“I’ve seen Taken, I know what human trafficking is.”

Chances are you’ve heard someone say this before. I know I have heard it a least a dozen times in the last couple months when I’ve been explaining to someone what my new job is at Central Valley Justice Coalition.

Believe it or not, I’m actually thankful that Hollywood and Television have put trafficking on the cultural radar. Even though, in reality, the world’s second-largest criminal enterprise is a messier, darker,infinitely more complex problem than you would think having seen a couple episodes of Law and Order: SVU or the Taken films.

At the Justice Coalition we are fasting and praying this month beginning today, January 11th, in part because there is no Liam Neeson coming to save the nearly-invisible victims of human trafficking in Fresno County and beyond.

There’s only you and me, there’s only us. And we need God’s help.

Today, January 11th, is also Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Which means a lot of people will be on social media raising awareness. Elected leaders will release statements. Businesses will make promises. But what comes next?

Liam Neeson isn’t going to save the world, but together, you and I can.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Theresa

Becoming aware of a problem is the first step to doing something about that problem.

Months like January (HT Awareness Month) and days like today, even silly movies about fictional people being abducted by near-omniscient eastern European gangsters are helpful ONLY if they are the catalyst for something more concrete.

So today, let me encourage you to do something more than just feel bad for people who are being enslaved. Let me encourage you to Pray, Give, and Act.

You don’t have to do it alone. After all, you are not Liam Neeson.