Paul and the Python Girl, Acts 16:16-19

Abstract

"The theme of the current series is "The tears of the Oppressed" with a specific focus on human trafficking. This is a topic that we rarely are asked to consider. The practice of kidnapping, selling and exploiting human beings reminds us of slavery which we often equate with a bygone era in our nation's history. Legalized slavery in the USA was dissolved well over one-hundred years ago and we have a new president to demonstrate just how far we have come from those dark days in our nation's history. But the fact is slavery has always existed in human history and while it may no longer have the approval of the government the chains of slavery, literally and metaphorically, are just as secure on the lives of human being as they were at any other time in history. Today slaves cannot be identified simply by their skin color, ethnic origin or the places we find them working. In this new era of slavery, the oppressed and exploited are all around us but more hidden. We may pass them on the street and not even know who they are much less that they are a victim of the modem crime of human trafficking"