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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Open Your Eyes!

Today my heart was broken. You might expect this in some far off place, but right here in America, little girls are sold into slavery. How can this be possible? I like to pretend our world is safe, just, and kind...but in reality there is so much injustice that it makes me feel overwhelmed...physically sick to my stomach.

Our church continues this week in the series called
"The Ripple Effect."
A process of letting our hearts break for the things that break the heart of God. Then showing us how to reach out, love, and make a difference. I was unable to link to the short video we watched today, but found this one on Youtube. This video is difficult to watch...but the message and images SHOULD make every mother, father, and human being on this planet angry!



Today we were challenged to take action through a movement called "Not For Sale". In Cambodia this group is...
*Rescuing women and children from human trafficking.
*Providing them a safe-house with medical and emotional care.
*They are taught how to be seamstresses.
*A factory is being built to give them jobs.
*They get stock in this industry.
*They are taught how to save the money, and helped when it is time to buy their own home.
*The recording artists...Third Day...has just contracted them to make all of their clothing to sell in stores and concerts.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOO!
So as we sat in the pews we each pulled out our cell phones and sent the following text to donate $10 to help "Not For Sale" continue with their mission to end slavery. 30 seconds of your time reaches out to the hurting. Here are the steps.
*Get your phone and open up a new text window.
*In the "To" section type 90999
*In the "text" section type Respond
*A message will come right back to you. Type in response to this "YES".
*Another message will come back to you. You can select yes or no as a response.
*Your phone bill will show a $10 charge.

That's it! I will learn in church next week how much was collected, and I'll update our blog so you can see how you were a part of this movement to help others in need. If this is a topic you want to research more I would highly recommend going to the International Justice Mission site.

I opened my eyes today. It was painful...but I have a 12 year old daughter.
I couldn't listen and fail to respond to the plea of little girls everywhere begging us to make a change in our world.
How will you respond?

27 comments:

Unknown said...

A powerful post.

Stephanie said...

This is beyond terrifying...
Thanks for education me!! I had no idea.

xinex said...

So sad...Christine

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

It's so horrific to imagine what some people will suffer in their lives. There is also, unfortunately, trafficing of young girls from Mexico here in the States. To think that it's going on under our noses turns my stomach.

Lothiriel said...

I grew up in a poverty-stricken hood and there was this house behind us where a bunch of young girls lived. We often wondered about them. One day the S.W.A.T. team came and arrested some dudes and took the girls. turns out they were all underage prostitutes. it was really sad.

Stacy said...

Watching this video posted made my stomach churn. My heart hurts for these children.

This world we live in is supposed to be so advanced in every way, shape and form and yet this is going on and as reported, continuing (sp?) to grow and prosper.

I've always questioned how the human race is the superior being b/c of the shite we do, clearly we are far from it...will be sharing your blog on my Facebook so everyone can see this! Hope you ladies don't mind.

Ashley Stone said...

so heartbreaking, thank you for sharing.

Joanne Kennedy said...

It is so sad to think that some of our brothers and sisters can be so heartless and cold and treat others this way. How can they not hurt inside?

What a wonderful idea to take action as a church. When everyone puts their money, time and efforts together, change can be made.

Hugs,
Joanne

ScoMan said...

There is too much evil and wrong in the world.

j said...

It will stop you cold when you realize how others suffer. Powerful post.

Formerly known as Frau said...

I can't even imagine! We can all change the world with our eyes open and our hearts.

Tracie said...

It's hard for us to imagine the horrible things that people in other countries go through. Thanks for sharing this. I hope many will donate.

ballast photography said...

Thank you for sharing your sermon series with us. I wish we could get some of these children into loving adoptive homes. It is a lot to think about.

Stop by for a visit when you get a chance :)

Willoughby said...

Terrible, heartbreaking....I don't know what else to say. I'm at a loss to comprehend how this can happen here.

Sue said...

It is really easy to live in our own "bubble" and pretend that bad things aren't happening to people who aren't that different from us. Thank you for the reminder.

Sue

Cameron said...

I'm on the board of a charity that works in this arena called The Sold Project. If anyone wants to get involved, or learn more, go to www.thesoldproject.org or contact me. It happens in our backyards, it is a world wide issue and I'm so pleased to see you talking about it here.
The more we are aware, the more we can make a difference.

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

so horrible..it does make you sick...heartbreaking....

happy to see you today, my friend

holly, in the profile photo are you the blonde or the brunette?

just wondering...

kary

Shelly - Tropical Mum said...

Thought provoking. I went to the IJC site and sent a message off to your president.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Holly.

Shelly at Tropical Mum

Corrie Howe said...

The best man in our wedding just got back from spending three years in India and heading up an office which rescued young girls sold into slavery. It was amazing what is involved in this work.

The organization he worked for did not make him raise his own funds, which was one less stress in his already stressful life.

Unknown said...

It scares me how many bad things there are in this world that I don't even KNOW about until someone points them out.

ANd as you know, I have twin girls who are 4. Scary.

Thank you for opening our eyes to this.

Holly Lefevre said...

My son and I just had a convo about slavery and I told him it still exists...it is just different than what you are being taught about in school right now. This is tragic and so hard to even fathom and think about. I just want to cry.

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

Powerful. There is need everywhere. Nice to be reminded of that.

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...

this is awesome. and easy for others to help.

great job.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I watched a documentary last year about this tragic topic. It still haunts me!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

The problem is so massive that it feels almost too large to change. But to help even one girl or boy a day is a miracle for that one person...

The fury I feel towards people who perpetuate this type of absolute horror is worse than I can fully put into words. When the little ones said "Me new" or the other phrases, I absolutely wanted to shred the men to pieces.

Who are these people?!? Who are these people who do not see these children as babies to be treasured but as SEXUAL OBJECTS, no different than a toy in a sex store?

Andrea said...

Horribly sad. Terribly tragic. I honestly couldn't read the whole post right now. As a mom of a little girl my heart aches so hard when I hear these things. =( It's just so unfathomable to me. Sigh.

Colette S said...

This is chilling. Not because I didn't know about it, but because it isn't in the public eye and mind so that outrage can move people with power to get things done to help these people.

I'm not saying that anyone can't help, but power is good too.