Practice What You Preach

So this weekend I got to teach in the photography track of the YWAM Orlando Discipleship Training School about blogging and how to blog well. As a blogger, I guess I have some authority in this area, but I definitely looked to some pro's on putting this teaching together. Jeff Goins is a fabulous blogger, and does a great job of communicating how to communicate. I used many of his blogging resources! It was so fun teaching this students, and sharing blogging successes and fails with them, and inspire them to blog well! But I was also challenged about how to be a beter blogger myself. I want to use this blog as a place to not just process life, but also to educate & inspire others in being active in their faith, and using social justice to do that. So I'm excited to post more and share more and hopefully, inspire more! Hope you are too.

Thanks, Joshua Miller, for snapping this photo! Continue reading →

Crazy World Changers

Ran across this quote from Steve Jobs the other day on Pinterest. But it was more than a pin it and forget it moment. It stuck with me. It got me thinking. Changing the world isn't for your average dreamers. Being so unsatisfied with the condition of the world around you that it compels you to action isn't a normal calling. It takes a bit of crazy. And sometimes that's exactly what I feel, is crazy. Crazy to think that there could be a world where human trafficking doesn't exist. Crazy to believe that my actions and the actions of those around me can make a difference. Crazy to wonder if this 20something [soon to be 30something] can actually change things. So thanks Steve Jobs, I needed this reminder today. I'll keep on being crazy and making a difference around me and watch the world change. Continue reading →

The Red Lights of London

My heart is broken. No matter how many times you read a statistic, watch a documentary, or talk about an issue, the names & faces will always break your heart.

Our London outreach team has spent the last 2 days in the red light district of London, called Soho. It's right in the middle of the city, just one block from all the West End theatres and shows. Just one turn from the bright lights of theatre stages to the neon marquees of bars & brothels.

Our first night down in Soho was very eye opening. It's much more sexually explicit than what I've seen in America, but I've almost learned not to be shocked by anything. It just saddens me now. We were partnering with a ministry called Now Believe. They spend every Thursday night in Soho, handing out coffee, tea, and snacks to anyone who will stop. Often it leads to conversation, prayer, and sometimes salvation & healing. It was a great night for our team. We broke out of our comfort zones and really engaged with those on the streets, looking for pleasure & escape. God burdened our hearts for so many. It was almost hard to go home that night.

But we found ourselves back in Soho the next day as well. We were working with a ministry called City Gates Church, who has a coffee shop right in the heart of Soho, sharing an alleyway with a Chinese Tattoo Palor and a British Adult Sex Shop. We spent the afternoon with Heidi, who runs their ministry to the red light district. She has been living and working among the prostituted women in Soho for over 20 years! Her perseverance inspired us all. She recounted her stories of victory and heartbreak among the red lights. She explained more of the culture of prostitution in London, and helped us understand the environment we were entering. But most importantly, she reminded us where the fight was.  "The biggest battle isn't for the prostitutes, the red-light, or the ministry, but for our hearts." Our job is to be completely focused on intimacy with Christ, and He moves us and uses us, and things change on earth. But it's a spiritual battle that only God can win. It was a good reminder to those of us who try to do things in our strength...just to watch them fail. How reassuring to sit back and remember the battle is His, and all I have to do is lean on Him to fight it.

Heidi showed us around several of the brothels in Soho, where prostitutes, called models, service their clients for sometimes 12 hours a day and up to 30-40 men a day. She said many of the girls in Soho these days are foreign...Albanian, Lithuanian, Romanian, and so many more. Girls who signed up for jobs to get out of their poor living conditions or just in hope of a better life, and wound up in a brothel. Many knew partial truths of what they were signing up for, but maybe not the extent. And some feel trapped by the language barrier and the allure of cash. It's a complicated cycle. I'm so glad to serve a God of justice and eternal solutions.

That night, we once again prayed for people on the streets, but this time with fresh eyes and fresh passion. We prayed over homosexuals, homeless, tourists, and party-goers. One man even gave his life to Christ! Salvation on the streets of Soho! It was a beautiful moment of redemption in darkness.

Our continued prayer for Soho is for God's kingdom to be established there. That the kingdom of the enemy will fall, and God's presence will invade. That is the prayer of our hearts. Continue reading →

London Ministry: Day 1: Towers, Bridges & Palaces...Oh My!

This morning we visited the Salvation Army's Cambria House in King's Cross. It's a men's hostel [shelter] which helps once homeless men get back on their feet, find jobs, deal with any substance abuse, and hopefully meet God in the process! We led a time of prayer for the staff of this House, and were able to really encourage them and the work they are doing. Then we got to cook breakfast for the residents, and hang out with them and invite them out to a BBQ next week that we are hosting! We had some great conversations, and I'm hoping many show up next week for our movie night and BBQ.

After our morning at the Salvation Army, we spent the afternoon doing a Justice Prayer Walk on the streets of London. We started at the walk at Buckingham Palace and praying for the royal family. From there we walked to Westminister Abbey, Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Royal Courts of Justice, Temple Church, St. Bride's Church, Old Bailey, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London! It was quite the walk. But in each place we just prayed that God's justice would prevail, His presence would be made known and His word would reign. It was an incredible way to really launch our time in London by getting HIS heart for the city! Here are some pics from the day...

Buckingham Palace! God save the Queen!

Parliament buildings, Big Ben [not pictured], and big red bus! Hello, London!

Westminister Abbey. Oh, so beautiful...

Trafalgar Square, geting all ready for the Olympics!

Royal Courts of Justice. So great.

St. Bride's Church. The most epic wedding church ever!

St. Paul's Cathedral. Speechless.

Tower of London!

Team at Tower Bridge!

The beautiful Tower Bridge!!

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Micah 6:8

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A Glimpse into My Heart

Recently, I shared with my church community, Watermark Church in Tampa, a glimpse of my heart. I shared with them my journey through fighting against modern-day slavery and what is next for me. I meant to post this weeks ago, so you too could be part of my journey. So forgive my delay and watch my story now. The video in the beginning is a trailer for the Sex + Money documentary that is now touring the nation. I speak after the video plays. Enjoy.

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Things I Hate

"Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked." - Psalm 97:10

This is a verse I read recently, and it instantly jumped off the page. "Let those who love the Lord hate evil..." I was silenced. I thought about all the things I hate in this world...human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, hunger, poverty, child soldiers, abortion, domestic violence, materialism...the list goes on. I've devoted my life and my ministry to fighting against injustice, hating the symptoms of our fallen world. Not because I'm a superhero and not because I'm a saint. Not because I think I have all the answers and not because I think I'm capable. But because I love the Lord. It's that easy. Because of this unending, unquenchable love for my Savior, I've grown to hate the things He hates, and love the things He loves.

I just thought this was a cool reminder as we have been launching our very first human trafficking prevention focused Discipleship Training School this quarter, and where we have these students start in their quest to end injustice. It's starts with falling in love with Jesus. And we all can do that.

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Team Effort

It's true, I'm in the wedding planning zone. I've got a dress, shoes, venue, jewelery, and more all figured out. It's great. But wedding planning isn't my entire focus this summer. As many of my faithful blog readers know, I've been training with Youth With A Mission Orlando for the past 9 months. Well, now I can now officially announce that I am full-time staff with YWAM Orlando! I'm so excited to be at this point, and can't wait to see the amazing journey God has for me with this organization. It's the place where I've truly discovered my calling & how to best live it out, it's where I've met my husband, and it's where I see us serving God long-term.

With that, my first official "job" with YWAM Orlando is building my sponsorship team! It's a chance for me to reach out to my community [friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers] and invite them to be part of the vision & ministry that God has called me to. One of the most encouraging/exciting/humbling parts of this job is knowing that I can't do it alone. I must find people to come alongside of me and support me. But it's so encouraging to have 20 - 100 people lifting me up in prayer as I daily fight for the kingdom of heaven. It's humbling to accept their hard-earned dollars to pay for my ministry expenses. And it's exciting to realize that when I'm in southern Africa...China...Thailand...Cambodia...India...Nepal...that I'm not there alone, they are with me. It's because of my sponsorship team that Donaro now has an eternal hope in Christ. And it's because of my sponsorship team that 12 former Cambodian prostituted women made their newfound faith public one warm day on a beach. It's because of my sponsorship that I get to do what I do, and eternity is effected.

This summer I'm increasing this team. I believe that God has even more people He wants to come alongside of me [and my fiance Creagon!]. I know He isn't done yet, and there are others that need to be involved. I love to tell my stories of how God is using me on the mission field. I am excited to share my vision for bringing freedom to those in captivity through YWAM Orlando. Will you give me the chance to share with you? Continue reading →

Up, Up, and Away!

Here it is, June already and later this month I'll be flying off to Nepal for 8 weeks! This summer, I will be traveling to Kathmandu, Nepal, where I will be fighting against human trafficking and modern slavery in one of the darkest countries on the planet. Nepal's children are being sold by the thousands to the sex trade in India every year. I will have a chance to change that this summer. I'm pretty excited about this opportunity, and even more excited to be purchasing our PLANE TICKETS next week! But, I still need the money to make that happen! Using the PayPal link located on the left of my blog, you can donate directly to my support fund. Partner with me by donating $300 or some other amount today.

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A Reflection

So the past 30 days, I have been profiling different justice organizations throughout the country. They covered different topics and causes spanning across cities and continents. I hope that some of them were new to you, and you learned something in the process. I'm glad I did this little blogging project. I felt so inspired by the incredible work that is being done around the world. I love seeing how both Christian and non-Christian organizations work together for the same goal: justice. At times I felt a bit like the Sara Groves song, “When the Saints”, when she talks about all the great spiritual trailblazers who have gone before, and how she wants to be one of them. There are so many organizations that have been at this work for so long, and are doing such great things, that I am truly humbled to work alongside a few of them and be part of changing our world. So thanks for reading my 30 Days of Justice series. Stay tuned, as hopefully, there will be more great posts to come as I prepare for full-time missions life!

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30 Days of Justice: JOY in Cambodia

Today's cause is very personal to me. Because it is me! For those of you who have just started following my blog, or those of you who know me all to well, I wanted to take the time today to focus on what exactly I'm doing with my life in the coming year.

It all started with a question 4 years ago....Human trafficking? What's that? I found the answers, and my life was forever changed. As I began researching and reading about this injustice, I knew that I would be devoting my life to end it. I didn't know how, or where, or for how long, but I knew it was part of me now. After much reading and prayers, God really started to lay Southeast Asia on my heart, and more specifically Cambodia. I thought that was strange, because I've never known anyone to go there, I never really think about it, and it just seemed odd. But it was confirmed within me over and over again that Cambodia was where I should go.

So I started looking into it. And wouldn't you know, one of the first sites I searched was YWAM, and one of the first job postings I found was for “Prostitute Recovery Staff”. I read the description and thought that is exactly what I want to do! The White Doves base was a home for girls who wanted to leave a life of prostitution and find healing. Through Bible study, counseling, education, and honest work, they find the freedom they've been searching for. Long story short, I emailed them, said I wanted that job and how do I get it. They suggested I visit first, which I whole-heartedly agreed with. So began planning my first solo trip to Asia. In August 2009, with my $2,000 plane ticket in hand, I left for my dream country of Cambodia. I went in with no real expectations, but it wasn't anything like I expected. I fell in love with the country, the people and the ministry. And that's why when I returned, I knew I was destined to go back. For more a detailed account of my time there, read past blog posts here.

In September 2010, I will began my Discipleship Training School with YWAM. I'm excited because it's a Compassion & Justice themed school, and I can't wait to soak in some great teaching during that time. The overseas outreach location hasn't been determined yet, but I'm for Asia. The cost for this school is around $6,000. Final cost will be set once the location is chosen. After my DTS, I am able to became YWAM staff at the White Doves base in Siem Reap. When I talked to the director, Martin, while I was there, I asked him specifically what would have when/if I returned. And he basically said, do what you are good at. Who doesn't love that as a job description! One of my favorite things I did with the girls was teach English. So I'm hoping to continue that when I return. I have so much to do in preparation for this new adventure, such as learning Khmer and teaching myself how to prepare some Cambodian food.

One area where I need the most help is financially. Both the school and the position in Cambodia are support-based, meaning I have to raise it all. Maybe most people would find that overwhelming, and sometimes I do, but mostly I find it exciting. Because not only is it a chance for God to show up and rock my world, it's also a chance for people like you to be part of this dream. It's a chance for people who have jobs, spouses, kids, and mortgages who can't fly around the world to rescue girls from sex trafficking, to be a part in fighting it. It's a chance for people to be part of a miracle. And that IS exciting.

If you'd like to donate to this opportunity you either use the PayPal link at the top left of my blog, or mail a check (made out to YWAM) to myself. If you wish to do that, contact me for my address. You can also become my Facebook fan here. Thank you for listening to me share my heart about my future plans.

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30 Days of Justice: Youth With a Mission

Some of Jesus' last words are “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." [Matthew 2819-20]. And one missions organization has been doing just that for over 50 years.

Youth With A Mission began in 1960 as a way to get young people to “know God and make Him known”. Today, YWAMers are no longer just youth, but people of all ages and generations. They live in over 150 nations and they like to work with partners in multi-cultural teams, celebrating the diversity of our different experiences, languages, and perspectives. They come from many different Christian traditions and they love to get together and worship God using our different expressions. They are all committed to growing in our understanding of who Jesus is and how He wants us to love and serve the people of the world. I am a YWAMer as well.

YWAM offers one of the best trainings for missionaries, called Discipleship Training School [DTS]. These schools are all over the world, in all different locations, with several specialized focuses. The format is 3 months of lecture, and 3 months of outreach. A YWAM missionary can attend a standard DTS, or one a bit more focused, like Worship, Compassion & Justice, or Sports centered. These specialized school programs allow students to be equipped to meet unique mission field experiences.

You can get involved with YWAM for just a few months, or a lifetime. By completing a DTS, you are able to serve at different YWAM bases, as you feel God leading. The base I visited this past summer was in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is my goal to become a staff member of that base and work towards rescuing and restoring young Cambodian women seeking to leave of life of prostitution.. But...more on that tomorrow!

If you've felt the call to go overseas and see God work, start with YWAM. Or even if you want to stay in country, and help those around you find a YWAM base nearby. I know there are literally hundreds of Christian missionary sending organizations, and YWAM is just one. There are so many more reputable organizations doing amazing work for the kingdom. I chose to profile YWAM because they are who I am currently serving with, and maybe they could be someone you could serve with too.

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30 Days of Justice: Chab Dai

Prostitution. Human trafficking. Commercial sexual exploitation. Sex Tourism. Forced labor & migration. Sexual abuse of boys. Child labor. Statelessness. These issues and more are plaguing Cambodia. And when you just read the list, it seems overwhelming. How can these injustices be eliminated? How can we fix this? What can just one organization do? And the truth is, one organization isn't going to do it. It's going to take individuals reaching out to other individuals and organizations reaching out to other organizations to solve this crisis. And that is exactly why Chab Dai exists in Cambodia.

The vision behind Chab Dai (literally “joining hands” in Khmer) was founded in Cambodia in 2005. Chab Dai aims to bring an end to trafficking and sexual exploitation through coalition building, community prevention, advocacy and research. Chab Dai is a network for relief organizations to partner and join efforts in ending the cycles of violence and abuse of the Khmer people.

Cambodia is a sending, receiving and transit country for trafficking. Cambodians are most commonly trafficked for the purpose of commercial sex, begging, domestic work, fishing, construction and adoption. Trafficking in Cambodia is a problem intimately linked to the sex industry. Millions across the globe are regularly sold or manipulated into the commercial sex industry where they are used in various forms of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) such as prostitution, pornography, nude dancing or other forms of sexual abuse. Conservative estimates indicate that the annual global profits from CSE come to more than US $33.9 billion. One study estimates that the lowest statistics for the number of prostituted persons in Cambodia is between 40,000 and 50,000, and the highest is 100,000. According to this study, 30-35% of those in brothels are sexually exploited minors. Child sex tourism has received increasing international media attention as a pressing social problem in Cambodia. Sex tourism in Asia has increased dramatically in recent years and Cambodia is considered one of its top destinations. Most of today’s organized sex tours originate from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the US, Japan and South Korea. However, the internet has pushed the industry to a new level. It is estimated that US-based websites advertising sex tourism bring in over $150 million each per year. According to a UN study on child labor, nearly 1.5 million Cambodian children between the ages of 7 and 17 are engaging in child labor. This represents an estimated 40% of the country’s 7 to 17 year olds, and is considered to be a very conservative estimate.

Instead of seeing defeat in these numbers, Chab Dai sees opportunity. Opportunity to make a difference in this country and save lives.

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30 Days of Justice: The Somaly Mam Foundation

Often when we hear about sex slavery, it's a concept. It's a statistic. Then one day, a real live person comes along, and makes it personal. That's what happened to me with Somaly Mam. I had been reading anything I could get my hands on about human trafficking, and I ran across a book called The Road of Lost Innocence. It was written by a former Cambodian child prostitute who now ran her own non-profit to rescue girls caught in that lifestyle. Her story was detailed, tragic, and heartbreaking. It really put a face on this injustice for me. Forced to work in a brothel along with other children, Somaly was brutally tortured and raped on a daily basis. One night, she was made to watch as her best friend was viciously murdered. Fearing she would meet that same fate, Somaly heroically escaped her captors and set about building a new life for herself. She vowed never to forget those left behind and has since dedicated her life to saving victims and empowering survivors.

In 1996, Somaly established a Cambodian non-governmental organization called AFESIP (Agir Pour les Femmes en Situation Precaire). Under Somaly's leadership, AFESIP employs a holistic approach that ensures victims not only escape their plight, but have the emotional and economic strength to face the future with hope. With the launch of The Somaly Mam Foundation in 2007, Somaly has established a funding vehicle to support anti-trafficking organizations and to provide victims and survivors with a platform from which their voices can be heard around the world. The foundation supports rescue, shelter and rehabilitation programs across South East Asia, where the trafficking of women and girls, some as young as five, is a widespread practice. The Somaly Mam Foundation also runs global awareness and advocacy campaigns that shed light on the crime of sexual slavery and focus on getting the public and governments involved in the fight to abolish modern day slavery.

I can't even begin to explain how moved I was by Somaly Mam's story. It was through her book that my heart began to burden for Cambodia. I had only known of the country's war torn history and violent revolutions that eliminated an entire generation. I had no idea that they were suffering from this tragedy as well. Cambodia filled my heart and my head, and I began looking to ways I could get. How I could do something.

“Now that I have seen, I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead. Now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go.” - Brooke Fraser, Albertine.

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30 Days of Justice: The Spring

Domestic violence is the single leading cause of injury to women in this country.

What a scary and terrifying experience it would be to be victimized in your own home and by someone you loved. I can't even image the torture and pain these women have experienced. Just as I can't begin to fathom the problem, I have even less of an idea of how to solve it. Thankfully, there are some people who are doing some good, right here in Hillsborough County.

The mission of The Spring of Tampa Bay is to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and promote change in lives, families, and communities. The vision is “to be a premier provider of domestic violence services and a positive force for social change, creating a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards domestic violence in Hillsborough County.

Since 1977, The Spring has provided sanctuary and services to more than 50,000 abused adults and their children in Hillsborough County. One of the largest programs in the nation, The Spring is the largest of Florida's 42 certified domestic violence shelters and the first in the United States to have an accredited school on site for resident children. The Spring has provided leadership in both legal and legislative initiatives that provide protections for victims, and prepared law enforcement and the judiciary with statutes to arrest and prosecute abusers. The Spring is Hillsborough County’s only certified domestic violence prevention and emergency shelter agency.

During 2008-2009:

• Sheltered 1,287 unduplicated women and men, including 744 children, providing 29,733 nights of shelter. Children attend child care and Hillsborough County Alternative School at shelter.

• Outreach Program provided 9,881 days of service to individuals who did not need shelter.

• All received individualized services that include counseling, safety planning, housing, benefits, legal assistance and relocation, if necessary.

•Community education sessions reached 14,000 individuals in corporations, healthcare, and schools.

The Spring exists to restore peace to violent families. The Spring provides a continuum of services to help individuals, with the goal of preventing domestic violence and helping those who are victims of violence. These services range from primary prevention to crisis services. Transitional housing and support services are also available, to ensure that the victims who seek services at The Spring truly have the opportunity for lasting change in their lives. The Spring provides specialized services for all victims to aid them in rebuilding their lives.

My heart is uplifted by the work that The Spring is doing for my city. I pray that many more come alongside and reach out to the thousands touched by domestic violence every year.

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30 Days of Justice: The World Race

Ever dream of traveling the world? I know I do! One of my life goals is to visit all 7 continents. One missions organization has combined both the allure of world travel and the passion of serving others. Participants of Adventures in Missions' World Race will travel to 11 different countries in 11 months.

This type of missions experience is incredible for those who know God is calling them to the mission field, but not sure where. It gives you the opportunity to serve in first, second and third world countries, and see where God is drawing you. Each country has a different theme of ministry as well. You could be building a church in Peru, playing with kids at an orphanage in India, praying with prostitutes in Thailand, or digging wells in Africa. There will even be time for teams to pray to seek God to find where exactly He is leading them into ministry.

The World Race not only allows you to see all different types of ministry and cultures, but also a chance to increase dependence of God. From raising to support, to traveling from country to country with all your possessions on your back, to spending 24 hours a day with the same group of people for 11 months, every opportunity is a chance to grow your faith. As you read through the World Racer blogs, the stories not only tell of the changes happening within the country, but also the change within themselves.

And the trip isn't called the World Race for no reason. Taking inspiration from CBS' Amazing Race, World Race teams will compete within each country for points. As they arrive in each new country, they will be presented with challenges ranging from physical activities (climbing some big things!) to cultural activities (eating some gross things!). This competition allows Racers to immerse in the country they are about to spend a month ministering to, as well as increase team unity among each other. At the end of the 11 months, the overall winner is declared from the cumulative total of points. 2006 Racer, Ryan Stewart, has published a photo book, documenting his trip that you can purchase here.

The World Race isn't for everyone. But if you love excitement and adventure, serving God and spreading His Word, this may be the trip for you. It will take you out of your comfort zone. It will push you further with God than you've been before. It will broaden your worldview. It will open your eyes to the needs of a suffering world. It will ruin you for anything ordinary. Sound like fun?

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30 Days of Justice: IMPACT

It's a dirty word to some people. It's an outdated concept to others. But most just think it's completely unrealistic. Abstinence, that is. It conjures up images of stuffy old women or religious men who think sex is wrong. But that couldn't be further from the truth. I know this, because still at the age of 27, I am abstinent. For me, abstinence is the healthiest decision I can make with my body. I know that I am not at risk for STD or unplanned pregnancy. I know the guys I date aren't with me for a shot at some action. I know that I am not giving myself fully and completely to someone that I haven't made a lifelong commitment. And what's to keep him from walking out the door once we've had sex? And I know that the guy I will one day marry, will see my standards not as a challenge or an objective, but something of value. These reasons and more is why I do the job that I do.

At IMPACT, we encourage teens to live healthy lifestyles, which includes abstaining from pre-marital sex, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. If you believe the media, you'd think we're asking high schoolers to fly. But in reality, more than half of high school students are not having sex. Our program seeks to educate students on the realities of sex, possible consequences in engaging in sex as a teen, and the benefits of waiting to have sex in a committed marriage. We do 5 day classroom presentations which cover those topics as well as STD's, goal setting, personal strengths, love languages, defining love and infatuation, refusal skills, setting limits, personality profiles and more. We believe that students are capable of making these decisions, and need the correct information to do so.

In addition to classroom presentations, IMPACT offers the Teen IMPACT program. Once students decide to commit to this countercultural way of life, they sign a contract, and they are officially Teen IMPACT-ers. Within Teen IMPACT, we offer monthly club meetings (in-school and out-of-school), quarterly fun events, and retreats twice a year. We do this to encourage teens in their commitment. We know how hard it is to abstain from these things. And we want to see students succeed. So by equipping them with knowledge and skills, we are helping them follow through with these decisions. We also offer a Summer Staff program, in which we hire high school students for 8 weeks of the summer. We train them in skits, dramas, and presentations which teach the healthy lifestyle message, and they perform 3 day presentations to boys & girls clubs, rec centers, YMCA's, and youth groups all summer. I get to drive a really awesome 15-passenger van full of teen all around town to these locations! Jealous?? This Summer Staff program not only allows benefits the students we present to, but also the ones we hire. It helps solidify their commitment, and instills leadership qualities in them. But don't take my word, take theirs...

IMPACT also offers a Parent Program, in which we educate parents on how to talk to their teens about sex, and making good choices. It can often be a tough subject to bring up, and IMPACT provides facts, talking points, and examples on how to make that conversation a productive one.

So that's what I do with my days. I know that I don't change the mind of every student I talk to. I know there are students mocking me in their desks and going home to have sex. And that's their decision. But they can't say no one ever told them the truth. And even if only student is effected, then I've done my job. And what a great job it is!

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30 Days of Justice: Pregnancy Resource Centers

I am so blessed to work for not one, but two pregnancy resource centers. These centers exist to assist girls who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. I work for both Lifecare of Brandon and A Woman's Place. Both of these pro-life centers help educate women on the choices they have when confronted with this life-altering decision. Regardless of whether they choose to parent, put their baby up for adoption or even get an abortion, these centers walk alongside the clients and point them towards a loving God. Here's just one story from these centers:

Abortion is one of those concepts that is easy to take a stand against, easy to form an opinion on, and easy to speak out about, but when you are faced with a crisis pregnancy it’s a different story. When you have to face your peers, your parents, your church, your boss…it’s easy to grasp on to the lies that the world throws around about abortion and hold onto them as truth. I know, because that was me. I believed the lie that if I ended it early enough, it wasn’t really a big deal. I believed the lie that it was the only choice – the only thing I could do. I believed the lie that my friends and family would hate me and that I would lose everything if I had a baby. I let fear, guilt, and shame drive my decision – and then I believed the lie that I was unforgiveable and alone. For two years I struggled with my choices, longing to accept God’s forgiveness but not sure how, bawling through every sermon on abortion and hardly able to even say the word. Then God brought me to Surrendering the Secret. This small Bible Study was full of women who had similar stories, and together we began the journey of healing from the heartbreak of abortion. I met women who have held on to this secret for 20 years or more and never told a soul! They just suffer with grief and sorrow, guilt and shame while pasting a smile on their faces and trying to live life. I want to tell you that there is a better way. You can accept God’s forgiveness and begin to heal. You can be released from secrecy and shame and begin to heal. I did, and God has brought me full circle. Now I volunteer and work for Life Impact Network, fighting for the Sanctity of Human Life every day. - Jen P.

Surrendering the Secret is offered at both LifeCare and A Woman's Place, and it encourages women to process and heal from the decision to abort a baby. Other services offered include: Birth of a Family classes, Women of Worth, Childbirth, and TLC [a program to let the moms earn “Mommy Dollars” so they can shop in the Baby Boutique for their baby need's]. Woven Basket, the adoption agency of A Woman's Place, also helps women with the decision of adoption, and walks them through the process. And my job with the prevention department of these centers helps teens realize the importance of healthy life decisions, but more on that tomorrow!

I could write pages and pages about the amazing work these centers are doing in their areas of Hillsborough County. A Woman's Place is strategically located next door to an abortion clinic, and the amazing testimonies that have come through those doors are truly an “only God” moment. And LifeCare is one of the most respected and loving places in all of Brandon, and the women who have made that center possible are walking miracles themselves. If you know someone who is in the midst of a crisis pregnancy, or just unsure of their options, direct them to one of these amazing centers. And together let us celebrate the Sanctity of Life today.

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30 Days of Justice: Faceless

If you have been following my blog for any of my 30 Days of Justice series, you should be somewhat aware of human trafficking, or modern-day slavery. Today I wanted to highlight yet another organization doing awesome work to combat this injustice.

Faceless International, co-founded by Stephen Christian of Anberlin, aims to defend the plight of exploited people worldwide who have gone faceless and unknown for far too long. They exist to raise awareness about social issues happening throughout the global community. They provide first hand experience and education through trips around the world and solution-based opportunities through regional resources. Along with this desire to put a face on the faceless, they want to empower us. They have partnered with several in the music industry to allow them to use their obvious talent. But they want everyone to use their talents as well. Whether it be an artistic talent, an organizational talent, or a caring heart-we all have the ability to make known the faceless. We all have the ability to be the change. Faceless is here to give you the opportunity to be a voice. They would love to have you use your gifts on one of their trips as we learn about the faceless around the world. But Faceless would also like to connect you with other quality organizations that are here in our own country putting a face on the faceless that get ignored everyday.

On their website, you can find information about trips within the United States that focus on human trafficking awareness. They also do international outreach to places like India. Learn about action steps you can take to make a difference in this cause, whether you have 3 minutes to spare, or 2 weeks, $4 or $1000. Any donation, big or small, can save a life. So check out Faceless and all they have to offer, and begin to discover to make known the faceless in your life.

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30 Days of Justice: Reject Apathy

ap⋅a⋅thy (n) absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement; lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting. A lot of us are apathetic about a lot of things. I'm apathetic about sports and making my bed. I just don't care for either. I know some people who are apathetic towards reading, movies, shopping, politics, or religion. But as Christians, God calls out of apathy. He challenges us to live lives of purpose and meaning. I think the word “apathy” sadly defines most of our generation. We are apathetic about news, current events, and so much more. When the top internet searches on any given day are “Gorillaz”, “Miley Cyrus”, or “Tara Reid” and the Twitter trending topics are “Jersey Shore” and “Justin Bieber”, it's obvious as to what most of the world is talking about. But this isn't the way things have to be. We can choose as a generation, as a people, and as a country to reject apathy, and express great passion, emotion and excitement for the things that matter in our world.

That is exactly why Relevant Magazine has launched Reject Apathy. It's a voice, in the midst of chaos, bringing awareness to issues affecting our globe. Unjust war, creation care, loss of innocents, preventable disease and poverty are just a view of the topics that Reject Apathy discusses regularly. With literally hundreds of blogs, features and spotlights on these engaging topics, readers will be sure to find injustices and movements that will cause them to reject the apathy in their own lives and do something about it. Combining the incredible visual talent of Relevant Magazine, Reject Apathy has it's own digital magazine which allows readers to email articles to friends and share on social networking pages. Create some buzz, spread the word, and reject apathy to make a difference in our world. The world can be changed when Christians rise up, commit to living counterculturally and sacrificially, and choose to reject apathy.

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