Steve Tybor of Eight Days of Hope says human trafficking is a clear and present danger.
"It's the fastest growing crime in the world next to drugs," he relays. "It's a $155 billion a year industry."
The fact is it is not just happening in third world countries or foreign tourist destinations; predators are also grooming and kidnapping children in America.
"It does happen in Vegas, it does happen in New Orleans and New York, but it also happens in Southaven, Mississippi, in Wichita, Kansas, in Erie, Pennsylvania," says Tybor. "17% of kids being trafficked today are being trafficked by their parents."
Knowing that the average age of a child who is trafficked in America is 12 years old, and knowing most have nowhere to go if they are rescued, his ministry is partnering with another.
"We are breaking ground in an Amish community in … Millersburg, Ohio, and we are partnering with a ministry called Safe Harbor," he reports. "It is going to be the largest facility in the Northeast for children rescued from trafficking."
Tybor says there are 13,000 animal shelters in America, but only 600 rooms where a child can shut the door at night and know a predator is not going to open it before dawn.
"36 children will be able to be housed safely, have their own room, their own bathroom, with a house mom and counselors to provide hope," he details. "We break ground April 24."
Construction is expected to continue through the rest of the year.
Eight Days of Hope is still asking for volunteers. They must be 18 years old or older and complete a background check to serve with the Safe House Ministry.
