Saturday, December 7, 2013
Last weekend two of us traveled to Madrid for the Project Rescue / Fiet Gratia awareness campaign and appreciation gala. On Saturday we joined the church and friends for a flash mob in the middle of the city at Puerta del Sol which drew many people who were able to learn about the 27 million people in slavery today, the 300,000 plus victims of sex trafficking here in Spain and the fact that Spain is the second largest transit and destination place for victims of trafficking in Europe ( second to Italy). The event was a huge success and visibly effected and inspired many.
We understand that to be most affective in the fight against human trafficking it is important to be a united front. We are most affective for the kingdom when we work together. This is why we are so excited to be in network and partnership with Project Rescue and Fiet Gratia! A win for them is a win for all of us involved whether it be through serving or praying.Please keep these ministries in your prayers as they bring awareness, and continue to be mighty tools is the healing and restoration of trafficked victims here in Spain and internationally.
To read more about these Organizations/Ministries click here:
Project Rescue: http://projectrescue.com/
Fiet Gratia: http://www.fietgratia.org/
We understand that to be most affective in the fight against human trafficking it is important to be a united front. We are most affective for the kingdom when we work together. This is why we are so excited to be in network and partnership with Project Rescue and Fiet Gratia! A win for them is a win for all of us involved whether it be through serving or praying.Please keep these ministries in your prayers as they bring awareness, and continue to be mighty tools is the healing and restoration of trafficked victims here in Spain and internationally.
To read more about these Organizations/Ministries click here:
Project Rescue: http://projectrescue.com/
Fiet Gratia: http://www.fietgratia.org/
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
I had my first fight with Spain this week. The train was late for the second day in a row, by 22 minutes. I was on my way to language class and taking public transportation by myself for the first time. I hopped off the train, ran under the station to get to the other side and as I got to the top of the stairs and looked for the exit, the 10:15am bus I needed to board whisked by. I felt defeated. It didn’t help that it began to rain steadily. I knew that the buses didn’t run in 20-30 min intervals like they do back in the states. I finally found my way out of the station and walked the few minutes it took to get to the bus stop. I discovered that the next bus wasn’t expected until 4:00pm that afternoon. I still don’t have a working phone so I walked up to the nearest store to ask where I could use one to call Jade. I knew the questions to ask in Spanish but could not understand the responses of the chinese couple I first asked. I just followed in the direction their fingers pointed. When I asked the third man, and he flat out said he didn’t know I began to panic a bit. I was in a part of Spain I didn’t know very well, without a phone to contact anyone and there was nobody there who could help me figure it out. My legs felt heavy as I continued to walk down in the direction that was first pointed out to me. I spotted an older gentleman sitting at a table outside of a café reading. I walked up to him (with I’m sure a distraught expression) and said, “Escusa, necesito usar un telephono” He responded by telling me the name of a store I had never heard. I stared off in the direction he pointed and responded “uhh… no entiendo…” Then, he spoke English! It was only a few choppy words but never had English EVER sounded so beautiful.
“ Hablas Ingles?!”
“ Si, un poco”
He stood up and placed an arm around my shoulder as he pointed to the blue and white sign on a store front up ahead, and repeated the store name.“ Ahh! Si, gracias!" We exchanged names and he told me his was Tony. I thanked him again and he stepped back to bow gently “ It is my pleasure,” he said before kissing my hand and returning to his table.
(smh)Good ol' Tony, AKA sweetest man EVER.... of the hour.
I made the return trip home, got off the train and began the walk to my apartment, still feeling a little discouraged at the failed attempt. This was also my first time making this return trip. Everything in an instant looked different. I don’t know if it was the mist falling from the sky, the glistening streets or the dewy yellow and red flowers that seemed to bow from the gates as I walked by.Was this the same place? I ran directly into a street that led to the beach. There, through the framed stone archway, she danced and roared in all her glory. I exhaled and immediately felt lighter. Even on the gloomiest of days the ocean still had the ability to mesmerize and draw me in.
As I looked out on the water my eyes caught the small light tower on rocks in the middle of the Mediterranean. It stood tall and unshakable. It seemed completely unimpressed by the loud and spirited waves crashing relentlessly on the rocks at its feet. I thought to myself “Wow, it’s unshakable” my eyes drifted to the rocks that supported it and I immediately thought,“ its built on solid rock”. The light tower seemed completely confident in the foundation it stood on. Then the question came out of nowhere.
“Are you not also built on solid rock?”
"Yes ...yes I am."
“ Then you trust also, with confidence in your foundation ”
Wow...the Lord was speaking so clearly to my heart. In that moment the morning frenzy seemed so minuscule. I laughed at myself a little. I know that there will be even bigger waves in my journey here than those of this morning. As I watched the waves crashing along the rocks of the light tower, I was captivated.
I want to be like that light tower! Though the storms may come (and they will) I want to be able to hold my head high, stand unshakable and trust completely in my foundation in Christ. I want to live moment by moment, in complete awareness of the power, strength and immovability of my foundation. Though the waves may be fierce, hefty and painful; I too want be able to show my strength,not in myself but in my foundation. I want be able to stand tall, hold my head up high above the waves and stand boldly on my solid rock. On my walk back to the apartment a white and gray bird flew over my head with a branch in its mouth. I took it as Spain’s peace offering. I smiled and accepted with a now comforted heart.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock." Mathew 7:24-27
“ Hablas Ingles?!”
“ Si, un poco”
He stood up and placed an arm around my shoulder as he pointed to the blue and white sign on a store front up ahead, and repeated the store name.“ Ahh! Si, gracias!" We exchanged names and he told me his was Tony. I thanked him again and he stepped back to bow gently “ It is my pleasure,” he said before kissing my hand and returning to his table.
(smh)Good ol' Tony, AKA sweetest man EVER.... of the hour.
I made the return trip home, got off the train and began the walk to my apartment, still feeling a little discouraged at the failed attempt. This was also my first time making this return trip. Everything in an instant looked different. I don’t know if it was the mist falling from the sky, the glistening streets or the dewy yellow and red flowers that seemed to bow from the gates as I walked by.Was this the same place? I ran directly into a street that led to the beach. There, through the framed stone archway, she danced and roared in all her glory. I exhaled and immediately felt lighter. Even on the gloomiest of days the ocean still had the ability to mesmerize and draw me in.
As I looked out on the water my eyes caught the small light tower on rocks in the middle of the Mediterranean. It stood tall and unshakable. It seemed completely unimpressed by the loud and spirited waves crashing relentlessly on the rocks at its feet. I thought to myself “Wow, it’s unshakable” my eyes drifted to the rocks that supported it and I immediately thought,“ its built on solid rock”. The light tower seemed completely confident in the foundation it stood on. Then the question came out of nowhere.
“Are you not also built on solid rock?”
"Yes ...yes I am."
“ Then you trust also, with confidence in your foundation ”
Wow...the Lord was speaking so clearly to my heart. In that moment the morning frenzy seemed so minuscule. I laughed at myself a little. I know that there will be even bigger waves in my journey here than those of this morning. As I watched the waves crashing along the rocks of the light tower, I was captivated.
I want to be like that light tower! Though the storms may come (and they will) I want to be able to hold my head high, stand unshakable and trust completely in my foundation in Christ. I want to live moment by moment, in complete awareness of the power, strength and immovability of my foundation. Though the waves may be fierce, hefty and painful; I too want be able to show my strength,not in myself but in my foundation. I want be able to stand tall, hold my head up high above the waves and stand boldly on my solid rock. On my walk back to the apartment a white and gray bird flew over my head with a branch in its mouth. I took it as Spain’s peace offering. I smiled and accepted with a now comforted heart.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock." Mathew 7:24-27
Sunday, May 5, 2013
So, it’s been officially 1 week since I arrived in España. Days one and two were unexpected; I was surprised at how at peace I was saying “ see you soon” to my family, friends and essentially a life that would not be as I left it upon my return. Then Tuesday, after a fear jolting night of dreams and a morning of running around, it hit me. Nerves, for a short period invaded my peace and I was faced with the raw reality of this major life transition that was unfolding around me. I found myself gripping with one hand to the reality I left behind. The routine day to day of work, ministry, fun time with family and friends, driving my ford escape down 450 while “the undertone” blasted through the speakers- it all flashed before me. The other hand was held open to the new book, freshly being written here in Spain. All at once I was completely aware of what my new life was asking of me. I struggled in that moment with whether or not I have in my possession what it takes. The dreams from the night before left me in a very vulnerable state and to be completely honest I struggled with the fear of not being protected and not being equipped enough for the mission ahead. Early that afternoon I pushed myself to deal with these emotions, surrender them and bring them before God. He quickly took those anxieties and replaced them with the truth of not only who I am in him, but who He has prepared and called me to be. It was a great time of re-revelation. I learned that day 2 major things. 1: My vulnerability does not disqualify me. Confronting my vulnerabilities and understanding my insecurities will actually strengthen my ability to discern attacks and be better prepared.It also forces me to remember that I CAN NOT do this on my own and where I fall short God is magnified (2 corinthians 12:9) 2: Past victories should serve as reminders of His faithfulness and as testimonies. They should not however, EVER replace the daily revelation of who God is in my life.
This past week has ben amazing: My intro into the ministry to trafficked victims, meeting the college/ young adult ministry Brent and Jade are over, Signing the lease for my apartment for the next few months (which might I brag is conveniently located 2 small streets from the beach..and by beach I mean the Mediterranean sea), starting language school tomorrow and testing the train/metro system (aye yie yie), attending my first soccer game (the missionaries son is a GREAT soccer player), Meeting and spending time in great conversation with April Foster,founder of the "Breaking Chains Network (an anti trafficking organization in Belgium:http://www.breakingchainsnetwork.com/)…this sums up the basic components of my 1rst week. I am so thankful for the Incredible missionary family God has blessed me with. Incredible. My spirit dances in anticipation of what God is going to do in the next year and beyond. Please join me in prayer for a smooth transition; great start to ministry and fast language learning.
“If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing; if we have the inspiration of the vision of God, we have more than we can experience”- Richard C. Halverson
This past week has ben amazing: My intro into the ministry to trafficked victims, meeting the college/ young adult ministry Brent and Jade are over, Signing the lease for my apartment for the next few months (which might I brag is conveniently located 2 small streets from the beach..and by beach I mean the Mediterranean sea), starting language school tomorrow and testing the train/metro system (aye yie yie), attending my first soccer game (the missionaries son is a GREAT soccer player), Meeting and spending time in great conversation with April Foster,founder of the "Breaking Chains Network (an anti trafficking organization in Belgium:http://www.breakingchainsnetwork.com/)…this sums up the basic components of my 1rst week. I am so thankful for the Incredible missionary family God has blessed me with. Incredible. My spirit dances in anticipation of what God is going to do in the next year and beyond. Please join me in prayer for a smooth transition; great start to ministry and fast language learning.
“If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing; if we have the inspiration of the vision of God, we have more than we can experience”- Richard C. Halverson
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
I leave for Spain in 3 days! WOW. I am sitting here reflecting on the faithfulness and goodness of God through out this journey. This has been SOME journey... but I know it is only beginning. A few people have asked me if I feel nervous or scared. I did have mixed emotions of nerves and excitement prior to getting my visa. Strangely, and to my own surprise I don't feel nervous now. I don't know how I will feel when I'm saying goodbye to my fiends and family and boarding the plane on Saturday, or even the emotions I will feel landing in Spain. However, as of now I have a strong sense of complete peace. Like, this is where I am SUPPOSE to be heading. I have no idea what to expect or what awaits me in Spain; but I DO know who goes before me. This past Sunday I said goodbye to many people who I will miss tremendously. I shed a few tears but what overpowered the bittersweet atmosphere was God allowing me to visibly see the amazing support system that I have here at home. It was overwhelming in a good way and gave me great comfort to know that I am not leaving people behind, but carrying them with me as I begin this new chapter in my life. Please keep my transition period in your prayers.Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for your love, support, prayers and encouragement. It has meant more than you will ever know.<3
"Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Last night was another great night gathering with the women at the prison. Every time I go God either wakes me up or ignites something in me. My lesson of the day was “ Am I not good?” God challenged me with the idea that If I do indeed believe that He is a good God, and works things out for the good of those who love him AND if I embrace the fact that His ways are above my ways then why do circumstances that don’t turn out the way I plan have such a lasting affect on me? This past month I have been struggling with the course of the detours instead of trusting the driver.
“Am I not good?” One of the women I met with has been incarcerated longer than I’ve been alive and will soon be granted her physical freedom. She restated how thankful she was for her time in jail because it was there that God was able to reach her and her life was drastically changed. She stated that her life style before jail would have surely led her to die years ago. Loosing physical freedom led to the gaining stability, truth, wisdom and freedom for her soul. WOW I thought…you worked all the negativity that landed her here out for her good.
“Am I not good?” Yes Lord. “Then why do you not trust?” This month has been such a whirlwind of planning, preparation, grieving, learning and dealing. I spent so much time being strong for everyone that I forgot to surrender those burdens. Somehow the events of the past month became more relevant than the journey ahead… no good. I am so thankful for the break through last week! He is the God of grace that transforms lives, whose ways are higher and loves with out bounds‘Yes you are good…help me to consistently have that in the forefront and in the midst of every single circumstance.’
Psalm 38:8, Romans 8:28
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
It’s funny sometimes how one comment, encounter or expression can completely alter your outlook, for the good or bad.
Scenario#1: You had an amazing morning! Great night sleep after an encouraging phone call, you put on your favorite sweater, they played your favorite song on your morning commute. Then, during your lunch break you encounter the rudest employee EVER at 'Bob's happy burger shack' who proceeds to indirectly express her dissatisfaction of life in general and works hard to make sure you share the same discontentment for the next 8 minutes. Mission accomplished ‘Rhonda.’
Scenario #2: You have a sucky morning! You slept through your alarm clock and the next 10 minutes become a scene out of “the amazing race”. It’s pouring down rain and just as you get onto the main road your gas light comes on. You try to get over to turn into the gas station coming up but as you signal ‘Toby’ in the black Mercedes gets a sudden sense of urgency and speeds up. You miss the turn and now you are officially going to be late to work. You pull in the gas station and a beautiful creation of the Lord in heaven at the pump next to you tells you how beautiful you are. All is well with the worldJ
See what I mean? The temporariness doesn’t make the emotions you feel invalid…but on the other hand it gives way to the idea that we should not allow emotions to validate us.
It’s a difficult concept to grasp sometimes. How do I allow myself to feel emotions without being ruled by them? And how do I know that Rhonda at Happy burger shack didn’t get bad news right before her shift or Toby in the Mercedes didn’t just get an emergency call? Does it excuse their actions no I can’t control their reactions or response but I surely can control how they affect mine.
We were given emotions to be able to experience the life that has been granted to us. The joy, anger, sadness, excitement…. These are all reminders to our souls that we don’t just exist, we live! Even on the whirlwind days, I have every right to be angry, sad or frustrated, but then I have a choice to make. The rest of my day depends on this choice, my sanity depends on this choice, the people in my life and those I come in contact with depend on this choice. I can choose to live in the past moments that have produced my current state of mind, the moments that I can’t change or relive. Orrr, I can choose to deal, focus on the facts and keep it moving! If today’s troubles are enough for today, then I can choose to not let those troubles follow me into my tomorrow. Emotions are temporary but truth is everlasting. Thank God for perspective!
1 Corinthians 10:13
Sunday, November 6, 2011
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: STATISTICS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: An estimated 27 million people are held in slavery worldwide, meaning there are more slaves in the world than were taken from Africa during ...
Saturday, October 29, 2011
After months of praying and waiting I am officially a Missionary Associate to Spain! I will be dedicating a year (initially) of my life to helping at the Compassion Ministry( including Human Trafficking). I would love and appreciate prayers as I now focus on preparing to leave and raising my budget. If you or anyone you know would be interested in supporting me financially please contact me. Ciao!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
I met a woman by the name of Nancy a few weeks ago who works as the National Awareness Director for Shared Hope International. An organization dedicated to bringing justice, hope, healing and restoration to victims of human trafficking. What I should say is that God arranged for us to meet.
After the flame God had reignited in me concerning the issue I had begun to pray about how He would have me be apart of this fight. I asked God to direct my path if this was apart of His will for my life. I asked Him what part He would have me play...no matter how big or small.
It was Sunday, January 9th the second week of our annual church wide fast. I was moved by Pastor Marks teaching on "Who we really are"(perceived projected and actual). I had an opportunity to pray with a woman who was going through a difficult time and that delay in leaving put me right in Nacy's path. As I prepared to leave Lindsay,a good friend of mine asked me to come meet "this woman". As I followed her towards the back she explained to me that the woman worked in an organization that fought against human trafficking. She was surprised at the way Nancy's occupation even came up in their introduction and immediately thought of me. She said " this has to be God". I made my way to where Nancy stood. We introduced ourselves,shook hands and spoke about what she did and what God had sparked within me. We exchanged information that day and began e-mail correspondences.
She introduced me to SharedHopeInternational.org and sent me information on top of information about just how prevalent Human Trafficking was not only overseas, but right here in our big cities, our dark allies and our backyards. I was disgusted, I was outraged...I was intrigued. Nancy gave me information of hosting an informational meeting on the issue and a book 'From Congress to the Brothel', written by former Congress Woman and founder of Shared Hope International, Linda Smith.
I'm finding Linda's book both inspiring and gut wrenching. Nancy warned me that this book contained information that is not easy to swallow but that it was nothing compared to what she would give me next. Last night I dived back into the book. I read, and read completely oblivious to the time. When I ended for the night I was met with an array of emotions. I was burning with anger, I was disgusted...my heart was broken for the victims of Human Trafficking. How could such hate, and utter disregard for human life be present in this capacity??? I was shocked but not entirely surprised. This IS the world we live in...but the inspiration was driven by the rays of light..poking holes in the darkness of this reality. The inspiration came from Linda,from Nancy, from Chris Caine (A21campaign.org) and from the stories of the survivors. Yes this "monster" called Human Trafficking is UGLY, violent and ENORMOUS....but underneath it's thick tracks of evil are lives. Lives that are worthy and precious to God.
Monday, January 24, 2011
"The 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas will bring thousands of people to the city in the hopes of witnessing greatness. Sadly, in the shadows of all the glitz and glamour, as many as a few thousand children will be trafficked as sex slaves, bought and sold countless times throughout the event."- From The Human Trafficking Project Blog
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
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