Tuesday, January 1, 2008

My Soap Box: Human Trafficking




After drugs and weapons, human trafficking is the third most profitable crime in the world.
U.S. citizen children are also trafficked within the U.S. It is estimated that annually 125,000-300,000 American children are being sexually exploited. Exploiters include criminal networks, family members and acquaintances, strangers, local pimps, other youth, pedophiles and transient male population. Commercially sexually exploited children cut across socio-economic, race, ethnic and gender lines. 75% of the children are from middle class backgrounds. ( Richard Estes and Neil Alan Weiner, "The commercial sexual exploitation of children in the U.S., Canada and Mexico", University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, September 2001.) In addition, the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children report that 450,000 children run away from home each year. One out of three teens of the street will be lured into survival sex within 48 hours of leaving home. (taken from http://www.brycs.org/childtrafficking.htm website).

We can do something to help put an end to this vicious cycle. It is my passion and calling in life to help bring rescue and restoration to these precious women and children. I am waiting for God's direction in my life to see how I am supposed to work in this area....whether it be globally or here in America. But I have a passion in my heart that is only growing by the second. I want to rescue these girls and provide a safe place for them....free of fear......and full of restoration and grace! But for now the following are oganizations are ones that I think are doing a great job in rasing awareness about this issue:
Shared Hope International
Love 146
Children of The Night

Blog Roll

Emmy
Kim: Connorcoles Mom
Patty: Girlfriends In God
LPM blog
Lisa: The Preachers Wife
Leigh: Speaking Thru Me
Lindsee's Blog
Siesta Fiesta Blog
Fran: Blessed By Him
Amanda: Baby Bangs
Wendy: Mom of Eleven
Holly: Crown Laid Down
Joanne: The Simple Wife
Travis Cottrell
Amy: Ministry So Fabulous
BooMamma
Georgia Jan
Moose Mamma

About Me

(AKA “lopsided halo” to those of you in the blogging world! )

Can I just start out by saying I love Starbucks…and I think Jesus would have too back in His day!!! I just got the best drink in the world today and I must share…get your pencil and write this down….it’s a “tall, skinny, vanilla/mocha”….and is only 100 calories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t really like coffee…but I’m tryin’ ya’ll and I want to want to like it because I think people who drink coffee look more sophisticated when they are walking around…and I want to look important….so I have grown to love the drinks at Starbucks that don’t taste like coffee….and this drink was A-MAZ-ING!!!
Okay…now that I have that out of the way, let’s get down to business! Here goes:

1. I am 25 years old, single, and just graduated with my Masters degree in international public health. I got my first real job and will soon be a “big kid”…but not until I get my first pay check and purchase my very own washer AND dryer! No more digging for quarters!! Can I get a “whoop whoop?” (I’m listening to some Kirk Franklin right now!)

2. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was 8 years old. But it took me until just this past year to finally get over myself and personal devastation with God and let Him do what He died to do for me!

3. I am a survivor of MANY things and dwelled in more pits than I care to count. I have enough life-stories to tell to keep you entertained for years…both comedies and dramas. The story that has changed my life the most is that I am a survivor of a school shooting. I love “public speaking” and hope and pray God will allow me to have continued opportunities to share this part of my story along with the rest to bring glory to His Kingdom!!

4. After a very long season of what I call “spiritual aerobics” I’m finally climbing to the top of the pit and seeing the amazing things God has in store for me !! (right now the theme song from ROCKY should be humming in your head). I know that a mighty deliverance is in the works…and that if I don’t duck and get out of God’s way I’m gonna get hit!! So…I am takin’ my Starbucks and my bible getting’ on with livin’ this life….and livin’ it to the fullest (I’m also taking my hair straightener…my hair doesn’t need to be any fuller!)

5. My passion/soap box is working to bring rescue and restoration to those who are victims of Human Trafficking!

6. I love playing sports…not just cheering for them. I love flip flops. Things that sparkle always grab my attention. I LOVE Starbucks…if you didn’t already catch that! I love taking random trips to Wal-Mart at 2am with friends, laughing until my side hurts, taking random road trips, shopping the day after Thanksgiving and playing funny (but kind) practical jokes on those I love! Hugs are a must for me…and so are Cherry Limeades from Sonic!