How I Came Face-to-Face With A Sex Trafficker

Earlier this week, I relayed the story of how God prompted me to attend the National Summit for Ending Sexual Exploitation in DC last May. What I didn’t mention in that post, I hope will forever change your view about the pervasiveness of pornography… It is the story of  ‘How I Came Face-to-Face With a  Sex Trafficker.’

Right here in Williamson county (the richest county in TN and one of the richest in the country.) Right here in the Bible Belt. Right here in the midst of the capital of Christian publishing. Home to the Southern Baptist Convention. Right here where we live… RIGHT HERE where hundreds, if not thousands, of us grab coffee every day. At the local Starbucks!

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It was a sunny, crisp May morning. Literally within hours of my return to Nashville from the summit. I had my ANTI-porn sufmmit materials strewn across my table for two. I was just killing some time in between appointments and thought I’d get organized when in walked a lady wearing a makeshift uniform and looking as if ‘life’ had been unkind. Matter a fact, for the lack of better words, she appeared ‘used up’ and void of human frailty. Soon a man joined her. As he began unpacking his computer and things, I sipped my latte and perused my materials. My table an arms length from theirs. And theirs an arm length from the cashier. His back to me and his computer screen soon to be directly in my view.

When glancing up for a third time, I could not believe what my eyes were seeing. My mind told me… “You’re just being paranoid. You’ve got all your materials out on the table and you’re just a little hypersensitive coming off the summit and all… He’s not REALLY looking a picture of a young girl barely dressed and posed for inspection. Not RIGHT HERE in my Starbucks!?” My heart raced furiously but my mind raced even faster.

What he did next was inconceivable to me at the time… He searched the words ‘Apartments for Porn.’ Folks, I am NOT exaggerating… I wish I was… Again, my mind rationalized ‘paranoia.’ But what happened SOON after, left no room for doubt! He then clicked onto a Facebook account with a pornographic profile picture.

Immediately, I made my way to the register and discreetly asked to speak to a manager… at the end of the counter… out of earshot, of course. The regional manager who just happened to overhear my conversation walked over and informed me Starbucks had a strict no-pornography policy but she would not approach the man at this point for my own safety. The man now privy to the hushed commotion closed his computer and went to the restroom…

Now let me divert for just a moment to tell you about my alter ego. Her name is ‘justice girl.’ And sometimes she is not very smart… Temporarily forgetting the ‘for my own safety’ remarks, I approach the woman. “I just want you to know if you want out, there are people right here, right now who can help you get out.” Her voice shaking and angry said “I don’t know what you’re talking about!?” But her EYES said differently! Not knowing what to say, I blurted out “I love you and so does Jesus! I’ll be praying for you.”

After the man returned and our conversation revealed, he hurriedly threw his things in a bag and retorted something on their way out like… “We’ll be praying for you, too!” And just like that… they were gone. But the puzzle remained. What were they doing in MY starbucks!? They seemed so out of place… And what kind of uniform was that, anyway?

Those who know me best KNOW when presented with something that doesn’t ‘add up,’ my mind won’t rest! For the next 24-48 hours, I was vexed by the riddle. What did his series of clicks mean? What was that uniform? Why were they in MY starbucks? WHAT were they doing!?

When the answer came… my mind was blown! She was a hotel worker. And most likely being used and controlled by him… a Sex Trafficker… And WHAT do you think surrounds my favorite starbucks!? Dozens of extended stay hotels for business travelers. My suspicions were further confirmed late June when news broke of the nationwide FBI sting ‘Operation Cross Country.’ And wouldn’t you guess!? Hotel staff members were an integral part of the pornography ring…

Folks, GOD put me directly in view of that man’s computer within hours of my return from the summit so I could tell you today PORNOGRAPHY and sex trafficking is a real and growing problem. And it is happening RIGHT HERE in Williamson and Southern Davidson County. If it’s happening here, it is happening everywhere! What are YOU going to do today to fight this monstrous evil!?

Healing multiples. COURAGE multiplies. Change multiples. When are we going to broach the difficult subject and have the ‘awkward’ conversations!? For the sake of our children’s children, I pray it is soon…