Prologue
About 4 years ago, my family and I
(me, hubs, 4 kids) were living with my father in law in his condo that had a
grassy common area with some trees and shrubs. One fall evening, my 3 older
kids were playing outside in the leaves when they proceeded to come inside and
tell me that they found 3 kittens-one for each of them. I immediately thought
they were telling me a story about a game they were playing using their
imagination. Full disclosure, I don’t like cats and I never have so my kids
knew better than to ask me if they could keep the cats. When I didn’t fully
believe them, they grabbed my arm, pulled me outside and moved away some big
tree branches to reveal 3 adorable tiny kittens huddled together in the shrubs.
In unison, the kids all asked me if
they could keep one of the cats. I was moved by their shivering little cat
bodies and fluffy fur. I-the cat hater-grabbed a big box, put in a comfy
blanket, a bowl of milk (that’s what they do in the movies right?) and
something they could play with, we gently put the kittens in the box and
brought them into the garage. The kids were asking if we could keep them and I
was totally on board! How could I look at those cute kittens and say no? Me,
the cat hater was finding every which way possible to keep these abandoned
kittens.
In the end, my father in law nixed the
housing of kittens immediately. That evening, we had to find someplace that
would take good care of them and keep them healthy-even take care of the eye
infection in the grey cat had who we affectionately called ‘One Eyed Willie’, that
was the cat that William claimed. One Eyed Willie, Merida (Audrey’s cat) and
Kitty Soft Paws (Siobhan’s) were all taken to a 24 hour vet that would find
them a happy home. We left them with many tears in our eyes and my girls
telling me ‘Mom, you owe us a cat!’ It was heartbreaking, but I was confident
we left them in good hands.
But what was it that made me to a
complete 180 on the idea of having a pet cat? It was the fact that I’m a mother
who can’t stand the idea of babies being abandoned and without the security
that they need and deserve. I couldn’t stand by and let those kittens shiver in
the cold and do nothing. My heart went out to these seemingly helpless
creatures and I had to do something within my power to help them. We did the
best we could under the circumstances.
Becoming
an Abolitionist
So what does this story have to do
with Operation Underground Railroad and The Abolitionists film? In that one
story about the kittens, I illustrate my desire to be a part of the
Abolitionist movement by volunteering with OUR. As I sat watching The
Abolitionist movie on Monday May 16th, I saw kids on the screen who
had been abandoned by their families, who were in danger with no sense of love
and security. Anything could happen to these kids and everything was, in fact,
happening to them. There was nobody to comfort their fears and wipe away their
tears. Nobody to tell them of their worth or to help them understand how
important they are. Until they were rescued.
If you are unaware, OperationUnderground Railroad is an amazing organization that rescues children who are
being trafficked into sexual slavery. These children are put into the most
horrendous situations where unspeakable acts are perpetuated against them on a
daily, nightly, hourly basis. Timothy Ballard and his ‘jump teams’ made up of
former government agents and navy seals, go undercover as 'buyers' in elaborate
sting operations to rescue these children. They work with local law enforcement
in developing nations to pull off these rescues. The children (boys and girls
of all ages) are liberated and then rehabilitated. If you haven’t seen this
movie, please find a theater who is showing it and support this mission.
After seeing the movie with my
husband, I decided that I had to act. I couldn’t sit by as a mother and know
that there are children who are going through this hell. I’m eternally grateful
that when my kids go to bed at night, they do so feeling loved, safe and
secure. The children in this situations, who are groomed and then trafficked into sexual slavery
are taught they are commodities whose worth is decided on the auction block. My
kids are taught that they have a beautiful, god given self-worth that is
recognized by their parents, teachers, friends and neighbors. We are too lucky
and too blessed to not do something, anything to help.
Why
OUR?
There are obviously numerous
situations in society where kids are mistreated and don’t have the opportunity
to reach their full potential-abuse, poverty, bullying, etc. And there are
problems right here in my own town that need my help as well, and I’m doing my
best to help in those circumstances as I’m able. And I would never want it to
seem that those causes are not equally worthy of my time and money. But OUR has
spoken to me in a big way. Here’s why.
To start with, the scope of their
mission is huge while also being personal to those involved. Before Timothy
Ballard left his job at the Department of Homeland Security, his job there was
rescuing American children who had been trafficked. He would do sting
operations where he was only allowed to rescue those American children while
leaving many children behind. When he left the government, he realized that as a private
citizen, he could rescue all of the kids. They operate in North, Central and
South America, India, Southeast Asia and America with many more countries
asking for their help. To date they have liberated 529 children and put away
182 traffickers who are in jail for 20 years –life.
Second, those who are helpless, need
our help! I’ve had experience helping with other causes that I felt I could devote
my time to and I will continue to so as much as I’m able. From those opportunities
I have a learned a lot. Elder Boyd K Packer said, “We need women who are organized and women
who can organize. We need women with executive ability who can plan and direct
and administer; women who can teach, women who can speak out.” So that’s
what I’m doing. I’m speaking out and using the skills that I have learned over
the years to do my part!!
One aspect of this movement that means
a lot to me is the aftercare procedures that they go through with the kids.
Instead of the team liberating them and then heading on their way and hoping for the best, the kids are placed
in safe facilities where they can get the help that they need. Then they follow
up with them and make sure that that helps continues. Tim Ballard even said
that they will stop an operation in its tracks if there is not adequate care
set up to help in the aftermath-even going so far as to build a facility for
that country for that very purpose. These kids are not falling through the cracks and hopefully
the cycle is being broken and these young people learn of their worth and
potential.
Join Me!
After I saw the film, I decided to
fill out a volunteer application for OUR and I have my first opportunity to
help at an event. I will be at another screening of The Abolitionist movie
handing out information, selling t-shirts, giving out swag and supporting the
movement. If you are in Utah, get out and see this movie! You will be changed
and your heart will be softened as you learn about this issue that has not received
the attention that it needs.
Helpful links!
Operation Underground Railroad
The Abolistionists Movie
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