In 2010, my eyes were opened.

On a trip to India, our small team got up close and personal with human trafficking. Weaving in and out of brothels. Ducking in and out of darkened doorways. Brushing shoulders with women who were being bought and men who were doing the buying.

Here are some of my thoughts following that experience:

“I felt sick. I felt dirty. I felt the heaviness of all the lies that had been told to get the women to the brothels, of all the bruises and burns they’d been given as they tried to refuse that life at the beginning. The stench of death filled my nose. I wanted to wash it off. Thankfully, that was not the end of our day…For so many it is the ending of every day and the beginning of every new day and it fills every moment in between.”

Ironically, with all the causes brought to light at The Oscars, the 27 million men, women, and children trapped in slavery were not among them. But today is “Shine a Light on Slavery” day and so it is time for what happens in the darkness to be brought to light.

Not sure how to help?

For the price of a Chick-fil-a meal, you can help fund organizations that are working to bring freedom. Would you consider joining my team in the End It Movement?

We can change the world. We can make choices to reflect the dignity of every person. We can start by shining a light on slavery.