Terrify No More

I suppose people might find a title such as that mine, at the least, inappropriate. But to the people that suffer injustices, such as the ones mentioned in this book, it is highly appropriate. "Terrify No More" is the story of men on a mission, with the help needed to pull off what seemed to be impossible. To rescue little Cambodian girls who know of life in these Cambodian brothels, to tell the story is a great importance. I can't imagine the injustice these girls had to have felt. A lot of them were promised work if they moved away from their families. They were promised work making noodles, or work in a textile place. But once they took the ride, and arrived to that place of work, they realized that not only were they in for a world of hurt, but humiliation that could last a lifetime. And the pimps that own these places would tell them that wearing a smile, and having sex with strangers was the life they better get used to, or else! And when you think of young girls, teenagers might come to mind. But some of the girls are as young as five. That's sick! The story of International Justice Mission is nothing short of amazing, as you learn about these everyday people with the skills to rescue these young girls. And while it is simply a job to them, they are nothing short of heroes in the eyes of these little girls. These workers who feel God has called them to shut down the trashy dumps that these girls call home, and to do something better for them. When you are faced with what you or I might call a "hopeless situation," I'd encourage you to read the likes of these burdens! Because I'm telling you, I may have lost jobs, I may have even been arrested for something petty, but it just doesn't compare to what these girls went through. What makes it sad is that it still goes on. Some girls from a certain place might get rescued, but they are still out there. But certain people have gotten justice, and that's awesome! You wouldn't wish life like this on any kind of enemy, no way. Yeah, I'd say you would have to have a certain sensitivity to deal with something like this. And then to get old-school, you'd want to put a smack down on the bad guys that leave a message to never forget!!

Haugen, Gary A. Terrify No More. Nashville, TN. W Publishing Group. 2005. This riveting book by Gary A. Haugen, founder and president of the International Justice Mission(IJM), first-handedly tells the story of a mission proposed by members of IJM, to rescue child sex slaves from Savy Pak, a city in Cambodia that is infamous for its sex trafficking and sex tourism. IJM is a non-profit organization that fights for justice in a world riddled with injustice. This book is amazing as the reader is placed in the middle of the action. However, the content of the book can be extremely disturbing as one reads of the conditions and terrors that these young children face; but there is an amazing sense of hope that comes through to let the reader know that this is not a hopeless case, there is something that is being done. This book traces chronologically the path that IJM took to rescue a few of the millions of children that are trapped in the sex trade. Photos of the children and the conditions help the reader grasp reality through pictures. The book is geared towards those of the college age and older; an easy read that emphasizes the cause of justice in an unjust world. This book gave me a first hand account of the fight against sex trafficking which is what my senior thesis is discussing, I used this book as a basis to understnd more about the sex trade, and those who fight against it.

IJM (International Justice Mission) is a non-profit organization with a heart to see Justice done in all the earth. This book is a combination of biographical descriptions of the group and the key individuals that make it up, interwoven with an account of one of their ventures which ended up in breaking up some brothel rings of forced minor prostitution. They go into the world, and use existing government law, and with the local governments, to empower a government to see why justice and enforcing their own laws are morally and politically right and expedient. As for their own motivation, they remark that the Church as a whole, and society, has done Ok as far as mercy and evangelism go; but that we (Christians) have passed over, ignored, seemingly not seen, the issue of Justice. The book is pointed, painfully clear, and compassionately zealous to reach out to be doing acts of Justice for the glory of God and the good of mankind.

I don't see how anyone can read this book and not see the point. Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world, I don't think Gary is trying to destroy it. That would be impossible. But what this book does go after is the fact that it's not women who are choosing to do this. It is children being kidnapped and brutalized at the hands of those who should be protecting them. I don't care what you say...that is wrong. I would also suggest that you read The Natashas which focuses on the sex trafficing industry in Europe. And for my european friend who commented previously, she might find some interesting insights and realize that just because someone is a prostitute, doesn't mean they are there by choice. Some are, most aren't. It just makes me sick to know that there are true battles and struggles going on, and when someone actually tries to make a difference when no one else will, others criticize them. MSNBC also has a video report on this kind of thing they did a few years back on their website. How can it be sensationalism? No one ever wants to talk about it. This is a worthwhile read. If you are interested in women's rights in general, Princess Sultana, Princess Sultana's Daughters, and Princess Sultana's Circle are also all very good reads and insights into Saudi Arabia and how women are treated.

I just finished reading this book. Do yourself and the world a favor and read it. Gary Haugen is a Christian, and that does come across in the book. But whether you are a Christian or not, you will be touched and moved by the stories in this book. Ignore the one negative review here (I don't know why "moderate christians" would not agree that selling children into sex slavery is wrong...). Anyway, this is a powerful book. Read it.