Human trafficking

Human trafficking.

Human.

Trafficking.

Those are words I've heard from time to time but they just seemed like some far away issue.  I'm ashamed to admit that I never really gave those two words much thought.

Until this trip.

Human trafficking touched me in a way I never thought I would.

I loved on a child I later learned was the victim of trafficking.

I don't know the whole story but this sweet little boy was bought and sold.  Like an object.  A material possession.  

I believe he's 4-5 years old.  He loved performing in the traditional Chinese play.

He's a playful, impish little boy.  He is no different than my son was at that age.

He loved the beach balls and playing outside in the courtyard.

He sometimes got a little antsy in his seat, which makes little boys such lovable little boys. :)

He was a terrific art partner!

But he can't be adopted.

Because he is a victim of human trafficking.

He has parents out there somewhere.  I would imagine his parents long for this little boy to be returned home to them.  I know I would.

So because of human trafficking, this sweet, adorable little boy with the hauntingly sad eyes will live out his life in an orphanage.  He will lack the education to go on to college and obtain a decent job in China.  He will be relegated to a manual laborer job with no family to support him.  That's a hard, lonely life.

His picture now hangs in my house, next to those of my children.  On that picture of our art (see above), there is the Chinese saying "May you be blessed with a life of peace."  That has become my prayer for Homeboy.  That despite his chaotic and seemingly unbelievable fate, that he will know a life of peace.

The next time you hear the words HUMAN TRAFFICKING, I urge you to see the face of the little boy we nicknamed HOMEBOY and pray that he may experience a life of peace.  Human trafficking is real and has devastating consequences.