“Standing With The Champions in The Field, and Sharing their Stories.”
The Champions in the Field
In 2 Samuel 23:9-10, we read about Eleazar, a mighty warrior who stood alongside David, one of Israel’s greatest champions. When the Israelite troops withdrew from the battlefield, leaving David alone, the Philistines surrounded and attacked him. However, Eleazar did not leave, he stood his ground and fought fiercely for so long that his sword froze to his hand. Despite overwhelming odds, Eleazar remained steadfast fighting alongside David. On that day they witnessed a mighty victory from God.
The anti-trafficking work is full of many “Champions in the Field.” I see the most important champions being the vulnerable and exploited children. When I hear and witness their stories of abuse, I am amazed at their resilience and determination to survive in difficult situations. Many children have rewritten their narratives and have become a source of inspiration for other children still facing challenging circumstances. These children face incredible odds stacked against them. Some have been left alone to fend for themselves on the streets, while others are treated as commodities. I continue to delve deep into the issue of child trafficking and exploitation. I am committed to supporting vulnerable and exploited children, helping them navigate their current situations, and providing the necessary support for them to live freely and pursue their dreams and passions. I will continue to “Stand with the Champions in the Field and Share their Stories.”
(Trigger Warning)
Here is one story of a true Champion. (Name changed)
Dee’s abuse began at an early age. She recalls several instances of being physically abused by family members during her youth. Dee is from a poor rural farming community in Northeast Thailand. She grew up in poverty with her mother, father, two uncles, and several brothers and sisters. At the age of 12, Dee became a commodity to her family. Her uncles and brothers took turns driving her night after night to nearby communities in search of men who would pay to sexually abuse her.
On Dee’s 14th birthday, she traveled to Pattaya with two of her older brothers. She was told to enjoy her “birthday gift.” Dee enjoyed the beaches, the restaurants, and the shopping malls. Unfortunately, she didn’t know her nightmare was just beginning. On their third day in Pattaya, Dee and her brothers went to a small “restaurant” for lunch before heading home. However, it turned out to be a bar and brothel. Dee was unaware that her brothers had sold her into this situation. They told her that she needed to make money for the family by washing dishes and waiting tables. The brothers promised to return in four months to take her home. Unfortunately, this was the last time she saw anyone from her family.
At the age of 14, she found herself alone in a city where she knew no one, and with no money for food or housing, she was stranded! Dee was extremely vulnerable. She experienced sexual exploitation night after night. After a few days, she thought of leaving. She wasn’t physically detained, but she didn’t see any avenue of escape. For the first four months, she held onto the belief that her brothers would return. She thought she was contributing to her family’s finances, but her brothers never came back for her.
Dee escaped the horror and abuse by numbing herself through the use of drugs and alcohol. Her lack of education and job skills enslaved her without physical chains. Her entire life consisted of physical abuse and abandonment. Dee was 17 when she entered a life-giving program with a local faith-based organization. Dee is currently undergoing the restoration process and is on her way to Hope and Freedom. It will take time and a lot of prayers, but this young girl has a new narrative.
I stand and fight for these Champions. These children possess extraordinary talents and abilities; they have dreams and ambitions. Their smiles can light up a city! They deserve opportunities to shine. That’s why I stand with the other Champions in the field – the organizations and individuals who are making a difference for vulnerable and exploited children throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. They work to provide protection and restoration to children and their families, offering housing, daily necessities, food, educational opportunities, job skills, and job placement. Together a difference can be made. When organizations and individuals place their first and foremost priority on the vulnerable and the victims of trafficking and exploitation great things will be accomplished.
I am committed to standing with these champions! Through thorough research and investigation, I am providing assistance and analysis to implement the best solutions. It is crucial to keep identifying children who are being abused or exploited. It takes various champions working together to help children escape their circumstances and place them in environments for life-giving restoration and recovery. Some organizations are doing incredibly important work in the areas of education and job skills. These are champions in the field, and I will stand with them and share their stories. Some individuals and organizations are conducting scholarly research to find the best practices and solutions to eradicate child trafficking and exploitation. It will take courage and dedication from these leaders to make the right and selfless decisions that benefit children. The journey isn’t about being a Champion, the journey is about Standing with Champions. Champions never acknowledge they are Champions! They lead with unselfish ambitions. They are driven to protect and serve the Main Champions in the field; the children.
Eleazar was dedicated and committed to David; however, he understood that the victory came from God. He stood and fought the Philistines with David because he knew God had anointed David to become the King of Israel. God loves every child who is being exploited, trafficked, and abused, and He wants to bring about great victories in their lives. I believe each child is a future leader of their family, community, and possibly nation. In the words of Pablo Picasso, “Every child is an artist.” Every child has the potential to change the world they live in. Human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children is a horrendous scourge on society that has to be eradicated. It has to be driven from passive acceptance to a complete urgency of action on the part of good people. “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I have made my decision to “Stand with the Champions in the Field and Share their Stories.”
Rich Binning is a researcher, investigator, and freelance writer based in Southeast Asia. He supports missionaries in spreading the message of Jesus Christ and works towards ending child trafficking and sexual exploitation. Rich is well-educated in Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, and Political Science, which equips him to comprehend the intricacies of cross-cultural missions and anti-trafficking efforts. He applies his research and investigative skills to offer effective solutions to complex issues.
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