She opened the door and by chance bumped into a familiar face. Eddie, a man that had flirted with her two years prior, picked up right where he had left it. He took her home that same night. He demonstrated what Tonya believed was love. She would clean and cook and even watch Eddie's kids when he was away. One night at a party, one of Eddie's acquaintances asked to have sex with Tonya swapping some pleasure in exchange for cash. After immense pressure and being told if she really loved him, she would partake in sex for him, she caved into the transaction. This became a routine for the "couple" as they'd go to multiple bars and he'd receive cash for pressuring her into sex. He had his way with her, toying with her emotions and using her body as a tool towards his own greed and disgusting ravenous desires.

It's that time of year again. Anti-human trafficking month is upon us. It's time to snap a picture of our red x, use that nice filter and contrast before we post it to Instagram. New moment, new day, new month.

BUT IT NEEDS TO STOP. I'm all for publicity and I will draw the red X on my hand, but I refuse to let a potential post be the end of it. Up to 17,500 Americans citizens are trafficked each year. My college city has been confirmed by experts in the field to have at least two brothels. My hometown also simply required a google search to find a history of brothels and an incident of 17 perpetrators. How many women were involved and abused? These cities are only around 70,000 apiece (plus some surrounding towns). This is just the local numbers around us. World estimates shoot the numbers of people like you and me that are in bondage at 40 million people.

You're not the only one at fault. None of us are going to put aside our lives and all of our money in this one direction. But I'm going to dare you to consider putting some effort this direction. Remedy Drive is a band that goes undercover to gather evidence and expose those who would abuse the God-given gift we all have been given (Click on the band name to get an exclusive interview I did with them about being undercover). We need a little of that passion in our own lives. We need to stand with the victims vocally and in other ways.

First, through prayer. Pray for those you know who have been involved. Pray for the many still involved and even for those humans you and I consider to be next to irredeemable. Give money, but be sure on where it will end up. Make sure it makes a difference. Samaritan's Purse is a solid organization and one I trust enough where I have given money to before. Give here for Samaritan's Purse or consider backing Remedy Drive here. Or look at purchasing their new album here (The North Star) to support them and pass along their melodies based on what they've seen. Lastly, join the fight practical ways. Spread the word, share personal stories, and maybe you're called to be on the front lines?

Tonya was eventually rescued by authorities and Eddie was sent to prison. However, her story is in the slim minority of the known cases. Even more minute is the ratio of known cases to the ones we don't know about yet. Not one person is just a commodity. Not one of us is just another tool. No one is less of a person. We all have dreams and a purpose and I refuse to sit by and do nothing. Life is fleeting and I won't let mine go by without doing some small part to make a difference. Stand with me, draw the red X, and then let's take action together.