{"id":6549,"date":"2023-01-24T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrescue.org.nz\/?p=6549"},"modified":"2023-10-03T17:36:58","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T04:36:58","slug":"im-here-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.childrescue.org.nz\/blog\/im-here-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI’m here for you. You just don’t know it yet.\u201d \u2013 The Heart of a Burn Agent"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It takes more than physical fitness and mental acuity to become an adept burn agent\u2013there\u2019s a lot of heart involved too. If Bortz, a featured Freedom Fighter<\/a> from Destiny Rescue (an organisation whose work in Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal and the Philippines Child Rescue helps fund) had to explain what makes a capable agent, he\u2019d say it takes a strong stomach, good acting skills, a proper mindset and as much prayer as possible.<\/span><\/h5>\n

The War<\/span><\/h2>\n

Bortz, a veteran who spent 30 years as a U.S. Marine before becoming a burn agent, says that the atrocities of war and the exploitation of children are very different, but despite his military experience, the things he sees as a burn agent rescuing children shake him to the core.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bortz couldn’t hold back tears as he recalled one gut-wrenching case in which a girl was forced to go to great lengths to sell herself. He became emotional as he remembered how he maintained cover during their interaction by pretending to be a predator, even as his heart broke for the child and his anger burned for those exploiting her. Situations like these reinforce his conviction that constant prayer and having a trustworthy confidant who has walked the same ravaged path in his corner to confide in are vital to his ability to continue this rescue work.<\/span><\/p>\n

After regaining his composure, Bortz pointed out that this war on sexual exploitation of children is more extensive than most can imagine:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This is a business; this is an industry. This is vast, powerful\u2026motivated by the love of money, and it is very strong. So do not be deceived. This is an industry that has a purpose, and it does not care about anything except itself.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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Image of a girl whose body is rented online<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Nevertheless, no matter how daunting this work can be, Bortz and his fellow agents press forward, one girl at a time. \u201cYou just continue to stay focused. You stay on the objective, the intent: \u2018I’m here for you. You just don’t know it yet,\u2019\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Work<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though stricken with cancer and delayed for two years due to pandemic travel restrictions, Bortz insisted on returning to the Philippines to help agents conduct surveillance on traffickers. <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On August 23, 2022, Filipino leadership issued the \u201cWar on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children\u201d declaration<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Though he’s a devout Christian and a retired Marine, volunteering for this kind of work means he must don a different, despicable persona. A clear vision in mind is imperative, as grim as the task may be. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult, but like anything else, what’s the intent? The intent is to rescue. You might look like the perp, but you know in your mind you have a goal,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

That goal is simple: pulling girls and boys out of the darkness and into the light.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, having accountability to other Destiny Rescue agents and law enforcement agencies helps Bortz stay hyper-vigilant and not to cross any lines that could jeopardise his ethics and morals or break the law.<\/span><\/p>\n

One thing Bortz fears above all else is leaving a child in the hands of an abuser. Whether that means he would be pulled out during an operation or just not get to them in time, Bortz is sickened by the thought. \u201cBut you have to continue with the mission to obtain and maintain the evidence to put the perps away,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thankfully, that particular fear has never been realised.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rewards reaped from this agonising work surpass any material gains this world offers. As difficult as the work is, rescuing also helps heal the wounds it <\/span>opens. The unparalleled peace and stillness it imparts overshadows the horrors of child exploitation and restores the agent anew\u2014it readies them for the next battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parting Words<\/span><\/h2>\n

Bortz has some advice for those who want to volunteer with Destiny Rescue: abandon expectations. Realise that this is not exciting work but dangerous and poignant work. \u201cBe ready to lose yourself for the purpose and the cause,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Two young survivors smile<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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When asked if he would like to share a message with Destiny Rescue employees he\u2019s already worked alongside and those he has yet to meet, Bortz replied with tears in his eyes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I have two words: thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your sacrifice. I see the things that you give up. Those who are coming here\u2013the volunteers leaving everything behind to live abroad for the sake of rescue and setting people free. They’re not here for the money, and they’re not here for the position, they’re here to rescue\u2026 Thank you for making me a better rescuer as a whole. And to the family that I have here\u2014I say thank you and God bless you\u2026 the DNA of the whole of Destiny Rescue, it’s family-oriented. It is such a joy to come here and to be part of this family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bortz would like to appeal to each and every person out there:<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Those of you out there, within earshot, (or) reading or whatever it may be, I have one word to say: HELP. Please help in our battle against this industry motivated by money. And it is vast when you start to take a look at it. So, I reach out to those out there to say, HELP, CONTRIBUTE and DONATE in any means that you can in order\u2026.to continue to combat this evil.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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To answer his call, donate today via the form below. For other ways to get involved, <\/span>learn how you and your community can join the fight<\/span><\/a> against the trafficking and exploitation of children around the world. <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n