A21 Campaign
27 million is almost impossible to fathom…as long as there is one victim of human trafficking, thats all the motivation we need.
Most of us have seen the movie Taken and for most of us that is just a movie. Maybe we are moved. Maybe there is a part of us that wishes we could do something about it, but how? But where? A21 Campaign exists to abolish slavery in the 21st century, here some of their story here. They are actively working in Europe to accomplish 4 goals.
- PREVENT people from being trafficked.
- PROTECT and support those who have been trafficked.
- PROSECUTE traffickers, and strengthen legal responses to trafficking.
- PARTNER with law enforcement, service providers and community members to provide a comprehensive front against trafficking.
To be honest I had no idea this issue existed and I had no idea that there are organizations who are making a difference in this area. I tried to put myself in the shoes of some of these parents who have lost their daughters and sons to human trafficking. The helpless feeling they must feel and the questions of what they could have done differently must consume their thoughts. I am pretty sure if I ever came face to face with someone who hurt my child like that I would be writing any future blogs from cell block c.
I was unaware of the issue in the Northeast. The I95 corridor between Washington D.C. and New York City, including Baltimore and Philadelphia is notorious for human trafficking of girls age 9-14. It breaks my heart. This is a nation wide problem and a world-wide problem. Shaun King talked about his work in Haiti and how kids after the devastating earthquake were stolen and sold into slavery. People with voices need to step up and speak out for those without a voice.
So what can you do? As I have said before and will continue to say, half the battle is knowing what is out there, the other half is figuring out what you can do about it. Put your faith into action and do something about it. Look globally, locally and internally. There is poverty all around us if we are willing to look.
For some of you reading this it is the first time that you’ve heard there is an issue. Pray, give financially and share the news. You can make a difference. Several small steps can make a huge difference. Check out A21Campaign and what they are doing and see how you can help.
A21 Blog
Change Conflict Healthcare?
I love politics and I love to debate and argue about politics or anything for that matter. It really doesn’t even matter if I’m right because I want to convince you and we will both be wrong. I think I have always been that way. Even when I was on a jury I convinced all the other jurors to change their vote and vote not guilty because there was a conflict in the prosecutors case. Just enough so that he did not follow the law to a T. So I love to argue and debate. This blog post is not going to be that. Today I am simply making an observation about what I see.
They say that any decision a leader makes it will inevitably have supporters and haters. Perry Noble said, “If everybody likes you or your idea then you’ve spent way too much time kissing rear ends instead of being faithful to who God has called you to be and what He has called you to do!” I love that and the truth is everything rises and falls on leadership. At the end of the day the leader has to be able to make the decision and then stand behind that decision regardless of where the support or lack of support is coming.
As of today President Obama has been in office 451 days. For the last six months I have heard people complain about where is the change? That was the platform that he ran on, CHANGE…Yes we can. I have seen several changes that I think are important that people are either missing or don’t want to see. The fact that we have an African-American in office holding the most coveted position in the world is change. The fact that there is an African-American making decisions when 55 years ago Rosa Parks did not have a choice where she could even sit on a bus, shows that this is change. It gives me hope that in the years to come modern day slavery such as human trafficking and sex trafficking may come to and end as well. Sometimes change comes in the still small steps that lay the foundation for future change.
With health care changing there are some that are for it and some who are against it. Now change has occurred and the same people who complained the last 451 days about where is the change, have it and don’t like it. I would venture to guess these same people would have complained no matter what policy took effect. These were the same people who probably would have argued about the Emancipation Proclamation, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The truth is there are people who are never looking for resolve but rather are looking for a fight.
In any decision…there is Change, Conflict, Growth. The growth may mean that what you see now doesn’t work and needs to be tweaked, overhauled or dropped completely. It may mean that this was exactly what we needed. I love the fact that he made A decision. How this will work out we may not know for years. Perry Noble posted on his blog the other day ““Christians” will scream that God is “Jehovah Rafa,” (the God who heals) in our services…but then rely on our government for healing more than Him!” I believe God is bigger than Barack Obama and everyone who sits in a position of leadership in this country and that God is not surprised about the change. What that looks like I have no idea. But I know that nothing great has ever gotten done in this country by simply doing nothing.
The government of the United States has been around since July 4, 1776. That is 234 years. The church has been around for over 2,000 years. Spend your time investing in what matters and what will last instead of wasting it in things that won’t matter. Control what you can control and pray and leave the rest up to God. Change-Conflict-Growth.
Thoughts?
A Street Light Story
One Voice
Proud of our students this weekend who participated in our Poverty Revolution weekend. They learned that because they have a voice it is critical for them to speak up for those who don’t. To make people aware of social justice issues and to actually try to do something about it. Our students over the last 40 days have worked to raise funds and awareness for such causes as: AIDS, Clean Water, Human Trafficking, Homelessness, Hunger and Fair Trade. During the last 40 days they raised $4200 which last night was donated to World Vision as they selected items that were important to them. Here is what they were able to do.
- They built a traditional well that will help 150 get clean and safe drinking water.
- They provided mosquito nets for 25 families to help keep them safe from Malaria.
- They micro financed 3 woman to help them start a better life dependent on no one.
- They provided $2100 worth of medicine for a clinic in desperate need.
- They provided education for 2 orphans to give them a chance to get out.
- They provided a farmer with a foot pump to irrigate his farm.
- They provided safety to two girls who will escape sex trade.
It’s amazing when you think that one person can do something but when everyone works together you can do something amazing.
The A21 Campaign
Poverty Revolution
There is poverty all around us. It affects us whether we realize it or not because sooner or later we are going to choose to do something about it or ignore it and that very action affects us. Social Justice causes have been on my heart more and more which is ironic because I have never really had a heart of compassion. If you get hurt, get up and quit whining. I know this though, I’m not alone, several of you are the same way. In fact if something bad happened in the world, it is easier to throw money at it than to roll up the sleeves and do something about it.
Are you aware of such issues such as, human trafficking, sex trafficking, clean water acts, homelessness, hunger, poverty and fair trade? Half the battle is knowing what is out there, the other half is figuring out what you can do about it. Put your faith into action and do something about it. Look globally, locally and internally. There is poverty all around us if we are willing to look.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day
In case you didn’t know, January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. To be honest with you a year ago I had no clue this existed. I watched the movie Taken where Liam Neeson beat everyone down [I'm convinced he even took Jack Bauer over his knee in that movie] because his daughter was taken and sold into sex slavery in Europe. I watched and something happened in me where I wondered if that really went on. Over the last year I have heard more and more about it and God has really turned my heart towards these social justice causes. Really God has opened my eyes up to many social justice issues such as: poverty, homelessness, slavery, clean water, free/fair trade products, all things that I didn’t even know were issues a year ago.
Today I want to focus on this Human Trafficking and want you to check out a 3 minute video to simply make you aware of the issue and cause you to ask yourself the question, what can I do? The reality is this is a huge issue in the United States and affects so many woman and children.
Disclaimer: This video is edgy and may be offensive to some and this video does not reflect Fellowship Church and anybody affiliated with Fellowship Church. This is simply my attempt as an individual to get you thinking. This video is taken from the site Sexandmoneyfilm.com, which is one of several sites that brings to light the issues of Human Trafficking.
What are your thoughts? Did you know this was an issue? What are your thoughts on social justice issues?
Here is a link to a PDF, 11 Practical Ideas to Combat Slavery.
PDF was taken from Charles Lee blog that was promoted through Catalyst.
