Tuesday, July 29, 2008

40 Day Fast: Help End The Child Sex Slave Industry

Make sure you check out the other 40 Day Fast blog for today from Kristi at Paper Therapy.

This is a hard blog for me to write on several different levels. I got the news a few minutes ago that my wonderful, delightful, sassy, sarcastic, funny as all getout, give you the skunk eye in a second, crazy as a loon cousin has passed away. We knew she was sick for about a week and now she is gone. I’m having trouble processing what life is going to be like without her. And my topic for 40 Day Fast isn’t easy. It makes me sick to think about and put the facts into words. But here goes:

Poverty and sin lead to a lot of bad stuff, but one of the worst is the child sex slave industry. Some people don’t even realize that there is such a thing in the world. Finding out the stats shake them to their core. Then in a few days they forget about the problem as the media moves on to other stories.

Love146.org works really hard at making sure these children are not forgotten.

The following is from Love146.org:
Most countries in the world are involved in the child sex slave industry – they may be a source of vulnerable children, a place they pass through, or a destination for trafficked children. Unfortunately, even the United States plays it’s part when U.S. “sex tourists” visit countries like Thailand or Cambodia and have sex with children, including those trafficked into the sex industry.

The organization to End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking in Children for Sexual Purposes believe that 45,000-50,000 persons are trafficked into the U.S. each year, 15,000 of them are children. (ECPAT-USA)

From UNICEF:
  • Surveys indicate that 30 to 35 per cent of all sex workers in the Mekong sub-region of Southeast Asia are between 12 and 17 years of age.
  • Mexico’s social service agency reports that there are more than 16,000 children engaged in prostitution, with tourist destinations being among those areas with the highest number.
  • In Lithuania, 20 to 50 percent of prostitutes are believed to be minors. Children as young as age 11 are known to work as prostitutes. Children from children's homes, some 10 to 12 years old, have been used to make pornographic movies.

Visit the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons website for Images of Human Trafficking

Love146 implements and supports global campaigns, programs and projects that effectively enact change against child sex trafficking and offer trafficked victims the opportunity for restoration.

Love146 aims to reduce the risk for children in “high-traffic” areas through targeted field prevention efforts.

Love146 recognizes that students have one of the most powerful voices of influence to change culture. They encourage students to get involved in the movement to abolish Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation. This not just on an individual level but, in solidarity with others. Find out how to start a Campus Coalition.

Love146's Faith Community Network (FCN) consists of congregations and faith communities that support Love146. This financial support and the human resources help them train and place caregivers, build safe homes, protect children at risk and gain momentum in the movement to abolish child sex slavery and exploitation.

The Love146 Abolitionist program is a grassroots campaign aimed at raising awareness and getting individuals involved in practical ways to prevent the growth of child sex trafficking and exploitation.

Love146 has also started a Craigslist Campaign. With its free postings and relative anonymity for its users, Craigslist's "Erotic Services" site has become a vehicle for trafficking of children. People sell children on Craigslist.

Explore Love146’s Restore and Empower program.

This blog could go on and on with stats and pictures and videos, but you can get all that information and more from Love146.org. They do a better job than I do. They make it very easy to see how you can make a difference and help change the lives of children who are being abused in the most horrific of ways. I mean, can you imagine being forced to service men over and over all day and night? Can you imagine the horror that these children trapped in this industry live through every day? Can you imagine it happening to your child? Help Love146.org rescue children.

40 Day Fast

One of my favorite organizations is the topic of Elizabeth's 40 Day Fast post. It is good stuff. You've got to read it.

Mike Pascal shares about what the women and children of Congo have been going through in his post for the 40 Day Fast. It will rip your heart out. And he shares how you can get involved in changing their lives.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Imagine the difference only one can make

This Bart dude is blogging today for the 40 Day Fast. I can only imagine he's written and sung a song or two in his day, but anyway, read the post. He has written about something very close to his heart and family.

"Can one person really make a difference in this world?" Doug asks that question and answers it in his 40 Day Fast post.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

40 Day Fast

I'm writing this from the ICU waiting room, so if it doesn't make a lot of sense, like my last 40 Day Fast blog, you'll know why.

Journey Toward Eternity (interesting name from where I'm sitting) writes about some very special children and an organization, Eli's Angels, that reaches out to them.

Possession Slave introduces Asociacion Alli Willaqui. Its purpose is to promote the newly translated New Testament and minister to the Quechua people.

Friday, July 25, 2008

You Never Let Go

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul
Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills hope
Perfect love that never lets go

Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You're the same
Oh, You never let go

David Crowder Band

The news is not good...

The doctor has been in and told us that the prognosis is not good. My favorite cousin is lying in ICU. My bouncy, funny, sassy, sarcastic, silly, full of life, crazy as a loon cousin is covered in wires and tubes fighting for her life. Silently, without warning, cancer has taken over her abdomen.

Is it selfish to want her to stay? I'm not ready to say "goodbye". None of us are. She is suppose to be with me at Christmas Gift 2008 just like she was at Christmas Gift 2007. She is suppose to be here for her daughters and grandkids and her brothers and her aunts and uncles and her cousins and her friends.

This can't be happening.

Fair Trade and Reuse Centers - 40 Day Fast

Kristen has written about Fair Trade and given a lot of helpful links. This is something that I am really interested in, so I was excited to read her stuff.

Reuse Centers are really cool. We have a great one in Plano and we have Habitat for Humanity Restore that is a lot of fun to visit. Read Alex's blog to learn more.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

40 Day Fast - Bridgetown Ministries

"Bridgetown started as just one guy who heard God tell him to sweep the streets of Portland."
Huh? Yeah, that's what he said too. Read here to find out more.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Banana Kick

My youngest son asked me tonight why I've been on "this banana kick".

I don't know. I guess it's because they seem to always be around. And I guess I have been making a lot of banana stuff lately.

Last week was Whole Wheat Graham Cracker Banana Brown Sugar Brownies.

The week before was Whole Wheat Soy Flour Banana Blueberry Pancakes.

Tonight it was Banana Pudding Ice Cream.

Wonder what it will be next week.

23 Years Today

And we still like each other - most of the time.

40 Day Fast - TOMS and Child Slavery

Last night my oldest daughter was searching TOMS website trying to decide what pair she wanted. Today I pulled up Team One's post and found it is about TOMS. Pretty cool. If you don't know about this phenomenal company, read Brad's post. And if you do know about TOMS, read it anyway. You may learn something new and that is always good.

Child Slavery - two words that should never be used together. And yet, they are. Because child slavery is a beyond huge widespread evil. I've witnessed it with my own eyes. It rocked me to my core. Shawn has written a heart wrenching blog of how he has been rocked and what he has chosen to do to reach out to "the least of these."

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Grace Home and Feed The Children - 40 Day Fast

Blogs that are written from the heart are the best. Today, for the 40 Day Fast, there are two great ones.

Randel shares about Grace Home, a place that is making a huge difference in the lives of children.

Mandy talks about feeling the call to fast and the work of Feed the Children.

Two Different Worlds

Phil had to get new glasses. The pair he has had for the last 10 years finally fell apart, right down the middle. He was holding them together with clip-on sunglasses. Corinn did not like that look. So, most of the time he was just walking around blind.

So, this afternoon found us at Willow Bend Mall, which is our local high end mall. Most of the stores I can't even afford to breathe their air. I saw a purse on clearance for over $1,000. I can't even begin to get my head around that one.

I got the kids settled in the food court while he shopped at Lens Crafters and then I caught up with him. Phil and I ate in the Neiman Marcus Cafe, which with his employee discount costs about the same at eating at Sonic. And it tastes amazingly better! Imagine that.

Signs that we have a bad economy were not easily seen at Willow Bend. It was extremely busy with people carrying shopping bags from expensive stores. Maybe they weren't carrying as big of bags or as many as they would have, but money was definitely flowing. The Apple store was packed! One of the staff told me that it wasn't busy due to them not having any iphones. I really do not want to be there when it is busy if that wasn't busy.

So, this afternoon found us at Willow Bend Mall, which is our local high end mall.

Tonight will find us at the Union Gospel Mission, worshiping with and serving the homeless.

I find it really weird that we are visiting these two very different places on the same day.

Friday, July 18, 2008

and these people get it - 40 Day Fast

STEREOTRUTH.NET shares about how To Write Love On Her Arms was born and has grown. They have posted two videos that tell the story.

Live a Revolution Everyday - what a great statement and challenge - pours out his heart about his trip to Monterrey, Mexico and what he encountered there. Back 2 Back is the organization that he has chosen to fast and pray for.

The 40 Day Fast continues. Click on the links above to read today's posts.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

That's My Boy

Not Gonna Smile For My Sister
Will Smile About Fried Gecko Found At Swim Party

Typical Boy!


Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

40 Day Fast - Heavy Stuff

Two great blogs are up today for 40 Day Fast.

Natalie writes about the foundation she started to combat the very real sex slave trade.

Kjaere shares what is on her heart about the persecution of Christians in Eritrea.

Both entries are hard to read.
Both need to be read.
Both need to be acted upon.
Both need to be passed on to others.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Bastille Day - Texas Style

We have French Chicks from France staying with us. So, today, in honor of Bastille Day, I made Tomato Zucchini Basil Soup and Goat Cheese Pesto Chicken. I know, I know...pesto is Italian, but I also served Jalapeno Cheese Bread along with a Whole Wheat French Loaf.

Then to really celebrate the whole Bastille thing, we went to downtown Plano and watched the Plano Community Band play selections from American musicals and the American National March: Stars and Stripes Forever.

To put a truly Purdy Texas twist on the evening we wrapped up with homemade brownies and a movie from Blockbuster.

Viva La France!

40 Day Fast continues...in case you were wondering.

Brody has chosen UNICEF to blog about today. As always he has great information. Check it out.

Lori, who writes the blog "Sing Through Me", shares her heart today about fears, bugs, serving and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Read what she has to say.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Unconditional Love

I don't usually watch reality tv, but tonight I sat and watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with my youngest daughter (who has special needs) and sobbed like a baby.

Friday, July 11, 2008

mewithoutyou

experienced mewithoutyou live for the first time tonight.

they did not disappoint.

Sex Slave Trade and Abused Migrant Workers

The bloggers for today's 40 Day Fast chose topics that are hard to wrap our minds around. The chose to blog about people that are working hard to end these atrocities.

Visit The True Vyne and learn about a family that wants to make a difference in the lives of sex slaves in Cambodia.

Migrant workers often get the short end of the stick in many ways. Valerie discusses a "home" that works to change migrant workers lives. Click here to learn more.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Where I Come From...Pink Haired Girl

Dalits - Ever heard of them? Many haven't. They are considered the untouchables of India. Pink Haired Girl has written an informative post about what is being done to reach this group and change their world.

Where I Come From...was inspired by a story she saw on ABC News about a guy named Bob Blair. Bob is inspired to do what he does by "love thy neighbor". Read more on Davida's blog.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

40 Day Fast - Wow, Wow, Wow

All I can say about today's first 40 Day Fast post is WOW! Blew me away. Read it for yourself at jafferblog. See how God is at work in Egypt and how you can help change a life.

Now, Kat is the one that started this whole 40 Day Fast shindig and she has picked something to write about that almost everyone in the United States (and maybe the world) can be involved with. She is extra smart that way. My little hometown of a little over 1,000 people has one of these places. The town I live in now has many. Read her blog to find out how you can be a rock star.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

My Brain is Scrambled

The headline isn't a big surprise for anyone that knows me. But, apparently Cornerstone, or the lack of sleep, really did a number on my brain.

I have been WAY off on keeping up with 40 Day Fast and for that I am deeply sorry. The few people who read this blog must think I have gone completely over the edge.

So, here is to truly catching up and being on the same page.

Today, (really, truly) we have the following participating in the 40 Day Fast:

The Fragrance of Sweetgrass sharing her heart about Compassion International in a post titled "How You Can Change The World".

Cross Driven Radio introduces (at least to me) Faith Ministry that reaches out in Mexico.

Read their blogs to learn more about this outreach programs and how you can be involved.
Pray for them today.
Pray for me, that my brain will completely unfuzz, or at least as much as it can.

Monday, July 7, 2008

40 Day Fast - Day Twelve

Today, 40 Day Fast brings us Leslie and her blog about Water Aid.
Water Aid describes itself as an International charity whose mission is to overcome poverty by enabling the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.
Leslie has much more info over at her place, so educate yourself.

Church Camp Crush

Ever experienced a church camp crush or watched one take place? This song sums up all the deep emotions involved in this type of relationship.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

40 Day Fast - Catching Up

I'm back and I think my mind is back. It was touch and go there for awhile. Leaving Cornerstone at 3 in the morning and going straight to Warped Tour without much more than a very short nap on the plane did a number on me. I actually fell asleep at Warped Tour while sitting next to the Hurley stage. Didn't think that was possible. But now to the important stuff.

LifeStraw
was covered yesterday. It is amazing! Check it out.
Sexual abuse in the Montgomery, Alabama area and your city was the topic of Sarah's blog.