Earlier today I walked along the beach. It was a beautiful October morning. The calm sea and the sun rising above the sea was witnessed by brave swimmers, early morning joggers, dogs of all shapes and sizes and their owners.
One elderly lady was standing, looking out to sea, her dog sitting patiently beside her. ‘Good morning,’ I said, cheerfully. ‘Beautiful morning.’
Elderly lady replied, ‘And it’s free.’
‘You couldn’t buy it,’ I said. I walked off, reflecting on her three words.
Today, 18th October, is Anti-Slavery Day… raising awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery… encouraging authorities, organisations and individuals to address forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced criminal activity…
I read… In 2022 16,938 potential victims were identified as survivors of trafficking in the UK… The extent of human trafficking is probably far greater than the statistics suggest… 13,000 people are thought to be held in slavery in the UK… There are 50 million victims of slavery worldwide…
Free? Sadly not.
Last night we saw ‘Come From Away’. It tells the incredible true story of 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in the small town of Gander, Canada, following 9/11.
It includes real characters… the first female American Airlines captain, the quick-thinking town mayor, the mother of a New York firefighter, the eager local news reporter…
Hope and humanity come from an ordinary, small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives, freely giving their food, their homes, their hearts…
This morning I was reading the Jesus narrative from Mark’s gospel:
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me…’
Jesus comes to the vulnerable, the voiceless and the marginalised, not as a shrewd businessman negotiating the best deal, not as a just politician enforcing legislation, but as the Son of Man, bringing kindness, compassion, respect. And it’s free.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Human trafficking is is devastating and happening now. You’d think we’d learn from history and encourage our governments to be more proactive to come up with a solution.
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Sadly slavery exists in all parts of the world, Nancy.
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“Jesus comes to the vulnerable, the voiceless and the marginalised…” Your words resonate so profoundly, Malcolm. I am wrestling with my tendency to people-please, to not write about issues that are before us, and yet feeling this call to speak up for the voiceless, the ones Jesus comes to. Thank you always for your posts.
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Sadly, Karen, in Western society the vulnerable and voiceless can be just political pawns at the mercy of those in power, or a project to be patronised. I’m challenged again to care for my vulnerable brothers and sisters, speak and act.
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