"It always amazes me how the creative process works with its birthing of a strong desire to bring forth a message about troubling and current important issues. This particular artistic work began with the viewing of an episode of Law and Order about Modern day human trafficking, followed by a chat with a neighbor whose current mission is to expose human trafficking. Finally, an inspiring biography about Amy Carmichael was read ", shares Dick LaValley, president of the board of directors for the not for profit dance company, Pointes of Faith Dancers, Inc., concerning how Rachael Platt began the quest for this concert.

There has always been human trafficking in this world. Where there is human trafficking, there is also sexual slavery. There is nothing new under the sun. An estimated 2.5 million people are forced into labor (including sexual exploitation) at any given time as a result of trafficking, according to the international Labor Organization’s Forced Labor Statistics Fact Sheet (2007). 95% of victims experience physical or sexual violence during trafficking. 43% are used for forced sexual exploitation of whom 98 per cent are women and girls. The statistics go on and on.... And the USA is not exempt from this evil.

This evil activity has always existed throughout mankind. One of the most influential warriors against this evil was Amy Carmichael who was born in Ireland and became a spunky mischievous dark haired, brown eyed beauty. She was extremely strong willed and a leader, but her leadership seemed to get her in trouble as she was always testing the boundaries of her parents. It took the Lord to shape her up and as a teenager, she dedicated her life to HIM. After having founded a successful ministry in Belfast, she went to England as a missionary and traveled to Japan also as a missionary and studied to be a missionary in China and then in obedience to the Lord’s direction began a mission in India around the age of 34. It was here that all she had learned would be put to the test. Amy began working with young ladies whom she saved from forced prostitution at Hindu temples. It seems the monks used prostitution as a way of collecting money for the temples. She rescued many young women from prostitution and took in over 1000 children by accepting them into her home before they were given to the temples. It is a phenomenal story of love and dedication about a woman who sacrificed her whole being to rescue others continuously and make each child her daughter or son. She took her last breath in Dohnavur (her mission home), in Tamil Nadu, India at the age of 83 to go home to be with her Saviour.

Human sexual exploitation can be stopped with this kind of love, dedication and self sacrifice. New, productive and wonderful lives can be transformed from sexual abuse no matter which country you live in or what circumstance you could find yourself in. Alternatives can be realized (as proven by Amy Carmichael) so that children do not fall into the hands of sexual predators.

The Pointes of Faith Dancers, Inc. will be performing their narrated ballet debut of Make My Life an Altar: The Ministry of Amy Carmichael (written and choreographed by Rachael Platt) at the Irene Bisgrove Auditorium, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn on Friday, October 14th at 8:00 pm. Persons ages 8 through adult are invited to attend. Admission is free of charge.

For further information please log onto www.pointesoffaithdancers.org or phone 315-946-6180.