September 23th

Hultner Estrada

Bethany Beachum

“Young men for rent. Will do dangerous jobs.”  “Women for rent for night activities.”  “Young girls for rent for whatever you choose.”

Does this “menu” surprise you?

Behind these offers operates a well-structured, clandestine network  which abducts human beings and then sells them as premium products, goods, or objects.

The trafficking of persons is one of the worst violations of human rights.  It is referred to as the slavery of our modern era.

But there remains much to be explained: Who is behind this business?  What kind of industry would demand such kind of “goods”?  Why has this form of trade been able to evade border and state controls?  What is the logic or social philosophy that supports this degrading commerce?  And why is Nicaragua considered the top country in Central America to be a “provider of slaves?” 

The 23rd of September is commemorated as the International Day of Human Trafficking precisely to talk about these issues, to inform, and to prevent the population from this threat.  The day was established by the Conference against Human Trafficking in Dhaka, Bangladesh in January of 1999.

This week, 13 participating churches in the project Combating Human Trafficking, promoted by the Nehemiah Center, are holding informative and preventative workshops in schools, parks, churches, and the streets of León and Chinandega.  The idea is to alert and empower the population but also to demonstrate to the Christian community that, as the church, there are many things we can do to offset this crime.

On our part, we want to ask you to join in the prayer chain that these churches are promoting, asking God that justice may shine, that he would train us in his wisdom to fight against this crime effectively, and that, above all, his love would comfort and defend the victims.

A digital version of an informative poster is available here for you to print, hang in your office, and/or share with others (Spanish).

Pictured: The three volunteer promoters that work with the Nehemiah Center in  the project Combating Human trafficking in Nicaragua (Claudia Balmaceda, María Luisa Martínez and Ligia Rivera).

Taking the mask off

Luz Urania Largaespada with Kathy Most

Some confessions may take us by surprise. We asked pastor Evenor Maltez how the trainings for pastoral couples had helped him to improve his life over the last year, and this was his response:

"When you're a pastor, sometimes you put on a mask to pretend that everything is okay. Participating in the training as a couple, has helped us take off that mask and become aware of our need to learn. "

Although Evenor and Lolita have been Christians for long time, they began their ministry at Tabernacle Family Church in Estelí six years ago, and decided that the ministry in the community would have an emphasis on the family, but often felt that they had to wear a mask so that others did not perceive their relationship problems.

As a result of their involvement in the training for the network of pastoral couples that the Nehemiah Center promotes, they have realized that they do not need to wear a mask to cover the conflicts.   They can talk about them in an environment specially designed to promote dialogue, discover each of their responsibilities and find ways to solve them, along with other colleagues who also have similar problems.

"In an open environment for learning where you feel relaxed and safe, it is easier to talk, it's easy to see we're not the only ones who have these problems and that we have the ability to change," says Lolita, who also says they want to learn how to use the dialogue methodology to help other couples.

Nehemiah Center's goal is about promoting a network of pastoral couples to facilitate the comprehensive transformation of families.   This transformation is achieved when couples become close, develop transparency, and assist each other in their growth. The network is a place for couples, with the mediation of a marriage mentor,  designed to facilitate dialogue on critical issues, in a friendly setting that allows them to build confidence.

Now Evenor and Lolita take time once a week (every Monday), to discuss the difficulties and challenges they face as a family, they work on a family budget that is helping them to achieve financial peace, and have included their children in making new decisions. "Communication has improved a lot," say both.

Every couple faces conflicts, both large and small. The challenge of every marriage is to build in the right amount of time, in the most appropriate setting, to talk about their differences in a spirit of humility and love.

Do two walk together

unless they have agreed to do so?

Amos 3:3