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. 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. 4

 

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

 

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!

 

 

 

Go here to read the story of Shashmeeta and her amazing story of rescue from sex trafficking.

This Christmas you can give girls rescued from hopelessness and abuse something that will help them as they recover.

Give hope this Christmas

(Don't forget to check Kerry's blog at http://simplynaturaldesigns.blogspot.com/ to stay updated on Dressember!) 


The Twelve Days of Christmas - No. 3

 

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

 

Three undercover equipment for investigators, Two homes for a widow and A rescue operation so slaves will be set free!




What you are seeing is footage from IJM's undercover investigators. Before a rescue operation happens, evidence must be gathered by some very brave men and women so that IJM can give justice and freedom to people in bondage. This holiday season give undercover equipment rather than the latest gadget. :)

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.
 
==================

Now, allow me to introduce you to my awesome co-campaigners!
  


Kerry

Hope -5 years

 

Sara - 7 years

 

=================

 

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

 

 

Gifts of Freedom

Unwrap freedom this Christmas by giving a gift in someone's honor and change lives around the world!  

Shop IJM's holiday gift catalog

 

 

     

I think this is really cool, and actually I'm putting some of the things from their catalog on my Christmas list this year!  I hope you can find the perfect gift for someone special in your life.  I thought I would also share a list of other places where you can get great gifts that help others: 

 

 

Trades of Hope

Amazima Ministries

Courage House store

Compassion International Gift Catalog

The Jubilee Market

U Count Campaign

Quite an extensive list, huh?  Well, that's because there's so many way you can help it's almost over whelming!  But, like it says in the Bible "But ye, bretheren, be not weary in well doing." 2 Thessalonians 3:13 [KJV]  We shouldn't get tired of doing good things!  God wants us to always be ready to help others.  

Anyway, I hope this helps you to give meaningful gifts this Christmas!

 

(Photo credits: International Justice Mission)

 

For Freedom A covers EP

Hi!  I just thought I would let you know that you can now get Jenny & Tyler's new CD "For Freedom - A covers EP".  I have it already, and it's really good!  If you enjoyed the song, Faint Not from my previous post, then this album is sure to delight. ;)  It's basically a collection of songs that impacted their [Jenny and Tyler's] lives.  All of them are very good!  

Here's the link to purchase The CD: http://jennyandtyler.com/store/



(All proceeds from this album go to benefit organizations that fight human trafficking)



   

Universal Children's Day!

Hi there everybody!  Guess what today (November 20th) is?

 

Universal Children's Day!

 

Isn't that exciting? :)

I just thought I would share this because as you may know.  Not many kids get to really "be kids". You know what I mean?  They have to work every day all day long, they and their parents are treated wrong.  They are beaten, and most of them are deprived of basic medical care, this is the plight of many children and their parents trapped in the bondage of forced labor slavery.

 

 

Then there are the children who are captured, taken from their homes and trained to become child soldiers.  I have to say this is one of the most horrid forms of slavery that I have learned about, you can read more about it in David Batstone's book: Not for Sale - the return of the global slave trade and how we can fight it.
Read about and get the book here.

 

Children need a defender, will you stand up for them?


 

IJM Needs Your "Likes"!

Hi again!  I just saw something on IJM's Facebook Page  that I thought was really cool!  Here is what it said: 

"Share to shake the chains of #slavery. During the month of November, RWL Design is giving us $1 for every new Facebook like to our page up to $1,000. That means sharing about us on Facebook can literally help free slaves."

Isn't that awesome!  I just thought I would let everyone know, because I'm not on Facebook :) but I know a lot of people who are!  So, if you want to, you can click the link and "like" IJM.  Isn't that an easy way to help free slaves?  Thanks for your support!!!!
 

-Grace-

   

Donate Online!

 

Hello there, I just wanted to let everyone know that you can now...

 

 

Donate Online! 

 

 

I am super excited about this and I'm hoping that God will be able to use it in great ways!  And to those of you who have given right away and kick started my campaign: Thank you so much!  You guys are great and I love you all!

 

TTFN

Ta, ta for now! 

-Grace-

International Justice Mission

Hello there!  Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time!  But my September has been quite busy, (I'm sure yours has been as well!).  But anyway, I decided to post a bit about the ministry I am supporting...

It is called International Justice Mission (IJM).   They are a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression.

For starters I will be raising $4500 to support their work.  "Why this much?"  You may ask.  Well,  it takes about this amount for IJM to conduct a rescue operation that gives  freedom to those held in the slavery and some basic support  for them as well.

I have read many of their stories of hope and redemption.  The work of IJM is amazing!  They have been fighting for justice since 1997.  If you would like to learn more, check out IJM's website.  You can also go to IJM's Facebook page, It has some good stuff on it too!

 

Here is a video about the first 15 years of IJM's work.  Very cool!

 



Even though IJM does amazing work to end slavery, there  are still millions held in the grip of injustice.  Will you help?

All that is necessary for the triumph evil is that good men do nothing."

- Edmund Burke

 

A Heart That Can Break...

The other night I couldn't sleep; so I was praying, asking God what I should do about the horrible evil of slavery.  Then I started thinking of all the little girls being used and abused right now, and I thought of the men, women, and children working as slaves in brick kilns and factories around the world.  My heart broke just thinking about people in slavery. 

Then it hit me.  I was thankful to be moved just thinking about these things.  I knew why I was too, I was thankful because when a heart breaks it can move a person to do amazing things.  So, laying there in the darkness, I prayed:  "God, thank you for giving me a heart that can break."  Slavery is breaking my heart, and God is moving me to do something about it.

Here is a video that I think is really inspiring.  You can go to www.ijm.org to see more videos like this, read stories, watch videos about survivors of slavery and learn more about what you can do to help.
 

                                    

Soon you will be able donate straight to my campaign.  (Don't worry, I'll keep you posted!)

 

 



My Campaign

Hello everyone, I'm Grace.  I am thirteen years old, and I want to abolish slavery.

Not too long ago I watched the movie Amazing Grace. (If you haven't watched this movie you should!) It's about the life of William Wilberforce and his heroic campaign to abolish the slave trade in England.  I was very saddened to hear about how slaves in the 1700's were treated, and I wished I could have stood with William Wilberforce to help stop the horrifying things that were happening to these men, women, and children held as slaves. 

Some of you may be thinking, "Why are you talking about slavery?  It's a thing of the past." Or, "Why are you making a blog about slavery?  Nobody has a "slave" anymore."

But this, sadly, is not true.  Actually there are more slaves today then there were at any time in history!  Experts estimate that at least 27 million people are held in some form of modern-day slavery today.  Some of these forms are:

• Forced Labor Slavery
• Human Trafficking
• Debt Bondage

27 million people, suffering, hurting, being used, abused, and striped of their rights as human beings!  I am a Christian and I believe everyone should be free.  This is why I am launching Campaign 1:17. The name comes from the Bible verse Isaiah 1:17, which says "Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan and plead for the widow."  So stand with me as I fight against modern-day slavery!

I'll post more about how you can help later.  Thanks for reading!