Rich Dixon is constantly learning.

Last time I asked a question. “Now, what?”

Now that we knew about the horrors of modern-day slavery and child sex trafficking, now that we’d seen the pictures and heard the stories, what would we do about it?

British anti-slavery activist William Wilberforce haunted me:

You may choose to turn away, but you can never again say that you did not know.

For Becky and me, it was a turning point. We could no longer say we didn’t know, and we couldn’t turn away. We had to do something.

With this simple guidance: seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God, we asked where we could make a difference. Friends connected us with Project Rescue and our Home of HOPE.

But, I’m just an old guy who rides a silly bike. We’re not missionaries. No training, no platform, no fancy organization behind us. How in the world could we make a difference?

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We’ll return to 2012 next time, but first I’m going to skip ahead to last Monday. Becky attended a meeting of our local anti-trafficking organization called U COUNT.

The main speaker looked familiar, but it didn’t click until “Jane” reminded Becky that I tutored her (via zoom) during Covid. Her story: as a young mother, she had been a trafficking victim for several years, INCLUDING the time I was tutoring her.

I was sad, but not really surprised, when I heard the story. Sad, because I hated knowing the horrible circumstances behind her struggles. Not surprised, because I know this happens right in front of our faces – even in a mostly prosperous place like northern Colorado.

Jane’s story isn’t unique. Neither is Fort Collins.

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PS – If you’re wondering how a bright, articulate young mother living in a normal looking apartment building in middle America could possibly be a victim of sex trafficking…you’re beginning to understand the insidious nature of this awful crime.

We’re grateful for Jane’s survival. We pray for complete restoration, which can only come through Jesus.