5-2-2 BONDED LABOURERS FREED.
Not a Typo!
See? They don't all fit in the frame!
Beyond happy news from our sister office! On Thursday the team entered a brick kiln to rescue one man, and the RDO (mid-level government official) was overwhelmed by pleas from (literally) countless labourers begging for their rescue. He called his boss and explained the situation claiming "I can't bring everyone out." But that is exactly what his superior said he must do.
This case is replete with miraculous evidence of the public justice system working for the poor:
1. The government set up a medical clinic to screen every labourer as they disembark the rescue trucks.
2. The government arranged for immediate food and housing for over 500 people. This is like planning a Hindu wedding in a matter of hours.
3. The owner is already under arrest.
4. The government has already issued 1,000 rupees to each person and arranged for train passage home to their native place in Orissa.
These details are truly amazing, as the demonstrate the government exceeding their legal responsibilities with an outpouring of love and concern for the well being of these dear people.
The article provides a glimpse into some of the daily abuses a bonded labourer endures in India. For the last year, details of labourers' abuse have been my vicarious reality, peppered with joyous days when we are able to assist in the rescue a couple families at a time. Yet days like this, are evidence that our hope for structural change are not naive. God graciously showing us how the dreams we dream are small (hoping to rescue one man) in comparison to the mighty deeds he is ready to display. That this watershed moment came after 1,000 supporters assembled to pray against slavery in India two weeks ago, cannot be explained away as coincidental. (Video below.)
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Please pray for the teams as they arrange logistics for this staggering number of labourers, and for the labourers as they begin the difficult journey to freedom. Thank you!
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If you really want to dive in, check out the aforementioned plenary session on slavery. (It's AMAZING, but a 2 hour commitment. I hope you can multitask.)
Watch live streaming video from globalprayergathering at livestream.com
Documentary - "Slavery: A Global Investigation" explores about modern day slavery which is a serious problem globally. Slavery is officially banned internationally by all countries, yet despite this, in the world today there are more slaves now than ever before. In the 400 years of the slave trade, around 13 million people were shipped from Africa. Today there are an estimated 27 million slaves - people paid no money, locked away and controlled by violence.
ReplyDeleteTo watch please visit - http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/5074