Fighting Child Trafficking & Prostitution-- I cannot think of a more destructive act upon a child than forcing them into slavery and prostitution. It is a problem that has no borders and few sanctuaries and it is growing at an alarming rate While in India in January, I picked up the paper and saw the headlines "Daughters being pushed into Prostitution." The article noted “Poverty-stricken parents are pushing their daughters into prostitution.” In a country where many make just a dollar a day, girls are sold for between $100 to $500 to child traffickers and pimps. The Indian government estimates there are more than 2 million prostitutes in our region, 25% of them being minors. Many are sold by impoverished relatives for money; some sell themselves into prostitution for food, shelter and clothing while others are forced against their will. Of all the sins Jesus spoke about during His ministry on earth, He gave the most dire warning to all who would harm a child when He said: “It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Luke 17:2) Mission of Joy began a program 9 months ago to begin to rescue some of these girls who are living such a terrible existence. Read about it in the follow-up article "Opening Mission of Joy's Sewing Center."
