By Mike MastenCo-Founder
It was about a year ago that I approached Blake McAllister about the idea of starting an abolitionist group that would give normal citizens the opportunity to directly participate in abolitionist activities. Our hope was to create an organization that filled the gap between activism and professional abolitionism, making the fight against human trafficking readily available to everyone. The two of us sat down together and started brainstorming and within a few days had come up with the idea for Project Exodus. I remember how excited both of us were to be taking the next step in the abolitionist fight; our heads were filled with images of justice and it brought eternal smiles to our faces. We had been given a God given dream and we were about to make it a reality.
Today, a year later, we are so pleased to say that we did not dream in vain! From its conception 12 months ago, Project Exodus has been growing ceaselessly, constantly being pushed forward and being blessed at every turn. From only an idea a year ago, today the LA Metro Task Force on Human Trafficking recognizes Project Exodus as a legitimate anti-trafficking group in Los Angeles and has offered to work with us. Almost weekly now we get emails and messages from around the world of people wanting to know more about our work or wanting to work with us. Most importantly, a child rape area in Los Angeles is now under investigation and the lives of almost 50 girls in massage and hostess bars may be changed because of the work we have done in the last year.
The success of Project Exodus over the last year continues to be a true testiment of God's passion for justice. To us it is clear that God has blessed our organization and is giving us the strength and the means to tackle one of the darkest injustices on Earth. In the book of Psalms we are told, "Blessed are they who maintain justice" (Psalms 106:3a). How true this has been! We unapologitically believe that it is only under Christ that the evil of human trafficking will be conquered and after a year of amazing blessings and encouragement, we know this to be true!
In addition to reflecting, we have also been looking to the future of Project Exodus and what we would like to accomplish over the next few years. For the immediate year, Project Exodus hopes to further its reach by establishing additional PX teams that would conduct internal and extrenal observation operations throughout Los Angeles multiple times a week. By extending our reach we hope not only to be able to investigate more trafficking locations but actually liberate more victims.
In addition to our own operations, we hope to continue to reach out to other local and international abolitionist groups and see how our combined experiences can help further anti-trafficking efforts,not only talking about ending trafficking but actually freeing slaves in Los Angeles and the world.
Finally, though still a dream, Project Exodus is looking beyond the borders of the United States to Ghana where we would like to eventually establish a rehabilitation center for African trafficking victims.
All told, the last year has been bright and the future is looking to be even brighter. With Christ as our champion we were able to achieve things that were only in our dreams a year ago. Today we look forward with encouragement and hope, not only because of the successes of the past, but also because of the promise we have been given about the future: that through the power of Christ conquer human trafficking! We look forward to this journey and openly welcome anyone who is willing to join Project Exodus in our pursuit of justice.
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