Thanks for being a friend

"Thanks for being a friend."

- Those words opened my eyes to see a homeless man in a new light.

Sometimes I don't know how to react to homeless people asking me for money.  I don't feel comfortable giving out money (and usually don't have it to give) but I also really do hurt for the person begging on the street.  So many times, I just try to create distance and avoid looking them in the eye, because then I would not have to deal with the guilt of not helping them out.

I made the decision that today was going to be different.  Because of some things going on in my life right now, I knew that today had the potential to be a very difficult day.  So last night, I decided that I was going to move in the opposite of my own feelings and the circumstances in my life.  I was going to take my eyes off myself and do something for others.  I went to Target and got a couple of loaves of bread and some peanut butter to make sandwiches.  I bagged them up and packed them ready to hand out to some people on the streets.  In the midst of circumstances that could possibly leave me dreading the day ahead, I actually had something to look forward to and I was excited to start the day.

When I left work I walked towards the Metro and stopped to hand out food to others that appeared to need it.  I met a man who could not take the food I offered because he could not eat peanut butter, but I stood there for a moment and listened to him tell me some things about his life.  When I was leaving, his words to me were, "Thanks for being a friend."  All I did was stand there and listen.  He did not even take the food I had to offer, but he had a great appreciation for the moment that I took to listen to him.  The bottom line is, people matter.  I may not always have money to drop in a cup, but I can surely smile and possibly even pause for just a moment to say hi.

I continued on my way, with joy in my heart as I had the opportunity to hand out peanut butter and honey sandwiches packaged in plastic bags.  As I made my way to the Metro station, tears began to well up in my eyes, not because of all the things going on in my own life, but because I had just given two men in the park some food.  I had just had the opportunity to tell them, "I give this food to you in the name of Jesus because He loves you and He cares for you."  Just a very brief encounter to let them know that they matter.

If you are going through a hard time, I strongly recommend going out and doing something for someone else.  It really is a perspective changer and in the end you will probably find that you have been more blessed than those who you were seeking to bless :-)  Be love in the world and look at every person as if they matter - because they do...we all do.

Freedom Friday - another dance edition

Happy Friday all!!  I hope that you are gearing up for a fantastic weekend.  I am planning to take a tiny trip to Fredricksburg tomorrow for a youth conference.  Yeah fun!!

It has been awhile since I have done a Freedom Friday post and I want to get back in the habit.

I wrote a while back in THIS post that I would love to see my favorite show So You Think You Can Dance do a number on human trafficking.  I even mentioned that I could see it happening this season.  I wept as I watch the following number:



This dance did not get the best reviews from the judges BUT it is someone using their gifts to raise awareness for something that they believe in and THAT is what I love so much about it.  Even if people did not like the dance, but their curiosity was sparked all they had to do was look at the t-shirts the dancers were wearing and then check it out online.  Invisible Children is actually the film that opened my eyes years ago when the film was a new thing.  So, I absolutely loved seeing it spotlighted on national TV.

Major props to Christopher Scott for stepping out there and highlighting the issue of child soldiers.  He is just using the gifts and talents that he has to raise awareness and I truly believed that eyes were opened the night this dance aired.  Well done, Mr. Scott :-)

Baby Farms - where babies are born to be sold

For this issue of Freedom Friday I thought that I would share an article that I came across last night.  The following is an article that I found on the Exodus Cry blog.  Be prepared.  It might make you very furious.

WRITTEN BY MARY MAUK  |

June 1, 2011, Nigerian police raided a baby farm hidden in the maternity home ironically named “The Cross Foundation.” 32 pregnant teens were saved and taken to the headquarters of an anti–trafficking organization. Four babies, who had been sold but not collected, were also rescued.

The teenage mothers were locked up in the clinic and made to produce babies for sale. Some of the girls informed the authorities that they were forced to sell their babies to the proprietor for around $190 depending on the gender. The infants were then purchased by human traffickers or for witchcraft rituals.

The doctor arrested for running the operation is now being held for interrogation. Currently he is denying all allegations and claiming “The Cross Foundation” to be a clinic designed to help teens with unwanted pregnancies. In other words, when he doesn’t sell the babies, he murders them.

He holds to the story that the newborns were handed over to social welfare for adoption. However, evidence suggests that they were taken by human traffickers where the stated adoptions were illegal.

The buying and selling of babies, in Nigeria, is illegal and the doctor will likely be charged with child abuse and human trafficking, facing a prison time of up to 14 years.

In Western Africa, “baby factories” or “baby farms” are common. Teens, ages between 15–17, with unplanned pregnancies are lured to clinics where their newborns are taken and can be sold for up to $6,400 by traffickers. In some parts of the country they are considered valuable for sacrifice due to the belief that they strengthen charms.

Human trafficking in Nigeria is ranked the third most common crime, right behind financial fraud and drug trafficking. There traffickers, rarely caught or prosecuted, are allowed to roam free.

Freedom Friday and crafting hope

I saw the following video on the CNN Freedom Project blog for today.  Ahhhh!!!  It warms my heart to see children learning and "joining the fight".



You can read the entire blogpost here.

And a little something else.  I found this book in the bookstore today.

I love love love it!!!  It combines 2 things that I am very passionate about (making things and making a difference) into 144 pages of projects that bring smiles to others in need.  There is even a sock monkey project that benefits Operation Sock Monkey.  If you read my post here, you know how much I love sock monkeys.

Bananas thinks that you should definitely check it out:

He wants others to be as happy as I was when I received him :-)

Spreading joy

I found my favorite blog a few weeks ago.  It's "Color Me Katie".  The night I found it, I literally spent hours looking through every post.  It is filled with so much color and happiness.  I love it and it inspires me!!!

I simply adore her blog because she just does so much fun stuff that brightens the world like:

Floating cute rubber duckies in dirty post rain puddles

Leaving sweet notes for people to find

And buying a bouquet of flowers to give to other ladies

I want to do all of these things!  I just love each and every one of them.  It is the last one that is my favorite though.  I absolutely love the idea of going around brightening peoples day by giving them a flower.  How wonderful!

Well, I received the opportunity to spread joy through flowers the other day.  On Mother's day my church gave a long stemmed rose to each of the ladies at our church.  After the last service of the day, there were dozens and dozens of roses leftover.  I remembered the inspiration I received from Katie's blog and inquired about what was going to happen with the leftover flowers.  I asked if I could take a bunch and pass them out - kind of a spontaneous outreach.  Of course, I was given the go ahead.  So, my friend Terri and I gathered a bucket full of roses and some church cards and went to the Alexandria Waterfront to spread some love.

Ahhhh!!!  It was my favorite thing!!!  Words can't describe the joy that it brought me to see the look on a woman's face for receiving a free rose.  We were able to tell some about church, and tell some that they were lovely, and put a smile on so many faces.  

My favorite was this little girl about 7 or 8 years old.  When I offered her a rose, the smile that came across her face absolutely melted my heart.  Then she shyly dipped her head with that cute smile across her face as she walked on with her family.  Soooo cute!!!  

There were a few others that really stuck out to me.  The Asian girls sitting on the bench, the guy that took some roses to deliver to the gals in Starbucks, the Muslim lady that recognized that God was thinking of her, the waitresses on their dinner break and the smile that crossed their face.  

My prayer is that each of the precious women we gave a rose to felt special, lovely, and loved.  It was such a fun little outreach.  I wonder if I could make this a weekly thing :-)

...and sometimes when a rose with brown spots comes up, you can use it to bring a little bit of beauty to something smelly and ugly ...

...like a trashcan :-)

Freedom Friday - Reject Apathy

One of my favorite magazines is Relevant Magazine.  I have been a huge fan since the magazine came into existence.

In this edition of "Freedom Friday" I wanted to highlight the "Reject Apathy" feature of Relevant Magazine.  They have an article in each edition of Relevant and also have their very own website that is a wealth of information with articles and videos.  Check it out by clicking here.

There are 5 different categories highlighted on the website:

Loss of Innocents: Rape. Child soldiers. Sex trafficking. Abortion. Slavery. The innocent and their innocence are stolen and destroyed around the world every day. Lending our voice to theirs can bring justice. Supporting victims for the long haul can bring healing.

Creation Care: From deforestation to coal mining, climate change and our interaction with the earth have severely impacted the poorest of the poor and their ability to survive. Paying attention to our lifestyle and how that affects the environment as well as facilitating sustainable agriculture globally can go far in lessening our negative impact on the earth and its inhabitants.

Preventable Disease: Today, HIV, malaria, measles, tuberculosis, pneumonia and diarrhea—all completely preventable diseases—will kill tens of thousands around the world. But there is hope. These diseases can be stopped—and it can be done in our lifetime.

Poverty: It’s about more than money—poverty is a lack of dignity. And true restoration will take more than a simple donation. Our hearts and our daily lives must become attuned to the poor—globally and locally. We must see how our lives impact theirs and seek sustainable solutions.

Unjust War: The effects of unjust war on the vulnerable are vast and devastating. We can become advocates for the voiceless victim—a light in one of humanity’s darkest places.
Source

So, go check some things out.  Educate yourself and pass the word along.

Have a wonderful Friday :-)

Freedom Friday - The CNN Freedom Project

Major news broadcasting Network, CNN, has launched a blog aimed at raising awareness on issues of modern day slavery.  If you are a Facebook friend of mine, you have probably seen me post some videos and stories from this site.

When I first heard about this site being launched by CNN, I was so encouraged to see a major news broadcasting station take the reigns and use their sources to raise awareness.  If you are a blog reader, I highly encourage you to add this blog to the list of those that you read on a regular basis.  I have found it to be a good source of information, especially for videos.  I even used some of the videos at the most recent Human Trafficking Awareness and Prayer group at my church.

Access the CNN Freedom Project blog site by clicking here.

And here is a video from the blog that I found interesting.  It is a story on a TV show being aired in Israel that deals with issues of human trafficking.  This show is entering its second season and the rights have been sold for an American adaptation.  What do you think about the idea of having a TV show that covers these issues?

Freedom Friday and building a rescued family

If you have been around me for any length of time, it is highly likely that you have heard me mention that I want to adopt a little girl with pigtails from China.  


It is very important that you note I said "with pigtails".  Those cute little faces with pigtails in their hair absolutely melt me.  


If you have walked the streets of China with me, it is highly likely that you have heard my exclamations over the cuteness of all the little girls with pigtails.  


If you were on a team visiting China with me, you have in your possession a journal with a drawing made by me of a cute little girl with pigtails.  It's not a good drawing by any means, but does express my heart :-)


I guess you can say I am sort of obsessed.  I don't even know when it started, but there has just been a desire in my heart for I don't know how long to adopt a little girl (with pigtails) from China.  


So all that to say - adoption and the desire to adopt someday has been on my heart for a long time.  But this past week, it has definitely reached new heights.  


Never before had I realized that the need for families willing to adopt could be so directly linked to rescuing young people from human trafficking.  My eyes have definitely been opened ... and flooded with tears.  


I guess it all started through the wonderful Calvaresi family and the precious little girl that they recently adopted from Serbia.  You can learn more about this family here.  I had heard Kaci mention that if they had not adopted, their precious little Serbian girl could have possibly grown up to be a victim of trafficking...but the realization of the issue just did not fully register ... yet.  


The other day, Kaci posted this blogpost and told the story of a girl named Julianna, whose fate could soon find her as a victim of human trafficking.  According to this website, Julianna was listed in urgent need of adoption, stating "She is at extreme risk as human traffickers have already been following her knowing she will be shortly released from the orphanage to the streets, waiting for their opportunity.  She must be adopted to be saved from that life, the orphanage staff is very concerned for her well being and she is naturally very scared as well."  Upon reading that, it started to sink in, but I had no idea the emotion that was to come.


As I stated in this blogpost, I have been reading the book Not For Sale by David Batstone.  This book is good ... I mean sooo good.  Read it!


Yesterday I was reading about the sex syndicate in Europe and there was a portion when it spoke to the issue of orphans.  There are so many orphans in Eastern Europe that the orphanages can't handle the numbers, so what happens is that once an orphan turns 16 or 17, they are no longer able to live in the orphanage.  The traffickers know this and they wait ready to take advantage of these teenagers.  As I read about it I got this picture in my head of them waiting around like lions ready to pounce as soon as one walked out the door of the orphanage.  It absolutely broke me.


I cried ... and cried ... and then sent an email to my friend Kaci.  Kaci had written me earlier about her blogpost and this very issue.  As I typed into that email with tears streaming down my face, I saw the words "build a rescued family" go across the screen.  It was really just a sentence typed in an email that I did really even give too much thought to, but to see those words in black and white really hit something in my heart.  


I want to "build a rescued family".  I don't really even know what that means, but I do know that there are children - teenagers out there who not only desire a family, they are in desperate need of one or they might find themselves in captivity.


I was thinking this morning of the job I used to have directing the Inasmuch child sponsorship program.  This program raised support for orphanages through sponsorship of the children in the orphanage.  


Everyday I looked at pictures of children in Guatemala, Brazil, Korea, and Albania.  As I have been reading this book talking about the issues of human trafficking I have read mention of Shkoder and Tirana ... and I know those names.  Those are the two cities in Albania were the orphanages supported through Inasmuch were.  Shkoder was an orphanage for younger children and Tirana was an orphanage for older children. 


I literally can't put words to the feeling of realizing that some of those children that I looked at everyday could now be victims of human trafficking.  At that point in my life, when I wrote newsletters and yearly updates about them, I honestly had no clue what the future could hold for them.  It is a very sobering thought.


I simply have to end this blogpost on a positive note, so I leave you with good news.


Remember, Julianna.  God has been so faithful and is already moving to bring her into a family.  Check out Kaci's post here.  God is so good and is about the business of setting the captives free ... and guarding the free from captivity.


Ever think about adoption?  What about adopting a teenager and rescuing them from a possible life of servitude?  I know I hope to ... someday.

Freedom Friday and yet another reason why I wish I was a ballerina

I love to dance.

I wish that I was a dancer - a trained one.

Many times when I am listening to music I dance in my head.

Some of my most intimate moments with Jesus have been me dancing in a room all by myself.

I just really enjoy dance - all kinds.  And so I went on YouTube to see what I could find in the world of dance and raising awareness of the issues of human trafficking.  There was definitely not enough in my opinion.

Just one more reason that I wish I was a trained dancer - so that I can choreograph dances and post them on YouTube for people like me :-)

Here are some good ones that I did find:

I love this one.  This right here is why I wish I was a ballerina :-)

Here is another good one:

This is a piece performed by girls who were victims of trafficking

I love to dance (but I guess you got that by now) and I love to watch dance.  

In fact, one of my favorite shows is So You Think You Can Dance.  I have decided that they need to do a number on human trafficking.  I would love for it to be a contemporary piece by Mia Michaels or maybe a lyrical hip hop by Nappy Tabs.  I believe the day is coming...maybe this next season :-)  In fact, if anyone knows how I can contact them, let me know.

Dance is wonderful.  It can tell such a tragic story with such beauty and grace.  I love that.

If you are a dancer, twirl, leap, and be graceful for me  - and use your gift to raise awareness.  I want to see more videos on YouTube :-)

Freedom Friday - The Chocolate edition

With Valentine's coming on Monday, chocolate companies stand to make a big profit.

I wanted to write another Freedom Friday post to expose what many people don't know about chocolate.  There definitely is a darker side to chocolate.  Check out this trailer for a documentary called "The Dark Side of Chocolate":

The Ivory Coast in West Africa is a huge producer of cocoa (the main ingredient in chocolate).  In this region it has been made known that children are used in working cocoa fields.

Many of the major chocolate companies use cocoa from this area, which means that the chocolate that you eat could have involved exploitation of children.  Some companies to be aware of are:
Nestle
Hershey's
Godiva
Dove :-(  This one has always been my personal favorite chocolate
Russel Stover
These are some of the big names that should be leading the way in making fair trade chocolate.

One organization called Stop the Traffik has launched an initiative to target Nestle in imploring them to create more fair trade Chocolate products.  You can read more about it here.  Some points of action through this initiative are:
- Send this letter to the managing director of Nestle
- Use your Twitter account to raise awareness.  Tweet your concern using @Nestle and #haveaheart
- Buy fair trade chocolate and when doing so use this coupon to let people know why

In my research today, I also came across this article about Hershey.  It's a really good read with some good information (or really bad information when you think about the fact that there needs to be more action).

Here is another video that I have been watching.  I have actually not finished watching but definitely wanted to include it in this post.  It is a BBC investigative report on the problem of child labor on cocoa farms:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

While many companies need to make lots of efforts to become fair trade, we can know it is possible through those who do produce fair trade chocolate.  Take a look at this page to know where you can buy  chocolate that is ensured to not involve slavery in it's production.

Half the battle is raising awareness and that is what this post is about.  Now you know.  I am not in any way trying to make anyone feel guilty.  Any feeling of conviction is of the Lord, but definitely not guilt.  If you have a year's supply of chocolate from Hershey's, I am not in any way suggesting you throw it away.  I would say eat and enjoy :-)  

I bring up this issue so that we can be wise consumers in the future.  I really do believe that much is happening in the world to end modern day slavery.  I believe it will end in my lifetime.  I serve a God of hope and I know that He moves on my behalf when I ask Him to set the captives free.  So I seek freedom and commit to "be the change I wish to see in the world."  This little blog post is one of my action points in being the change.

PS - Here is another good article that my friend Stephanie posted on Facebook.  Thought it was worth adding.

Freedom Friday

This Friday I wanted to share a short video that I came across the other day.  I think it gives a really good short overview with some facts on modern day slavery.

I also want to highlight this shirt that I found on the Free the Slaves website here.

I love it because one of my favorite quotes is:

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi

Oh yeah, I AM the change.

The coolest quilt ever!!!

I guess I am in a little bit of a quilting infatuation.  I had blogged here about a spot in a quilting online course that I wanted to win...and I didn't.

At least I am not sad alone.  My good friend and official quilter (she is in the finishing stages of her first quilt), Karisse, did not win either.  I wish that we were still roommates so that we could cry together.

So all that talk about quilting really is leading up to what I think is one of the coolest ideas on adoption fundraising ever!

It is the Push for Pita quilt project.  You can read about it here.

And I know that after reading about it, now you are dying to get a quilt square yourself, so now you should click here.

Think about it...this precious little girl is going to have this quilt with all of these names on it.  Many of these names belong to faces that she will never see but they mark people who love her and want to see her in a family that will provide for her and lavish her with so much love.  Now, don't you want to be one of those names.  It's only $5 and you will be helping to place a little girl in a loving home.

Ah, I just can't get over how much I adore this quilt idea.  I have decided to bank it for when I adopt a little girl with pigtails from China ... someday (it's been on my heart forEVER).

Also if you have some shopping that you need to do, check out the "Push for Pita" store here.

I know that there happens to be a certain someone who has a birthday coming on March 25.  That certain someone just happens to love 

These earrings

This adorable wreath

and this cute journal

Pretty pretty things at the Push for Pita store :-)  Go check it out.

Freedom Friday - The Super Bowl edition

Ah, Super Bowl.  I love football.  Though college ball is what really gets me fired up (Roll Tide!  Go Bama!) I do also like to watch pro football.

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend.  The Packers and the Steelers.

I wanted to write about the Super Bowl in this edition of Freedom Friday to draw our attention to the darker side of this major sporting event.  During this time, thousands of minors are being taken to Texas as victims of sex trafficking.  Each year, the Super Bowl is a large draw for traffickers to sell minors for sex.  It is a form of modern day slavery and I am writing this post so that we may be aware of what is happening in our world right now.  After all, awareness is a huge part of the battle.

This Sunday I encourage us to remember the many young people who are victims of sex trafficking.  I am by no means saying that we should boycott Super Bowl.  I know I will be watching it (and routing on the Packers).  However, we do need to be aware of what is really going on in our world and take action in whatever way that we can.  For me, my action is posting this blog and praying for victims of sex trafficking.  Is there something that you can do to raise awareness and help those bound in slavery.  Something to think about :-)

Freedom Friday - what I think about when there is no sleep

Awhile back I started what was going to be a regular Friday post called Fair Trade Friday.  But I found that the title just limits me too much, so I have decided to rename my Friday posts "Freedom Friday".  This came to me at about 3:00 am.  Which really leads to what I want to share today.

I couldn't sleep last night.  From about 12:00 to 4:00 my eyes were wide awake.  Granted I did get a few hours of sleep before my bladder did the midnight wake up call.  So, don't feel too sorry for me.  I got a good 5 hours of sleep and I am good to go for today :-)

I opened my window shade to see if the snow forecasted was actually happening (it wasn't) and then I just laid in my bed listening to music, thinking, and looking into the sky outside.  Here is the music I was listening to:

It is currently my favorite CD.  You can buy your own here or on iTunes using the giftcard you got for Christmas like I did :-)  

A lot of times when I listen to music I tend to dance around in my head - imaginary dancing Melany has awesome moves :-)  It's one of the ways I tend to connect deeper with Jesus.  

As I was listening...and dancing...in my head, one line really penetrated my heart.  "There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain."  

You know, it's really so very true and gives such great hope.  There is not anything that I can do in my human strength.  But through the power Jesus left in His Spirit, I can break chains.  The name of Jesus is powerful and makes darkness flee.  

I love the name of Jesus.  I love the man of Jesus (He is my favorite).  I love His love for us and His sacrifice defeating all evil and replacing it with great power and hope.  He truly is the hope of the world.

The issue of modern day slavery moves me.  It really does break my heart and one thing that I have come to know is that I am oh so grateful for the compassion of God.  I literally can't handle this feeling on my own.  When I lay in the quiet of my room and can see faces of children in my head, the brokenness is something that I can't bear on my own.  But I know that the anger and hurt that I feel over the issue does not even begin to compare to how God feels about it.  He just gives me the very little piece that I can handle.  Any more and I would literally explode.

I believe God to be moving in the area of modern day slavery and I enlisted into the army years ago.  I look forward to more opportunities to get involved.  I cling to hope, which means that I cling to Jesus.  I stand grateful for the one who gives all power.

By the way, if you want to know some more about the power I write about and praying with that power, check out the message from my church this past Sunday:

Expecting HIS Power from DC Metro Church on Vimeo.

Thanks for sharing in my thoughts.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Over the weekend I plan to do some lighter posts like some of my favorite things on Etsy and my first time making homemade bread over Christmas.  Be back soon.

Where to shop

Here is a list of websites that offer stores and resources to help you live a fair trade life.  

Need to buy a gift?  Have a home to decorate?  Looking for some cool accessories?  Ten Thousand Villages is a great website to look at.  They have products from all over the world (literally).  Shopping at this store does not only mean that you score some really cool cultural items, but you also get to help provide for the artisans making such wonderful things.  They have a website here, as well as stores located throughout the US.  I am lucky enough to have a store in my area.  Guess where I did some of my Christmas shopping? :-)

If you have followed by blog for awhile, you have already read about Not For Sale at this blogpost.  This organization is a movement with the desire to abolish slavery.  A few days I mentioned the book in my blogpost here (reading the book today).  They have a store on their website that contains resources, apparel, accessories, coffee, art, and more (just check it out).  You can reach their store by clicking on this link.

I just learned about this extension of the Not For Sale campaign at my friend Karisse's site.  See what she had to say here.  I will let Free2Word explain themselves.  In their "About" section they state, 

"Free2work.org is a singular location that streamlines and simplifies the process for consumers on the topic of most concern to its audience, modern-day slavery. On Free2work.org, consumers can easily search specific products, learn more about various labor standards and corporate practices, and further their engagement through their consumption decisions."

Basically they are monitoring companies and sending that information to us (the consumer).  They even have an Iphone app.  Now I want an Iphone :-)  Start exploring their website here.  

The Good Guide is a website similar to the Free2Work website.  It gives ratings on products in the areas of health, environment, and society.  Beware checking the products that you use (some of them are actually really yucky).    They also have an Iphone app.  Gosh, I really need an Iphone don't I?  Visit the GoodGuide website here.

Night Light is a jewelry ministry based out of one my favorite countries, Thailand.  This ministry gives women working in the Bangkok bar district an opportunity to leave the sex industry and make money by making jewelry (you can read more about it here).  This is another ministry that you have already heard about if you have followed my blog for awhile.  See this blogpost to see some of my favorite Night Light pretty things.  If you (or someone you know) is in need of some new jewelry, check out the Night Light store here.

Yet another ministry that you have already heard about if you are a follower of my blog.  You can read my original Thai Song post here.  This ministry is also ministering to women in Thailand (in case you could not tell by the title).  Their bags are so so so cool.  They use plastic bags and crochet them into beauty.  I love them and hope to have one of my own someday.  Seriously, they are so cool.  Check them out here (in grabbing this link, I discovered that they have new products.  Ahhh...I love it!)

I am sure that we have probably all heard of The Body Shop, but do you realize what they stand for.  Check out their "Values and Campaigns" link here.  And while you are at it get some "Soft Hands Kind Heart" hand lotion.  All proceeds go towards combating and raising awareness of the sex trafficking of children and young people.  Hand lotion is definitely a necessity this time of year.  Dry dry dry winter months :-(

So there you have it.  My little list of places to begin a life of fair trade shopping.  I know that there is probably so much more out there, so if you know of another site that needs to make it on the list, leave a comment below.  Have a wonderful week all :-)

What to watch

As promised, here is a list of films that I recommend for anyone wanting to learn a little more about modern day slavery:

Invisible Children

This film actually holds a pretty special place in my heart.  I first saw it in October of 2005 and it was the first time that my eyes were fully opened to the issue of modern day slavery.  God used this film and other circumstances in my life to awaken purpose and send me in new directions.  To learn more about Invisible Children and to be updated on what they currently have going on, you can visit their website here.

Born Into Brothels

"Born Into Brothels" won the 2005 Academy Award for best documentary.  It is about a photographer who meets a group of children living in a brothel and teaches them how to take pictures.  Seeing the world through the lens of the camera placed in the hands of these children is beautiful.  One huge way that this film spoke to me is in using creative methods to reach the impoverished.  As a creative person, I long to be able to use the art of making things to impact the world.  For more information about the film and the children whose lives it documents visit the website "Kids with Cameras" by clicking here.

Taken

"Taken" is a movie that was released on the big screen in 2009.  It is about a retired CIA agent whose teenage daughter gets kidnapped and put in the European sex trafficking ring.  As you watch this film and see the efforts that one father goes to in order to rescue his daughter, look for the glimpse of God's heart and imagine the efforts that He goes to in order to rescue his children.  It kinda helps that the lead character is also the voice of Aslan from Chronicles of Narnia.  I guess that Liam Neeson plays a ferocious lion in many different ways :-)

Slumdog Millionaire

If you have not seen this movie, just go rent it.  I adore this film.  I love the story line.  I love the way it is filmed.  I even love the way they did the subtitling.  The kids in this movie make me want to file paperwork for adoption right now :-)  The soundtrack is also amazing (Latika's theme is one of my all time favorite songs - so magical).  Basically this movie is stunning.  There are many good reasons why it was up for so many Academy Awards.  To watch it also gives sight into the way that kids are used for profit in India.  "Slumdog Millionaire" - watch it.

Call + Response

Call + Response is a documentary film that gives a good overview with facts concerning human trafficking.  I got to see this movie with Lauren and Karisse while I was in LA.  They also have a heart to raise awareness about these issues.  I miss those gals.  For more information on the Call + Response initiative, go to their website here.

Trade

The movie "Trade" is about a girl in Mexico who is kidnapped and then brought to become a part of the sex trafficking ring in the United States.  Though this film is not a documentary, I believe that we must realize that this is happening in our own country.  Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean that it isn't happening.  This stuff is real and it is in your own backyard.

Svetlana's Journey

"Svetlana's Journey" is a film that was made by writer and director Michael Cory after his eyes were opened to the issue of sex trafficking while he was acting on location in Bulgaria.  I got to meet Michael a couple of times while I was in LA and he screened this film for the DTS (Discipleship Training School) a few times.  Visit this site for more information on the film as well others short films and public service announcements that the director has made.

Amazing Grace

Ahhh, I can't even watch this movie trailer without crying.  After all of those heavy movie recommendations, I leave you with one more filled with hope and inspiration.  William Wilberforce truly is a man of great inspiration.  His story shows us how one voice can make a huge difference.  Every time I watch "Amazing Grace", I am reminded of what I want my life to count for : the freeing of the captives.

What to Read

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to gather together some resources to suggest for anyone who might be interested in learning more about modern day slavery. The following are some books that I have read. I actually started to say "enjoyed reading", but let's face it: they are not the most enjoyable books to read. This is heavy stuff we are talking about. In fact, usually when I read a book on modern day slavery, I have to chase with some light fictional reading (something that you could probably find in the youth section of the bookstore). But as hard as these books can be, I think it is really good to keep ourselves aware of the stories of others. After all, they can't just lay their current circumstances aside and go on to a "light fictional read". This is their life.

Ok, so I have to admit that the last time I started this book I got distracted and put it down for awhile. Then I let someone else borrow it and now I am picking it back up again. Anyone care to join me in this read? More information here.

I read this book years ago when I was on a mission trip to Uganda. Being in Africa really brought this story to life even more for me. It's about a child soldier in Sierra Leone. You can find out more about the book and the amazing boy who lived the story here.

Gary Haugan is the president and CEO of International Justice Mission (an organization here in DC that I would love to work for). This was the first overview that I read of modern day slavery. You can find more information and purchase the book at the International Justice Mission website here.

This book gives stories of different individuals who have been caught in the trap of modern day slavery. Each is a story that ends with the redemptive freedom only Jesus can offer. This story also includes questions to help the reader think even deeper into what they are reading (I like that part). More information can be found here.

This story gives a little glimpse of what slavery looks like in our own backyard. It is the story of a girl in California who turns to drugs and prostitution as a means of survival and how she turns her life around. More information about the author and the book here.

This is another book that I have not actually read, but it has been waiting for me on my Amazon wish list for awhile. Harmony Dust is a girl who was once an exotic dancer and who now has a ministry called Treasures, which reaches out to exotic dancers on the west coast. This is the story of how her life was transformed. More information here.

There is a short little list of books that have really touched my heart and challenged me. Feel free to post a comment with any book that you think may need to be added to the list. I love recommendations :-)