Because of this interview, I called the trafficking hotline for a suspicious building I drive past.
I didn’t know if that was a weird or helpful thing to do before before talking with our guest today, Rebecca Bender. Rebecca is the author of the new book, In Pursuit of Love, is a survivor of human trafficking, and has trained law enforcement officers, Homeland Security and the FBI on how to approach anti-human trafficking efforts.
She also trained us a bit through this interview. “What’s really important is trafficked victims like myself grow up in the same culture as all of you,” Rebecca said. “When you talk about thinking [of trafficking] as being in shanty towns in foreign countries, so did I.”
Trafficking is local, and can happen for many reasons. Rebecca fell victim because of that hole in her heart.
“In high school I was as a varsity athlete, I got great grades, I graduated a year early,” she said. “I still, deep down, wanted to love and be loved, and [my trafficker] made me feel that.”
How did Rebecca get free after six years of living as a victim of human trafficking in the United States? Why didn’t she run earlier? How did God arrest her heart? How can we take practical steps to promote anti-human trafficking efforts? And how can we all relate to that God-shaped longing in her heart?
Check it out on today’s episode.
Highlights:
“It’s so important to know the red flags, the warning signs. It all began from that one neighbor tipping off a law enforcement officer and an investigation began.” —Rebecca Bender
“I heard the voice of God again immediately—like a dad running to meet his prodigal kid. I remember Him saying, ‘If you give me the same amount of time you gave the enemy, I will never be outdone.’” —Rebecca Bender
Question of the Week for Next Week:
Where is the weirdest place you have fallen asleep?
Do the Next Thing:
That number for you to call if you suspect something suspicious? 1-888-373-7888
Find Rebecca’s book here
Find Rebecca’s site here
Find us and more stuff we chat about on the ol’ IG here