We Will See It
I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could! Moving around a lot growing up made me appreciate the community I found here, which is likely why I dug my roots and became an Aggie (Sorry, not sorry, for all you Longhorn fans)! I was the first in my family to graduate from college and by the grace of God my first adult job out of college was at the White House.
It’s hard to believe that we just passed the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Those were days I will never forget. Shortly after our nation was shaken, I would step foot in the White House starting my almost 7 year journey in DC, with my youth and my conviction for justice. My eyes were quickly opened to how much injustice was spreading throughout the world.
On one specific day, I was in the Pentagon and I was left speechless as I learned of the atrocity that was taking place across the globe through Human Trafficking and realizing that it was also taking place right here on our own American soil. “How can this be?” “Why aren’t we doing more?” I silently asked myself. Little did I know that God was preparing me to be a part of the answer to my own questions.
Christine Caine, founder of A21 – an organization that fights human trafficking, often says "I went from looking to seeing." My path had not quite crossed with Christine just yet, but that didn’t stop me from getting involved by raising funds for organizations that were fighting the good fight against modern-day slavery. People often think they need to work full time in the place of their passion to make a difference, but we all truly make a difference when we don’t wait to contribute. God has given each of us the ability to be a part of global change!
Many years went by and I didn’t waste any of them. I went on to Higher Education and walked through the doors God opened for me. I invested in myself and I worked hard. If you think your future is going to come knocking at your door while you’re eating popcorn and watching Netflix, I’m here to squash your dreams. God meets people who are willing to work and do hard things. Just like the disciples, I was at work when God called me.
Fast forward a couple of years, through many twists and turns, and I am about to celebrate my sixth year on the team with A21. As the Sr Advisor for Strategic Partnerships, I get to travel the world and help inform others not only about human trafficking, but also how to stop it before it even happens.
You too can make a difference. God might not be calling you to a full-time anti-human trafficking ministry, but He is calling you to “see”. See the hurting and helpless and do what you can from where you are. The A21 Walk For Freedom is the perfect way for you to make your mark! As our country director in South Africa, Katie once said: "Never underestimate the power of one action, and the ripple effect that could have far beyond what you can imagine, to people that you might never meet, in a country that you might never visit."
- Michelle Parrozzo