Last Saturday, I ran my first 5K. It took me 45 minutes and 56 seconds, but I ran every step.
Partly, I did it as a challenge. I turned 50 this year and wanted to try something new, perhaps to prove I could. At first, I wanted to climb Mt. Washington, but my family decided they weren't up for that and it's not something to try alone. So, when I saw the poster for the 5K I thought I'd go for it.
I also did it for a cause. This 5K was sponsored by Loved By Route One to raise awareness of domestic sex trafficking, This is a ministry of the Emmanuel Gospel Center in Boston. Women from the ministry provide a website listing resources for women exploited by the sex industry and visit the women with flowers or small gift bags. They offer support and compassion.
Human trafficking is a horrible reality. Women, children and men are all victims. They are bought and sold for the sex industry, factory labor, farming, soldiering, and domestic servanthood. It happens in every country and in many industries.
Here are some resources on the extent of the problem:
humantrafficking.org
Polaris Project
Slavery: A Global Investigation
Some of the many ministries working to combat this evil:
American Baptist Churches USA: International Ministries
Salvation Army
All Hands In
So... do something... give money, volunteer, talk about this, keep your eyes open for victims, pray, run a 5K... just don't ignore this.
What will you do?
Partly, I did it as a challenge. I turned 50 this year and wanted to try something new, perhaps to prove I could. At first, I wanted to climb Mt. Washington, but my family decided they weren't up for that and it's not something to try alone. So, when I saw the poster for the 5K I thought I'd go for it.
I also did it for a cause. This 5K was sponsored by Loved By Route One to raise awareness of domestic sex trafficking, This is a ministry of the Emmanuel Gospel Center in Boston. Women from the ministry provide a website listing resources for women exploited by the sex industry and visit the women with flowers or small gift bags. They offer support and compassion.
Human trafficking is a horrible reality. Women, children and men are all victims. They are bought and sold for the sex industry, factory labor, farming, soldiering, and domestic servanthood. It happens in every country and in many industries.
Here are some resources on the extent of the problem:
humantrafficking.org
Polaris Project
Slavery: A Global Investigation
Some of the many ministries working to combat this evil:
American Baptist Churches USA: International Ministries
Salvation Army
All Hands In
So... do something... give money, volunteer, talk about this, keep your eyes open for victims, pray, run a 5K... just don't ignore this.
What will you do?
How horrible that human trafficking even exists! Good for you for working (fighting) against it. And how wonderful that you ran a 5K. I should set a challenge for myself.
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