I used to be a pretty stereotypical suburban stay-at-home mom. My days consisted of scheduling playdates, talking with other moms about the latest joys and hardships, and eating a lot of chocolate to maintain my sanity. Life was good, if not a little routine.Then we went on our annual family vacation to a place without internet and cell reception.

How One Mom is Becoming an Abolitionist

I used to be a pretty stereotypical suburban stay-at-home mom. My days consisted of scheduling playdates, talking with other moms about the latest joys and hardships, and eating a lot of chocolate to maintain my sanity. Life was good, if not a little routine. Then we went on our annual family vacation to a place without internet and cell reception. I ran out of reading material after the first few days and was in a bit of a panic, thinking of endless days with nothing to do. But then, I stumbled upon a book on abolishing modern day slavery – and I couldn’t put it down. A few hours later, I lifted my head from its pages, shocked and horrified at my own ignorance, and with a firm resolution to become a modern day abolitionist.

I spent a number of years working in Southeast Asia after college. In the city I lived in, I passed brothels and massage parlors each time I made a trip to the grocery store. I talked with visitors to my island home and heard details of their trips to Bangkok with the sole purpose of sex tourism. And while I passed by these places and listened to these conversations, it never occurred to me that the women and men working inside weren’t there of their own free will. It didn’t cross my mind that what happens overseas in cities like Bangkok is also happening here in America, even here in Portland. After reading the book on modern day slavery, my thinking changed. I realized trafficking and modern day slavery exist and can be found throughout the world.

Regardless of where we are in our knowledge and understanding of slavery and trafficking, God calls each one of us to join Him in His mission to bring justice to a fallen world. He has asked each of us to “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke” (Isaiah 58: 6). Joining Him in His work against injustice and oppression will look different for different people; for some, it might be volunteering time as a mentor for a survivor or using education as a lawyer to battle injustice in the courtroom. For others, it might involve providing clothing and toiletries for a shelter or answering a hotline call when it rings in the middle of the night.

For all of us, we can join God in His work through prayer. We can pray for those who are enslaved, for the survivors, for the perpetrators, for those on the front lines of rescue and rehabilitation, for our leaders, for our city, for our country and for our world. We can pray to be broken for the things that break God’s heart. We can pray to be brave enough to follow wherever He may lead us, even if it scares us.

My life has changed dramatically since August. I’ve felt a renewed calling to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly” with Him on a daily basis (Micah 6:8). I’ve felt broken, angry, hopeful, and sad all at the same time. I’m educating myself on the needs of my city and the organizations and people that do so much to end trafficking and slavery in Portland. I’m being brave and stepping outside of my comfort zone in order to join with like-minded people on my justice journey. Most importantly, my relationship with God has grown in ways I never anticipated. Through all my brokenness about injustice, He has been there to show me His gentleness, His power, His mercy, His love, and to remind me that He is – and will continue to be – the ultimate champion and rescuer of the vulnerable and oppressed. I am humbled and honored to be able to join Him in His work against injustice.