How God Used A Nightmare to Birth A Ministry

Many of you have heard my story of how God used a nightmare, and I became an accidental abolitionist!

Please join me over at Circles of Faith where they are running the story of Justice Network's humble beginnings.

The Ugly Truth of “Pretty Woman”

I’ve seen the movie Pretty Woman more times than I want to remember. But I never saw it through their eyes - through the eyes of two young girls, one interviewed in the movie Nefarious, one in the movie Sex and Money.

Years ago, when I saw the movie through my middle class lens, I saw the title character as a beautiful, young woman who wanted out of “the life.” She’d entered a life of prostitution as a last resort. Her mom called her a “bum magnet,” always drawn to the wrong guy, and when she found herself penniless on the streets of LA, she sold the only thing she had, her body.  She was still plucky and moral, just down on her luck. Until one day, her luck turned for the better as a dashing millionaire in the wrong neighborhood needed directions.

But when the two young girls saw this movie, they saw it differently. They saw something that I never envisioned. They saw prostitution as a chance to meet their own Prince Charming, and the movie Pretty Woman was the catalyst for them to enter “the life.”

How You Can Respond to Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month across the country. Sunday Jan. 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day in NJ.   

Are you aware that there is more slavery in the world today than at any time in history? 

Please visit me today over at Circles of Faith where I share my passion for ending Human Trafficking. We CAN end it in our lifetime! 

This weekend, read the posts, listen to the messages, learn what you can do in a small way (or large if you prefer) to change the culture and bring an end to this heinous evil. 

Please subscribe to Justice Network's website to receive newsletters and updates. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to attend our meetings - the second Saturday of each month at the High Mountain Church in No. Haledon, NJ.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent Me to proclaim that

captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free..."

Luke 4:18

Read here how I personally got involved in this cause. 

Philanthropy Friday

Today I'm honored to be guest posting at anotherjennifer.com for her Philanthropy Friday telling the story of the birth and work of Justice Network :: fighting human trafficking by raising awareness and supporting organizations on the front lines. Please visit me over there today, and join in the discussion!

www.justice-network.org

You too can make a difference in the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves. On Wed., April 16, from 4:00-11:00 pm, Justice Network is hosting a fundraiser for Restore NYC at Chili's in Paramus. It won't cost you anything beyond what you'd spend for an enjoyable dinner with family and/or friends. Chili's will donate 10% of the bill if you just bring in the flyer! Hope to see you there!!

And on Friday, April 25, 7:30-9:30 pm, be sure to join us for a fun and enlightening event! We're throwing a party! You'll be able to purchase Fair Trade items (gifts, jewelry, etc.) and make a difference in other's lives by providing them a sustainable wage. There'll be refreshments, discussion about Fair Trade, opportunities to create Mother's Day cards or other crafts. Brain Storm is located in Franklin Lakes right behind the Market Basket on Franklin Lks. Rd. (Many thanks to Scott and Ashley Doty for generously donating their space for this event!!)

For more information about Justice Network, please visit our website. Subscribing to our newsletter will keep you posted of all our upcoming events.

When troubles strike...

It was my first visit ever to the gynecologist. I never felt so awkward and uncomfortable. But nothing prepared me for the words I heard the doctor say to the nurse standing by the door taking notes.

“blah, blah, blah, a tumor, about 10 centimeters, blah, blah, blah, blah…..”

Woah! Hold on there! Did I hear that correctly?

But the doctor wasn’t speaking to me. I might as well have been a slab of beef he was inspecting before throwing on the grill.

Later in his office, he explained that, Yes I had a very large (“the size of a small cantaloupe”) tumor on my ovary. It was almost certainly benign, but would have to be taken out the old-fashioned way with a slice across my abdomen, hip to hip. Really, God?  

Through a series of events, misadventures, and clear leading by the Lord, I ended up switching doctors, hospitals, even cities (from NJ to NYC) just days before the surgery.  I clearly sensed God directly me every step of the way and was practically floating as I experienced His peace that passes understanding in a whole new way.  

While I was in the hospital for a week post-surgery, my new boyfriend (now my husband of 26 years) came to visit and shared a Scripture verse with me -

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God”. 2 Cor. 1:3-4

It was nice of him to mention it, but frankly I didn’t identify with it at all. In my hubris, I thought I knew all the Scriptures that would apply to my situation, and that one just wasn’t one of them. Or so I thought.

For the rest of the story, click here to Laced With Grace. 

 ps - As many of you know, I'm the co-founder of Justice Network, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of human trafficking and showing ways to make a difference from here. Our current initiative is a social media campaign using this Sunday's Super Bowl as a way to raise awareness of the issue. We call it the #HTchallenge. We're asking people to go to our website  [www.htchallenge.net] and share our images, quotes, and stats on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, your favorite social media using the hashtag #HTchallenge. All the information, talking points, etc. are on the website. 

Part of the challenge is also to "donate" a tweet/post that will be published simultaneously with hundreds of others during the halftime show. To register:

1. Click here: http://bit.ly/1eFBIAI
2. Click the button for Twitter and/or Facebook
3. Click “add my support”

Thank you for helping in this worthy cause!

End Injustice!!

It's a sad fact that human trafficking - aka modern day slavery - exists. It exists around the world. And it exists in the United States. And it increases with large sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

With the Super Bowl coming to our backyard here in NJ, we at Justice Network and the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking are stepping up our efforts to create awareness leading to reducing the effectiveness of traffickers.

One effort is the #HTchallenge, a social media campaign that you can help with from the privacy of your home, your laptop, your smartphone. It's as simple as sharing the issue with people in your network of friends, family, followers.

If you believe that it is wrong to buy or sell people, then you need to share this message. 

You don't need to be an Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, or Rosa Parks, you just need to click and share on YOUR social media.

1. Sign up for Thunderclap. By joining Thunderclap, your single message will post/tweet simultaneously with hundreds, hopefully thousands, of others during the halftime show of Super Bowl, creating a blast that will be heard above the noise of the game. It's so easy, just:

Click here. Then click on the TWITTER, FACEBOOK, TUMBLR buttons (1, 2, or all 3) to share the message with your social media. Done!! 

2. Share images and posts/tweets about the #HTchallenge :

Go to www.htchallenge.net. Check out the Resources and Game Plan pages in particular. You'll find everything you need to share compelling facts, stats, quotes, images on your Facebook or Twitter feeds. Just be sure to type in #HTchallenge and/or #HalftimeChallenge with each tweet or status update!!

3. Take the challenge to turn off the halftime show for 5-10 minutes and share about the realities of human trafficking. Here are specific talking points.You don't need to be an expert. You just need to care about the issue.

Today we celebrate the memory of Martin Luther King who dedicated his life to eliminating injustice. Let's honor that memory by continuing the work against injustice!

Hang In There!!

There they sit, like giant beached whales. Mounds of snow, at the edges of fences, by the sides of highways, in corners of parking lots, our lawns still cloaked in white. The recent rain, wind and warmer weather washed away much of the snow; yet there still remain piles of graying white.

 

 

Each of those snowflakes that fell en masse last December were so delicate, it’s amazing that they are still present a month later. What can we learn from these fragile flakes that have such staying power? 

1. They stick together. 
Despite the fact that one person can make a difference - which I absolutely believe - it is also true that there is power in numbers. 
 
We simply were not made to go it alone. God made us to be part of a body, His body. He made us for fellowship. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another. Heb 10:25 
 
God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..." Gen 1:26 He is one God, but He is a plural God (like one family or one class or one snowstorm are singular, yet plural.) He is in fellowship with Himself. We are made in His image, and therefore, we need to be in the fellowship of believers. We are made that way for a reason. We are stronger together than we are alone. 
 
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl. 4:12
 
2. They were pushed out of their comfort zone.
Oh, it’s so much easier to stay within our comfort zone, isn’t it? But those flakes that remained so comfortable out on the open lawn were the first ones to melt away. It was the plowed flakes, the ones that got pushed and shoved around that remained. If the snowflakes could speak, they would say that it sure didn’t feel good at the time. To the snowflake, the plow seemed brutal, a real bully. But it was precisely because it yielded to the plow that it survived. 
 
When we don’t understand our circumstances or we have to change our status quo, we have to recognize that there is Someone greater than ourselves in control, Someone who has our best interests at heart. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11
 
Recently, a friend shared this excellent quote with me:

"Comfort is the breeding ground for mediocrity. Hardship makes you find your greatness."

If you’ve been trying to go it alone or if you’ve been facing a difficult struggle, hang in there. Remember the frail snowflake that first arrived a month ago and is still hanging around; and recognize that you are on the road to greatness!

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. Tonight January 15, the NJ Coalition is hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness Event:

New Jersey’s Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day Observance will feature performances including the premier of “A Day In the Life," singer/songwriter Courtney Wong, and the Justice Movement Dancers among other influentials. January 15, 7:00 pm, Bergen Performing Arts Center (PAC), Englewood. Click Here for more info and to RSVP >>

End Injustice For All

If you think that slavery in the U.S. ended in 1865, think again.

Human trafficking, a.k.a. modern day slavery, is the fastest growing criminal enterprise. The illegal buying and selling of human beings is second only to drug trafficking, equal in scope to arms trafficking. “Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, and/or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.” (NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking)

It is common to think – if we even do stop to think about it – that this is a problem that occurs elsewhere: Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America. And that would be true. But we often don’t realize that this problem occurs all across the United States as well: in small towns and big cities, along highways in truck stops, and around big sporting events.

THE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING:

To read the rest of my article, click over to Circles of Faith.

To read more about our social media campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking, click over to our #HTchallenge website. 

Susan

One Word for 2014

Last year, my friend Elise wrote a post that challenged me to come up with one word for 2013. I wrote about it here.

Now I'm thinking about a word for 2014. But before I do, here's a look back at how this "one word concept" impacted me in 2013.

My word was NOW.

I wanted to SAVOR the NOW - not miss the present because I was worried about the future.
   ~ and ~
I wanted to DO it NOW - stop procrastinating, take action, and avoid distraction. 

This vase above was a gift from my daughter. I kept it on my desk, its image on my phone home screen, and thought about "NOW" a lot!

In my contemplation, my mind initially went to all the things I procrastinated about and I felt like a failure. Yup. Thankfully, that's not the end of my story.

I thought some more about decisions that I did act upon - in the NOW. Yes, I may have put off some things, but not all things. And some of these decisions fulfilled lifelong aspirations.

One of them set me on a new trajectory in life. 

In June, I saw a friend's post on Facebook about human trafficking. Unknown to anyone, my interest in HT was growing. I harbored a desire to get involved in some way to rid the world of slavery, but had no idea how. I began collecting information, supporting friends who were serving with IJM in India, reading fiction and nonfiction on this issue.

When Tanya posted a story from her blog on facebook, I commented adding "I'm interested in this...." Another (totally unrelated) friend commented too, adding "If you do something, let me know." This comment sparked the question in me - "Am I going to do something? Or is this another time where I say I want to do something, but don't actually do anything?" 

NOW - my word for 2013.

So in that moment, I did something. I reached out to Tanya, and God took over.

From our meeting across her kitchen table a few months ago, we have grown into Justice Network, an group dedicated to raising awareness of human trafficking and supporting organizations on the front lines of the issue, both local and global.

I've learned more in the past few months than I have in the past few years. Our little group is growing in unimaginable ways (Eph. 3:20-21). There's LOT more I'll be sharing with you about this in January.  Look for it!!!

The purpose of today's post is to share my word for 2014 and to hopefully inspire you to consider adopting a word for your 2014.

For the past 2 weeks, I pondered what my word would be for the new year.

And today it hit me. Just flew into my brain matter, struck a chord in my heart, and lodged there.

"FAITHFULNESS"

I want to not only be a woman of faith, who fully loves God, though that would be enough.

I want to be faithful in the commitments I make, those He calls me to. I want my "yes" to mean "yes." I want to act faithfully, to learn more about this fruit of the Spirit, and to be transformed into the embodiment of faithfulness.

My favorite definition of faithfulness came from Wikipedia of all places!

Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something and putting that loyalty into consistent practice, regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be applied to a husband or wife does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage, a customer at a restaurant who regularly dines there, or even to God himself with regard to His perpetual love towards His children that is not dependent on their worthiness. Literally, it is the state of being full of faith in the somewhat archaic sense of steady devotion to a person, thing or concept. (emphasis mine)

 Is faithfulness "somewhat archaic" as Wikipedia implies?

I hope not. What do you think???

For more information and inspiration about One Word for One Year, click on over to Circles of Faith where Elise shares her word for 2014 as well as a list of resources to guide you. 

What's YOUR word for 2014?  Please let me know!

.

Occupy YOUR Street

The salesclerk asked a simple question - one I answered easily every year. But this year, I hesitated.

“Would you like to add on ‘Thanks for Sharing’?” Smile. Slight head tilt. Credit card please?

Every year at this time - for a $25 enrollment fee that goes to charity - Macy’s offers their customers an opportunity to earn 10% back on their purchases through the end of the year. Since I usually spend at least $250 at Macy’s during this time, it always made financial sense to enroll.

But because of my growing awareness of human trafficking, slave labor, injustice in the world, and poverty, my spending patterns have changed. I no longer spend as much money in Macys, but shop for gifts in catalogs by World Vision, IJM, Fair Trade vendors, etc.

And so I stood there mute, not moving a muscle while my brain raced away.  

As the clock ticked and the awkward silence grew, I knew I had to say something. So I said the truth - that this year the question is not as easy to answer as previous years because things have changed.

I chose to explain to the salesclerk WHY I was hesitating. I told her about Advent Conspiracy, Justice Network, Charity:Water, and how God is directing me to make my spending be intentional in both fighting poverty and injustice and building relationships with family and friends.  

She stood there dumbfounded at first, but then she shared with me that her mother watches the 700 Club and often asks for prayer. “Is that similar?” she asked. And then I was able to enter into a deep conversation with her. I gave her my business card inviting her to read my blog. She asked about my church, and I was able to tell her not only about church but more importantly about God and what Christmas is really about for me and my family, and could be for her too.

I am, by nature, an introvert. My natural inclination is just to say “No thank you” or “Sure sign me up” and leave it at that. But that night, God impressed upon me to speak up, and He gave me the words to share. (Col. 4:6)

When I came home and told my daughter Lauren about the conversation, she said, “Way to go, Mom. That’s what Pastor Carl would call – 'occupying your street'.” Her pastor, Carl Lenz of Hillsong NYC, used the Occupy Wall Street movement as an illustration to apply the phrase to our Christian lives. He exhorted us to make an impact for Christ in the immediate world around us - our street, our workplace, our family, our friends, our church, even our local Macy*s cosmetics counter. 

Lauren's favorite quote among the many she recorded from his message, “Shock people with the dream in your heart, and impact them with your dedication to what’s in your hand right now.”

What was in my hand that day? My credit card.

Well I'm not dedicated to my credit card, but God used it just the same. I may never see that salesclerk again, but I will look for her on my next visit to Macy’s.

And I decided to go ahead and purchase the $25 Thanks for Giving program. Whether it makes financial sense or not, the money goes to charity so it makes perfect sense. 

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. …

And he called his servants… and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:10,13

In what way can you occupy YOUR street in the months to come?

Overcoming the Overwhelming

^“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are morethan those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17

Did you ever feel like that servant?

“Oh no, my Lord! What shall I do?”

Did you ever feel like the odds were against you? That you faced an impossible task with insufficient resources? That the mountain ahead was insurmountable?

I did.

Click here to join me over at Laced With Grace today where sharing my thoughts on overcoming our overwhelming obstacles. 

Make A Difference From Here

I was on the plane home after leaving my daughter in Australia (where she’d study dance ministry for a year) when I watched the movie, Taken. A bad choice. Really bad timing. I love a thriller, but this one hit too close to home. It’s a story of two American girls traveling in Europe who are abducted and sold into human trafficking. The ex-spy dad violently came to his daughter’s rescue. But not until after the slave auction scene burned into my brain.

The picture of modern day slavery haunts me. It’s not just a movie. It’s reality. And it’s not just in some far off countries but in the US as well.

Here are 5 facts about human trafficking: 

 http://info.live58.org/blog/bid/228893/10-Facts-About-Human-Trafficking-Everyone-Should-Know

1. There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today. That’s the highest recorded number of slaves in history! An estimated 13 million children are enslaved around the world today, accounting for nearly half of trafficking victims in the world.

2. The average cost of a slave around the world is $90. According to estimates, approximately 80 percent of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 19 percent involves labor exploitation.

3. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, after drug smuggling and arms dealing.

4. The average age of a young woman being trafficked is 12–14 years old.

5. The United States is one of the top three destination points for trafficked victims. California, New York, Texas and Nevada are the top destination states within the country. Immigration agents estimate that 10,000 women are being held in Los Angeles' underground brothels; this does not include the thousands of victims in domestic work, sweatshops or other informal industries.

  

Don’t let these troubling facts and grim human trafficking statistics overwhelm you.

How you can help

Let this quote by Elie Wiesel inspire you to take action: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” Refuse to be neutral. Educate yourself on human trafficking issues. Spread the word. Stand for freedom. 

An organization that is making a difference is Children’s HopeChest. I got to spend some time with Laura Fisher, VP of Operations, while at the She Speaks conference two weeks ago. Children’s HopeChest was founded in 1994 to meet the needs of orphans in Russia. Children who “graduate” from Russian orphanages find themselves on the street with little or no life skills and often fall into the waiting hands of human traffickers. To help these and orphans in 9 other countries, Children’s HopeChest partners with churches, businesses, and Christian communities by meeting basic needs and providing training and discipleship. To find out more about Children’s HopeChest, visit their website, watch videos, or like them on facebook. 

There are many other worthy organizations making a difference. In the months to come, I’ll be highlighting some others and ways that we can make a difference from here.

Some people are “go-ers.” They travel to places around the world, investing their lives into the lives of others. Some people are “senders” providing a way for the “go-ers,” both financially and prayerfully. We can all be “do-ers.”

A new group, Justice Network, is growing in northern NJ. We are supporting the organizations on the front lines of this issue. Our next meeting is Aug. 20. If you want to be a “do-er,” let me know!