I know without a doubt, that this will be with me my entire life now. I will do everything that i can do, and more with God, against sex trafficking, sexual & physical abuse and for the victims of these crimes.
Sexual Abuse and Physical Abuse of a child or Woman. The topic has always bothered me. But that's all it was...something that bothered me. Like most people i heard a story and became saddened by it and would feel sorry for the victims. But it was so far from removed from me that i could not relate. It was someone else's problem.
Then there was Jaycee Lee Dugard. Here is her story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping_of_Jaycee_Lee_Dugard
And a little more research and i found this story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritzl_case
That was the worse story i had ever heard. I thought to myself "there is no way this is real. There is no way that this could happen to someone for so long. No way."
I began to think about it day and night. Trying to imagine what they were thinking, how they felt, if they were hungry, cold, sick, did they miss their mothers, did need a hug, did they understand this was not their fault, did they hurt, how much, how often, did they have any hope. I tried to imagine what could possibly make anyone do these things to others. I was at a loss. I would cry myself to sleep. I even got prescribed some sleeping pills because i was having a hard time falling asleep.
I envisioned myself in their shoes and it was no longer removed from me. It was very real to me and i knew just knowing about it was not enough. I'm sure these women and children never thought this was going to happen to them, it just happened one day. We cant wait to care only when it affects us personally.
I started crying out to God. It hurt me so bad knowing what these girls went through, and one by one, things lined up. And i just knew that I needed to do more.
It started with learning about more cases. Reading the bible about sin and man. Then there was prayer for the women and children.
Then it was the time of year to sign up for missions at our church. Every year our church goes to India to preach the Gospel to unreached people. So i signed up. But something didn't sit right. I knew that i was called to go on a mission trip but not so sure this was the right one. A little more time and research and i found Saved By Nails. I signed up to for a Mission Trip to Mumbai, India known for its Red Light District
http://www.savedbynails.org/donate.html
Then it just so happened that the Superbowl was in town and with major events, i learned, there is a rise in Prostitution, and with prostitution there is a rise in Sex Trafficking victims being used. So i and a few friends got involved with Traffick911:
http://www.traffick911.com/
A few wonderful Men i know even helped make awareness by "Walking A Mile in Her Shoes":
I could write some more. But i think this sums up how it all started.
Anyone can stand up and make a difference. That little boy, girl, women just needs you. One is enough.
It is God Himself who made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:10
Sexual Abuse and Physical Abuse of a child or Woman. The topic has always bothered me. But that's all it was...something that bothered me. Like most people i heard a story and became saddened by it and would feel sorry for the victims. But it was so far from removed from me that i could not relate. It was someone else's problem.
Then there was Jaycee Lee Dugard. Here is her story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping_of_Jaycee_Lee_Dugard
And a little more research and i found this story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritzl_case
That was the worse story i had ever heard. I thought to myself "there is no way this is real. There is no way that this could happen to someone for so long. No way."
I began to think about it day and night. Trying to imagine what they were thinking, how they felt, if they were hungry, cold, sick, did they miss their mothers, did need a hug, did they understand this was not their fault, did they hurt, how much, how often, did they have any hope. I tried to imagine what could possibly make anyone do these things to others. I was at a loss. I would cry myself to sleep. I even got prescribed some sleeping pills because i was having a hard time falling asleep.
I envisioned myself in their shoes and it was no longer removed from me. It was very real to me and i knew just knowing about it was not enough. I'm sure these women and children never thought this was going to happen to them, it just happened one day. We cant wait to care only when it affects us personally.
I started crying out to God. It hurt me so bad knowing what these girls went through, and one by one, things lined up. And i just knew that I needed to do more.
It started with learning about more cases. Reading the bible about sin and man. Then there was prayer for the women and children.
Then it was the time of year to sign up for missions at our church. Every year our church goes to India to preach the Gospel to unreached people. So i signed up. But something didn't sit right. I knew that i was called to go on a mission trip but not so sure this was the right one. A little more time and research and i found Saved By Nails. I signed up to for a Mission Trip to Mumbai, India known for its Red Light District
http://www.savedbynails.org/donate.html
Then it just so happened that the Superbowl was in town and with major events, i learned, there is a rise in Prostitution, and with prostitution there is a rise in Sex Trafficking victims being used. So i and a few friends got involved with Traffick911:
http://www.traffick911.com/
A few wonderful Men i know even helped make awareness by "Walking A Mile in Her Shoes":
I could write some more. But i think this sums up how it all started.
Anyone can stand up and make a difference. That little boy, girl, women just needs you. One is enough.
It is God Himself who made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:10
