The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: Ka
Date: 12.11.2010
Location: Phnom Penh | Cambodia
Category: Social Justice, Reconciliation
Ka, a young Cambodian girl, suffers the humiliation and indignity of being a sex-worker - yet God is able to restore life to a heart without hope.
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Keywords: human trafficking, Cambodia, Cape Town 2010
Views: 18146
Comments: 26
Recommendations: 0
Conversation Post Comment
United States
At times it is difficult to grasp how slavery still exists. In fact, I have heard that there are more slaves today than there has ever been before! I am horrified about how young girls are basically tricked and forced to have sex with men day after day. I have heard testimonies from girls who were victims of this in America and it breaks my heart every time. The view of people who do not understand think that these girls (whom they call prostitutes) actually believe that these girls chose to do this. A vast majority have not, though for some this is all they know and they don’t think they can do anything else. All of these girls whether they are trapped in a brothel, "work" on the street, in pornography etc, they are all victims. I am thankful for World Vision and other places where these girls can be loved and get the help they need, but considering the number of victims in the sex-industry there are still not enough places for them to go if they escape.
09.04.2012
Serbia
Serbian/croatian translation of Ka tesremoni - www.sr.cross.tv/73547
27.10.2011
United States
Ka’s experience was truly a horrible one for sure, however, I am thankful to World Vision for rescuing young women/girls from the sex trade in Cambodia. I love Leah12’s quote of Doug Nichols" The challenge of the church today is to follow the lamb into the garbage heap of the world" this situation would truly qualify.
09.07.2011
United States
@ dianaleeballard:
The more I research what is going on in regards to human rights and various humanitatian situations within my own nation as well as globally, I am overwhelmed by the number of "garbage heaps" that exist. It deeply grieves me to learn how dehumanizing and savagely we treat one another.
11.07.2011
United States
@ Leah12:
This is something dark within human nature. There’s nothing new in what’s going on now, but there are a couple of reasons why people are so much more appalled now than they were in the past. The news travels faster and is more available, and there are more people (primarily more poor people) in the world who are targets for exploitation. There are so many horrible ways in which we treat one another, but at least our generation didn’t invent brutality. In a way, I suppose we were sort of born into it.
14.07.2011
United States
@ weinzierl_diomedes:
I understand that we didn’t invent brutality and violence. Human brutality began with humanity. Nonetheless, I feel that perhaps because I was "born into it", as you said, I have that much more of a responsibility to break the cycle. We each must decide to keep our eyes closed and remain part of the problem or take whatever measure we are capable of to break the chain. I have heard it said that even in deciding to do nothing we are making a decision. Mother Teresa has been quoted as saying something akin to this: "What we do may only be a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be that much less without that drop. Do what you can where you are with what you have for as long as you can do it."
15.07.2011
United States
@ Leah12:
Leah12, I think the most shocking to me is just how close it is to my own home. Can’t believe, Charlotte!?
15.07.2011
United States
@ dianaleeballard:
I agree. I don’t live far from there, and it is heartbreaking to realize it is in my own backyard. Our country once embraced the notion, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddle masses yearning to be free..." and now we have become one of the oppressors. How quickly we have forgotten this nation was founded by those "yearning to be free". I believe we have become blinded by "egotism and opportunism", as said by another participant in a different conversation.
16.07.2011
United States
@ Leah12:
True Leah, it left a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that the heinousness of human exploitation is in our own backyard. Let me know if you have any ideas of how to contribute or help in some way on a local level.
16.07.2011
United States
@ dianaleeballard:
Mrs D. I’m sad that we still have terrible acts such as our youth taken adavatage of. Yes, the Lamb of God is specialized in going to garbage heaps to rescue his treasures, us. mankind
19.07.2011
United States
@ dianaleeballard:
I just ran across something today that you may be interested in. There is an organization in Eastern NC that is solely focused on stopping human trafficking. The website is www.encstophumantrafficking.org Also, there is a prayer and fasting weekend taking place in September. It is sponsored by the Salvation Army. Go to www.traffickinprayerandfasting.org From what I could see, participation is free and can be done by groups or individuals. More info can be found at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Home This is very encouraging to me. I hope it will be to you as well.
28.07.2011
Canada
We are thankful for World Vision, its workers and donors for the part they play in rescuing those held captive by human trafficking. As a church community, we want our hearts to be broken for the things that break God’s heart. Here’s an example of how we are partnering with World Vision to raise funds for this need:
http://www.thecrosspointchurch.ca/get-involved/glocal-projects/hogs-for-hope
May you be inspired to make a difference too! Together we can do so much more. _Rob_
05.07.2011
United States
@ Crosspoint:
Thank you, Rob, for what your church is doing. I believe that the only way we can truly bring about change is to be united. The needs are so vast and so numerous none of us can accomplish much alone; however, as a united Body of Chist we can be the catalysts for significant change.
11.07.2011
United States
@ Crosspoint:
Your compassion for other human beings is an inspiration to me, and I’m very thankful for what you have done, are doing, and plan for the future. Those things that break God’s heart should also break our hearts. That’s beautifully stated. It’s a blessing to know that we’re not alone in this fight.
14.07.2011
United States
I always hear comments like "why would God let something like this happen," or "that just proves that God doesn’t exist." Honestly, it’s amazing to me that this woman, the person who experienced one of the darkest sides of humanity, was capable of finding Christ’s love after this. Things like this shake the faith of many people, and it’s encouraging to know that this woman, Ka, has been able to find a light after all that darkness.
05.07.2011
United States
@ weinzierl_diomedes:
I cannot imagine this young woman’s experiences. The narrator referred to Ka’s situation as a personal hell. To me, hell represents total absence of God, and yet, as I reflect on Ka’s story God was involved. God used personnel from World Vision to free the women/girls of that brothel and continues to use them to bring Ka into the healing presence of God. Like weinzierl_diomedes, I am encouraged that a yong woman like this was not beyond the reach of God’s grace. In my opinion, it is through God’s gifts of faith and grace that Ka can believe in His love for her. Doug Nichols in a different Lausanne conversation stated: "The challenge of the church today is to follow the Lamb into the garbage heaps of the wold." Ka’s story is an example of what God’s people can do, how we are the instruments God uses to bring about reconciliation and restoration.
05.07.2011
United States
@ Leah12:
I’m happy that an organization like World Vision exists, and I like that quote that Leah12 posted from Nichols. It’s also encouraging to me that there are people willing to go into the "garbage," and it makes me wonder why I haven’t. I think it’s also important to realize that one doesn’t have to be a Christian to be compassionate, and a lot of people, Christian or not, could really get on board with helping people get out of sex-slavery. A solution to this problem could reach across more than just denominational lines.
05.07.2011
United States
@ weinzierl_diomedes:
You bring up a good point. By engaging those who consider themselves to be non-Christian, we have an opportunity to witness to them as much as to those whom we unite to assist. In working alongside "non-Christians" we have an opportunity to express our motivations which hopefully are tied to tour obedient love for Jesus Christ. I believe we too often limit the work of God and the Holy Spirit by thinking we must stay within our own denominations as well as our own religious affiliations.
11.07.2011
Canada
@ Leah12:
Agreed. This is our dream in our Hogs for Hope project. Over half of the people involved in the project are not Christ-followers. It’s exciting to see how a project like this can show them the gospel (with skin on) and help them understand Christ’s kingdom vision. It attacks one of the false stigmas against the church - that we are disconnected from and uncaring about what is happening in the world today.
11.07.2011
United States
@ Crosspoint:
Absolutely! I wish there were more organizations like this. Or rather, I wish organizations like this got more publicity than they do. It’s exciting to see people of faith engage real issues, but, for some reason, it doesn’t seem to make very good news. I hope people become less ignorant of this problem in the future, and I hope that that comes with a conviction to do something about it.
11.07.2011
United States
@ Crosspoint:
How sad to be reminded that the church is often considered to be, as you said, "disconnected and uncaring". I have often held that stance myself even as a church member. I believe our most effective evangelism/witness occurs as we step outside of the physical sanctuary and become living sanctuaries. As one of my professors recently stated, "Buildings don’t go to Heaven." I feel we need to do more within our walls to teach and motivate fellow Crhistians to step out of the religious comfort zone, as the same professor describes it. As discouraged as I often feel about the organized church, I am also encouraged by those I learn of being the tangible, living, breathing gospel.
11.07.2011
United States
@ weinzierl_diomedes:
In going back and forth with you and others on this and other topics I am being convicted to be more involved in my local congregation to bring about change. I believe it may have been Ghandi that said, "BE the change you want to see in this world." In Al-Anon there is a slogan that simply states, "Let it begin with me." This is the conviction I feel. Knowing how to put action to this conviction will need to become a focus of prayer. Facelessly commenting and responding to hot-button issues comes much easier for me, and I suppose most people. I cannot let this be my only response nor can I wait for someone else to step forward. I must pray for direction, guidance, and courage.
11.07.2011
United States
@ Leah12:
God bless, Leah12. Words certainly come much more easily than actions. Reading stories like this one and several others has made me less ignorant of the hot-button issues--all of which are solvable. I think this will tie in directly to people (like me) getting out of comfort zones, which is a frightening prospect, although necessary. Perhaps one day the Church won’t be thought of as diconnected and uncaring, but I can’t think of myself as these things, and no Christian should, in my opinion.
11.07.2011
Canada
@ Leah12:
Go for it! Do it! BE the change. "...and I am with you always to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28)
11.07.2011
Canada
We are having trouble downloading this video, both the large and small versions. When they download they do not work (get bogged down in the middle). We would like to show the video to our church for fundraising. Could someone please advise on how to get a good version to download?
11.05.2011
United States
This is such a powerful story. The sad part of it is that still many are suffering in the bondage of the modern day slavery today.
It is heart breaking to think that human beings could do such horrible things. These women are brought into this by force. I know God hears their cries, and I pray every day (I know you who see this probably do the same) that these women and children who are sex slaves are released from their bondage. Praise the Lord for those who are able to help these women and children. That is a true blessing in our world today. In the midst of the darkness God shines a beacon of light by using his servants (or agents of the Lord).
15.11.2010
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