Posts
13 years ago
October 24, 2009
Quick update for ya! So much has gone on in the last 2+ years and especially in just the last six months regarding my involvement in the fight against human trafficking. God has blown me away by the opportunities that have come my way, the people I've been able to meet, and all that I've learned. I cannot think of a more worthy cause to dedicate my time, energy and resources to! I wish I had the time right now to catch you up on all that's gone on in the last six months, but I don't have the time and you probably don't have the time to sit here and read it anyway--haha! So, I'll just mention one thing this morning...
I get the opportunity to sit through about 5 days of training on the ins and outs of a long-term aftercare program for victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation!!! First of all, I love to learn, and second of all, to learn about this?! Wow! So excited! The training is through the Servants Anonymous Foundation which has been opening up recovery homes and assisting others to provide long-term recovery care for trafficking victims for about 10 years now. GenerateHope will soon offer this program here in San Diego and that's why I get to attend the trainings. Yippee!
So, that's the scoop for now. If you're on twitter, I'll be posting some updates about my experience and I hope to post some blogs about it too.
Friends, thanks for your love, support, and prayers! You have played a role in my "Justice Journey"! And I thank God for His guiding hand in all of this.
Much love to you!!!
~Carolyn
Hey, all! I just realized that I have not updated you on my trip up to Salinas, California. And since I can't seem to fall asleep, I guess I'll use this time to blog about it. So, here goes...
In two words, I'd sum it up as inspiring and humbling.
It was such a JOY to work with the preschoolers for 5 days... we sang and danced to fun songs about God, we did a creative craft project every day which usually incorporated a Bible lesson, I lead them in fun games that made them laugh and smile, and we talked about how much Jesus loves them. I didn't think my heart could fall in love with kids that quickly. It was so affirming to be reminded of how much I LOVE kids and that I was meant to make a difference in their lives...no doubt about it. It was so sad to say good-bye on the last day!
What made the week so humbling was to be served so graciously and supported with so much love by the local church. In preparation of our arrival, they prayed and fasted for us and the families we would be interacting with. During the week, they served us incredible home-cooked dinners and helped us throughout the day in many ways. And we had so much fun together! The instant bond we can have with other Christians is such a unique gift.
Oh, yeah... one of the reasons I was asked to go on this trip with the Migrant Ministry was to see in action what part the SMCC Small Group Ministry plays!!! So, earlier this year we asked the Small Groups at Shadow Mountain if they would put together what we call "Love in a Bag." These bags are filled with toiletry items like soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, etc. etc. With the help of about 80 groups, we collected around 300 bags to give to the single men who live on the camps. As we gave out these bags, it was awesome to see this project come full circle--through the generosity of our small group members, hundreds of men were blessed with some much needed stuff. Yeah!
I think everyone comes home from experiences like these with ideas, refreshed perspective, and thoughts about what's next. Here are some of mine...
- I came home with a new desire to do a mission trip once a year or every 2 years. Maybe I'll return to Salinas next summer and hopefully see some of the same kids??? Maybe I'll get hooked up with an organization that works with rescued victims of human trafficking... Peru? Cambodia? India? God, where would You like me to go?
- My heart broke for kids and families who don't know Jesus and His redemptive love. I felt such an excitement in sharing who Jesus is, but along with this excitement came a deep sense of responsibility. That excitement and burden still lingers, which brings me to my next thought...
- I really want to get more involved in community service in San Diego or Mexico (since it's so close). Just don't know how yet. Praying for clarity and divine appointments.
- I also came back thinking once again, that I REALLY want to learn spanish! I took one semester of it recently, but didn't keep up with it. Maybe it's time to start studying and practicing!!!
Hey friends! Just a quick post to ask for prayer! Many of you already know that I'm going with a team of about 30 people up to Salinas, California to minister to migrant workers and their families. We're putting on a Vacation Bible School for the kids, having movie nights with the families, holding services, giving out needed items to the men on the camps, and more!!!
Could you say a prayer for our team? We'll be gone from Sunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1. Here's a picture of most of our team. Thanks so much!!!!
I am really excited about something I feel God has laid on my heart. I’ve been thinking and praying about this for two months now and have finally decided to put action to my thoughts and prayers—it’s definitely a step of faith and I’m just going to see what God does through it. Here’s a little context to what I’m talking about…
About two years ago God began burdening my heart for the victims of sex trafficking and other forms of modern-day slavery. Over these years, my eyes have been opened more and more to the horrific realities of violent oppression that’s taking place all over the world—things like 5 years olds being bought and sold for sex, families forced to work 6 days a week, 16 hours a day for no wages, and teenagers getting kidnapped in foreign countries and brought to the U.S. to feed the sexual appetites of men here in the states.
Becoming aware of these realities has awakened a huge desire in me to help. I’m not exactly sure how God wants to use me, so I’ve been “getting my feet wet” in hopes to narrow the focus. One of the things I’ve recently done is volunteered with the Human Trafficking Ministry at the Rock Church (http://www.therocksandiego.org/ministries/trafficking/). We’ve gone out on El Cajon Blvd to outreach to women being forced to sell their bodies for sex. In the last three months, this ministry has helped four women get off the streets and start a life of recovery—amazing!
So, the big thing that I've been praying about and have decided to take a step of faith in: I'm hosting/leading 4 “Summer of Justice Meetings.” These meetings have 3 purposes: 1) spread awareness on the issue of sex trafficking and other forms of modern-day slavery, 2) educate people on how they can help, and 3) pray together for the victims, the perpetrators and organizations that are devoted to helping the oppressed. I'm so excited about this!!
So, I have a question for YOU! :O) Would you consider doing one or all of the following…
1. Attend one “Summer of Justice Meeting” (http://sites.google.com/site/summerofjustice/). The first meeting is this Monday, June 29 (see the link for the other 3 dates).
2. Share this link (http://sites.google.com/site/summerofjustice/) with anyone you feel might be interested in attending a meeting.
3. Say a prayer for me as I prepare for these meetings and wait to see what God does. :O)
Again, here's the link with details: http://sites.google.com/site/summerofjustice/
Thanks so much for your time and consideration!!! I really appreciate any support you can give!!!
Hey friends & family,
Some of you may know that I’m going on a week mission trip up to Salinas (central Cali). I’ll be there from Sunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1 with a team of about 30 from my church. Every year, migrant workers travel from camp to camp located throughout central California and the surrounding states to work on the crops.
They have many needs and to help meet those needs, our team of volunteers will partner with the local churches in the Salinas area. We are going to put on a “Vacation Bible School” for the kids of the migrant workers—singing fun songs, doing neat crafts, and teaching them about Jesus. We will also be delivering donated items such as clothes, food, and toiletries that are much needed. I will be taking part specifically in the teaching of the younger kids about God—very exciting—along with handing out bags of toiletry items that the ministry I work for at my church helped put together!
I just wanted to let you know about the trip because you’re important to me and I was hoping you could pray for me and the team. Any prayer would be appreciated. Thanks! I’ll keep you updated…
Here's a picture of the team I'm on.
