For the cause of the down trodden

For the love of all that is holy and good, which is only Jesus Himself, would you please look at the following links?


1. Sign the petition for International Justice Mission. IJM is a missions organization that is working hard to stop human trafficking around the world. Seriously, it takes one minute. And then pass it around to everyone. Because human trafficking needs to stop NOW.

2. Speaking of human trafficking, did you know that in a few days, this will be the largest human trafficking weekend throughout the world? More women and children will be trafficked during the Supwerbowl than any other time during the year. Read this.  After you read this, will you please spend some time in serious prayer for this to end? Oh Jesus, bring your kingdom!


3. What are you doing for Lent? Do you celebrate lent? If you celebrate it, would you consider doing something different with me? And if you have never celebrated lent, would you do something different with me? Check out what World Vision is doing, and join me!! Take a peak here....

Blessings friends!

November 9

I met him in high school. He was the new kid in town. His dad was our new superintendent for our school district. We ran in the same group of friends. We graduated high school. We went to the same college. We saw each other randomly. We graduated and moved into the real world. We haven't kept in touch more than what an average facebook post would communicate.

Until a few days ago. It all started with a facebok message.

See, my old high school friend Rod, works with Freedom Firm in India. He is working to arrest those who are trafficking women and child into the sex slave industry. They also are working on helping restore victims.

Tonight he came to Albion College. He shared all about Freedom Firm, showed a movie that they are making, and sold jewelery that the women make.

Tonight I am thankful for the ways that christians around the world are seeking justice among slaves. Do you know there are more slaves today, than during the trans-atlantic slave trade? Crazy, huh? I am grateful for Rod. I am grateful for his ministry, for him coming to Albion to share with students and to see how God has been working on his heart.

I am thankful for Albion students who want to do something about this cruel injustice. Cruel, cruel, cruel, evil. And they want to make it stop. I am so proud of them, and glad to partner with them.

And......I am going to host a jewelery party. The jewelery is made by form sex slaves, and used to give them income. Who is interested in purchasing some beautiful jewelery? I did tonight!!!

How would you spend $30?

Let's just say you were given some extra cash. Somewhere between $30-$100. What would you do with this sum of money? You can spend it any way you want, even if it is paying bills.

Most likely, Jon and I would go out to dinner. Most likely we would go to Outback Steakhouse. We love going out to eat together, I love Outback and Jon loves me, therefore Outback it is. 

$30. Not much. A dinner for two. 

Picture a child in your life. A child between 9-14. Maybe your child, a niece or nephew, or child in the community. 

What if that child was sold into slavery for $30? I know. Gasp. How dare I bring your mind into this sick place.

I was SHOCKED to say the least when I found out that many people are trafficked for as little as $30. $30!!! Are you kidding me? That is the value of a life?

I think we need to make it personal. This is not something that happens solely in a far off land. It happens in our back yards. Literally. It happens in our neighborhoods as well as around the world. The ways that we desire "stuff," including clothes and technology lead to more and trafficking, especially using people for labor.

I wrestle with how to handle this situation. I want to fight for justice, I don't want to be someone that oppresses the poor, but I know that decisions I make every day aide in oppression. Lord have mercy on me. I DO THAT. I OPPRESS PEOPLE. I buy things made cheaply, I support companies that either enslave people or support others that enslave people.

Ignorance is not bliss. Oh how I wish it were. I would keep my mind from learning anything and running far far far away from evil.

Will you join me in stomping out human slavery? Today more people are enslaved that during the trans-atlantic slave trade. Will you mourn and grieve with me? Will you pray with me? Stop supporting stores that are not free trade or above free trade. (SO HARD).  Will you fight for justice, raise awareness, raise money and pray that Jesus bring His kindgom quick?

Oh Lord have mercy.

Oh Lord have mercy.

Oh Lord have mercy.

Those are about all the words I can seem to utter when I think about this horrible crime.

Check out these great resources:

World Vision
Not for Sale
Hagar International
Human Wrong
International Justice Mission

The sorrow of the Superbowl

What comes to mind when you think of the Superbowl?

Parties

Salty, fattening, too much food

Chips

Halftime show

Wardrobe malfunction

Commercials

Budweiser commercials

Oh, and maybe a little football?

How about slavery?

Yah, it was a shocker for me too.

The Superbowl is one of the most trafficked events in the US. Pimps will bring thousands of girls to be sold into prostitution during the week leading up to the Superbowl (THIS WEEK). Most of these girls will be 14 and younger. 2 years ago at the Superbowl, it was estimated that over 10,000 children and young women were brought to the Superbowl for prostitution.

It is a supply and demand issue......people are willing to pay the price, so these women are "supplied." Is your stomach turning yet? Are you thinking about those girls? Is your heart breaking? Are you FURIOUS? What emotions do you go through when you hear this?

This news was new to me, but not shocking. I am all too aware of the slave industry in our country. I am aware that there are things that we turn our backs on, that we simply don't know about, or God forbid are ignoring.

Oh sleeping country, wake up!!!!! This is not the heart of our God.  I bet He is weeping over this and longing for His people to be redeemed.

The Dallas police and officials are aware of this situation and have said they will be taking extra precautions. I am not sure of what this means, but please be in prayer for the whole situation.

It's Time to Say Goodbye

Ouch. Some goodbyes are harder than others....like saying "Goodbye" to Kohl's. I love their clothes and jewelery, but sadly I cannot shop there. Though I love their products, I will not support slavery. Kohl's made the 2010 Sweatshop Hall of Shame List.  Something to be proud of, no? 

Did you know that Michigan is ranked #13 in the US for sex traffiking? 

Do you know that next to illegal drugs, sex traffiking is the highest illegal industry in the world? 

Maybe its time to find this out together. 

As a believer and follower of Jesus, He called us to live differently, to passionately care about and pursue people, to be seekers of justice and mercy. If this is my call, how could I possibly support modern day slavery? 

Here is what I am committed to do (Gulp!) 

1. Not shop at the following stores, or buy the following products: 

-Kohl's 

-Walmart 

-Ambercromie and Fitch 

-Gymboree

-Hanes

-Nestle

-Mars 

-LL Bean

-Pier One 

-Ikea

 

2. I will buy: 

-fair trade coffee 

-fair trade chocolate

-fair trade clothing and jewelry 

-shop at good will stores

3. I will 

-Pray

-Learn

-Give 

-Advocate

-Volunteer 

What will you do?