I've been reading an online Time Magazine article written by E. Benjamin Skinner. He makes the frightening statement "...that there is more slavery in the world now than at any time in history..." The piece opens describing a 17 year-old girl curled up in the fetal position in hospital bed #7. The sheets are blood stained, the bedposts rusty... and the room in this government run hosital is decorated with well-used fly strips between fluorescent lights and flaking light blue paint. She has full blown AIDS, tuberculosis and is pregnant. She is sweating and can barely speak. After being orphaned at age 15 she sought employment and was driven 8 hours north of Cape Town, South Africa, where she was sold to her "employer." The seller got $150.00 and crack cocaine.
The investigator in the story says that in this kind of slavery a child is usually sold for about $45.00 and can make up to $600. per night. Children are held by intimidation and beatings if they try to escape. When they contract disease and are no longer "profitable" to their owners they are thrown back into the streets like a dead or dying animal.
One such "buyer" says "I'm really looking forward to doing more business during the World Cup." Speaking of which, the world's cup of iniquity is ready to overflow the brim. Michael will stand up, lay aside His priestly garments and bring His words on the heads of these animals who trade in children; "It would be better for them if a millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea." [Matthew 18:6].
The entire story can be found here...
http://www.time.com/magazine/article/0.9171.1952335.00.html?xid=rss-topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utn
(Note: the story has been moved so the link is not valid. Type in 1st 5 words into search engine)
South Africa's New Slave Trade --- And One Man's Campaign to Stop It
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