Happy Independence Day 2014

Okay, many of you saw the title and looked at todays date and figured I was a little off on this one. However, June 12th is Independence Day in the Philippines. On this day I am flying the Philippine flag in my room (okay its always hanging up in my room). There is something about holidays that I like. Currently my calendar shows both USA and Philippines holidays so I know whats coming up. In a few short weeks we here in the United States will celebrate our Independence Day.

Both these holidays share a common root. It is the day remember that we declared our freedom from the powers that were ruling us. For America it was the British government and for the Philippines it was the Spanish government. 

Okay, so enough with the history lesson. Lets make this a little personal. Estimates say there are about 29 million people worldwide that do not have the freedom that many of us are going to be celebrating. 29 million people, that is a very large number. These are people enslaved in human trafficking all over the world from all corners of the world. These are people forced to work with little to know pay, many times in unknown areas, denied the ability to go home to see their families. Or, as many people know it, these people are also sold for sex to strangers sometimes many times in a day. These are people from all ages, all nationalities, that do not know what freedom is. 

As my Filipino friends have finished celebrating their holiday and we here in the United States get ready to celebrate here, let us remember those that are being trafficked. Every time we hear the boom and see the sky light up from fireworks let us say a prayer for those in need. 

Human trafficking is a major injustice in our lifetime. Let us do something to bring freedom and hope to those affected by this.