This is based on a TRUE STORY, but I have changed the names of the people involved.

She’s 19 years old and facing a life in prison on multiple charges of human trafficking and underage sex trafficking.

The details are a bit sketchy, but the bottom line is, Kelli is in big trouble and doesn’t even realize that SHE is a victim.

Kelli wanted to be independent so she left home before finishing high school, at the age of 14. She met a young man who made her feel like an adult. He showered her with compliments and gifts and pretty clothes. He told her how much he loved her and wanted her to be his for life! He spoke of marriage and children, further drawing her into his web.

When Daren was sure that Kelli was in his control, he began to show her what he was really all about and how those gifts were actually paid for. You see, Daren had a small stable of girls that worked for him. He had complete control of everything they did and when they did not perform, they were severely punished. These young girls brought him thousands of dollars a week and kept him able to live a very luxurious lifestyle.

Most of the girls were runaways and a few of them were actually still living at home with their parents and attending high school. Each and every one of these girls, at one time, thought that Daren was in love with them. He played them against each other and they became very competitive with one another. Each of them trying to outdo the others by bringing Daren the most money each night, bidding for his favor and love.

Daren slowly began to show Kelli the workings of his business and explained that more girls means more money. He explained to her that if she was able to help him find more girls, she could share in the benefits of the business and without her help, she would have to perform to continue to have his favor and love. If she really loved him, she would help him.

So Kelli very willingly became a recruiter for Daren. She proceeded to frequent places that young girls hung out. The Malls, Teen clubs, highschool games  and other places that had girls looking for acceptance and had low self-esteem. She knew what to look for because Daren had taught her well.

Kelli was very good at the job that Daren had given her and she gained his trust and was showered even more with expensive gifts and his promise of a future together. You see they were saving up to buy a house to raise children in. They were saving for their future, or so Kelli thought!

One day, Daren came up with an idea to begin transporting some of the girls to different locations and moving them around to keep them under his control and reduce the risk of them leaving or getting busted.

One of the things that I have not mentioned yet is the abuse that these girls had to take, on a daily basis. Much of which, Kelli witnessed or even helped with. They were verbally abused, raped, beaten, starved and blackmailed to keep quiet and in compliance with Daren’s demands. Kelli actually told me that she was giving these girls a better life than they had. She had convinced herself that what she was doing was a good thing. I’m sure that Daren had a hand in the convincing!

Eventually, they got caught. They took a few of the girls to an area that was under watch by local police and ended up being the focus of a sting operation. Daren was not around when the chips finally fell. Kelli, however was, and one of the girls found the courage to tell the police of her involvement in the operation.

After interviewing several of the girls, Kelli was arrested and charged with Human trafficking, kidnapping, sex trafficking of a minor and multiple other charges.

Kelli is now an adult and is facing multiple prison sentences. She has been given the opportunity to testify against her boyfriend and refuses to do so. She is taking all the responsibility for these horrendous acts all by herself. She thinks he’s going to help her beat these charges. She thinks he’ll find a way to get the other girls to change their statements and ultimately she will be released.

She has been waiting for several months with no results but is convinced that it’s all part of his plan for them to spend their lives together. She has yet to realize that she too, is a victim.

When I actually spoke with this girl, she openly bragged about what she had done. Even though I was shocked at her smug attitude, I knew in my heart that she was a victim but I was having a hard time getting her to accept that. I am sure that she will eventually though. She kept telling me no, she was not a victim, she liked the lifestyle and after all, it was only going to be temporary. This girl was still holding on to the fantasy the she and her abuser were in love and going to build a family life together. Kelli still can’t wrap her head around tha fact that she’d been sought out and used.

I have read story after story about the victims of sex trafficking and other forms of human trafficking. Why had I been in the dark about this issue for so long when it’s been going on for decades or longer? The answer to that question is the same reason that the majority of the people in this country are in the dark. There are people who actively sweep such issues under the rug. Why do they do this? Well, I can’t prove it, but I have a feeling that somehow there must be something in it for them to do so. In the meantime, human trafficking is becoming more profitable than drugs. It’s easier to cover up and sweep under the rug, easier to keep out of the news, easier to forget about. As score of unidentified remains of humans are found each day in this country, I can’t help but wonder how many of them were trafficking victims, whose families will never know whether they are dead or alive!

We have joined the fight, along with many others to raise awareness of this increasing tragedy to humanity. There are a number of organizations that are working very hard to get the horrific truth out. Truckers Against Trafficking is one of these groups, whose focus is to educate and work to abolish this activity.

NOW, you’ve read a REAL story. One of many, that I hope will touch your heart and lead you to become involved. Help save a life, become a TRUCKER AGAINST TRAFFICKING!

Visit their website, contact them and get involved…. http://www.truckersagainsttrafficking.com

REPORT Suspected Human Trafficking and Undersge Sex Trafficking and SAVE A LIFE! CALL 888-373-7888

May God Bless you ALL,

JAN

Our good friend Lee showed up just in time to take us all on a last-minute shopping trip for a few cruising essentials!

As we waited to board the ship, Champagne Lady and Zookeeper got some last-minute Facebook updates in!

On January 15th, we left the Port Of Tampa on the Carnival Legend!

Bobby Boofay checked out all the ship’s safety procedures!

We toasted the beginning of our FUN CRUISE with an exotic cocktail!

And the PARTY was ON!!!!

1st stop….. Grande Cayman

Taking a Tender out to Grande Cayman

We had the pleasure of meeting the Pilot of the Ship who is a Cayman Native!

Bobby Boofay Had a “GRANDE” Time!!!

NEXT Stop…… COZUMEL

We partied like ‘Rock Stars”!!!!

Sightseeing with the group, we took in many of the local sights, we partied, shopped and had a blast!

NEXT STOP…… Belize

NEXT STOP……. Isla Roatan, Honduras.

There was a chair lift to take us to the beach and then we took a cab tour of the island! It was great to meet some beautiful local people and learn a bit about the culture!

There was also much fun to be had on the Ship!!

And many people to meet!

Great Food to eat! A great Staff! Lots of entertainment! Beautiful views and wonderful memories!

An finally we came back to the Port of Tampa!!

Check out the rest of our great pics from this wonderful vacation on Facebook!

We are really looking forward to another cruise next year with this fun group! We hope that many of you decide to join us! Start making the plans NOW!

 See YOU on the next TRUCKERS Cruise January 26th thru Feb 3rd, 2013.We will set sail from Fort Lauderdale Florida, and enjoy the beautiful ports of Antigua,Tortola,Nassau and St Thomas.Inside cabins start at $950.00 per person. Balcony cabins start at $1305.00 per person.Reserve your cabin now for a deposit of $350.00 per person. Call SSCRUISES 937-331-8029………..BON VOYAGE.

(I couldn’t give ALL the fun away….. you’ll have to join us next year and see for yourself!)

Keeping your enemies close……

I have thinking about this often used cliché quite a bit lately. I have seen many people write this recently and in the past. What exactly does this mean?

First we must define the meaning of enemy.

en·e·my( n -m )

n. pl. en·e·mies

1. One who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another; a foe.

2.     a. A hostile power or force, such as a nation.       b. A member or unit of such a force.

3. A group of foes or hostile forces. See Usage Note at collective noun.

4. Something destructive or injurious in its effects: “Art hath an enemy called Ignorance” (Ben Jonson).

adj.    Of, relating to, or being a hostile power or force.

Synonyms: enemy, foe, opponent
These nouns denote one who is hostile to or opposes the purposes or interests of another: betrayed by enemies; a foe of fascism; a political opponent.

I also searched the internet for the meaning of the cliché, “ keep your friends close, your enemies closer”, which is actually an AL PACINO line from one of the Godfather. Yet, people mutter this quote like it’s gospel, like it’s the right thing to do or something!

Now that we know what an enemy is. and where that questionable cliché actually came from,  let’s look at the ramifications of “keeping the enemy close” and ask…. Just HOW close should you be to your enemies, to keep from having to suffer the consequences of such an association?

Is it to YOUR benefit to keep the “enemy” close, the one that attempts to make you, and others you care about look bad?

Do you think that keeping such enemies “close” in some way makes YOU look good, when they continue to slander you and those you claim to care about? Is there REALLY some benefit?

How do you feel about NOT standing up for what’s right and betraying a friend by continuing to keep this “enemy” close?  Are you just “keeping them close” or are you actually consorting with them?

Eventually, it seems that as the enemies you are keeping close, rise in number, you become one of “them” in other’s eyes. How then can you defend your refusing to do the right thing, because you think it’s more important to keep your enemies close?

It’s one thing to keep an “eye” on an enemy, it’s another to associate as if nothing is wrong. To keep such destructive associations condones the enemy’s behavior and send them the message that you have no problem with what they have done.

So with all of this being said, I think that keeping your enemies close is something that we should all really think about before we utter this phrase. Don’t use this as an excuse when you don’t really mean it.

 To me, keeping the enemy close simply means to keep a watchful eye, not to continue association as if I agree with them and condone their destructive behavior, because when you do this, you are just as guilty as they are!

What the average person “thinks” this means is actually way off base! Most people, willing or not to admit, are actually using this quote as an excuse to sit on the fence. THAT, my friends is the bottom line here!

So next time someone hurls that pathetic excuse for being two-faced at you, take a step back and think about what they are really trying to tell you, and before YOU decide to use that line on others……..

Dont let “keeping your enemies close” make YOU look ”guilty by association”

“JUST SAYIN”

A Personal Note:  We (Jim & Jan) don’t alway recognize those who have less than good intentions right away. When we figure this out, we keep those in question at arm’s length.  We have no problem cutting people out of our lives that are a bad influence, or those we wish not be associated with, due to their moral character. To us, it’s just the right thing to do.

There are a couple of old sayings that we DO hold dear. They come from a very old book called “THE HOLY BIBLE”:

PROVERBS 13:20  (King James Version) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

1 CORINTHIANS  15:33 (International Standard Version) Stop being deceived: “Wicked friends lead to evil ends”

In both our personal and business lives, we find that holding to our moral standards is what’s best for us. Setting a good example for others kinda just happens all by itself when you practice good morals!