I tentatively began attending a series of studies on human trafficking this winter. I say “tentatively” because, not only is human trafficking a hard issue to learn about, but it can be discouraging if you feel unable to make a difference. I certainly don’t feel up to par on the whole “changing the world” thing! But I’m finding out it can start smallish.

Photo: Zoe Toupin

Disarm the Dark is a working group that aims to enable people to do just that: to equip people with the real facts but also to help them see how changes can be made within our very communities. This may involve us moving out of our comfort zones but it’s worth it.

Through discussions and studies, it tries to help followers of Jesus see how they can put their money where their mouths are, in terms of actually doing what Jesus did: he did say that he came to set captives free and liberate the oppressed.

So…yeah…it doesn’t have to start huge, like busting into brothels in Bangkok and whisking kids off to safe houses. It can start with small steps–like talking to someone about what’s really going on around the world and even here in Montreal, like signing a petition, like reaching out to someone who is marginalized and could be vulnerable to being trafficked, like financially supporting an NGO working to fight human traffic. And it’s not really up to us to change the world, Jesus is the one who can change hearts and truly set people free.

So last Saturday, Disarm the Dark held a mini information night slash fundraiser. Andrea, Sebastien and Lydia spoke briefly about what Disarm the Dark is about. There were also handy information packets shared, with some background info and some suggestions getting involved. Heidy, Raina, Jeremy, Katie and Esther (not me!) played some music. And people chatted and ate millions of homemade cupcakes!

I was there, snapping away, so here’s a slideshow of a few of my favourites photos from the night.

Want to see more photos? Check out the full gallery.