rubbed sunscreen into the folds of his sagging back -- bracing herself to endure an afternoon of sex with someone she suspected was actually about 30 years her senior...
Saddled with piles of student debt and a job-scarce, lackluster economy, current college students and recent graduates are selling themselves to pursue a diploma or pay down their loans. An increasing number, according to the the owners of websites that broker such hook-ups, have taken to the web in search of online suitors or wealthy benefactors who, in exchange for sex, companionship, or both, might help with the bills...
"It's a very expensive job," says Jack, a 70-year-old sugar daddy, who describes himself as a "humanitarian" interested in helping young women in financial need. Jack isn't the name that appears on his American Express black card, but an identity he uses when shopping online for companionship and sex.
These are a few short excerpts from a Huffington Post article I read about online "sugar daddy/sugar baby" sites. You can read the full article here.
As I read this article, I was filled with rage, disgust and pity for each person mentioned.
The pathetic website owner who makes money from old men exploiting vulnerable girls.
The disgusting "John" who makes a profile on a shoddy website to hook-up with a girl half his age, in the name of "helping her."
The ignorant college student who thinks that she can make a quick buck this way, yet not get hurt in the process.
To be completely honest, at first, I didn't even feel sad about this story. I was just so angered by all of it that I couldn't see the root behind the issue in that moment. But as I was processing, the Lord spoke to me how this is directly correlates to Romans 1: 24-25. The verses say this:
"Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator"
After meditating on this verse, I began to see the deception that is taking over the minds of people and my heart broke with the jealous heart of God.
These verses spell out the progression of evil that happens, and this progression is fueling the sex industry and human trafficking.
1. First, the people worship the creation, rather than the creator!
We see this in every aspect of life. We worship people. We worship bodies. We worship status. Money. Jobs. Fame. Religion. Pride. Our eyes constantly fall short of what we should be worshiping.
2. Second, the people give up truth and believe lies.
When we stop worshiping the only Truth, the natural consequence is that we are worshiping lies. We willfully give up truth and accepted lies into our hearts, minds and souls. This just opens the doors to further lies and demonic attack and oppression.
3. Third, the people are given up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.
God is loving and kind and does not control us, but rather, allows us to have choice in our lives. We are so full of lies that our choice becomes impurity. And because of His nature, there comes a time when God fully gives us over to those desires and choices and we are filled with lust and perversion and begin to live in impurity.
4. Finally, the people dishonor their bodies among themselves.
It is not hard to make this connection to current society! But of course it happens all the time when we have no idea what truth is. We don't know what to believe, and we believe lies, and because we have chosen impurity, we act in ways that hurt us, dishonor us, and shame us. Satan has always had a desire to destroy the temple of the Lord, which now is our bodies, so he seeks to fill us with lust and perversion. Once we have given ourselves fully to impurity, its only a matter of time before we self-destruct.
God has created us to be creatures that love and are loved. Our purpose is to love God and be loved by God. This life of impurity, lust, lies, destruction...it was never His intention! I am sure these women and men never intended to get to a point where they were using websites to have random sex with strangers. It started with a small thing; a small thought; a small lie. "I mean, really, it's not a big deal if I want to get more money and I do anything to get it. It's not a big deal if I care more about the way my body looks than thanking God that he made me. It's not a big deal that I worship whichever god I want to in that given moment." We tell ourselves whatever we need to to justify the lies we believe. And even when everything is going wrong in our life because of this cycle of death, we will still justify our actions to make us believe we haven't lost control.
Surely His heart is broken over stories like this!!
Stories like this are FAR too common and accepted. We MUST pray and guard ourselves!! We must pray for people to see the Truth and worship only the Truth! We must stop the cycle before it destroys more lives. We need to take a stand for righteousness, even when it seems like we are "irrelevant" to the rest of the world. Casual sex, one night stands, prostitution, pornography....these things DO NOT make us relevant!!
May this be known as the generation that changes history, rather than perpetuating its mistakes.
9.01.2011
8.02.2011
The Lost Boys....not forgotten
Though it has been 8 months already since the Unearthed missions team went to Bangkok to bring light to the red light districts, we have not forgotten the amazing things we experienced while we were there. The Lord broke our hearts so much for Thailand and for the people we met; its impossible to forget.
And for some reason, the Lord has been stirring it up even more in my heart the past month or so. As I think and pray about Bangkok, the bars, the men...tears still come to my eyes. As long as there is injustice in Thailand and men and women of all ages are trafficked and exploited, let us never forget!!
I have included a small portion of my personal testimony from our trip to Thailand to share with you all. Please continue to pray with us!
My other prayer, to have a shift in my heart toward Thailand, God answered on our first night of outreach. We went with a few members of a local Thai organization to learn from them and watch how they do ministry. But for some reason, we felt so much unrest the entire time we were there because we knew that God was calling us to minister to the men and we weren’t following. When we finally went to the “boy bar street,” we had no idea what to expect and had no direction about what we were supposed to do or where to go. How do you just “choose” a bar and go in and start ministering to male prostitutes?? As I prayed before going in, the Lord was showing me that we were going to make a change there and when I look a boy straight in the eyes and speak, he would see the truth. I had no idea yet how literal these words were. So, we went in. And it was chaos! Men were grabbing and shouting at all of us, trying to pull us in to their clubs, watch their sex shows, and drink with them. I honestly had no idea what to think. It seemed like it all happened so fast and it was so blurry. Yet we walked the entire street and still none of us had a clue about where we were supposed to go. But for one split second, I caught the eyes of a boy at the last bar on the strip (and they pierced me) and in that second I said to E, without even realizing what was happening, “We have to go back to that bar.” PRAISE THE LORD we had some kind of direction! So, we prayed, went back to that place and began to just talk to the guys working there. And it was in that bar that I met three of the most special boys I’ve ever met in my life. Mos. Jade. Pong.
Though to the world they are the "Lost Boys of Thailand," to the Lord they are priests and sons. Please continue to pray for them! They need an encounter with Jesus in the depths of their heart!
And for some reason, the Lord has been stirring it up even more in my heart the past month or so. As I think and pray about Bangkok, the bars, the men...tears still come to my eyes. As long as there is injustice in Thailand and men and women of all ages are trafficked and exploited, let us never forget!!
I have included a small portion of my personal testimony from our trip to Thailand to share with you all. Please continue to pray with us!
My other prayer, to have a shift in my heart toward Thailand, God answered on our first night of outreach. We went with a few members of a local Thai organization to learn from them and watch how they do ministry. But for some reason, we felt so much unrest the entire time we were there because we knew that God was calling us to minister to the men and we weren’t following. When we finally went to the “boy bar street,” we had no idea what to expect and had no direction about what we were supposed to do or where to go. How do you just “choose” a bar and go in and start ministering to male prostitutes?? As I prayed before going in, the Lord was showing me that we were going to make a change there and when I look a boy straight in the eyes and speak, he would see the truth. I had no idea yet how literal these words were. So, we went in. And it was chaos! Men were grabbing and shouting at all of us, trying to pull us in to their clubs, watch their sex shows, and drink with them. I honestly had no idea what to think. It seemed like it all happened so fast and it was so blurry. Yet we walked the entire street and still none of us had a clue about where we were supposed to go. But for one split second, I caught the eyes of a boy at the last bar on the strip (and they pierced me) and in that second I said to E, without even realizing what was happening, “We have to go back to that bar.” PRAISE THE LORD we had some kind of direction! So, we prayed, went back to that place and began to just talk to the guys working there. And it was in that bar that I met three of the most special boys I’ve ever met in my life. Mos. Jade. Pong.
Though to the world they are the "Lost Boys of Thailand," to the Lord they are priests and sons. Please continue to pray for them! They need an encounter with Jesus in the depths of their heart!
7.29.2011
Trafficked Children Rescued in China
I read this article today about trafficked children who were rescued during a bust in China. Praise the Lord!!!
These children were all very young; as young as 10 months old. The oldest was 4 years old. My heart breaks to hear about these poor lives begin ruined for someone elses financial/sexual gain.
Thank you Lord for being faithful, even to the smallest of us. For loving us, even when we have not yet contributed anything. For having justice and righteousness as the foundation of your throne.
These children were all very young; as young as 10 months old. The oldest was 4 years old. My heart breaks to hear about these poor lives begin ruined for someone elses financial/sexual gain.
Thank you Lord for being faithful, even to the smallest of us. For loving us, even when we have not yet contributed anything. For having justice and righteousness as the foundation of your throne.
7.23.2011
Nefarious Film Screening: Seoul
This incredible documentary is making its way to Seoul!!
Our friends at Exodus Cry have made a film about the global sex trade and after many years of hard work, it's finally finished and on tour! Its going to be powerful and we must get as many people to see it as possible....the first step to changing the sex industry and ending trafficking is AWARENESS!!! Come to a screening. Get your friends to come. See it multiple times. You will not be disappointed! www.nefariousfilm.com
Details and Dates:
- Friday July 29th, 7pm: Onnuri Church; Yangjae Station (line 3)
- Sunday July 31st, 7pm: New Philadelphia Church; Shillim Station (line 2). Email cassandra@newphilly.cc for more info and to reserve a ticket. All ticket prices go to Exodus Cry as an offering.
Our friends at Exodus Cry have made a film about the global sex trade and after many years of hard work, it's finally finished and on tour! Its going to be powerful and we must get as many people to see it as possible....the first step to changing the sex industry and ending trafficking is AWARENESS!!! Come to a screening. Get your friends to come. See it multiple times. You will not be disappointed! www.nefariousfilm.com
Details and Dates:
- Friday July 29th, 7pm: Onnuri Church; Yangjae Station (line 3)
- Sunday July 31st, 7pm: New Philadelphia Church; Shillim Station (line 2). Email cassandra@newphilly.cc for more info and to reserve a ticket. All ticket prices go to Exodus Cry as an offering.
6.25.2011
Beautiful Bride.
Today was Day 2 of Not For Sale's Backyard Academy. It's been a blessing to learn, connect with others who love justice, and see the Church love the heart of God.
Unearthed has been crying out not only for freedom & justice but also awakening and movement of the Church. It brings so much joy to my heart to see the Beautiful Bride beginning to stand in this hour. How much more joy to the Groom's heart?
Korea will never be the same. Singapore will never be the same. Hong Kong will never be the same. Cambodia will never be the same.Philippines will never be the same. Thailand will never be the same. Japan will never be the same. India will never be the same. Asia will never be the same.
What an honor to partner with the Greatest Abolitionist.
No more slumber, Church. It's time to wake up!
Unearthed has been crying out not only for freedom & justice but also awakening and movement of the Church. It brings so much joy to my heart to see the Beautiful Bride beginning to stand in this hour. How much more joy to the Groom's heart?
Korea will never be the same. Singapore will never be the same. Hong Kong will never be the same. Cambodia will never be the same.Philippines will never be the same. Thailand will never be the same. Japan will never be the same. India will never be the same. Asia will never be the same.
What an honor to partner with the Greatest Abolitionist.
No more slumber, Church. It's time to wake up!
6.23.2011
Winning Side.
Story after story of injustice, one can't help but ask, "When?" Until when will the injustice prevail? It's been 3 years since God has shown me the great injustices in Korea. It seems that the longer I'm here, the more depravity I see and hear about.
To be honest, sometimes...it's just too much. It's too heavy. Hopeless. Defeated. Alone. Discouraged. There have been many times when I've experienced the messy side of ministry. There have been many times when I've wanted to give up. I've wanted to give in. I've wanted to slow down. I've wanted to ease up.
But, knowing the injustices...it would be greater injustice if I just turn away.
God will not relent. I choose to not relent, too.
In His sweet voice, the Lord reminded me the other night, "You are on the winning side." What incredible news.
Injustice is all around. But, Justice wins.
Justice is the King's.
Our King wins.
To be honest, sometimes...it's just too much. It's too heavy. Hopeless. Defeated. Alone. Discouraged. There have been many times when I've experienced the messy side of ministry. There have been many times when I've wanted to give up. I've wanted to give in. I've wanted to slow down. I've wanted to ease up.
But, knowing the injustices...it would be greater injustice if I just turn away.
God will not relent. I choose to not relent, too.
In His sweet voice, the Lord reminded me the other night, "You are on the winning side." What incredible news.
Injustice is all around. But, Justice wins.
Justice is the King's.
Our King wins.
6.16.2011
Backyard Academy June 23-25
http://www.nfsacademy.org/backyard-academy/
The Not for Sale Backyard Academy is coming to Seoul next weekend!! If you are in the area and have not yet signed up, you should do so. Its going to be an awesome time of learning more about human slavery and what we can do to end it.
The Not for Sale Backyard Academy is coming to Seoul next weekend!! If you are in the area and have not yet signed up, you should do so. Its going to be an awesome time of learning more about human slavery and what we can do to end it.
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