Sharon's 1st Ride Against Traffick

Dear Family and friends,

This year, I got to know about RATK (Ride against Traffick Korea) which is a four day, 550km bike ride from Busan to Seoul intended to raise awareness of human trafficking in South Korea.

Through them, I was shocked to learn these facts;

*Between 500,000 to 1.2 million girls working in sex trade in South Korea.
*94 million cases of prostitution occurring every year, prostitution is more than a $13B industry in Korea.
*Prostitution is illegal in Korea, but the government overlooks companies’ use of their money for sexual entertainment. Korean firms’ usage of corporate credit cards at hostess bars reached over $1B in 2013.
*1 out of 2 Korean men have confessed to having bought sex at least once in their lifetime.
*More than 50% of the businesses that claim to be karaoke bars, massage parlors, and bars were found to also serve as brothels.
*Average entry age into the sex industry: 13 years old
*Interview of 100 girls/women in sex industry revealed 95% had been raped/sexually abused before the age of 12. Almost 50% were sexually abused before the age of 8.
*An estimated 200,000 youths run away from home each year in Korea and many fall into the sex trade.
*Survey in Girim area Red Light District in 2012 revealed that of the 350 women working, 50% were either orphans or from single-mom homes
*Over 500,000 women are trapped in the sex industry

It will be my first year serving RATK as the support crew, helping the riders by supporting in prayer, prepare food, move equipments, and do what we can to help the riders easily finish the race.

The wonderful thing about RATK is that we are all members of Christ with a heart for Korea and the afflicted. Another is that RATK not only rides from Busan to Seoul to raise awareness, but the organization is very focused on prayer. Sowing seeds of prayer as we travel across Korea, and by nightly prayer meetings, which I believe will impact Korea immensely.

RATK is not only a bike ride that raises awareness but a ministry, and a spiritual battle that we fight together as a team. We brothers and sisters from around the world (US, Canada, Philippines, New Zealand, Russia, Korea, ect) not only pray with God's heart for the afflicted and the injustice of this nation, but actively stand together for what is shushed, neglected or unaware of by the Koreans and churches here.

Not by our might or power but by the Spirit, through prayer. Not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities, powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, smashing the stronghold of evil that's over Korea with the name of Jesus, lifting our prayers for change.

The ride will take place in October 6th-9th, but we are excitedly preparing ourselves to be spiritually and physically fit for battle. :)

Please support us with prayer as we fight for His Kingdom, His righteousness and justice to come over Korea.
Would you also consider helping us financially as we go?

100% of the support we receive will go to 2 Christian organizations.

*Oak tree project (a scholarship and mentoring program for orphans in college until they graduate),
*Hope be restored (a rehabilitation program for the women who work in prostitution)

Thank you!

The Ride Against Traffick is a four day, 550km bike ride from Busan to Seoul intended to raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking in South Korea and to fight it.

Your donations will go to two great organizations who are actively working to combat this modern-day evil: Hope Be Restored, which is one of the leading anti-trafficking ministries in Korea, and Oak Tree Project, which is a scholarship and mentoring program for orphans in Korea. The ride costs are paid completely by the participants and sponsors, so 100% of the money we receive from your donation will go straight to these organizations.

Find out more at our website www.ratk.org.