*Disclaimer: This episode is not intended for little ears*

Isaiah 61:3 NIV "and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Questions We Discuss:

What is human trafficking and how does it work?
Is there a certain target age or demographic that makes people more vulnerable to being trafficked?
When we are prompted by love, what can the church and community and families and individuals do?

Nita Belles is the Founder and President of IN OUR BACKYARD, a national anti-trafficking nonprofit. Her book, In Our Backyard, Human Trafficking in America and What We Can Do To Stop It, is a best-seller and known as the primer on human trafficking in the U.S.

Nita has been a leader in anti-trafficking work surrounding Super Bowls since 2010. She founded Freedom Stickers which are in all 50 States, and Convenience Stores Against Trafficking, which partners with over 20,000 convenience stores nationwide. Nita collaborates with top law enforcement, government officials, legislators, the medical community, social service providers, faith communities, and survivors as the key to creating comprehensive, lasting change. Her work has been featured on CNN, Fox Files, Focus on the Family, USA Today, BBC and others.

Nita is known for her compassionate heart, as a friend to survivors, a team player and for finding solutions when there is seemingly no solution. She believes laughter is a necessary component in this work yet is driven to compassionately annihilate human trafficking and change the culture which allows this atrocity to flourish. Nita is a force in the movement who specializes in linking arms with other organizations in a collaborative effort to find lasting solutions.

Connect with Nita Belles' Non-Profit, In Our Backyard: Website, Twitter, Instagram @inourbackyard, or through Facebook

At The Savvy Sauce, we will only recommend resources we believe in! We also want you to be aware: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

In Our Backyard, Human Trafficking in America and What We Can Do To Stop It

Other episode mentioned: Overcoming Evil With Good: Recognizing Spiritual Abuse with Dr. Diane Langberg

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Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”

Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.”

Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Welcome to The Savvy Sauce

Practical chats for intentional living

A faith-based podcast and resources to help you grow closer to Jesus and others. Expect encouragement, surprises, and hope here. Each episode offers lively interviews with fascinating guests such as therapists, authors, non-profit founders, and business leaders.

They share their best practices and savvy tips we can replicate to make our daily life and relationships more enjoyable!