During the past week, @villagevoice (Village Voice) and @aplusk (Ashton Kutcher) have begun a twitter war on a topic near to my heart: Human Trafficking. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have recently started a non-profit organization raising awareness for human trafficking. From my research, I gained a large insight insisting that raising awareness for this large problem is crucial. In our awareness of what human trafficking is, citizens are more likely aware, and more likely to report. I am grateful that 'stars' like Ashton and Demi are stepping up to fight this battle. Through their short time in doing this, awareness has been raised in this growing problem.
Let me clarify something which has been misinterpreted. Through my research, I found that there is an estimated amount between 100,000 and 300,000 victims trafficked within the US every year. Somewhere between the lines, news stations, churches, organizations, etc. have made this an actual amount. If we actually knew how many victims were trafficked within the US borders every year, we wouldn't have a problem with trafficking - because we would have all of these victims located. While remembering that this is an estimate, let's remember that those who created this estimate did not just think of the first number which came to their head.
Ashton & Village Voice have been going out in a twitter war (check it out) about human trafficking. The war actually started because of this article regarding numbers of victims of trafficking, you can view that here. Village Voice states in their article that 827 arrests have happened because of trafficking. Only 827 may have been arrested for sex trafficking/trafficking in persons [which I personally believe is an extremely low number after looking at several different news stories about individuals who have been trafficked]- but girls are being treated as prostitutes & arrested rather than their traffickers and Johns being arrested and trialed. Behind almost every prostitute is a pimp who is forcing her drugs and taking the money she earns from selling her body. Not only are there prostitutes who are being treated as sex slaves from a pimp, but there are women, men, and children who are forced into labor on fields, massage parlors, nail salons, factories, landscaping, pornography, and personal labor.
Let's step back, though. Regardless of the money that is made, the numbers, ages, prostitutes, johns, or traffickers... my main problem with The Village Voice is that they have not denied their classifieds section selling young women. A 15 year old girl is suing the Village Voice because she was prostituted through their newspaper. Why would a 15-year old girl put herself in the newspaper as an escort to turn around and blame the Village Voice for it?
The Village Voice refuses to back down and fight for the victims they do know about, some of which appear in their paper. Let's face it: no young girl wakes up and wants to be a prostitute. Through a series of unfortunate situations (poverty, kidnapping, run-away, and corruption), she is easily sold into slavery... potentially from the home she lives in. Secondly, any man (who IS a john...) buying from an escort service (who IS a trafficker), is engaging in Human Trafficking - and engaging in trafficking of a minor.
Maggie Neilson stated in the Village Voice article that regardless of the numbers of human trafficking, the problem needs to be addressed.
If I had all the time in the world, I could continue research regarding this article in the Village Voice... and I may do so at some point, but not today.
In summary, I support Ashton Kutcher and his fight to abolish modern-day slavery. Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves in the first step in which we will end this problem - regardless of numbers. Ashton is taking action against this newspaper which is profiting from the exploitation of children.
Read for yourself the actual statistics of Human Trafficking in the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
ch-ch-ch-changes
Well, here I am. A week and a day since my first day of work. What hasn't happened in my life since then? [No, really, there's been a LOT!]
I was basically 'transferred' to a different office & new role in Oklahoma City! This is such an exciting opportunity for me. With this opportunity, I will work alongside a team and minister to Student Ministers across the state. I am so excited that God opened this door of opportunity here, too. I remember as a Falls Creek staff member saying, "I want that job one day"... and somehow, by the grace of God, it happened! I got the job I wanted! I work with a wonderful team who really encourages me personally, and just by watching them day-to-day. They are the biggest example in my life of what Godly men look & act like.
I always wondered how the Lord would use me in Ministry - being a woman for starters. It's unfortunate how stubborn people are today (in my opinion), and how some refuse to be ministered by women. I remember a year or so ago being completely confused by the call I knew the Lord had placed on my life. Through that year, I continued to doubt God's call on my life, and also doubted his faithfulness to pull through for me.
But... He did. He did pull through.
What a good God we serve. He pulled through.
Some things I have learned since being out of college:
I need to learn how to love my neighbor.
When I knew that the Lord was calling me to stay in America and not go to China, I felt the Lord calling me to Love my neighbor. I can Love people I don't have to be around often - because honestly, I can 'fake' a love to them. However; that is not genuine and real love, and definitely not a love which comes from Father.
I need to learn how to delight in all circumstances.
Some circumstances, which are considered 'bad' in my opinion are blessings in disguise from the Lord. Not having a boyfriend, not having my own place, not having a large income, feeling like I'm alone because of no friends in the area - ALL work for the goodness of God's will for me. I heard this song today, and it really made me think about the blessings from God which we count as curses. A few of the lyrics are,
"Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"
I need to learn that behind the scenes work is ministry, and perhaps a very, very important ministry.
I have often felt a need to be in the center of attention, i'll admit. I'd like to believe it is a part of being an only child, and thank goodness I didn't inherit all of the only-child traits. I'm used to ministering to people relationally, and often in the spotlight. I love to speak, live life with people, and walk alongside others through their rough times. However; my ministry at my job is calling me to fill in the small details so that others can do those things. This is extremely humbling to me - because much of their ministry would not happen if I were not setting everything up for them. They would not have adequate time to prepare like they do now.
Yep, this one's long. Sorry!
Monday, May 16, 2011
First Day in the REAL world...
Today was my first day on the job. What an interesting first day it was. I learned a lot. I had several awkward conversations. I couldn't answer anyones questions, and I'm hoping tomorrow is a bit easier.
However, my favorite thing that happened today begins at 10:00 AM. The phone had been ringing consistently from guests needing assistance (that's our job, so we did it). Somehow in the time frame of 10:00-11:00 AM, The phone had NOT stopped ringing once. However; it was not guests. It was a virus of sorts on our phone line. So pretty much from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM, I said, "Falls Creek, This is Heather". - It was fun and memorable. I can still hear the consistent ringing in my head...
Monday, May 9, 2011
my enemies are men like me.
Osama Bin Laden has been dead for just about a week now. My first thought when I heard that the United States Navy SEALs killed him was different from most of Americas celebration.
Osama Bin Laden is behind the horrible attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. OBL and Al Quaeda ran two planes the World Trade Center in New York City. This was a horrible day - as millions around the world did not understand. We watched footage of People jumping out of the WTC - and our lives changed because of it.
After finding out that OBL's AL Quaeda ran these planes into the building, America went to war with Al Quaeda. Our war with their leader, Osama, ended last Sunday.
You see, I cannot celebrate in the fact that Osama is dead. Romans 12:14-21 NIV says, "
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This verse sums up my feelings towards how we should respond to Osama. The man killed 2,740 civilians on September 11th alone. Our instinct is that he should be punished for what he did - and after killing so many civilians, our first instinct is to hate him. However; Jesus calls us to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 21).
My boss talked to me about this the day after we heard the news of Osamas death. He asked me how he should respond to this situation (if it were true): A man takes is 14 year old daughter and sends her into sex slavery.
Still, my plea is that we will love our enemies. Others will know Christians by our love for one another.
I can celebrate that the US military achieved their goal in finding and capturing him. It is a great accomplishment for our country. I do not agree that his death should be celebrated. It is a human life, afterall. A human life that will spend eternity separated from my Father.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
And when you stop looking...
From "The Path of Loneliness" by Elisabeth Elliott
"How can we be sure not for thy harms is true? How shall we fix our eyes on things unseen? There is no answer but faith, faith is the character of God himself. That and no other is the anchor for our souls" p. 63
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Farewell, Michael Scott.
Tonight was the last episode featuring Michael Scott as the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. I will not tell you that I didn't cry, because I did. Like a baby. You'll be missed, Michael Scott.In other news, I was offered my first full-time job today. You just read that correctly! A full-time job! 40 hours a week, salary, and benefits. I can't believe it! It's crazy how the Lord has really worked in my life even over the course of a few weeks.
I will be living in Ardmore, OK as soon as the summer is up - which, isn't the big city... but I'm looking forward to getting involved and finding community. I worry, sometimes. I fear that I'll hate the city... but I know without a doubt that this is where the Lord has placed me for this season in my life. I know that I am to be fruitful in Ardmore, OK even if it is not China - where my heart is.
Please be praying for me as I make a very quick transition from graduating to working full-time in a place where I know no one. Please pray specifically for:
-Community
-Friends
-Opportunities to share my faith
-A Church Family that I love
-International People to be placed in my life
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
