On my heart...sex trafficking

It's been quite awhile since I've blogged, and every time I get on, I remember why. Blogger is not working well for me, and if I sit for any length of time to think, I have trouble getting it to start again. That's not so easy.

But today I have something to say. I've had something for awhile, but I haven't been able to get it right. But I'm going to try now.

As most of you know, we are hosting an orphan from Ukraine this Christmas. We are so very excited about this, and we are praying that it will turn into an adoption as well. But that is yet to be determined. But in all of my excitement about this, I've been watching videos and reading books and doing lots of research about orphanages and other missions that help them. I've found many worthy ministries. There are many people out there who are helping, and for that I am truly thankful. I haven't found a lot of people in the United States who know too much about what really goes on in these orphanages (or really cares much, for that matter) but there are some.

You see, there are estimated to be 147 million orphans worldwide. That number seems overwhelming. I think that's why most people just turn a blind eye. I mean, what can one person do, right? It's much easier to pretend that they aren't there, to pretend that the healthcare crisis in America or border control or higher taxes or just Obama himself is so much more of a pressing matter. I'm not saying those things aren't important. They are. But Jesus didn't say a lot about them in his word--except that the example of the New Testament church was to sell all they had to be able to give to others.  Just sayin'.... [On a side note, I'm not sure where that puts me as a conservative Republican, but whatever.]

But Jesus did talk about the orphans. Jesus did talk about the oppressed and the poor. He told us to care for them. He told us he wouldn't leave them as orphans. Guess who are supposed to be his hands and feet--not leaving them?? THE CHURCH!

So I'm not here to preach to anyone about adoption or even hosting a child. I really don't believe that adoption is the answer. There's no way we could ever adopt all 147 million orphans out there. Not gonna happen. And people aren't going to respond to that call. Some will. Some will adopt. There are lots of people out there doing just that, and it's awesome! If you know someone--help them! Answer the call that way. Many people want to adopt but can't afford it. That is a great way to help if God has put that on your heart.

But there are so many other ways to help. There are so many other answers to the problems, so many ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus and help "the least of these." You can sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision. I know there are lots of other ways to sponsor a child, but I know personally that these two organizations make sure that the maximum amount of your money is going to help the orphans. Follow Katie Davis at her blog Kisses from Katie and see what amazing things this young lady is doing for Jesus--just by following his call when most anyone else would have thought it was impossible. Read some books like Infinitely More and Priceless to educate yourself on what is really going on out there beyond our safe little houses and safe families.

I've found an amazing ministry called Stella's Voice. Actually, I'm pretty sure I've heard of it before, but now I'm in so deep I can't get out! I want to help. I have the overwhelming desire to help. Make sure you check out their ministry. Watch this:

Like I said, I'm in deep now. I can't back down. God has my heart. But I didn't just want to give money--although that's definitely in the plans. I know that our little bit helps as it is combined with others. But I want to do more. So here's my plan. At Christmas, everyone is more giving, right? Most people are feeling a little more charitable. I really want to get as much as I can together to send to this ministry. Their headquarters are in Alabama. The shipping can't be that much. If it gets to be so much that the shipping is ridiculous, I'll drive it there myself! But they need clothes and toiletries and toys and shoes and socks and linens. They have so many physical needs. They are trying to build two more homes that would house 70 more girls. 70 more girls that would be safe from human trafficking!!! I want to know that I'm making a difference in someone's life. It would be amazing to get to go there myself in Mondolva but that's not going to happen in time soon. So I would love to be able to help in other physicals ways.

Here are the facts. Over 20.9 million adults and children are in slavery today (sex or forced labor) according to equalitynow.org. Here's what one young survivor had to say:

"They forced me to sleep with as many as 50 customers as day. I had to give [the pimp] all my money. If I did not [earn a set amount] they punished me by removing my clothes and beating me with a stick until I fainted, electrocuting me, cutting me."--Kolab, a survivor from Cambodia

 The thing that got me so into this in the first place was hearing the statistics of orphan girls who end up in prostitution or sex trafficking. You see, in Russian (and other Eastern European countries) the orphans are turned out and expected to live on their own at 16. They are no longer adoptable and no longer a responsibility of the orphanage. This depends on the country and orphanage but the age is either 16 or 18 in each of the countries. With little education and up against insurmountable odds, what is an orphan girl to do? From statistics that I've heard, close to 90% of these girls end up as prostitutes or being sold into slavery. Human trafficking is a very lucrative business--much more lucrative than drugs. And hearing these statistics along with connecting with a sweet Ukrainian orphan (whom I've never met) just by seeing her photo, has set my heart on fire for this mission. I cannot imagine her sweet face being turned out to the streets in just a couple of years. God has given me a fierce, protective love for her already that is so deep that I just want to give her everything we can to equip her for this world. All we can really give her is Jesus. He's the only hope. My biggest prayer is that she will see that while she's here. And if God ordains it, that she will be back to live with us permanently. And in that way, maybe we can keep one more orphan out of the hands of the traffickers.

But that's just my thoughts. That's what got me to thinking about this. It got me researching and doing. And if you know me, you know I'm a doer. I got that from my mama!! I tend to sometimes do things too fast without thinking. But I know this is a good thing.

So here's what I'm asking. If you live in Knoxville (or want to mail me something) I will be collecting items to send to Stella's Voice. Like I said above, please watch the video and check out the website to see what they are all about. Here is a link to see all the things they need and the specifications. Obviously, money is also always appreciated--checks made out to Stella's Voice.

So if you feel led this Christmas to give, I'm going to start collecting whenever people start giving. If you feel led to share this with others, please do. If you feel led to help me out with this, please do. If you are in other parts of the country and you think you might want to do the same thing in your community, go for it. And let me know!! I would love to make this thing big! Just my way of trying  to help from my little corner of the world. My kids are in on this as well. The younger ones don't know all of the details of course. But we're praying. And we'll be giving as a family. Won't you join us??

Hope to hear from you soon!!!