Hi, friends,

Real quick. Can you say a prayer for the International Justice Mission team in South Asia? They are currently working to rescue slaves from a brick kiln. IJM will conduct an operation tomorrow to hopeful rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators. If you want to learn more about this case, you can read the below blog post from IJM Institute.

For more info about modern-day slavery, you can visit these websites:
International Justice Mission
Not for Sale Campaign
Polaris Project
US Dept of State - Human Trafficking Global Affairs


Blog Post from the IJM Institute
Posted 10/7/09. Written by Bethany Hoang.
(Click HERE for original post)

Friends, we have truly amazing reports of rescue from this week coming your way, but I first want to let you know of a most urgent need for prayer for one of our teams in South Asia. I have posted a letter from our South Asia director below - your prayers at this moment and throughout the night are critical. Please pray that God would make all obstacles null in the face of his power to rescue, that God’s justice would prevail over every stronghold of injustice.

From our Director of South Asia:

The __________ Team is seeking to rescue slaves at multiple brick kilns. We have evidence that these owners use the local police to track down slaves who manage to escape their brutal kilns. Recently, the owners tracked down a group of escaped slaves who had been in communication with our investigative team. These slaves were beaten and brought back to the brick kilns.

The slaves who are working for these brick kilns come from three separate states, and are thus from three separate language groups and cultures. This means that there are internal rivalries that are likely to complicate matters during the operation.

The ________ Team has been putting this case together for quite some time. As cases have been quite challenging in this region over the past year, we very much covet your prayers. Please pray for favor with the authorities, that the operation would go forward tomorrow, that all of the victims who want freedom will be able to exit those brick kilns and obtain official Release Certificates and that the perpetrators will be charged and arrested. Please pray for our __________ Team as they carry out this operation, that they would be strong and courageous.

___________Team: the entire South Asia and Headquarters staff are with you, as will be the Prayer Partners of the IJM Institute. You are covered in our prayers and our great God goes before you. God speed.

So, as most of you know, God has deeply burdened my heart for the victims of sex trafficking - those who are bought, sold and held against their will for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Diving into this dark world has surfaced in me some pretty extreme emotions... anger, disgust, heartbreak, and despair; but these are also accompanied by a passion to help, a hope for change, and a joy in knowing Jesus and His unconditional, powerful and life-transforming love. It's an interesting season of life to say the least!

I thought I'd share something with you all... I just received an email update from my dear friends, Ashley and Beto Lagunas, who are leading an outreach team in Israel. They are there until December to share God's love and serve the community. I was so encouraged by their update, I thought I'd post it here. May it be a blessing to you!

And you can check out their website/pictures at: http://betashgarden.com (click on the "News and Updates" page)

August 19, 2009 - Beto & Ashley Lagunas Update
"Its hard to believe we have been in Israel for 11 days now. It has been nothing short of seeing His favor resting over us. We felt like the Israelites crossing the Jordan crossing over into the promises that the Lord has for this season. Lets just say starting in the Airport we saw His hand, and it was a miracle we even set foot into Israel (if you want the full story you'll have to give us a call:)). Once we got here, Beto and I came to Jerusalem to find an apartment, and within hours the Lord had opened a door for us to stay in the very heart of Jerusalem for an amazing price and just the right size! We felt the Lord was prompting our heart to come to Jerusalem and WAIT for what He would want us to do, and it been breathtaking as we have watched Him supernaturally bring us to people. Even this week one day we felt like the Lord wanted to go down to the streets and play music and make friends. SO we did, and before long we had made our first friends. Shmuel took us to His house and served us Moroccan tea and insisted that we come to house for Shabat. (A big feast on Fridays and he is going to invite all his friends). We also met another friend Joel, He plays music also on the streets of Jerusalem, but his songs are about the Messiah that the Jewish people are waiting for, we invited Him over to our house and it has hard to hear Him talk about how he is still waiting for His messiah. We are hoping that through our friendship He will see the Love of God.

Yesterday we went to a hospital recovery center, its a ministry that brings babies from Iraq to give them Heart surgery, we got hang out with the Kids that are going in for life saving surgery. All are Muslim but are open to God. We will be visiting hanging out with them every week. Its crazy how God is really bringing All Nations to Israel. This week we had tea with a Moroccan and we had Lunch with Iraqi women, and hung out with the Jewish brethren.

The biggest thing the Lord is teaching me is HIS FAVOR lasts a Life time and all we have to do is trust in Him and Believe by Faith that ALL His Promises are YES and AMEN. He IS faithful to meet us on the other side of every moment."

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!!!
  

I am so proud of my friend, Lindsey Isham! This picture was taken at her Book Release Party. Her first book titled, No Sex in the City: One Virgin's Confessions of Love, Lust, Dating and Waiting is all about purity. I've read two chapters so far and I've laughed out loud a LOT and have definitely been encouraged by it. Check out the description of her book:

"Many books about sexual purity speak to men, but few-if any-speak to young women. Lindsey Nicole Isham boldly fills that gap with No Sex in the City, the brutally honest and often hilarious story of Lindsey's quest for sexual purity in the face of an impure culture, baffled peers, and sexual desire. Speaking from her own experience and from years as an abstinence advocate, Lindsey treats young women like the sexual beings they are, exploring their desires and curiosities about sex while relating candid experiences and truths about sexual purity. A great tool for Bible studies, youth groups, and abstinence organizations, No Sex in the City will help young, single, Christian women discuss their thoughts and keep their purity commitments."

If you're interested, check it out on Amazon, Facebook, or her website.