Speaker Summary for December 9, 2013

Our club was privileged this past Monday to hear some disturbing and yet still inspirational comments from Mr. Clayton Butler, a Christian minister and relief worker with Agape International Missions (AIM) based in Svay Park, Cambodia.  Since 2009, Mr. Butler and his wife (a Harvard law school graduate) have dedicated their lives to rescuing sexually abused women and children in Asia and throughout the world.

Mr. Butler informed us of the horrific state of affairs for millions of women and children who are violated and abused around the world in the underground network of prostitution and human trafficking.  He described the heart wrenching plight of a family caught in the throes of abuse and addiction in the Red Light District of Svay Park, and detailed the inspirational efforts made by himself and others with the AIM staff to provide safe alternatives for the entire family. 

His group works with other faith-based organizations in Cambodia to provide aid, healthcare, education and outreach designed to eliminate human trafficking as a form of slave labor, or as an option for livelihood in the poorest areas of the world.  They strive to build relationships – even with the pimps and drug dealers – in an effort to re-educate them about healthy alternatives and to share their Christian faith. 

Mr. Butler believes that he has experienced more miracles than disappointments through his ministry, and that AIM is making a significant difference in the world.  President Thom noted that our club, through its Foundation and World Community Service Committee (Clayton Lee - Chair), is working with others in our District to try to raise funds to support AIM and similar organizations working to reduce and someday eradicate this awful practice.    

We applaud AIM and thank Mr. Butler for his dedication to this worthy cause and for taking time to share his model of amazing service with us.  As we celebrate our families -- and especially our daughters -- we are mindful of how fortunate we are to live in these United States, where such atrocities are relatively uncommon, and never, ever, tolerated.