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Have you noticed lately?

ave you noticed that stories The event had numerous guest speakers
of human trafficking have including the United States Ambassador-
been increasing in the Orange At-Large and Combat Trafficking Head
County and Los Angeles of Department, John Cotton Richmond.
Hregions lately? Well, I have! There were also informational booths with
educational material about the trafficking
This has been a huge problem in the regions industry such as the Salvation Army Booth that
and there are numerous incredible people had multiple resources and pamphlets.
and organizations that are taking a stand for
righteousness. Recently at Vanguard University One major part of this event was a Bike Ride While on the bike ride, she discovered that
in Costa Mesa, California, the Freedom Ride at the end with Valley High School students human trafficking was happening in numerous
Project had an event held on March 2, called who are in the Freedom Ambassador Program. places in the United States. The Freedom
Ensure Justice Conference 2019. This program helps create awareness about Project was birthed in 2016 to move people
trafficking, they are trained to know how into action and bring awareness about
to help other students who may be silent trafficking in communities.
victims or are prey to trafficking. The Bike
Ride is a very meaningful component of this It is such an inspirational story that Elisabeth
organization’s programs beginning with the has, don’t you agree? Let us be aware of our
story of its founder, Elisabeth Gegner. communities’ needs and concerns and stand up
for those who feel they do not have a voice.
Elisabeth had volunteered in the early 1990s at
an orphanage in Thailand and for the first time Whatever your heart may be telling you to do
heard about trafficking. She met children right now, whether it is big or Small, just do
whose parents sold them to the sex traffickers it! It could be making care packages for the
at as the early age of 4 years old. In 2015, homeless, or even selling cookies to help
Elisabeth decided to ride her bike in Laguna benefit programs for abused children. Do not
Beach, California to Bend, Oregon to raise be afraid to step out in faith and do it, because
awareness about trafficking and to fund a it will change lives and make a difference in
safehouse in Thailand. your community. n

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