Do Justice

It was last year at this time that we  facilitated the tour of Susi Childers of Voice for the Voiceless as she spoke at different churches of the plight of the voiceless.   The issue of women and children being trafficked, especially for sexual purposes,  has stayed with us.  Every third Monday of the month we have an open worship meeting here in Shinagawa to which you are all welcome to come. At the end of the worship time we take a moment to pray for this pressing issue.

The verse from Micah 6:8 has been one of my life verses for many years.  It says….”He has shown you O man what is good and what does the Lord require of you?  but to DO JUSTICE to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

I have often wondered just what is meant by “DO Justice”?  Last spring I found this shop right here in Tokyo.  Unfortunately it has nothing to do with doing justice but as I pass this store every time I go downtown  it is a timely reminder of what God has called me to do in this city.

I am looking forward to the time when the Church here in this nation produces a real “Made in Japan” expression for doing Justice.   We are seeking ourselves to know what the situation in Japan is.  Recently we have had a few of our team learn more through attending meetings held by “Polaris”  an NGO that works here with the issues of the sex industry and especially with those who have been sold into sex slavery.

It seems that the law here in Japan is very vague and does not give much power to the police to do much to actually help those in slavery to be set free.  In fact we were told that if we became aware of the possibility of a woman being used as a prostitute in a human trafficking situation one would  actually have to sleep with her in order to provide the necessary evidence for the police. This and other complicating factors especially in the issue of child pornography are frustrating for those wanting to see justice done for others.

Polaris also told us of the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 results which included Japan.  We are learning much and looking to the Lord to know what our part with the Body of Christ in Tokyo is in carrying His heart and salvation to these people.

The Body Shop here in Japan as well as elsewhere in the world is making efforts to stop human trafficking.  It was very encouraging to see the poster on the right at a local Body Shop store.   It is good to see that efforts are being made in the business world to ensure that slavery in any form is not perpetuated in the world today.

My heart is to understand this issue especially as it is in existence right here in Japan and see how we as the body of Christ can “DO JUSTICE” for those who are oppressed and cannot act to defend themselves.

Voice for the Voiceless has a 30 day prayer journal highlighting the issues of human trafficking and slavery that are happening in the world today.  While this book focuses on women and children there are also situations of men being held in slavery, too.  If you would like a copy of this book they are available at Photogenx/Voice for the Voiceless.