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Watch out for this
December 4, 2009

Three ways Canadians attempt to sell other Canadians is by recruiting youth from shopping malls, foster or group home settings, and web sites offering modeling lessons.

I have a friend from Regina, Saskatchewan whose grade nine daughter was raised in a home much like mine.  Cheri was raped at a youth group party and never told her mom.  Cheri lost so much self esteem in that violation that within months, when scumbugs began to flirt with her, she responded.  On a family trip to West Edmonton Mall her parents where alarmed at her flirtatious behaviour.

Two years after the rape, Cheri was approached by a boy a year older than her at Regina Summer Fair.  She fell under his spell, and he went to work to do all he could to alienate her from her parents.  She didn’t realize she was being recruited by a young pimp, she believed she was running off with a loving boyfriend.  Within a few sad years, sweet Sherri from the nice family was dead in Victoria B.C., her life as a prostitute had left her murdered.  Her parents now help others avoid Cheri’s fate, and you can watch their story here.

 

Trisha Baptie was 13 years old. Her parents marriage had melted down. Neither of them had the skills to love her through her pubescent acting out, and she was cared for in a group home.   She was flattered when a 35 year old man who watched her come and go started paying her attention.  Caring, complimenting her, building her up, offering her a better home than what social services was providing, he was cool and kind.  Trisha left the group home to live with her new “boyfriend” and on this weeks program, Trisha tells us how this man began selling her for sex.  You will also learn how it took 15 years and the help of a “church girl” for Trisha to break free.  I didn’t get a chance to be in Trisha’s new home, but I spent enough time with her to know her kids are so focused on knowing God loves them that I can only be in awe of what God and Trisha can do together.  

A few weeks ago at a very lovely ladies event that everyone was laughing and having a great time at, I decided to drop a bombshell and tell stories of girls like Cheri and Trisha.  I left the stage feeling uncomfortable; I had really been a downer.  But at the stairs I was met by a woman whose thank you hug engulfed me.  She was Shona Stewart, she had been sitting in the audience, she was a former prostitute who had left prostitution out of respect of her mother’s dying wishes.  Shona urged me to keep telling Canada about the need to stop human trafficking in the sex industry. Shona  now helps other girls and women recover from the abuse of prostitution.  stcfministries@gmail.com. (We also have sources who can help men who are addicted to buying sex. Write us for that).

Finally, let me close with a thank you to Naomi Baker,(see her blog on our site) and Jen Singh of Samaritan’s Purse, two young women who just kept knocking on my door to say Listen Up TV must educate people about Human Trafficking.   They, like Brian McConaghy, and Michelle Miller, left their earlier professions to tackle full time work, much of it volunteerism, in trying to put an end to Human Trafficking. You all are front line heroes who took time to teach me what is really involved in the slavery of people. You answered every phone call, email, shared sources and opened doors for Listen Up TV to tell this week’s story and we all grateful.  

I also bring a huge thank you to our anonymous donor family who took a risk and stepped up to fund this week’s program.   It would have been just prayers and ideas had your hard work in earning money, and then giving money away not been behind us.  You were God’s hands in action to us, and we thank you.     

We haven’t forgotten our children we featured last year from Cambodia who are also at risk of being sold. At a Saturday concert with Kelita I have the privilege of asking to raise more money for another home so more of those precious kids can be rescued.  

I close with a prayer for a family who waits in worry for their missing daughter; join me in asking God for the safe return Miriam Makhniashvili. 

Lorna Dueck is the Executive Producer and Host for Listen Up TV 

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Comments
Thank you. Thank you for exposing the insidious work of the enemy so that something can be done. My heart is broken, and rightfully so because His heart is as well. Psalm 33:4-5 says \"For the word of the Lord is right & true; He is faithful in all He does.The Lord loves righteousness & justice; the earth is full of His UNFAILING love.\" He will see things through with LOVE & JUSTICE. May we learn to fight for the things that grieve His heart. Jen Wilton Student Life Ministries Pastor, Brampton,ON
December 9, 2009 | Jen Wilton

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