Operation Freedom
Setting persecuted Christians free from indentured servitude in Pakistan.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1
The Mission
Operation Freedom’s mission is to free persecuted Christians from indentured servitude in brick kilns and establish them in an entrepreneurial business where they can provide for their families and live in freedom.
The Problem
In Pakistan and Central Asia, indentured servitude is a generationally perpetuated legal contract. For example, a debt taken out 20 years ago will be passed down through the family line until it is paid. Often the initial debt is between $40-$100 USD, but after years of compounding interest and trumped up charges for basic food and shelter, debts grow exponentially. The children and grandchildren are faced with an impossible debt and are condemned to a lifetime of slavery without hope of release. Most debts are in the second and third generation and are between $1800-$2400 USD.
In addition to the deplorable conditions at the brick kilns, Christians are often singled out for persecution. Persecution includes physical beatings, the rape of boys and girls, and even death. Believers are severely pressured to leave Christianity and convert to Islam. Law enforcement of crimes against kiln workers is virtually nonexistent because of bribes, the Muslim brotherhood between law enforcement and kiln owners, the Christian faith of the workers, and the rich vs. poor socio-economic dynamic. Rare investigations virtually never result in convictions because the workers are expendable as property.
The Solution
If the debt can be paid off in full, the workers are immediately and legally released. Redemptions are done with cash, legal documents, photographs, and signatures (or thumb prints for the illiterate). Released families immediately load up their personal belongings (often only few items), and leave the premises.
Released families are taken to a safe house, where they receive 2 months lodging rent-free, job training, and pastoral care. Often the ones providing care are former kiln workers themselves. Entrepreneurial jobs may include using a rickshaw as a taxi/transport, running a fruit or vegetable stand, or work on a factory assembly line. The end goal is for each family to be self-sufficient and free.
Over 1100 families have already been released, and to date, not a single family is reported to end up back in debt. Also, a church of released workers is thriving with over 3000 people attending weekly.
The Strategy
Families are vetted for legitimate persecution and the exact amount of their debts before placed on a waiting list. Once funds are available, families are typically released within the same week.
Good Works NOW works with an indigenous Pakistani Christian organization (name kept anonymous for security purposes) who has all the infrastructure and relationships to accomplish this amazing mercy ministry.
Giving
There are 3 ways you can give to participate in this freedom initiative.
Check
Donations can be mailed directly to Good Works Now. Make checks out to Good Works NOW. Simply state in a note or on the memo line that your donation is designated for Operation Freedom. Mail to:
Good Works NOW
P.O. Box 271225
Flower Mound, TX 75027
Credit/Debit Card
Simply click on the button below. This is a dedicated account through PayPal where all donations go to Operation Freedom.
Zelle
You can pay directly from your bank account into the bank account of GWN. Use the number 817-455-0781 for donating with Zelle.
NOTE: 10% of all donations will be used to offset administrative costs. This includes banking fees, CPA oversight, mailing, money exchange, etc. If using credit/debit card, the processing fee charged by PayPal will also be deducted to cover these costs.
Thank you for giving to this life changing initiative!