The Adventure Continues

Do you know that Human Trafficking is occurring in our own city?  On Saturday, a group from our church met with a lady who is a first responder to victims of Human Sex and LaborTrafficking/Sexual Assault in our county. This person was personally involved in the rescue of a people in Elyria, Avon, and Lorain...among others.  Do you know that traffickers made use of a hotel in Elyria?  Do you know that a person was a victim of labor trafficking at a restaurant near the mall?  The purpose of the meeting was to learn about what is being done in our area to combat HT and where our church can help to fill in the gaps.  The overwhelming response I keep getting from these meetings is "YES, we need and welcome your help!"  I'm continuing to do research on the topic.  I'm continuing to pray about what specifically God is asking me to do.  Right now, I am harboring some radical ideas.  I'm not ready to share them...because I have a tendency to think (and sometimes act) impulsively.  Will you join me in prayer?  My requests are that God will give me clear direction as to the steps that I need to take.  Another request is that he will prepare a team that will work with me.  (Is that you?)

Trusting the Process

Insane...that's what yesterday was.  Absolutely insane!  I've been blabbing on the internet about how difficult the last year or so has been for me as I've transitioned into this new "mother of 2" role...and well, I finally got off my sorry butt and did something :-)  Now, I have no time to be bored and depressed :-)

I've been talking about human trafficking for the past month or so...and have been researching and communicating with a number of different people and organizations in the area with the goal of getting something started here in the Northeast Ohio area.  Yesterday, I met with a gal from an organization called doma who graciously gave her time to talk with me and a friend about where to start.  In that conversation, God flipped my world upside down.  It's that scary, excited feeling again...It's so easy...yet so complicated.  My head is spinning with ideas...some of the random ones are going to law school or getting a drug/alcohol counselor license.  I could so very easily get overwhelmed, but I can feel God's hand almost literally holding me up...not allowing me to run too fast...and not allowing me to step back either.  It's like he's saying, "Trust me, I've got the plan.  I will reveal a piece at a time as you are ready.  You just keep stepping slowly."  That's just insane.

There are a lot of fads within the church.  Someone recently told me that the issue of human trafficking is the new "sexy" thing for the church.  I know that it is possible to get really excited about something and then just stop because its too much...that's why I'm stepping slowly.  My life up to this point has been easy...with some bumps here and there...but easy and somewhat predictable.  I've accomplished a lot of good things and in some ways I feel like my story is good...but it would never make the best seller's list.  Not even for a week.  Perhaps God is authoring a new story in which I may be one of the main characters.  Donald Miller says that in order to have a good story, one must identify what they want and overcome conflict to get it.  Am I willing to take the risk in order to have a good story?  Am I willing to live my life in such a way that I become a key player in good stories?  God, help me...

Do you have any good stories?  Are you bothered by the issue of human sex trafficking?

Human Trafficking Part 2

The second organization that participated in the 'Night of Hope' event last week was Gracehaven.  This organization's mission is to to find and to free underage girls enslaved by child sex trafficking...in OHIO!!!! Not a million miles away...right here...within about 2 hours from where I live.  They have just finished renovations of house outside of Columbus, OH that will be able to house 10 girls at a time.  The focus is to provide home, hope, and healing for these girls.  They still need funding to get the house open.  Once they've done this...they want to replicate their work in Toledo and Cleveland.  Folks...this is the way to get involved right here in your own back yard.  Here's their website.  They are currently involved in a contest where they have the chance to win a lot of money for their project.  Visit here to vote for them to get the money.  You can vote 1 time per day.  You can also follow all of these charities on Facebook.  


In other exciting news...I just heard back from a judge in Columbus that is involved with ending human trafficking.  He wants me to call him.  I've also emailed a local judge, and an organization in our area that promotes awareness and programming to do the same.  I'm really excited :-)