Human Trafficking

Last night, we watched a video about Human Trafficking. It was heartbreaking to see the faces of innocent women and children who are exploited for someone's "satisfaction". It's horrible to imagine children being being robbed of not only their childhood but their innocence, purity, and spirit!

Just some facts from the different countries from around the world (some of these may be different depending on what source you get your info from.):

Ethiopia, sex with a child $0.50,

In Chiang Mai, Thailand, the rate is around $5-60,

Amsterdam $45.

Thailand is a big prostitution country. In both, prostitution within the country, as well as their own women/children being taken to other countries. It's amazing to me because I have been in Chiang Mai on more than one occasion. I never suspected or thought about this happening in this place I enjoyed visiting.

"On this trip, I've had sex with a 14 year-old girl in Mexico and a 15 year-old in Colombia. I'm helping them financially. If they don't have sex with me, they may not have enough food. If someone has a problem with me doing this, let UNICEF feed them."

-Retired U.S. Schoolteacher

Amsterdam, even though prostitution is legal there I'm sure without a shadow of a doubt that there are women and children who are being forced to live that life style. There's a certain red light district that I read about where the girls stand in windows on display just like mannequins! When a man finds a girl he likes he knocks and they discuss the price and other details. I know that some of these woman have freely chosen this lifestyle but others have no choice. (I use the word freely, but really, who can chose to live like this and not at least be enslaved by Satan?)

America, I just realized recently that there is human trafficking in America! I mean, I guess I realized that people were raped and kidnapped but never realized it is a growing industry. I just read a story of a girl on the internet (whether it was true or not isn't important since this really does happen.) To make a long story short she told how a man won her trust, convinced her she loved him, took her to another city, and forced her into working for him as a prostitute. She was suppose to make $5oo a night but the first night only came back with $50. The Pimp beat her as an example to the other girls. She met her quota the next time but was abused further. These girls are required to make $500-$2,000 a night. No longer is this just a problem of "other" countries but it's my country's problem. It's happening here.

Here is the Sex and Money website, if you'd like to watch some of their webcasts. http://photogenx.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=8&Itemid=93 I hope you will not only watch but that it would motivate you to pray and to take action however you feel the Lord lead. This is a group, Sex and Money is made up of former PhotogenX DTS/Track people.

The Sex and Money Team hoping to complete their video by the end of this year to expose human trafficking in America. If you are interested in helping their cause, you can vote of them so they win a grant from Pepsi. www.refresheverything.com/gosetfree

Get ready to grab some Kleenex and get down on your knees for these people who's situation must break the heart of Almighty God! And the question lies, now that we know, what does God want us to do?

God is unpredictable!

(Brandon and I after a 20 hr day. I'd say we look pretty

good for being up so long and being so tired :) )

Hey Everyone!!!

I really have no idea how long it's been since I last posted without looking. Well, wait, I think it's been maybe since last Oct?! Anyway, since certain people have been hinting or not really hinting at times :) that I never post anymore, I thought I would since I have such wonderful news. I am now dating/courting an amazing man! God sort of threw our lives together and I'm really glad and thankful that He did!!! Neither one of us were really expecting it at this time. I thought God didn't want me to get into any relationship at this time because I'm leaving to go to a DTS with YWAM this spring. But God has a sense of humor and He obviously had other plans for my life.

My boyfriend's name is Brandon and he is a wonderful guy that I hope you all can meet at some point in time even if you live on the other side of the world!

I'm sorry if it seems like I've fallen off the face of the world to some of you. I have been working full time since the 1st of Oct. I'm sorry because one of my big weaknesses is communications and keeping in contact with people. Feel free to send me an email or call or poke me on FB :) God bless everyone who takes the time to even click over to my blog.

Chrissy

Okay, so I think that all of you probably know this already but I was accepted into YWAM's PhotogenX DTS for next April. I feel very excited and blessed that God has shown me what is next in my life. Right now I would ask you to join with me and others in prayer concerning whether to raise support for this trip. I don't know if it's God's will that I pay for all of it, the first three months of training and raise support for the outreach part, or raise support for all of it? This is the question of the hour.

Oh, thanks for all those who prayed for my quad because it is fine now. Sometimes I can still feel it just a little but it's so much better and I can run again without medication :) I'm looking forward to the race which is in a little more than 2 weeks!

This summer has been very different for me with being the one in my family who has stayed home while my family has traveled and with working. I still really really enjoy my job and know it was God who gave it to me. I have met lots of new wonderful people this year and made so many new friends!

The newest thing in my life right now is that I and some others have started an international student outreach at COE college here in CR. This is something that God has laid on all our hearts and it's been neat to see how He's brought us together. We are going to try and have an international food night for the students every month. If you are interested in meeting some foreign students and reaching out to them with the love of Christ let me know. The next meeting at the end of this month is most likely going to be at our house if you would like to come. Maybe you'll really hit it off with one or two of the students and you can have them over sometime. You never know what God has in-store!

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your prayer!! God bless!

My Freedom

I think that I am one of the most dense people. I'm learning once again that I can't do it without God. I haven't been making Him a priority in my life recently and taking time with Him and I can see the results of it in my daily life and myself.

This song is so wonderful and I think that it sort of fits how I'm feeling at this point in time. God is the only true freedom in my life; everything else just takes and steals in the end!

I have a plan for you...

Okay, so over the past few weeks the Lord has really done a lot! Those of you who I have talked to or who have FB know that God has graciously answered 2 huge prayers that have been long in coming :) Anyway, the big news for you who don't yet know is that I'm applying for Youth With A Missions Discipleship School for next spring. I'm pretty much sure I will be accepted. (I'm not trying to sound arrogant I just feel like God has told me that this is what I'm suppose to do and to not doubt; and given me many signs of encouragement.) It's YWAM photography DTS and so they teach you how to use photography for missions! I really excited!!!

So next April I will be on my way to Hawaii for three months and then to another unknown country for 2 to 3 months :) I'm not complaining about the HI part. LOL I've wanted to go to HI for years and I think it's going to be great and warm! Oh I plan on being able to check one thing off my "To Do Before I Die" list; surfing!

Thanks to all of you who have prayed over the years for God to guide me to what He wants for my life. I'm excited because this is just one more time He has been faithful and let me have light for one more step. I'm also excited because who knows what the future holds. One thing I really like about YWAM is that after you go through the DTS I get the impression that it's pretty easy to get plugged into their ministry. Also, I would have the option to do their 2 year photography program where you travel around the world. Who knows what's in store. I will just obey as He leads one step at a time :)

Life has been different for me the last 2 months because of now having a job. I really like meeting new people and getting to know the members and my coworkers; oh and the pay checks :) It isn't always wonderful and my time is definitely more limited but I like it for the most part and I know this job is from God!

I have a small prayer request for anyone who thinks of it. I need to start training for my half marathon again but my leg is still hurting. (I stretched my muscle in my quad a while back.) Of course I really haven't been taking care of it except for not exercising. Anyway, I'm going to try and start running again this coming week and I would just like pray that God heals me. Thanks!