Light in the Darkness

It has been about a month since our team of parents and World Racers entered the girly bars in Angeles City, a month since images of young girls trapped in the sex industry became permanently embedded in my mind.  The lies that they want to be there, or they enjoy it, or it’s what they chose, don’t hold up because I have personally talked to those who have left and those who doubt they could ever leave due to fear.  These girls have names and faces, children and dreams.  They have a heavy burden because they have been sold a lie that this is the only way that they can eat or live.  As if, the men who are abusing them are doing them a huge favor.  A lie that says they have no value, when in truth their lives do matter, they deserve to be treated with dignity and love.  They deserve a future, they deserve freedom, they deserve to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.

The problem to me is the enormity of the issue of sexual slavery.  The justice in me wants to torch the establishments that sell these girls, do away with the bars completely.  The truth is they would spring up again filling the void with more evil.  I’m all for the bars shutting down but if nothing good comes to replace them it would all be for nothing.  As you walk down Walking Street there are bars upon bars with lights flashing filled with partly dressed girls/women “entertaining” the tourists.  Part way down the street is a Hello Kitty cafe, completely standing out of place in this dark, oppressed area of town.  We stopped and laughed at the bright pink cafe with children and parents inside looking as out of place as we were in this street of darkness.  But honestly that obnoxious pink cafe gives me hope.  What if more businesses that were family friendly moved in?

Bella Goose is a coffee shop in Wisconsin Dells, WI that is in the process of opening a coffee shop in Angeles City.  They are hiring former bar girls to be their baristas!  They are not just talking about the injustice of human trafficking but they are offering hope in a practical way.  If you want to be a part of this in even a small way I would recommend you join their coffee club.  Every month you get freshly roasted coffee sent to your home and 100% of the gross profit will go towards fighting human trafficking in Angeles City. ( http://bellagoosecoffee.com/) Bella Goose has partnered with Wipe Every Tear to help these beautiful girls start over with a safe home, education and a future.  What if more businesses took the risk and set up shop where these girls could work doing something that is not degrading?

It costs about $300 a month for each girl that comes out of the bars to live at the Wipe Every Tear homes – that covers a roof over their head, food, education, tutoring, care for their children and a small allowance.  They are learning to walk in freedom.  They are introduced to Jesus and discovering their identity as children of a loving Father.  The lies that they have no value are being erased. Their future is being rewritten and light is pouring in as they have a new found HOPE.  There is not a pressure to perform, these girls are experiencing the life changing power of the Holy Spirit as the staff of Wipe Every Tear  loves them – Just Love.  It has been a thrill to meet girls on the street and tell them about the opportunity to leave the bars and find life.  The houses are getting full as more and more girls are trusting that mercy really does win.  Please consider giving to Wipe Every Tear so that more houses can be rented and staffed for these precious people.

The last night that we were on Walking Street felt very heavy to me, this cloud of oppression pressed on me as the problem seemed so big.  Our team was just leaving the block walking towards the archway announcing “Walking Street”.  I saw 2 thin young sisters (maybe) coming from the terminal where the Jeepneys come to Angeles City.  They caught my eye because they looked different – long, leaner bodies, poor, dirty, brown teeth, a scarf loosely flowing over their heads, flip flops for shoes and one small plastic bag of belongings.  One looked to be in her 20’s, the other maybe 12, I wondered what their story was.  As they passed by and were in my peripheral vision, a man came out of the shadows towards them.  In a cheesy, loud, salesman voice he said “What do we have here?  I see Sexy and Sexier… come with me ladies I have just what you need.”  My heart pounded in fear as if the devil himself had spoken.  When I turned around they were already gone like a mist.  Those faces haunt me.

Every day that scene plays itself out in city after city all over the world – the vulnerable meet the face of evil.  The problem seems so big I just want to hide my head and try to ignore it.  Then I think of the sweet girls that I have met, the ones who have been rescued.  I know that every single one of their lives were worth going in and rescuing.  We can rejoice in that!  This is a war where mercy can win.  We need to be in battle for these girls through prayer.  Stand up in your city, fight against the slavery happening right under our noses.  Say no to pornography.  Fight for these girls as if they were your own daughters.

Ways that you can fight:

• Pray!
• Give to Wipe Every Tear or other organizations that are fighting human trafficking in your area.
• Buy your coffee from Bella Goose Coffee Club to help support girls coming off the streets.
• If you are one who wants justice:  give to International Justice Mission or get their updates so you can be aware of what is happening in the world.
• Raise awareness and don’t hide your head in the sand.
• Go!  If you are able to go on a short term trip with Wipe Every Tear or would like to serve on their staff – it will change your life!

 

This is my final blog on serving with Wipe Every Tear:

Part 1:  Unqualified

Part 2:Chosen

Part 3: Lady Boys and Love

 

 

 

Lessons From My Boy

 

Just 6 months ago my son set out on his journey with Adventures in Missions to spend 9 months on a gap year.  Drew and I had the privilege of joining him for a week to get a taste of life on the race.  I knew going into this trip that Kyle would be changed – how could he not be changed?  I had no idea that this boy that we had raised would teach me so much in just a weeks time.  There is something about the zeal and innocence of youth that gives love without the cynicism that comes with age and experience.

Drew and I arrived in Manila a few days prior to the parent vision trip.  We jumped in with both feet into city living – dodging traffic, riding tricycles and jeepneys.  It’s shocking when you arrive in a developing country where poverty is evident everywhere.  It’s hard not to turn away at the site of body after body just laying around the large city parks, the street kids that beg or just sit staring blankly.  You can hardly walk around a block without stepping over or around a homeless person with nothing but a piece of cardboard to shield them from the rain.  The problem just seems too big – my coping mechanism is to just walk past, maybe say a prayer but otherwise not to get involved.  By the time we met up with Kyle and his squad I was ready to get out of the city and all its hopelessness.

Kyle had a confidence that I don’t remember him having when I saw him last.  While I looked away at the haunting faces of hunger, Kyle and his friends looked right into their eyes and offered them food.  We had stopped to eat at Jollibee’s (fastfood) and 2 street kids came up to Kyle and his friend Tyler.  I thought it was cute to see their interaction with the kids but was startled when they said “Come in, we’ll buy you lunch”.  The kids motioned that they had friends, I inwardly rolled my eyes thinking – of course they do.  The security man was ready to turn them away but that was not going to happen as long as my son and his friend were advocating for them.  The kids spoke no English, they didn’t even speak the same dialog of Tagalog that most people speak in Manila.  We sat and ate with these 4 young siblings.  We watched the boy delight in every bite and every sip of his float.  We watched as the older girl saved half her lunch for later and her younger sister followed her example.   We watched and smiled as the youngest girl giggled.  Then just like it had never happened they quietly got up from the table and slipped back into the busy streets of Manila.  For just a moment that afternoon they were just like any other kid.  For a moment they sat at a table and ate hot food.  For a moment they felt loved and cared for.

A few evenings later I was having my first time alone with Kyle since we had arrived.  We were ordering pizza at a sidewalk cafe.  I was so excited to be alone and talk to him, to hear his heart, to get the scoop on his experiences.  Just then a young street kid of about 7 years old started hanging around our table.  I selfishly wanted him to go away so that I could enjoy this moment with my son.  Kyle smiled and looked right into that boys eyes and invited him to our table.  He asked for an extra plate and welcomed him without hesitation.  I had wanted a lengthy conversation but God gave me a living example of what was on Kyle’s heart.

I got to see love in action over and over the week that I spent with Kyle.  I know for a fact that he would have never told me about all the times he showed value to a child who other’s may not value – but I got to see it.  I know that he would never tell me that his passion for music/worship inspires those around him and leads others to worship too – but I got to experience that.  I got to watch him interact with his team/squad.  I heard the compassion in his voice when he knew others were struggling.  I saw him want to ease the hurt by giving gifts.  I saw a depth of love in him that was not there just 6 months ago.  He has inspired me to not look away when I don’t like what I see, but to ask God to show me what can I do… it might just be to give a smile or a hug.

 

One Life

Drew and I just got back from almost 3 weeks out of the country, it’s good to be back but I have so much on my mind.  Leading up to our trip I had been asking God to show me what difference I could make.  I can feel so overwhelmed with all the needs I see around me.  Besides the needs of my own family I can feel burdened for causes that effect millions of people all over the world.  What can one person like me do about poverty, slavery, persecution, war, hatred, division?  I see it every time I turn on the TV or look at social media.  The problem is that usually there is no simple answer, when you look deeper at situations it is almost always far more complex then meets the eye initially.  What happens to me is that I end up looking at what I can’t do rather that what I can do.I doubt the power of one.    At the very least I can chose to show love and compassion, I can listen even if I may not completely agree.

On our first leg of our trip I sat by a woman who was reading a book.  I usually ask questions but for some reason I just didn’t feel like talking so I let her read.  It was a short flight and towards the end she turned to me and told me I was very kind.  I laughed because I hadn’t even talked to her up until this point.  The window opened for a deeper conversation that was quite honestly a God appointment.  She is a Syrian Christian – a group of people that are persecuted/killed for their faith even within refugee camps.  This woman runs a non-profit that helps provide food, clothing and needs for these Christians who are displaced but not able to get care in the refugee camps.  She is the voice for over 200,000 people who often get overshadowed in the news.  My eyes were opened as I listened.

She told me a story of her Mother.  When her Mother was a little girl a priest came to her village and offered to pay for her  to go to school.  As far as I know this priest just paid for this one little girl’s education.  Her Mother finished school and passed on the love of education and Jesus to her children.  Juliana is now passing on that legacy as an advocate for persecuted Christians.  To get more information follow this link: http://iraqichristianrelief.org/operation-return-nineveh

In talking to Juliana I saw clearly that no act is too small.  Every time we chose to come alongside what God is doing – making a meal, offering a bed, donating to a cause, supporting a student or missionary, saying a prayer, holding a hand, offering love – all of these things have a ripple effect that we don’t always see.  The priest that paid for that little girl’s education had no idea that his act of love would effect the lives of thousands of Christians persecuted for their faith.  It was a divine appointment with this beautiful woman of God.  As we prayed over her I was reminded that this is how the church of Christ should be, one of compassion and love.  I was so thankful for the reminder as we set out on our journey.  

 

Anticipation

Exciting news – In just 9 days my husband and I will be getting on a flight to take us somewhere warm!!!  We have been invited to a Parent Vision Trip (PVT) with the World Race.  Our son Kyle has been on the gap year race since August and is currently in the Philippines where we will be joining him.  We arrive a few days early allowing us time to adjust from jet lag and explore Manila.  The PVT time will be 5 full days with our son, we have missed him.  After our time we’ll head to another island for an amazing getaway near the beach overlooking the China Sea. This is what I have been looking forward to, dreaming about, planning and preparing for.  There are still 2 kids at home which makes planning a trip like this a little more complicated but truthfully once we are on the plane it’s just Drew and I – Woo Hoo!!!

I can be somewhat of a Pollyanna (always looking at the bright side of things) but if I’m honest it’s more that I can avoid thinking about things that are unpleasant.  I like to daydream of how my son has changed and getting to hug him after all these months.  I like to ponder what book I’m going to read sitting on the beach.  I can’t wait to meet the other parents and live life on a mission.  There are always the unknowns where it’s best just to have the attitude to be flexible and try not to have expectations.  Bring my own toilet paper and Dramamine and whatever else that will help my comfort level.  I’ve been practicing my squats for the squatty potties and thinking of excuses not to try some of the foods I’ve heard about, anything to avoid thinking about what we will be doing while we are on our mission.

We will be working with an organization called Wipe Every Tear – their purpose is to go out on the streets and rescue girls out of prostitution. Today I have seen a number of hashtags bringing attention to human trafficking.  January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking prevention month.  Up until today I have been pretty good at avoiding thinking about the girls that we are going to meet.  My heart breaks because the situation these young girls find themselves in is way more complex then just making a choice – they have no choice.  Poverty is real and evil is real.  Evil will do whatever it can to steal innocence and fuel addictions.  I avoid thinking about it because I wonder what can I do?  I’m a fifty something white woman who works at Trader Joe’s when I’m not driving someone around or keeping my home running.  I’m ignorant to what true poverty is really like – I’ve seen it as a spectator, I’ve smelled it, I’ve photographed it because I don’t want to forget.  Poverty has just been a moment passing by me, I have never had to live in poverty.  I have never had to make a decision to let just one of my kids go to school, or to sell a child into slavery because there are no other options.  I’ve never even had to go a day without food.  So what do I have to offer?  I guess I will find out. I’m pretty sure God is going to show up in a powerful way.  I’m nervous because I know that meeting these beautiful girls, hearing their stories and showing them love is going to change me.  I won’t be able to look at the problem of human trafficking again without seeing their eyes, knowing their names.  It won’t just be a cool hashtag that makes me think for a second – it will be a friend that comes to my mind, someone’s daughter, someone made in the image of Christ, someone who deserves to be set free.

Wipe Every Tear is a Christian organization that meets practical needs of these girls who are trapped in a cycle of poverty/prostitution.  They offer a place to live and an education, something that will empower these girls to have a better life.  That is great but what really changes these girls is the hope they find in Jesus Christ.  If you would like more information about Wipe Every Tear and their ministry please go to their website:  http://wipeeverytear.org/