by Rhiannon Dobson
Though I wear many hats and have many titles, the best way to describe me is like a favorite song of mine – “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody who saved my soul.”
But long before that song was around or I lived in South Georgia, those words would not describe my life.
My life before Jesus Christ was full of despair. I lived in the Midwest and grew up in a broken family. While working at a restaurant, another employee witnessed to me and invited me to church.
I was in my early twenties, and alcohol and marijuana were a huge part of my life. I received the invitation to go to church, and after I surrendered my life to Christ, He began healing my brokenness.
God has completely transformed my life. He has given me a huge desire to see others set free from the bondage of sin and walk in the newness of life that only Christ gives.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2018. I now live with my husband and our three teenage kids in Southwest Georgia, and we are active at Sherwood Baptist in Albany.
A friend from church and I had a desire to reach our community with the Gospel, so we began serving our community by hosting a simple Backyard Bible Club.
The Lord brought children to these clubs, and as we shared Bible stories with them, we noticed their moms staying close by. We began talking with them and realized they needed encouragement and feminine products.
Before we knew it, we were driving the streets of Albany looking for women to pray with, share the Gospel with and give blessing bags to.
The Lord led us to the block known for prostitution and my heart broke for the women trapped in this bondage.
One of the biggest challenges is educating the Church that human trafficking is NOT an overseas or a big city issue.
I’m grateful for all the churches and individuals who give us the opportunity to bring awareness about human trafficking. I desire to see my brothers and sisters in Christ use their gifts and talents to advance the Gospel. There are plenty of opportunities to do this in the area of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is happening in every county in the state of Georgia.
Half of human trafficking victims in Georgia are trafficked by someone they know and should be able to trust.
Repair vehicles. Drop off meals. Gather feminine hygiene products. Serve as prayer partners. Host awareness events. Mentor.
These are just a few ways you can be an Anti-Human-Trafficking Ninja too!
To be honest, one of the biggest challenges I face is finding volunteers who are willing to step out of their comfort zone to minister to those affected by human trafficking.
But I can assure you, when you step out by faith, the Lord will enable you to serve in such a way that will be a blessing to trafficking victims and strengthen your own walk with Him.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way the women I serve will have true, lasting hope and freedom.
Trafficking victims need to see that hope and freedom in those who have it in Christ.
We must go to them so they can hear and see the Gospel and know that they are loved and not forgotten.
In John 8:32, Jesus declares, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
This is one of my favorite verses when serving those victimized by human trafficking.
Most victims believe many lies about themselves and who God is. I love to speak God’s truths to them, share how much Jesus loves them and how he has a good plan for their lives.
It brings great joy to me to see biblical truth come alive in these women’s lives. We see God at work in a multitude of ways.
We’ve referred several women to long-term residential programs. Many of these ladies have graduated and are living productive, healthy, and sober lives. Others have been reunited with their children, have stable housing and a living wage job.
We also celebrate the smaller successes – things you and I may take for granted.
Obtaining a birth certificate or Social Security card.
We even celebrate efforts to stay sober and maintain a job.
You’ve probably heard, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
In this type of ministry, it’s not just a saying, it’s a requirement.
Authentic relationship building is vital, and it overflows through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In our own strength, some people can be hard to love, but through Christ’s love, we can love the most unlovable person. The Lord also sees the bigger picture and He knows the plans for all mankind.
This brings me a lot of comfort on the hardest days.
The fight against human trafficking is a big one. But ask the Lord to show you where He is working and get involved. Don’t let fear cause you to be disobedient.
Someone who has been affected by this darkness will be grateful you cared enough to do something.