Priceless, a novel by Tom Davis, follows the story of girls being trafficked into prostitution. it’s a horrible phenomenon that so many of us in the West feel powerless to do much about. Perhaps if we better understood it, we’d become more engaged.
Davis has invested his life in orphan issues and is a passionate advocate. In writing Priceless, he helps us to better understand the issue of human trafficking at a visceral level. The story he weaves builds on his own experience in Russia. It follows photojournalist Stuart Daniels, an ordinary guy who gets caught up in circumstances that force him to choose between involvement or passive indifference.
When Katya, an old friend, asks him to help her rescue two under
aged girls, the plot is set in motion. Before he knows it, Daniels is drawn deeper into the dark and seamy world of sex-slave trade. He’s horrified by what he sees, yet knows that he has to do something.
It’s been fun to watch Tom Davis develop his craft as a novel writer. His first effort, Scared, was nominated for a Christy Award for best first novel last year, and Priceless is even better. Tom is a great friend – his passion for the subject bleeds through on every page.
And the theme of activism in a world that’s too tame is one we need to wrestle with. I think there’s a little Stuart Daniels in all of us. Our lives in America, whatever our problems, are relatively tidy in comparison with the young girls being trafficked around the world. We may recognize that problems like the sex-trade exist, but we would prefer to keep our distance. Involvement puts our comfort at risk.
In writing Priceless, Davis issues a call to his readers to put their faith on the line. No, we may not face the Russian mafia, as does Stuart Daniels, but you can’t get involved in stemming the tide of human trafficking without it costing you something. If the whole issue seems remote to you, I recommend picking up a copy of Priceless – it will place you in the middle of a world that needs Jesus followers to do something.
Next month, AIM will be sending out
a team of five young ladies to Cambodia, a country consumed by the sex trade. They’ll learn the language, and like Stuart Daniels, put their lives at risk to make a difference. One of them, Steph Tyrna tells
the searing story of a young lady being trafficked in her blog today. Please read it and pray about supporting Steph. She needs to raise another $8000 support to go as a missionary to Cambodia next month.
Go here to make a pledge.
If we don’t do something, who will?
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Here’s an excerpt from Steph’s blog:
I felt so completely burdened. These were Joy’s
last 3 days in Thailand. The last 3 days she would be able to breathe fresh
air. The last 3 days of what ironically seemed like freedom. Even though she
was still bound by her boss working in these bars selling herself every day. I
would sit and stare at her wondering if she even knew what she was about to get
herself into. Trading her current hell in for a deeper, hotter level of hell she’s never experienced.
She said she knew. She was terrified but couldn’t turn back now because they had all of her information. They had her family’s
information and if she backed out, they would not only go after her but her
entire family. She was trapped. And she hadn’t even left yet.
The fear in her bones and the terror in her eyes were enough
to speak a thousand words. She didn’t have to say anything. Oh, She knew.
It was almost surreal when we all hugged her as she left the
house. Here I was hugging a lady who was currently living a life of abuse…only
to be greatly amplified within days. A life that was about to be completely
imprisoned. How could I let go!? Jesus, what am I supposed to do!? “You keep fighting for her.”
Thanks Seth. I pray the problem the book addresses somehow leads to solutions which are as you know more elusive. Shalom…
force him to choose between involvement or passive indifference…”you keep fighting for them.”
sometimes all a person needs to hope is one knd word, one person who ares…one person to keep fighting for them.
praying seth.
thank you that you and your team mobilize, equip,and send out prayerful people as change makers. love what you and the aim staff do.