Stop The Traffik

Went to Crossway again today for the Sunday service at 11am. Guess who is the speaker today? Steve Chalke, yes it's him! It's almost unbelievable to see him in person in such a personal way. For most of us from the Chinese background, we wouldn't have a clue of who is this Steve Chalke. Maybe we know Steve Jobs from Apple more. Here're some brief info about Steve Chalke from Wikipedia:

Steve Chalke (MBE, UN.GIFT Special Advisor on Community Action against Human Trafficking) is a prominent, and often outspoken, Christian leader and social activist based in the UK, and an ordained Baptist minister. He is best known as the founder of Oasis Trust and Church.co.uk. He is the author of numerous books and articles as well as a regular presenter and contributor on television and radio programmes. In 2004 he was awarded an MBE for his services to social inclusion by the Queen.^[1]

He was raising awareness for us about human trafficking. He's really a good speaker, perhaps one of the best I've listened to so far. You don't feel tired listening to him, in fact, you're hoping that time would slow down for him to speak more. Stop The Traffik is one of the organisations that he founded.

One of the good points that he made was about how the church has been made redundant by the governments around the world in terms of "providing the service" to the people. The government has been getting all the professionals to replace most of the works that churches have started. However, government today are struggling to cope or keep up the service and are looking to give back some of it to the churches. Well, this particularly happens in London where he's from. The point is, churches are not made to be confined by the 4 walls, we as Christians should be out there in field providing love and service to the needy. Without that, we are not doing what God has told us to do. Felt so relief that the message he brought today was the same message I've been trying to convey to my fellow church members though I think I'm not as influential as Steve, so my message went to deaf ears! :P

I felt more and more burdened as the days gone by. I think I've told some of you that I was going to plan to start an organisation or movement myself if our church didn't have a change of pastor in 2009. Now that we have a new pastor, the burden is still great in my heart. Not sure whether I'm capable to start a ministry on my own or with a few friends at the moment. Most likely I'll be joining an organisation very soon and start to get involved in the field rather than sitting in churches playing bible quiz! Perhaps will be looking more into the International Students fields. Not 100% sure yet! Hoping some of our church members will have the same burden & passion!

One of the reasons for my blog is also to raise awareness to my church members as well as my blog readers. Since I've about 1200-1500 visitors on average each month, I sure hope the message will get to you all.

Now, let's look at some of the information about human trafficking.

A definition:

“Trafficking in human beings” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

• At least 12.3 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. Of these 2.4 million are as a result of human trafficking. A global alliance against forced labor, International Labour Organisation, 2005
  
  
• 600,000-800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors. US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2005
  
  
• An estimated 1.2 million children trafficked each year. UNICEF UK Child Trafficking Information sheet, January 2003
  
  
• The majority of trafficked victims arguably come from the poorest countries and poorest strata of the national population. A global alliance against forced labor, International Labour Organisation, 2005
  
  
• Trafficking is the fastest growing means by which people are caught in the trap of slavery. Anti-Slavery
  
  
• Human trafficking is the third largest source of income for organised crime, exceeded only by arms and drugs trafficking. UN office on drugs and crime
  
  
• It is the fastest growing form of international crime, already generating 7 billion dollars per year in criminal proceeds. There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search of high profits at lower risk. UN office on drugs and crime
  
  
• People are trafficked into prostitution, begging, forced labour, military service, domestic service, forced illegal adoption, forced marriage etc.
  
  
• Types of recruitment; include abduction, false agreement with parents, sold by parents, runaways, travel with family, orphans sold from street or institutions.

Plus, an event not to be missed if you are in Melbourne!

Australia's Largest Chocolate Fondue Party!
January the 18th 10.30am-12.30pm

Federation Square, Melbourne

Everyday thousands of trafficked children are forced to work in the cocoa industry. This must stop.

Come and learn more about the trafficking occurring in cocoa production and enjoy in some Fairtrade chocolate fondue!