Answering The Call of Christ

              I know many residents and visitors to Palestine enjoy our downtown area, the array of different types of shops, antique stores, specialty stores and the historic architecture. Walking the sidewalks takes me back to days past. The “Boutique Tree” located at 202 W. Oak (across the street from L&L Shoe Store) is one of those businesses. It specializes in carrying an array of handmade items furniture, collectibles with all proceeds going to a non-profit organization called “Refuge of Light”. Barbara Pettit, Manager of the “Boutique Tree” shared “We want to get the word out to the surrounding area, that we are here, our purpose and what the customer will be supporting when they shop with us. We offer gift items, crafts and women’s accessories; necklaces, scarfs, handbags all donated and handcrafted by local artist. The purpose for the “Boutique Tree” is a special one. “Refuge of Light is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a long term safe home that provides physical, mental, and spiritual healing in an effort to overcome the brutalization of modern day slavery, called ‘sex trafficking’ in the lives of victimized girls under the age of 18 years within the United States.” Jay Abernathy, pastor of First Baptist Church in Palestine serves on the Board of Directors for Refuge of Light and encourages our community to shop there, “The Boutique Tree and the Grounds for Justice coffee shop in Tyler are wonderful, well-operated business that provide a way for many to directly support the ministry while finding a quality deal. Each time I go into the store I am amazed at the handcrafts, fair trade and quality items they have available.”
             Many would say or think, “This couldn’t go on in our area.” But the reality is it does. Human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal activity in the world. Human trafficking or slavery generates $32 billion annually, worldwide (The International Labor Office). Statistics show that within the United States there is anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 individuals sexually trafficked, yearly (U.S. Department of Justice). Tragically, there are only a handful of shelters with less than 300 total beds in the entire United States for domestic minor victims.
The majority of these victims are young girls that have fallen prey to the commercial sex industry at the hands of perpetrators known as pimps and johns.
             Jay continued, “Refuge of Light is the result of several people obediently listening to the call of Christ to set free the oppressed. It has been one of those ministries that we know without a doubt we are doing a work Jesus would do. As others, my involvement began with a broken heart for victims of human trafficking.”
            Barbara Pettit explained briefly how the process works, “Once the girls have been safely placed in the care of the ROL. Their new lives begin. The shelters work with each child to develop a plan based on their specific circumstances. Jay stated, “We couldn’t be where we are today without the cooperative efforts of many churches, businesses, and believers in our area. From the organization of our board, volunteers and donors we represent a large cross-section of our area of the state and congregations.”
            As Christians we are called to help the sick, the poor and those who are in need. We can help by shopping at affiliated business, hosting fund raising events, becoming a volunteer or making a donation. You can learn more at, http://refugeoflight.org, or Facebook pages- Refuge of Light and Boutique Tree-benefiting Refuge of Light.