The world’s busiest airport, a gorgeous city skyline, hot summer weather and a bustling transportation system.  Being my airport of choice, an Atlanta trip usually means I’m pumped to be on the way to a new place, or excited to come back home.  This week I had a chance to visit the city for itself.  In fashion I spent some time at one of my favorite churches, Rescue Atlanta.  [background] Seventy percent of the church members are homeless men and women that depend on the church for food, showers, laundry, and medical assistance.  This week they were buzzing with an army of volunteers who had come to serve and reach out to people in the city.  I joined in Friday for a giant outdoor party for kids from the neighborhood.

Typically a church would have a program for the poor in the community or kids on the block.  Why the “rescue” part?  Get ready to soak in some stats… I’ve been doing some homework.

In October 2010 a current list was made of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the USA.  Atlanta has more neighborhoods on the list than any other city in the nation.  Within those neighborhoods, the chances of becoming a victim average about 1 / 10.  (see http://www.neighborhoodscout.com)

In the same month, the FBI made 35 arrests connected to child prostitution in Atlanta. Eventually, 700 people were arrested in that thread, and some of the “prostitutes” were ten years old.  In fact, the FBI, the United States Justice Department, and the United Nations all name Atlanta, GA as one of the top hubs for sex trafficking, especially children. (see http://www.ajc.com)  This means children from Atlanta neighborhoods, other parts of the country, and foreign nations are sold in Atlanta for sex.  [Hard to believe?]  Aside from entering a cycle of slavery and a loss of innocence, those who are exploited this way often fall to violence, disease, and other factors.  It’s been estimated that kids who are exploited this way usually die within about seven years after it starts.  (see http://www.change.org)  Why not escape? They’re threatened with death or lured back with promises of protection and acceptance by their “pimp.”  Are children in the United States really growing up that desperate?  They don’t have any other hope or options?  We know there are options, but I don’t think they realize that.

Now the purpose of a “rescue church” who throws a party for kids around the neighborhood is starting to take shape.  It’s a glimmer that someone places value on these children and will go the extra mile to prove it. That kind of operative love can give kids the radical idea that they are worth something despite their background.  That radical idea may keep them from ever entering the cycle of trafficking.  Turning the corner 5 blocks out I could hear fresh music blasting and the excited shrieks and laughs of kids outside. [note – my car thermometer read 99 degrees on arrival.]  Out on the pavement, there were troupes of adults and teenagers chatting with the kids, showing them around, making sure they ate some food off the grill and cooled down with watermelon or sno-cones.  I was personally sweating through my clothes (yes, literally) but I didn’t hear anyone else complain about the heat.   The kids were busy living it up on the inflatable obstacle course and the bounce thing, meeting new people and enjoying some positive attention. Group games, dance, and learning developed in the afternoon.  By the end of the day every child connected with an adult who listened to them and prayed with them.  Kids who got a chance to relax, laugh, and get their eyes on God.  Kids who caught the bus home with strengthened confidence, positive direction… and hope.

Sounds like the beginning of a “rescue,”  Atlanta.