The Missionary Man

In the Volta region of Ghana there is an extensive child slave trade going on among the fishing industry. The New York Times did a story on it in October. A sister in the U.S., Pam Cope, made Fred and me aware of a group who was trying to rescue these children. She has been touched and has worked to gain the freedom of some of the children. The Village of Hope has agreed to keep seven children who have been rescued from slavery. These children will come and stay with us while their futures can be thought about, prayed about, and planned for. There are many more children and God is working through a lot of people to show us what to do next.

Last night at 8 p.m. our time, the seven children arrived. I’m going to tell you that there is nothing that prepares you to enter a room and meet children who have been in slavery. These kids look like life has battered them - ranging in ages from 6 to probably 12 - no one knows for sure their age. I was deeply moved. They really are in a state of shock at what is around them and what is going on. I went to see them this morning and was told they were quite overwhelmed by breakfast.

This morning I met with two of the men that worked in their rescue. A Ghanaian man named George and a Dutch man named Paul. I heard the horrifying story of how the slave trade works, how these children became involved, and what their lives have been like...and wept. We will now see what God has in mind by connecting the Village of Hope with this aspect of ministry. I’ll be going up to visit the area where all this happens in the next few weeks, so more will follow I’m sure. Pray for wisdom for Fred and Amos Karikari as they think about what we can do here.

We downloaded all the investigative work on these kids into my computer - their backgrounds and pictures and such. Under the line "slave master" one name kept appearing. I was amazed that this organization is seeking to reach out to this man and teach him how to do business without slaves. It’s pretty smart. If you rescue kids from slavery but his business suffers, he will just go and get some more kids if that’s all he knows. If the slave trade is to stop, this man will have to be changed as well. It’s kind of hard to love him though, isn’t it? Try standing there with these kids and loving him. It’s a challenge, but we only need to love as much as we have been loved. So, I have begun praying not only for the children of slavery, but for this man and others who exploit them...that they all may go free.

As you prepare for the Christmas weekend, remember that the Christmas story is a story of freedom from slavery...for all of us. Joy to the World -the Lord has come...let Earth receive her King. Amen to that!

Webmaster note: Follow this link to read the New York Times story that was the spark that began this rescue! Click HERE to see recent photos of these children.

Friday, December 22, 2006