beautiful hearts.

Their voices are not heard, their faces not seen. Their existence is silenced by prejudice, violence, and injustice, yet they endure. Most who hear their story feel outrage and pity for these forgotten soles and yet, there is so much we can learn from them.

I first learned about human trafficking and modern day slavery at a church camp over two years ago. Since then, I’ve learned a great deal about social injustice around the world and have become passionate about freeing the enslaved and helping them regain their human rights. At the same time, I have looked inside myself and examined the character traits that I possess, both positive and negative. I realized that to become the woman I aspire to be and to lead the life I desire to live, I have much to learn. Perhaps those who have no voice have much to teach me.

They are innocent; I constantly pollute my mind with worldly values, which after time seem to appear just. They are patient; I easily become anxious and regard my own timing as supreme. They are selfless; my thoughts frequently are centered on my own well-being. They are humble; I think of myself more highly than I should. They are loving; I have trouble seeing past the differences I may have with others and into the beauty within. They are grateful; I regularly seek out faults in myself and others in place of appreciation. They have joy; I allow trivial difficulties to discourage me. They have peace; at times, the tasks set before me can seem overwhelming and I worry and attempt to direct the outcome of matters that are out of my hands. They are honest; I struggle with being authentic when I think the truth would change the way I am perceived. They have hope; I often lose sight of hope and have learned from them that hope is never ending.

They are the 27 million people enslaved in the world today, more than at the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This cruelty takes on many forms: chattel slavery, sex slavery, debt bondage, and forced labor. Contrary to many beliefs, this is not only an international issue. An estimated 200,000 people live as slaves in the U.S. today. The biggest obstacle that modern-day abolitionists have is that so few people are aware that slavery is still a prevalent issue that must be addressed. Yet each day goes by and millions endure the hardships and emotional scarring that slavery creates.

These people are my passion; their beautiful hearts inspire me. I have so much to learn, and I am open to being changed, being challenged, and being transformed.