How does a person enter a realm of darkness such as the abyss of human trafficking and not become adversely affected? How does a person like former CIA agent, Tim Ballard, go nose-to-nose with some of the most hardened and notorious traffickers, buying and selling innocent children during a rescue operation, not become “darkened” himself? That is the question that Tim Ballard, the Founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) is often asked.
On The Glenn Beck Podcast, he shared that he feels closer to God in those moments. Speaking about his rescue efforts, Ballard said, “Those are some of the lightest moments, those are some of the most brilliant moments of my life.” For a long time, he would not share those feelings with anyone because he worried that people would interpret what he was saying as “foolish or crazy or immoral.”
While many of his own operatives wonder where God could be during all they witness while performing a rescue operation, Ballard receives comfort in understanding the doctrine of angels. He said, “”It hit me like a ton of bricks. . . God is there. The angels are with these children. The closer I get to the darkest place, especially where the kids are, I witness angels there.”
Ballard admits that there are times when he wonders if he can continue saving children from the gripping jaws of human trafficking. There are also times when he vomits after talking with traffickers. What allows him to keep pressing forward and doing the important work that he and his team does, is the realization that there is a God, and He watches over and cares for all His children, no matter where they are. He said, “When I’m close to the darkest things, that’s what I’ve been feeling. That’s the light. God is there.”
Tim Ballard: The Scripture That Saved My Life From Human Traffickers
While on an Operation Underground Railroad mission to save children from human traffickers, Tim Ballard found himself surrounded by armed, hostile men ready to attack… This scripture gave him confidence in the Lord's assurance that he would be protected:
Posted by LDS Living on Thursday, August 30, 2018
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