30 Day Challenge: Verse/Fact of the Day

Hey there everybody!  Wow, I haven't posted in a while, so today I decided that starting today I would post everyday for 30 days.  I will post a bible verse about justice, freedom, and/or loving the least of these, I will also give a fact about slavery and human trafficking.  It won't be easy, but I feel it's something I should do, not only to challenge myself, but to also help those who will read this to better understand what God says about justice. Hopefully by the end of these 30 days, you (And me:) will have God's perspective on loving His children.  So, here goes...

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 :Verse of the day:

"The sprit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"

Isaiah 61:1

(KJV)

 

:Fact of the day:

"Slavery occurs when one person completely controls another person, using violence or the threat of violence to maintain that control, exploits them economically, pays them nothing and they cannot walk away."

(End It Movement)



Stand for Freedom

April 9th, 2014:

One day for their everyday.

Students around the world are Standing for Freedom.  Standing twenty-four hours to make modern-day slavery known. 

PROTECTION AND FREEDOM SHOULD BE AN EVERYDAY RIGHT FOR EVERYONE

"Routine & relentless violence is an everyday reality for those trapped in slavery.
 
The unchecked plague of slavery, rape, trafficking, illegal detention, land theft, police abuse and other brutality against the poor is a global crisis that undermines the well-intentioned fight for their freedom. Unless we STAND against it, nothing will change.
 
Last year, thousands of passionate college students raised awareness for the millions trapped in slavery.
 
On April 9, 2014, stand for 24 hours with us to forever change your community's awareness of the everyday violence of those trapped in slavery." {source}

Go to http://www.stand-for-freedom.com/ to find out more.

 

END IT: Febuary 27th - Shine a Light on Slavery Day

 

This February 27th 2014 (tomorrow), join Campaign 1:17, End It Movement, and other Freedom Fighters from around the world as we SHINE A LIGHT ON SLAVERY. Draw a red X on your hand, and tell the world that slavery still exists and YOU WON’T STAND FOR IT. Just use your influence in any way you can to help carry the message of FREEDOM so even more people know.



Go to http://www.enditmovement.com/

 for more information.

 

Watch this video about Shine a light on slavery day:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=C7yFuLxoldU

 

Will you stand?  Spread awareness, join the fight.

 

The Definition of Slavery.

"Slavery occurs when one person completely controls another person, using violence or the threat of violence to maintain that control, exploits them economically, pays them nothing and they cannot walk away." source

 

 

Braiding for Freedom - January 25th

'Braiduary' 25th

:)

 

 

See Sam, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie's braids on Pinterest!

 

January is Human Trafficking awareness month.  Join us this month and raise awareness and funds to help fight modern-day slavery.  

 

 Sorry that I've missed a 'few' days!  (If you look at the date on the title and the day I actually posted this you'll see they're a bit off...) It's been pretty busy around my house lately! :)  I hope to catch up tonight and tomorrow!

 

Don't miss a single braid!

January 1st, January 2nd, January 3rd, January 4th, January 5th, January 6th, January 7th, January 8th, January 9th, January 10th, January 11th, January 12th, January 13th, January 14th., January 15th, January 16th, January 17th, January 18th. January 19th, January 20th, January 21st, January 22nd, January 23rd, January 24th.

Braiding for Freedom - January 15th

 



Braid number fifteen!!!

 

Sara 7 Grace 13

{Arwen hairstyle and braided bun}

 

January is Human Trafficking awareness month.  Join us this month and raise awareness and funds to help fight modern-day slavery.  

 

 

See Sam, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie's braids on Pinterest!

 

 

Don't miss a single braid!

January 1st, January 2nd, January 3rd, January 4th, January 5th, January 6th, January 7th, January 8th, January 9th, January 10th, January 11th, January 12th, January 13th, January 14th.

Braiding for Freedom - January 7th

Braided hairstyle number seven!

 

 {elven braids}

 

 

Guess what?!?!  My sisters have decided to braid for freedom too!

 

 

I'm so excited!!!  Aren't they cute!

 

 

And don't forget to see Sam, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie's braids on Pinterest

 

"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream."

Amos 5:24

 

We are braiding our hair differently every day this month to raise funds and awareness of modern-day slavery.

 

 

It's not to late to join the fun!

 

• Braid your hair differently everyday for freedom!  Go here to read more about 'a month of braids'.  Then comment below and leave a link to where you'll be posting your braids so I can see them too!
• Sponsor and pray!  Donate to Campaign 1:17.  [sponsoring amount ideas: fifty cents a braid, one dollar a braid, etc...]  Donate here.  Then, pray for us this month so we can continue to stay strong in our challenge and continue stand with those who stand alone.
• You can also see all the braids on Pinterest!

 



Braiding for Freedom - January 6th

A month of braids: Braid number six!

 

CHENNAI, INDIA – "In a shocking rescue at a thread-making factory in Southern India, thirty-five girls between 14 and 18 years old were set free from slavery last week. Many had been trafficked from faraway states—forced to live and work nearly 2,000 miles away from their families. Ten men were also rescued from the factory."

"Some of the girls had been trapped there for four years—without pay. One girl shared how they were denied medical treatment—and in fact beaten if they ever got sick. One young woman was suffering from chronic pain; because she was barred from going to the hospital, a foot wound had developed into gangrene. Many gave examples of physical and verbal abuse, and some women told how they were assaulted when they were sleeping or even going to the bathroom.
The girls worked 13-hour days spinning cotton into thread. Girls who should have been in school instead became nimble experts at this incredibly tedious work. The factory became the only life they knew; one girl said they sometimes got to go to the market, but only under the watchful eye of a factory warden. She added, "We are locked inside the facility after work." {source}

IJM was able to rescue these girls, after quite a fight for freedom.  But thanks to their brave work and the hand of God these girls are now free!
Read more of this story here


31 braids for 27 million in chains.


 

Want to join the fun?

• Braid your hair differently everyday for freedom!  Go here to read more about 'a month of braids'.  Then comment below and leave a link to where you'll be posting your braids so I can see them too!
• Sponsor and pray!  Donate to Campaign 1:17.  [sponsoring amount ideas: fifty cents a braid, one dollar a braid, etc...]  Donate here.  Then, pray for me this month so I can continue to stay strong in my challenge and continue stand with those who stand alone.
• You can also see all the braids on Pinterest!

 



Braiding for Freedom - January 5th

 

Braid number five!!!

 

   

 "Learn to do well, seek justice, rescue the oppressed,

defend the fatherless, and plead for the widow."

Isaiah 1:17

 



 

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,

 To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction,

 and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

James 1:27  

 

[I must admit this style was a little harder than I thought it would be, but it was still fun to do!]

  

I am braiding my hair differently every day during the month of January to raise funds and awareness of modern-day slavery. 

 

31 braids for 27 million in chains

 

 

Want to join the fun?

• Braid your hair differently everyday with me!  Go here to read more about 'month of braids'.  Then comment below and leave a link to where you'll be posting your braids so I can see them too!
• Sponsor and pray!  Donate to Campaign 1:17 to support me, [sponsoring amount ideas: fifty cents a braid, one dollar a braid, etc...]  Donate here.  Then, pray for me this month so I can continue to stay strong in my challenge and continue stand with those who stand alone.
• You can also see all of my braids on Pinterest! 

 

 

{ Thanks to Sam, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie for standing with me this month and braiding for freedom! }  



Braiding for Freedom - January 4th

Okay so...  I've decided to get really creative today and do something I would like, NEVER, EVER do to my hair!

 

Princess Leia Braided Buns!!!

I bet your sitting there smiling...

Another reason I did this was that my two brothers and one of my sisters said that if I did a Princess Leia hairstyle and went out somewhere with it in, they would each put $10 toward Campaign 1:17.

 

  

 

Well, I did it! :)  And ended up with $30 more dollars for Campaign 1:17!!!  I felt kinda 'awkward' walking through the store with such a goofy hairstyle.  And I got quite a few strange looks and double takes.  But then I thought of the how the girls trapped in slavery must feel.  Some of these girls are even my age.  They are forced to do things they should never have to do, and they have to do them everyday.  So I was once again reminded of why I am doing this:  For the kids like me who have to live a life of bondage.  But there is hope.  Here is the story of Anita, a young woman from Nepal:

 

"When I was 12 years old a couple that I trusted promised me a job. They convinced me of a dream opportunity to work as a domestic helper along with the chance to pursue my studies. The idea of a secure job thrilled me, as it would any young girl in Nepal. Believing that I could trust this couple, I left my home in pursuit of a future.

After drugging me, the couple took me to a movie theater where a brothel owner met us. Two hundred dollars was the price that sold me into forced prostitution. For the next 18 years I lived and worked in the red light district of Mumbai.

It was here in the red light district that I first heard the Gospel from those involved with Bombay Teen Challenge (Mumbai Project Rescue affiliated site[Learn more about Project Rescue here]). My brothel owner and I had a life changing experience by accepting Jesus into our lives. After this I soon decided to return to my home in Nepal.

Ten ladies, including myself, now live at the Kathmandu,, Nepal aftercare home. God is continuing to work beautifully in each of our lives. I am currently attending literacy classes and sewing classes and hope to one day have a tailoring shop of my own." {source}

    

What a wonderful story of restoration!  Please stand with me this month and help raise awareness for this cause.  It's not to late to start braiding for freedom!

 

AND!!! Allow me to introduce you to some friends who are also braiding for freedom!  Sam, Savannah, Sophie and Sadie are posting pictures of their awesome braids on Pinterest.  Thank you so much for you support!  See them here! :D  

 

 

 

Want to join the fun?

• Braid your hair differently everyday with me!  Go here to read more about 'month of braids'.  Then comment below and leave a link to where you'll be posting your braids so I can see them too!
• Sponsor and pray!  Donate to Campaign 1:17 to support me, [sponsoring amount ideas: fifty cents a braid, one dollar a braid, etc...]  Donate here.  Then, pray for me this month so I can continue to stay strong in my challenge and continue stand with those who stand alone.
• You can also see all of my braids on Pinterest!  

 

Braiding for Freedom - January 3rd

Braid number three!!!  This hairstyle is inspired  by Legolas from the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. :)   

 

 

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month.

 

"If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.  I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel."

- Abraham Lincoln

  

“We are too young to realize that certain things are impossible... So we will do them anyway.”
― William Wilberforce 

 

 "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say, 'I did not know,'."

-William Wilberforce

 

 These quotes are inspiring and challenging.  I hope they touch you as they have me.
 

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Ohhh!  Great news!!!  I got my first sponsor!  I'm super excited!  My cousin Kerry is sponsoring me at 25 cents a 'braid'.  And I mean like, each braid I do in my hair!  Stay tuned for the total number of braids at the end of the month.  Thanks Kerry!!!!!

 

  

 Want to join the fun?

• Braid your hair differently everyday with me!  Go here to read more about 'month of braids'.  Then comment below and leave a link to where you'll be posting your braids so I can see them too!
• Sponsor and pray!  Donate to Campaign 1:17 to support me, [sponsoring amount ideas: fifty cents a braid, one dollar a braid, etc...]  Donate here.  Then, pray for me this month so I can continue to stay strong in my challenge and continue stand with those who stand alone.
• You can also see all of my braids on Pinterest! 

 



Braiding For Freedom - January 2nd

Here is braid number two!!!

(Mermaid Braid)

27 million people are trapped in slavery around the world, I'm braiding my hair everyday for them.  

31 braids for 27 in chains 

Want to join the fun?

• Braid your hair differently everyday with me!  Go here to read more about 'month of braids'.  Then comment below and leave a link to where you'll be posting your braids so I can see them too!
• Sponsor and pray!  Donate to Campaign 1:17 to support me, [sponsoring amount ideas: fifty cents a braid, one dollar a braid, etc...]  Then, pray for me this month so I can continue to stay strong in my challenge and continue stand with those who stand alone. 

Stay tuned next month for something that everybody can do!  (Not just girls with long hair! ;)  

{Check out what my sisters and cousin did last month here.} 

A Month of Braids - January 1st

A MONTH OF BRAIDS

27 million people are enslaved around the world.  And this month I have come up with a quirky and fun way to raise money for International Justice Mission so they can set slaves free and bring justice to their oppressors. (IJM is a human rights organization that works to rescue victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression.)  The way I propose to do this is by braiding my hair differently for the entire month of January.

Do you want to join me in this challenge? 

If so, starting January first, braid your hair differently everyday with me!  (Comment below to let me know that you're doing this with me!  And so I can see your braids!)  Post pictures of your braids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and/or your blog.  Get sponsors!!!  Tell your friends, cousins, parents, coworkers-- let them know what your doing and why, and ask them to sponsor you!  (Sponsoring amount ideas: 50 cents a braid, $1 a braid, or whatever)  Donate the money to Campaign 1:17 were it will be sent to IJM along with the money I have already collected for this cause.  And to those who have already committed to do this challenge with me: Thank you so much for standing with me during this campaign and being amazing friends! :)  Love you guys!

 

The “Rules”:

                    

• No braids can be alike!  Every day (if possible) please try a new braid each time.
• You must have at least one braid in your hair. (This is a no brainer I hope! ;)
• You can have any type of braid you like, three strands, four strands, fishtail, French, and waterfall, just to name a few.  And you can combine any braid(s) to make one style.
• You don’t have to wear your braids at night, unless you want to.  I find it slightly uncomfortable so it’s totally fine if you want to take them out at the end of the day.
• And… most importantly, have fun!!! :D

 

I will be posting my braids on this blog and maybe along with some stories from IJM.  I may also put some of the pictures on Pinterest.

 

Alrighty!!!!  So here's braid number one!

 

 

 

I believe that this braid is called a 'lace braid', but... I could be wrong.  Anyway, it was fun to do!

 

The Last day of Dressember!!!

Hello there everyone!  Today is the last day of Dressember!   My sisters and cousin have been doing this and it has been amazing how many people have sponsored them and encouraged them while they've wore a dress every day in December.

But it's not to late to sponsor them!

   It's still Dressember till the clock strikes twelve, and you still have time to help!  Donate to Campaign 1:17 here.  And just leave a comment telling me who you're sponsoring (Kerry, Sara, Hope, and/or Holly)! 

From left to right:  Hope, Sara, Holly, and Kerry

Thanks to everyone who has already sponsored them and given!!!!  

Oh, and,

!!!Happy New Year!!! 

At the End of Slavery

If you can't tell yet, I like to watch videos :) and here is yet another to watch.  This one is very sad but also very inspiring, the facts about slavery are terrible but there is hope.  If someone like you will stand up for those in bonds slavery will end.  This is also a great introduction for someone who would like to learn more about modern day slavery. 

(This video deals with mature subject matter.)

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 13:3

"Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

If we fight slavery, it will end.  But we must be willing to give it our all. 
I admit some days I'm not all that excited to "give it my all" but I remember the reason why I started this in the first place; I wanted other people to be free.  Free to live and free to just be themselves, and  not have to do the terrible things that they are forced to do everyday.  This is still my inspiration, and my passion.  God has ignited this fire in my heart and I wont let it go out.

The Twelve Days of Christmas - No. 10

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Ten Freedom Packages, Nine transformed communities, Eight business start- up costs, Seven trial fees, Six scholarships for primary education, Five human rights lawyers, Four aftercare packages for a survivor of sex trafficking, Three undercover equipment for investigators, Two homes for a widow and, A rescue operation so slaves will be set free!



(I love this picture!)

You can give someone who is experiencing abuse today the hope of restoration!  By giving an IJM freedom package you can help IJM find, rescue and provide aftercare for someone who needs the freedom.

Give Restoration this Christmas  

The Twelve Days of Christmas - No. 9

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

 

Nine transformed communities, Eight business start- up costs, Seven trial fees, Six scholarships for primary education, Five human rights lawyers, Four aftercare packages for a survivor of sex trafficking, Three undercover equipment for investigators, Two homes for a widow and, A rescue operation so slaves will be set free!

 

 

Give a community the training they need so that they can protect themselves from violence, and be able to thrive!  This training also helps them to be free and stay free, because the people in the community are able to recognize the tactics of slave owners and aren't as susceptible to the lies and tricks that traffickers tell them. 

 

Give Transformation this Christmas 

The Twelve Days of Christmas No. 5

 

On the Fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me....

 

  Five human rights lawyers, Four aftercare packages for a survivor of sex trafficking, Three undercover equipment for investigators, Two homes for a widow and A rescue operation so slaves will be set free!

 

 

For Christmas this year you can provide a top-notch IJM lawyer to stand up for a victim of violence throughout the legal process. Without an excellent lawyer, poor people have no way to seek justice after abuse—and criminals stay on the streets, where they can harm other vulnerable people. But with a strong advocate in court, survivors receive justice and communities are protected. 

 

Give Justice This Christmas  

The Twelve Days of Christmas - No. 2

 

"On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

 

two homes for a widow,

and a rescue operation so slaves will be set free!"

 

 

 

"After Goreti’s husband died, she and her children were kicked out of their home by more powerful relatives. For six long years, she struggled with homelessness and hopelessness."

 

An IJM director in Uganda said:

"In Uganda, you are helping us restore widows and orphans to homes that have been stolen from them. I've heard women share how they've been chased by machetes, and I've seen houses burned down by angry relatives who tried to take it from grieving widows.
For the women and children we serve, losing land or a house after a husband or parent passes away doesn't just mean you lose an inheritance – it means you lose your food, shelter and any source of income or protection." {source}
 

Thankfully, Goreti and her family (Through the work of IJM) have been restored to a home and are now thriving.

 

Give justice this Christmas 

The Twelve Days of Christmas - No.1

 

 

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

 

A rescue operation so slaves will be set free!"

 

 

 

27 million people are trapped in slavery today.  Give a gift of freedom this Christmas and help International Justice Mission set them free.

"CHENNAI, INDIA – The week of November 18th, 2013, 59 girls were rescued from slavery [Through the efforts of IJM] in a factory that markets itself in the country as a conscientious food supplier of high-quality, organic pickles.
"The girls—13 to 25 years old—were forced to work 16-hour days in the unsanitary factory, exposed to dangerous chemicals and barely nourished by rice and water boiled with onions. At night, they crammed mats into a two tiny rooms; 40 girls slept in one space about the size of a small studio apartment in New York City.
"The girls had been trapped in the abusive factory for several months. They told shocking stories of how they got there—most said they had been tricked by the same man offering a sightseeing trip down South for about $15. The girls were from impoverished families, and the opportunity had seemed too good to pass up." Read the whole story here...

So many girls were tricked and trapped... but through the work of IJM they were able to have freedom and justice.  And that is one of the greatest gifts of all.

Give freedom this Christmas  




Dressember

 I am so excited!!  For it has been very "dressy" around my house lately.  My cousin/best friend Kerry and my two sisters Sara and Hope are wearing dresses everyday in the month of December to raise money for Campaign 1:17!  This amazing project is called
 

Dresses + December =

*Drumroll please*

!!!Dressember!!! 

Go here to read the story of Dressember.
 
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Now, allow me to introduce you to my awesome co-campaigners!
  


Kerry

Hope -5 years

 

Sara - 7 years

 

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How it works:

• To sponsor Kerry, Sara and/or Hope donate to Campaign 1:17.  Just leave a note to let me know who your sponsoring! [Sponsoring amount ideas: -$1 a dress (That's only 31 dollars!) - $.50 a dress - $5 a dress]
• Go to Kerry's blog - Simply Natural Designs to read about Dressember 1st, Dressember 2nd, Dressember 3rd, and Dressember 4th.  Also, check her blog every day to see pictures and updates on Dressember!

 

Hope is sooooo sweet.  She prays every day that God can help her raise money to help  free the kids in slavery.  Please pray with her and for her during Dressember.  

Sara, and Hope are only 5 and 7, but they saw a need and wanted to help.

 

 

They want kids like them to be free.

 

 - All for Him -

Grace