Above: map pointing out Uganda.
Geography isn't my thing, but you can see where Uganda is located.
Why do we care though, Kristen? I'm getting to that.
You know through twitter and that internet world, I keep up with a lot of cool peeps. So my boy, Bob Goff, I wrote about his group Restore International a couple weeks ago. He tweeted this today...
Speak truth to power and power to evil. Trial in Uganda beginning in the morning
Sometimes injustice and evil aren't subtle; we don't need to be either. Trial in Uganda starting in a couple hours
...got me thinking...What in the WORLD is this fascinating old guy up to again??!!! So I started doing some hunting.
His organization's mission is this: Our goal is simple: to fight injustice. Restore International seeks to find daring and audacious ways to combat human rights violations, including forced prostitution and slave labor. Instead of just talking about it, we want to be actively seeking ways to bring hope, justice, and restoration.
So after some research, I found out that he is in Uganda to go to court to protest against human traffickers. Apparently, in April 2009, Uganda passed the first Human Trafficking Act making it illegal to sell humans. Here is the first paragraph of this article detailing some info.
Uganda is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Ugandan children are trafficked within the country for forced labor in the fishing, agricultural, and domestic service sectors, as well as for commercial sexual exploitation; they are also trafficked to other East African and European countries for the same purposes...
(read more here http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,USDOS,,UGA,456d621e2,4a4214842d,0.html)
Also, interesting fact, Uganda has over 30M people in it.
Bob is over there TODAY holding the first persecutions under the new law.
Does this whole thing bother you? I hope that it does. I think in the faith world, this human-trafficking is the "hip cause" but I have a lot of friends not in the faith world, that I think would be quite bothered by knowing that in these days, there are still countries that are just recently getting laws saying you can't sell innocent children/people. And apparently, just because you get the laws, doesn't mean that these governments actually uphold them.
It's disgusting, it's crazy, it's unjust.
I mean, I'm pissed when I don't get paid fairly. BUT THIS. this is real unjustice. I think for some of us it's hard to turn our eyes to because there isn't a lot we feel that we can do. Maybe it's time we figure out our part in it. Justice. In America, People protest for and against gay marriage, prayer in schools, health care bills, etc. etc. (well, i don't really protest for or against any of these things personally, but i'm saying people DO)
I digress, this really wasn't a rant about this but I admit as I educate myself it becomes more real and disturbing. It is much easier to stay blind to things. What is real unjust is that there are countries like Uganda (and even in our own backyards, yes, in America) where people...humans...are taken as slaves in this year at this time.
...my point...join me in saying a prayer for bob and his team of people who are there now, going into a courtroom to persecute some convicted people. Seeking justice in the world one person at a time.
justice is an interesting thing.
Psalm 82:3-4 “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Also, if you're in the mood for some fun blog reading, do yourself a favor and check out these guys' blogs (who I found on twitter).
http://www.johnniemeyer.net
http://whereisblake.blogspot.com/
I think they both live in Africa..one working for bob's group Restore International and the other works for Purse of Hope organization.
Great informative FACTS on what human trafficking is here http://www.purseofhope.org/whatyouneedtoknow/
LASTLY, check out this post http://www.johnniemeyer.net/?p=179
so these guys toured africa on their motorcycles for adventure. WHY haven't I thought of this???!!!
it sounds fun, right? and check out their awesome videos from their trip! totally an inspiring movie!! I've only watched one episode. Maybe I'll save the rest for Friday night excitement ;-) ... And I thought I was cool for spending 5 days on a farm in Ohio!!!!
I was. ...I mean, my adventure was LIVE STREAMED!
besides, we're just getting started here!
...thinking how I can help be a part of bringing justice to this world.
love.
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