slavery Archives - Susan Panzica

End Injustice For All

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that slavery ended in 1865. Sadly, that is false. Human trafficking (aka modern day slavery) is the second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. In 2014, by Presidential Proclamation, January was declared National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. By definition:

Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery involving the use of force, fraud and/or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.
Human trafficking does not require movement of people across borders.
Human trafficking can be forced labor, sexual exploitation, or in the case of minors, sexual exploitation without the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that human trafficking occurs out of sight and/or in faraway places. Sadly, that is also false. It happens around the world, but it also happens in our backyards, our schools, our malls, our families. No one is exempt from risk.

And most people think (if they stop to think about it) that there is nothing they can do to stem the tide of human trafficking. This too is false.

As believers, we are mandated to seek justice for all.

… what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice,

and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Of the things that God requires , “doing justice” is in the top three!

Four years ago, I was just starting to learn what human trafficking is. From my story, Somebody’s Daughter, (published in Chicken Soup for the Soul) which tells of my journey into abolition work:

I knew so little about an issue that was so big. I was afraid and wondered what we could do. After all, there were just two of us. That phrase “just two of us” reminded me of a Bible story where the prophet Elisha and his servant were facing an army of evil-doers. The servant feared that there were just two of them, but the prophet answered, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16) I realized that even though there are 29.8 million caught in slavery, there are over 7 BILLION people in the world. And most of those people would be opposed to slavery. IF they knew about it. And if they knew what to do about it.

Since our humble beginning, we at Justice Network have our mandate: to raise awareness, work for prevention, support survivors, AND mostly – to let people know that they too can do something about it!

For example, coffee and chocolate are two industries that are notorious for using slave labor.

If everyone bought fair trade or slave free coffee/chocolate, the industry would only make slavery-free products. Look for the logo or visit our website that provides lists of all kinds of items that are produced slavery-free.

Of all people on earth, we the church should be the most proactive in spreading the word. Human trafficking is an abomination to the God who came to set the captives free.

Encourage your pastor to speak about trafficking this month. There is a wealth of information online including sample sermons and other resources. Visit global organizations like IJM or A21. Or seek out local resources like Justice Network or the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking in New Jersey.

Edmund Burke who famously said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” also said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he would did nothing because he could only do a little.”

Do a little, my friends. Feel free to contact me for information. You can be the difference in someone’s life!

True Freedom

Posted on July 4, 2016June 30, 2016 by Susan Panzica

On Independence Day, there’s a lot of talk about freedom and liberty. Thankfully, we do not live under the bondage that is found in some other countries. But all too often, we live in bondage to fear, pride, depression, anger. We may not have control over these areas of our lives. The answer is surrender.

In Bible times, slavery was common. Slaves had no freedom, but when offered freedom, some chose to live surrendered to their Master, for life with a kind Master was superior to freedom outside that home. These surrendered slaves were called “bond-slaves.” The Apostle Paul often referred to himself as a bond-slave of Jesus Christ.
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While unjustly imprisoned, Paul wrote the letter to the Philippian church. In it, he says that due to his being in chains, the gospel was shared with entire palace guard. He sees that his lack of freedom had a greater purpose. He was surrendered.
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From Paul’s letter to the Philippians we can discern his answers to the bondages I mentioned above:

You will not have to worry
Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

You will not feel the need to be in charge
Phil. 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

You will experience true joy
Phil. 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

You will be free from anger
Phil. 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

The Christian life is a paradox in many ways-
-When we are weak, we are strong.
-The first shall be last.
-You must lose your life to find it.
-To live forever, you must die to yourself.

And…
-True freedom means surrender to the One who owns you.

May you experience true freedom in surrender to the King of Kings!

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 NLT

Make A Difference From Here

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Susan Panzica

I was on the plane home after leaving my daughter in Australia (where she’d study dance ministry for a year) when I watched the movie, Taken. A bad choice. Really bad timing. I love a thriller, but this one hit too close to home. It’s a story of two American girls traveling in Europe who are abducted and sold into human trafficking. The ex-spy dad violently came to his daughter’s rescue. But not until after the slave auction scene burned into my brain.

The picture of modern day slavery haunts me. It’s not just a movie. It’s reality. And it’s not just in some far off countries but in the US as well.

Here are 5 facts about human trafficking:

http://info.live58.org/blog/bid/228893/10-Facts-About-Human-Trafficking-Everyone-Should-Know

1. There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today. That’s the highest recorded number of slaves in history! An estimated 13 million children are enslaved around the world today, accounting for nearly half of trafficking victims in the world.

2. The average cost of a slave around the world is $90. According to estimates, approximately 80 percent of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 19 percent involves labor exploitation.

3. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, after drug smuggling and arms dealing.

4. The average age of a young woman being trafficked is 12–14 years old.

5. The United States is one of the top three destination points for trafficked victims. California, New York, Texas and Nevada are the top destination states within the country. Immigration agents estimate that 10,000 women are being held in Los Angeles’ underground brothels; this does not include the thousands of victims in domestic work, sweatshops or other informal industries.

Don’t let these troubling facts and grim human trafficking statistics overwhelm you.

How you can help

Let this quote by Elie Wiesel inspire you to take action: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” Refuse to be neutral. Educate yourself on human trafficking issues. Spread the word. Stand for freedom.

An organization that is making a difference is Children’s HopeChest. I got to spend some time with Laura Fisher, VP of Operations, while at the She Speaks conference two weeks ago. Children’s HopeChest was founded in 1994 to meet the needs of orphans in Russia. Children who “graduate” from Russian orphanages find themselves on the street with little or no life skills and often fall into the waiting hands of human traffickers. To help these and orphans in 9 other countries, Children’s HopeChest partners with churches, businesses, and Christian communities by meeting basic needs and providing training and discipleship. To find out more about Children’s HopeChest, visit their website, watch videos, or like them on facebook.

There are many other worthy organizations making a difference. In the months to come, I’ll be highlighting some others and ways that we can make a difference from here.

Some people are “go-ers.” They travel to places around the world, investing their lives into the lives of others. Some people are “senders” providing a way for the “go-ers,” both financially and prayerfully. We can all be “do-ers.”

A new group, Justice Network, is growing in northern NJ. We are supporting the organizations on the front lines of this issue. Our next meeting is Aug. 20. If you want to be a “do-er,” let me know!