Can God transform the heart of a trafficker?
I spend a significant amount of my time and energy directly supporting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking through Manumit Coffee, as well as facilitating the support of survivors through Red Community’s amazing Embrace project (ably administrated by the wonderful Lauren). Few things in my life have given me more joy. And it has been AMAZING to see the gospel touch and change the lives of several of those who have been helped. But as important as it is that victims of slavery and exploitation are cared for, one question that has often weighed heavily on my heart is this - what about the perpetrators - is there any hope for them? Or put another way - can God transform the heart of a trafficker?
This question was answered, in part at least, by a story that I read in a newsletter that landed in my inbox yesterday. The newsletter was from a friend of mine who ministers in a country in the Balkans. With his permission I am posting the story below, though for reasons of safety I have changed names and removed / obscured details about certain countries and locations. I REALLY hope that this story encourages you as much as it has encouraged me. Can God transform the heart of a trafficker? Check this out…
Ali* was travelling through the Balkans to Canada with a fake passport. He was arrested and spent the next 9 months in prison. He had been involved in the trafficking of refugees and had 4 marriages (3 of them at the same time). His wives didn’t know about the other marriages.
In prison he met two members of our church that were ministering the gospel in that prison. He was impressed by the commitment and the help they were giving to some abandoned prisoners. He greeted them and asked them for a Bible and started to read it eagerly every day. He had many questions and our guys were so happy to answer.
He wanted to believe but he was afraid, what if this was not the right way. So, he prayed: “God is this your way? I don’t want to make a mistake.” Then he had a dream that he was being baptised by one of the brothers. He prayed another time and according to his own words he saw the same dream again.
I have always been sceptic about dreams but Ali seems quite sure about it. He confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior and we did some basic teachings and a baptism class to make sure he understood what the meaning was of being a Christian and being baptised. The day of his baptism was wonderful, we sang to God, then had Ali share his story and the other brothers that shared the gospel with him.
The joy in his eyes and face was so evident. We all could see new life in him.
He returned to his homeland and started to share his story with family members. He told the truth to his wives and is reconciling with them and families. He has decided to remain married with one wife and take all the responsibilities for the other children from previous marriages.
I am doing a weekly study with Ali using a book from Grudem ‘Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know’. We have also collected a financial offering from our church and gave it to him as he was returning home. Our prayer for Ali is that he will become a servant and an ambassador of Christ in his homeland and surrounding countries.
* Not his real name