World Day Against Trafficking in Persons resonates with the heart of Connect 2 Ministries. Each year on July 30, we join the global movement to end human trafficking as an extension of our ongoing ministry during the year. More than 120 children rescued from trafficking now call our Regency and Mercy Children’s Homes their home, living in an environment where they are loved, educated, and given a hope-filled future.

Over the last two years, Haiti has experienced a prolonged period of social and political crisis. Today, we asked our founder, Greg Barshaw, to share what happens to restavek children in Haiti in times like these.

The crisis of the situation is that the gangs have caused instability, which forces people to migrate. People leave the cities in search of food or safety, but when they do, they’re opening themselves up to an extra level of insecurity. For the children caught in the middle, the migration itself can be disastrous. Rather than children being sold into slavery, we’re seeing gangs pick up children from the streets and initiate them into gang life. Training them as child soldiers. Our prayer is that over the coming months, we would be able to pick up children in agrarian areas before they ever become slaves to begin with.
If a family is in crisis and they feel they need to sell their child, then we will try to support that family. If a family needs us to take the child temporarily, until they can get back on their feet, we will step in. Either way, we are actively looking to deal with the root of the child slavery problem, which in Haiti is the crisis of the family.

Here are some ways you can join us in our efforts to share the hope of Christ in a country where human trafficking is legal:

• Pray with us that the Haitian government will deem human trafficking illegal.
• Pray for our Haitian staff, who care for and minister to our rescued children every day.
• Pray that each child in our care would know the healing salvation of Jesus Christ.
• Sponsor a Child from one of our Homes.
• Share about Connect 2 Ministries’ efforts today with your family and friends.

How are you standing against human trafficking today? We would love to hear from you!