Don't Let Your eMails Get You in Trouble

This great article is from the Global Opportunity's Tentmaking Briefs; I think all foreign tentmakers can relate to this... For more information on Global Opportunity or if you want to know more about Tentmaking, visit http://globalopps.org/

The tentmaker in the Central Asian nation was shocked when he received the email from the senior pastor in his home church. "To Our Missionary Heroes" was the headline of the email. The same greeting was also used in the subject field.

The email was sent to all the missionaries that the church was in contact with and the pastor wanted to encourage these front soldiers in God's army. Most of them were working in areas where they could openly share the Gospel. But this tentmaker was not. Although he immediately deleted the email, he knew that it could cause harm to the ministry he had been doing for several years.

Emails and other data communication have become major sources that can harm a growing work in a sensitive area. The people who want to stay in touch with us are not trained in thinking about security. Even the people who are working in such areas are often not aware of the security issues that can harm their work.

Global Opportunities and Tent have together with current tentmakers developed some security guidelines for people working in areas where the Christian church is persecuted. Here are some of the advices we give regarding emails:

- Remember that unencrypted emails are like postcards – everyone can read them. Thus we should never write things that can harm our work.

- Avoid writing about politics and religion.

- Avoid giving details about names and places.

- Make code signals you can use if there is a crisis.

- Give security guidelines to those who are going to write to you.

- If you work in a very sensitive area, someone in your home country should scan through your emails and delete sensitive words before the emails are forwarded to you.

- Emails from people working in sensitive areas should never be forwarded without asking the sender.

- Never display emails from sensitive areas in public meeting places.

Email correspondence is only one aspect you need to think through if you want to work in a sensitive area. How to plant churches in hostile environments, what to do with Bibles and other literature and how to inform your supporters back home are some other central areas of work that you will have to plan carefully.

Sign up for a GO Equipped TENTmaking course if you want to learn more on how you can work to make the Gospel available in places where political and religious leaders do what they can to prevent people from getting to know Jesus.

Who's Ready to Go?

So many of my studies of late have been on a "basic of our faith". I just keep coming back to the same item best found in Romans 10:14-15....

How many people right now do you know that you just haven't shared Jesus with them... and why.

"Well Duke", you say, "I might offend them." How offended will they be at the edge of the 'Tragic Lake' when they realize no amount of asbestos will help them?

"They'll think I'm a religious nut" Then ask yourself, "Am I ashamed of the Gospel?" Rmns 1:16 & Matthew 10:32

"But I'm not called." Go back to the scripture in Romans see also Mark 16 and Acts 2.... We (those who believe) are all called. We have a game plan clearly laid out before us - Wait ( pray & LISTEN while waiting); then go!

"But I'm not Trained." We are told not to "worry about what we will say..." but this does not stop us from the responsibility of "Studying to show ourselves approved"... (2nd Timothy)

Bottom line... who will be saved if we don't do as God has called us to? God has chosen to use His children to reach the lost... Could he just make all believers... yes, but he chose to create us with Free Will.

What "WILL YOU DO NOW"?

Contributed by Duke Clements, Maryland

Rule Number Nine

So what's rule number nine? If you answer "Never go anywhere without a knife.", you are right, and a true NCIS junkie.... but that's not the rule number nine that I was talking about. I'm talking about "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." or paraphrasing "Don't Lie"

One of the biggest difficulty trying to raise awareness on human trafficking is the statistics. The majority of people agree that slavery is bad. Freedom is one of the fundamental principles that most people can agree on... then comes the question of how prevalent is this problem? What are the numbers? What is the average age of the victims?... all actually very hard to answer. It is similar to the question of 'how do you count how many illegal guns are out there'?... you have to rely on statistics, which for normal people like you and I, appears to be mathematical black magic.

Recently, Women's Funding Network was called out for their statistics which they presented to congress in the fall of 2010 by Nick Pinto's 03/23/11 article on CityPage. The claimed stat was something like this...

"An independent tracking study released today by the Women's Funding Network shows that over the past six months, the number of underage girls trafficked online has risen exponentially in three diverse states," Richardson claimed. "Michigan: a 39.2 percent increase; New York: a 20.7 percent increase; and Minnesota: a staggering 64.7 percent increase."

The article then goes on describing how these number was obtained and why it is not worth paying attention.

It is true that the human trafficking statistics are very hard to come by.. For example, just consider that there was no legal definition of the word 'human trafficking' at the federal level until about 10 yrs ago, and that definition varies from state to state today.... simply meaning that a crime that may be considered 'human trafficking' in one state and counted as such, may not be prosecuted nor counted at 'human trafficking' by another state... and that's just one example. If you think about it, you can easily imagine how difficult it is to get these numbers...

However, the difficulty of obtaining the numbers does not excuse anyone from making up numbers and then telling it to the world... and hence, rule number nine - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Using bad numbers just hurts the cause and will not advance it. I don't expect anybody to know the details of the how the numbers are obtained... you'll go nuts if you start doubting every statistic you see around, even on day to day basis.

It took very long, by my point is this; be prepared to back up what you say, know the source and do not lie. Telling people that you don't know is much better than pulling something from your bee-hind.

We serve, work and aspire to set the victims of modern-day slavery free. For me, who entered this world from experience and not from academics, it is very easy to say that slavery exists and I am here to help one person at a time. If you have problem with the statistics, that's quite ok and I hope you can help get better statistics... but please don't just sit there and do nothing when there are many people at risk, just around the corner... please be part of the solution.

Fighting breaks out in the Golden Triangle

Update on the Golden Triangle...

Burmese Bible college students ministering in the mountain villages during this time of tragedy following the earthquake have returned safely. However, pastors and those dwelling on the mountains are trapped and unable to travel until fighting subsides between the Wa State Army and the soldiers of the nation. Please pray for safety and a speedy resolution to the most recent political strife in this corner of the world following on the heels of a huge earthquake.

With the recent swearing in of Myanmar’s new president has come a harder line against the insurgencies in the Golden Triangle and around the nation. An insurgency is a rebellion against a constituted authority and there are over a dozen such rebellions going on right now in Myanmar against the government. Such groups (armies) overtake large chunks of land along the borders of Myanmar/Bangladesh, Myanmar/Thailand and Myanmar/China and set up their own government. Such rebels currently fight in the Golden Triangle and are known as the Wa State Army and the Shan State Army.

Contributed by C.C

If you would like to give to the relief efforts in Myanmar, log on to give.foursquaremissions.org. Or you can mail a donation by sending your check, designated to Myanmar Relief, to:

Foursquare Missions International
P.O. Box 26776
Los Angeles, CA 90026

First ever mass evacuation of tentmakers!

This has been a tough month for tentmakers in the troubled region of the world. As I watched this quickly developing turmoil, from one country to the next, I received a word from the Lord which has been of comfort to those who have had to leave, sometimes with only their clothes on their backs, to an unknown future.

" I am the Lord God, I have not been caught by surprise by these events.

Tell those who have to leave in haste that their service to my Kingdom has

run it's course this time around. They could not have done anymore.

Their service and obedience has been noted and I am pleased."

How does anyone prepare to evacuate from countries where an already weak system breaks down completely? The terror of gunfire, air attacks, bombs blowing up at all hours of the day, seeing bodies on the streets from your windows, spending time with locals who do not have the luxury of being evacuated and must stay behind.

At our tentmaking business as mission courses, we try to prepare people well for all known challenges. However this one has not been a part of our program, but will be in the future. We have learned a lot from the experiences of tentmakers who have faced forced evacuation in the past weeks, and those now being trained will benefit from their tragic experiences.

God is in control!

We are hearing reports of a new openness to the Gospel in this region already. One house church that seemed incapable of taking leadership without the tentmakers, were forced into doing it simply since they knew they would be alone in a matter of days. The report told us of a confident, joyful, mature house church telling the tentmakers that we will be fine now, is encouraging to everyone involved.

One tentmaker refused to leave with the initial waves of evacuations, and was seen as a hero by the local people. Even taxi drivers were telling him that this is a new time in their country, and talking about your faith is now OK.

Another tentmaker who also stayed behind until the last possible moments (just before the bombs fell from the coalition forces) was actually invited to sit at the table where the new constitution was being drafted. Imagine the joy of being a part of something like this? Add to this joy, being asked what he thought should be in this constitution. He suggested freedom of religion, and was told that it was already in the document. Then he suggested freedom to change ones religion.

This too was added, after a rather lengthy explanation of what he meant by that statement. You can understand why this would be a new line of thinking in this region. Again, in the middle of turmoil, God is doing a new thing.

It is impossible to share all the good news that are coming out of this tumultuous time, but trust that God is doing something amazing even as we watch the news in horror.

Pray for the local believers, yes there are many.
Pray for the local friends of our tentmakers who have had a chance to hear, but have not yet made decisions.
Pray that the tentmakers will find encouragement, that their needs will be taken care of, and that they will be able to return to a better situation than the one they were forced to leave.

Contributed by Ari Rocklin, Global Opportunities. To learn more about Global Opportunities, visit their website, www.globalopps.org

URGENT: Earthquake in Golden Triangle

On March 24th, the area of South East Asia commonly known as the 'Golden Triangle' -Myanmar, Thailand, Laos- was shaken by a devastating, 6.8 magnitude Earthquake.

Below is a link for a video showing disturbing footage of the earthquake-torn city of Tachiliek, Myanmar in the Golden Triangle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmGMcfv6A2o

Recent news from the Vice-President of Foursquare Myanmar, [name hidden], has given a broad picture of the needs they have.

500 families from nine villages are left homeless and 300 people are now dead. Every day they’re finding new bodies. Over forty church buildings are in need of repair according to the regional Christian council.

Seventeen Foursquare churches near the epicenter (Tarley area) under the superintendence of [name hidden] and [name hidden] need repair. These are churches for the Lahu and Akha people. Four churches in Nawpu Saw, Sakhan, Patawng and Tapu need rebuilding.

Approximately 50% of all the homes need considerable repair and every family needs help repairing their homes. Last Sunday I was able to collect 8000 baht (almost $300) from our church and we gave food to Nawpu Saw village. This will help them for a few days. Seventeen churches are waiting for lasting help. We are grateful that World Vision, Catholics, Baptists and A o G have helped us out day-by-day. However, the need is so great.

Below are some of the needs.

1. Rice, eating oil and water for 17 villages, over 800 families.
2. Transportation
3. Church building replacement.
4. Church building repairs.
5. General medicines to distribute.
6. Bible students need transportation funds, food and love gifts for the next two months of outreach to those affected by earthquake.
7. Over 800 families need assistance rebuilding and repairing houses.

Serving together,

Contributed by C.C

If you would like to give to the relief efforts in Myanmar, log on to give.foursquaremissions.org. Or you can mail a donation by sending your check, designated to Myanmar Relief, to:

Foursquare Missions International
P.O. Box 26776
Los Angeles, CA 90026

If Christ didn't come to condemn the world.... why then do we?

Just seeing John 3:16, many who read this will say the quote with no problem, but how many would recognize or recite John 3:17 with such ease? (If you can't recite it, then your job now is to look it up!)

In the past few decades, I truly feel the church has lost site of the fact that Christ didn't come to condemn the world and that we (the church) are now his representative here. As such, we too should not condemn the world. Does this mean that we should not declare things as sin, certainly not! We must identify sin, but unless the individual calls out to Christ as their salvation, then it would do them no good to try to live up to standards that the church is having trouble keeping.

Read now what the Apostle Paul says about friendship with sin Vs. friendship with the people Christ didn't come to condemn. 1st. Corinthians 5:9-13.

Bottom line in what I am saying - we know that the world is perishing (we as Christians can't stop this, it is God's plan!) That being said however; we need to love those that are currently condemned no matter what we may see as vice in their life. Furthermore, we need to hold those who claim Christ as Lord to a higher standard. When a brother or sister stumbles - we need to hold them to account as we lift them up. If they refuse to repent; then sadly they by definition have rejected not you, but Christ.

Thankfully there is Grace!

Contributed by Duke Clements

Join us for a congressional briefing on domestic minor sex trafficking

We got this from our friends at Shared Hope International.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

2:00 pm

538 Senate Dirksen building

You are invited to a briefing on the sex trafficking of minors in the U.S with a special introduction by acclaimed actor Mira Sorvino. This form of modern day slavery is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Over 100,000 children are trafficked for sex in the U.S. each year, according to recent estimates.

To learn more about this tragic problem, please come to the briefing at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 (the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing room.)

Briefing agenda:

Mira Sorvino: Welcome and introduction

Senators Ron Wyden and John Cornyn: comments on the re-introduction of the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act

Libby Spears, filmmaker - Director of the documentary film "Playground": brief commentary and viewing of the trailer for "Playground"

Panel of speakers:

Dr. Sharon Cooper, Forensic Pediatrician, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Sgt. Doug Justus, Portland Police Bureau (ret.), former head of the Portland Police Department vice unit

Natasha, a Victims' Rights Advocate and sex trafficking survivor

Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

We hope to see you there!

Update on the MD Human Trafficking Policies

Just received this mail from our friend @ the Polaris Project. I was at the Annapolis State House today and is exciting that this is really happening. Please get involved!!!

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2011 MARYLAND HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION
March 1, 2011

The Maryland legislative session has reached its halfway point – and there are now 8 human trafficking bills under consideration! Below is a brief update, but as always if you have any questions please let me know!

The hearings are a great time for us to publicly push these important bills and show our strong support, but our work does not end with that. The Maryland committees do not vote the same day as the hearing, in fact, they may not vote for several weeks! Therefore, it is incredibly important for us to keep the pressure on. You can do this by looking up your legislators at http://mdelect.net/electedofficials and making a quick call to urge them to move these bills forward.

· HB 674 - Education - Human Trafficking - Awareness, Training, and Distribution of Materials Status: Hearing is scheduled for March 2 at 1pm in the House Committee on Ways and Means. Purpose: Directs the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Dept. of Education to provide training materials to educators in the public school system. The goal is to raise awareness and provide educators with the tools to identify any students who may be victim of human trafficking. What You Can Do: Please join us for the hearing on 3/2/11 at 1pm. Still looking for teachers to testify, but all are welcome! In lieu of that, please contact your delegates and urge them to support this bill!

· NEW!!!!! HB 1304 Posting the Human Trafficking Hotline at TruckstopsStatus: Introduced on 3/1/2011Purpose: Requires all truckstops, rest areas and bus stations in Maryland to post the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. What You Can Do: The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee, but when it is, your testimony will be critical!

· HB 345/ SB 299 Human Trafficking Investigations (Wiretapping) Status: HB345 passed the House on 2/24, SB299 is pending in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.Purpose: Provide law enforcement with the additional tools to conduct surveillance and wiretapping in human trafficking investigations. What You Can Do: Please call and urge your senator to vote YES on SB299, and if your senator is on the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, urge him or her to adopt the same amendments as the House.

· HB 266/SB 327 Human Trafficking Victim Protection Act Status: Awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees. Purpose: Provide the courts with the authority to order restitution for victims of human trafficking of convicted traffickers, and provides a system for victims of sex trafficking to remove convictions for prostitution if they occurred during the time they were trafficked. What You Can Do: Please call your senator and delegates (especially if they are on the House Judiciary Committee or the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee) and urge them to vote yes on a favorable report for this important bill.

· HB 418/SB 247 Human Trafficking - Asset Forfeiture, Labor Trafficking, Anti-Human Trafficking Fund Status: Awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees. Purpose: 3 things: Adds “labor trafficking” to the human trafficking statute; creates asset forfeiture of all ill-gotten gains of a convicted trafficker; and creates the Anti-Human Trafficking Fund, where proceeds from forfeited assets will go, and in which law enforcement or victim service providers can apply for grants. What you can do: Please contact your delegates and urge them to ask Chairman Vallario to "bring HB418 up for a favorable report in committee". Additionally, if you have a moment more, please urge everyone you know to call their delegates too!


To look up who your legislators are go to: http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/ and for more info on the bills just go to http://www.polarisproject.org/what-we-do/policy-advocacy/pending-legislation and click on Maryland.
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Proclamation of the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

On December 22, President Barack Obama set January 2011 as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Instead of writing to the proclamation, I would like to post the declaration as it was released by the White House.

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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 22, 2010

NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH, 2011
- - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation was founded on the enduring principles of equality and freedom for all. As Americans, it is our solemn responsibility to honor and uphold this legacy. Yet, around the world and even within the United States, victims of modern slavery are deprived of the most basic right of freedom. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rededicate ourselves to preventing and ending human trafficking,and we recognize all who continue to fight this serious human rights violation.

Human trafficking is a global travesty that takes many forms. Whether forced labor or sexual trafficking, child soldiering or involuntary domestic servitude, these abuses are an affront to our national conscience, and to our values as Americans and human beings. There is no one type of victim --men and women, adults and children are all vulnerable. From every corner of our Nation to every part of the globe, we must stand firm in defense of freedom and bear witness for those exploited by modern slavery.

At the start of each year, Americans commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1,1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and sent to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. These seminal documents secured the promise of freedom for millions enslaved within our borders, and brought us closer to perfecting our Union. We also recall that, over10 years ago, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 renewed America's commitment to combating modern slavery domestically and internationally. With this law,America reaffirmed the fundamental promise of "forever free"enshrined within the Emancipation Proclamation.

We cannot strengthen global efforts to end modern slavery without first accepting the responsibility to prevent, identify,and aggressively combat this crime at home. No country can claim immunity from the scourge of human rights abuses, or from the responsibility to confront them. As evidence of our dedication to a universal struggle against this heinous practice, the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" included America in its rankings for the first time, measuring our efforts by the same standards to which more hold other nations. Looking ahead, we must continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases within our own borders.

Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working every day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.Together, we can combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,do hereby proclaim January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA
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Urgent Call-In Campaign for the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act

We need your help!

Senate bill 2925 just passed the Senate unanimously on December 9th. This bill, introduced by Senator Ron Wyden, tries to establish a grant program to benefit victims of sex trafficking.

Check out the status and the language here.

Amanda Kloer opened up a petition campaign in Change.org, and I strongly encourage you to take a look at her article. It gives the background of the issue, shows the number to call, and suggested language on how you can ask your Representative for their support. I have met so many people who asks how they can help when it comes to trafficking... and you can help here, right now!

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Urgent Call-In Campaign to Give Trafficked Children Shelter By Amanda KloerChange.orgDecember 13, 2010 Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010, which would provide critical resources to children trafficked for sex in America. Now, this desperately needed legislation must be adopted by the House before December 17, when Congress is expected to adjourn for the year. Join the National Call-In Campaign and ask your representative to make this legislation law, and give the gift of shelter, safety, and justice to trafficked children this holiday season To read the rest of the story, click here.

Human Trafficking != Prostitution

I must say that the topic of human trafficking, specifically awareness part of it, has made leaps and bounds in the past 10 years. It has come from bunch of people trying to define & clarify what it is, to something that you see (if you are paying attention) on daily basis on the Internet news. The progress of it reminds me of the advancement on the front of domestic violence... the term was introduced in 1977 and now everybody knows, and most importantly agree, that it is something not justifiable.

One thing that concerns me, however, is that majority of the people who have heard of human trafficking, including law enforcement personnel, equate human trafficking as prostitution cases..... well.... it's not true. There are girls and boys who are traded for sex, but also there are people who are traded for agricultural work, factory work... picking tomatoes, cotton... just as the days of slave trade in the US. Unfortunately most of the people in the US believes that "That type" of slavery is only in foreign countries.

A friend of mine forwarded me the following article from The Columbus Dispatch, which talks about an Ohio nail salon owner who was arrested in human trafficking case.... yes, people are trafficked to work at nail salons as well.... [Article]

People ask me frequently on how they can help when it comes to the crime of human trafficking... and I say the same thing over and over (which usually I get an uninterested response)..."Get to know your neighbor, your office mates, your waiters from the restaurant that you frequent... your sphere of influence, and care for them as they are your friends"... there is a reason why this crime is called the invisible crime, and if you want to help, that is the only way that you will identify the victims... and to eventually, set them free.

URGENT: Christmas Cards needed for children in Compassion projects

I got this note from Dave Wells / Compassion International. Do you think you can help? Can you imagine the smile on the face of the child that your letter will reach?

Hey everyone – this is LATE notice but if you can participate and/or spread the word:

We can collect letters and Christmas cards for children in our projects that have never received a letter! Send them to:

Compassion International
Attn Candy Entingh
12290 Voyager Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80921

BUT…they have to arrive at GMC by November 23^rd, in order for them to get into the system and arrive for each child to receive them BY Christmas.

There are over 1,400 children in HAITI alone who don’t yet have a sponsor! Just write out a card or letter leaving out any attempt to address a particular child by name and let them know you are praying for them and thinking of them this Christmas. Share your faith, share your words of love and encouragement – but be sure to share something! It will take just a couple minutes to write out a quick card.

Let others know and send as many as you can by this weekend!

For God’s children-

doug west
advocate relations - southeast
compassion international (http://www.compassion.com/)

Hilton Hotels responds to child-trafficking scandal

Over 10 years ago I went to a hotel in Thailand with my wife for a vacation. We stayed at a relatively nice hotel..perhaps 4 stars class with beautiful lobby, large room, restaurants, etc. As part of the foreign country adventure, we decided to go to the spa/massage center. We were each assigned a lady and on to a separate room...it didn't take too long until my massage got waaaay too uncomfortable, with various sexual advancement and I had to pretty much pay and run out.

I share this because I want you to know that child trafficking and brothel in hotel is not so uncommon in various countries in Asia. Sometime it's hidden, and sometimes very openly. I guess I was too naive to realize what kind of place I was entering.

This past June (2010), a Hilton Hotel in China got busted and shut down by the police indefinitely for prostitution (see article). After this news, there were public outcry by the anti-Human Trafficking community, and I know many people called and wrote to the hotel headquarter.

A friend of mine forwarded me a wonderful news today (issued 10.31) that Hilton is responding to the Child Trafficking problem by rolling out a new policy world wide.

"Hilton is moving forward with discussions with ECPAT-USA and other organizations about steps to prevent child prostitution and human trafficking, and we continue to engage in and evaluate methods for prevention" - Jennifer Silberman, Hilton’s vice president of corporate responsibility

Now, I do not know what type of policy they are issuing nor how they are going to enforce it... and understand that those are the real issues.... but never-the-less, I am happy to see that something we advocated resulted to an action by a large corporation... Thank you to everyone who responded to the call, and looking forward to the positive results that this new policy would bring.

Celebrating October 31st!

It seems like everybody is celebrating the Halloween. I see so many picture postings on Facebook, people dressed as any silly thing they can think of. Growing up, I did go trick-or-treating. We used to live near several high rise apartments and we would go to the upper most floor, start knocking on every door and spiral all the way to the lobby. It was a great day of the year to get candies, run around with friends at night.... and I graduated celebrating it around 6th grade.

I never realized that it was a nationally celebrated holiday until I came to this country. Apparently grown up adults (with or without kids), children and their pets plan and look forward to this extremely silly holiday.

What makes it even more silly is the look of people when you tell them that I don't celebrate Halloween. They look at you with a look of horror (yes, I see the irony here) and have no idea why I choose not to 'celebrate' a day that has nothing to 'celebrate'. - but that's another blog if you don't know why dressing like a cartoon character and celebrating the day with misguided witches is not an idea of fun for me.

Now, if you want to celebrate the October 31st with something, and I'm not talking about a cheap substitution by calling your Halloween party a 'Fall Harvest Party', then we should go back and celebrate the day that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences to the door of the Castle Church. Imagine the boldness and courage that was needed to stand up to the religious authorities that seemed as if majority of the people agreed or didn't want to go against. We should celebrate the beginning of the day that we got the earthly freedom from corruption and false doctrines of the Church. Wouldn't you rather celebrate someone's bravery and bold action based on true faith rather than running around dressed up like a cartoon character?

Lately, I have met several people who are thirsty to see reformation in the body of Christ in the US. Most of people that I have met who believe in the basic tenants of Christianity would tell you that US church is pretty much dead. It is time, once again, that people of God would stand up, break the barrier of apathy, complacency and christian institutions that are operated solely as a business institution. I am hoping that another reformation will come, perhaps in my life time...

What is God to me?

I wish I could hear how you have come to know God in your life. I started thinking I would love to share about God in my life.

Without God I know my life would be in shambles, if I would be alive at all. God has been everything to me in my life. As a young child I grew up in an abusive home. A home where I didn't feel safe. My parents gave me food and I do have some good memories of growing up.. but the abuse really reached my core. Each time I was beaten, I was a broken mess. As I became so broken and bruised, I cried out to God. I prayed that He would help me. And I know He did. I prayed that I would survive this time and that God would help me make it through college and be able to leave this life of abuse. God helped me each step of the way, bringing people in my life, holding my hand.. even when all felt completely dark. Today I am a mother of 3 wonderful children, married to my a knight in shining armor. I have hope, I have God, who has carried me through much darkness and continues to show me his love each day, in unexpected ways. I hope if you haven't already, you will find the God of all comfort and Hope in your life today. He is waiting for you.

What is Love?

If someone asked you this question, would you talk to them about a romantic feeling that you have when you see someone you love, or a happy feeling you have when you see your child do something cute? Or a feeling of pride when someone you are close to does something special? Or would you go further and say you have to be forgiving and patient to really love. Or maybe you have read 1 Cor. 13 and memorized it, but are still trying to work it out in your life. I know I am. When I read this passage, I started asking myself... What does this passage mean when it says "..[Love] .. rejoices with the truth. What does the Bible mean when it says truth. And what does it mean to "Love" as God means it, not in the way we use it today.

So I am starting to realize my main problem is my definitions are incorrect. In order to understand Love, I need to understand what does God mean when he says it? How does He love? God put every evil of our world on his own precious son, his only son. He not only gave up his son, but he was sacrificed. He watched him be tortured and killed. And God asks me to love my neighbor? What am I willing to sacrifice for my neighbor, to show him love. What sacrifice of time or care can I show to my friend so that I can be love to her.

Our society is full of people looking for love. Wanting true love. Are we willing to be love to show this True Love to those who are around us? Try this week to show love to someone. Someone who may have done nothing to stir up loving feelings, but who still needs love.

Miracles?

Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe God can work in our everyday life today? Do you think God can change your life?

Can God bring hope to our desperately seeking world by touching us where we are? By showing up in our everyday life.. just to show us He loves us.

It seems everyone these days is looking for the supernatural. As Christians we have the ultimate power source. Let's call on God to show up. He is waiting for us to cry out to Him.

I would love to hear about your miracles.

A Day In The Life of A Homeless Man - Part 2

A Day In The Life of A Homeless Man - Part 1