Dressember!!!!

Hey Ya'll!  Sorry its be so long since I've posted anything! :/ But I wanted to give everyone an update! 

 

This December I have decided to participate in an awesome thing called

DRESSEMBER!

  Everyday during the month of December my sisters and I are wearing dresses to support the work of International Justice Mission.  They are a non-for-profit  human rights organization that operates in countries all over the world to rescue victims of human trafficking and other abuse.  Go to their website to learn more: www.ijm.org

A way you can support us during this Dressember is by sponsoring us at a dollar a dress! 
Let me know if you would like to sponsor me(Grace), Sara, Hope or Holly!

I will be taking pictures of all the dresses we wear and posting them on Instagram. You can view them here http://websta.me/n/obenfam  :D

 

Wearing a dress everyday is WAY harder than it sounds!  Especially for me.  I'm not really a "girly girl" and I don't usually wear dresses, so this is soooo not the norm!  But it is totally worth it. 

 If I can raise $30 that money can be used to provide aftercare for a survivor of sex trafficking, and if I can raise $111 it can give a family rescued from slavery freedom training, and if I can raise $222 that money can be used to provide medical care for a survivor of violence.  The list goes on. 

 

Stand with me as I fight human trafficking this Dressember!!!

 

 

 

Verse/Fact of the Day - May 31

 

:Verse of the Day:

 ^"He [God] shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor."

Psalm 72:4

(KJV)

 

 

:Fact of the Day:

SLAVERY STILL EXIST.  Whether it be sex trafficking or bonded labor it is real and it is wrong.  Go to www.ijm.org to learn more.

 

 



Verse/Fact of the Day - May 27

:Verse of the Day:

"It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity."

Proverbs 21:15

(NKJV)

 

:Fact of the Day:

"Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade."

(IJM - UNICEF)

 

Like it says in Proverbs 21:15, those who do evil will meet destruction. But it is the duty-- and it should be our joy-- as a Christian, to do justice.  Click here to go to Campaign 1:17's new fundraising page to donate.





Battle for Justice

Here is a new post from IJM (International Justice Mission): 

Milestone in Fight to End Slavery: IJM Bangalore Wins Conviction, Longest Sentence Ever Recorded

 

This battle for justice started in August 2010, when IJM helped local authorities rescue 42 children, women and men from a rock quarry a couple hours outside the city of Bangalore.  Before this they were forced to work for pennies--barely enough to feed their families--, but IJM helped bring them justice, and now they are thriving in freedom.  Click above to read the full story.

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.

 

Freedom

Click below to read this story of rescue:

 

16 Years a Slave: A Father Set Free to Build a New Future for His Family

 

Wonderful right? 



BREAKING NEWS FROM IJM (International Justice Mission): NAIROBI KENYA

Late last week, these innocent men were set free from a Nairobi prison.

Silas, left, and Anthony, right, celebrate freedom with their IJM lawyer, James Kironji

The young men—Anthony and Silas—had been living a nightmare for more than two years. They were languishing in a high-security prison, on trial for a violent robbery they never committed. Their only connection to the crime was the fact that they worked nearby. That’s it.

Terrified in jail, Anthony heard about an IJM lawyer from another prisoner. When we heard his story, we knew that he and Silas were innocent. And though the truth seemed so clear, we knew we had a fight ahead of us.

That fight for the truth ended last week, two years after we began. Anthony’s parents were in the room when the judge declared both men innocent.

Silence filled the tiny room, as everyone tried to find words to express their joy and relief. Anthony’s father spoke first: “Today, you have returned my son.”  {source}   What an amazing story of freedom!  I am so glad to share this with you!  May there be even more stories like this in the future.  Read more here.   Blessings, Grace   

'Braiduary' Total!!!

The complete total that was raised during Braiding for Freedom is...

 

263.50

 

Isn't that awesome?  Through the support of friends, family and our Lord Jesus Christ, all of the 'Braiduary girls' {Grace [14], Sara [7], Izzy [15], Samantha, Savannah [14], Sophie [11], and Sadie [7]} were able to raise so much more than any of us could have done on our own.  Please don't forget Campaign 1:17 in your prayers, and also remember to pray for those in bonds.

 

 

Also see all the 'freedom braids' on Pinterest!

 

 

 Though the braiding is over, it's not to late to give.

Donate here

 

 

Show up on time.



Rescue in Bangalore India

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Last year IJM's (International Justice Mission) teams helped rescue 2,266 people from slavery in India—and they have begun this year with the same spirit of tenacity. IJM Bangalore just helped rescue nearly forty people from slavery in a single brick factory.   "The slaves worked around the clock—up to 20 hours a day. Children as young as 8 were working right alongside the adults. They were under constant supervision and forbidden from leaving for any reason. When our social worker met the families inside the factory, she was stunned by their swollen hands and open wounds from the hard labor. It’s hard enough to imagine working 20 hours a day, let alone what it must be like to watch your 8-year-old working right beside you. I’m so grateful that the families rescued this week are on their way home right now, beginning to dream of a new future." Read more here.   Praise God that they were rescued!  People just like you and me are now able to thrive because of those who have supported IJM!  Stand with me and others  in the fight against slavery, so we can see more amazing rescues like this one.  Donate here.

Braiding for Freedom - January 30th

January thirtieth was my fourteenth birthday and at the party four of us had our hair braided together!!!

 

During the "process". ;)

Moving right a long...

All finished!!!
From left to right: Savannah, Grace, Sophie and Izzy.

 

 

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

 

"Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:9

 

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. January 25th, January 26th, January 27th, January 28th

 

Please share this blog with others!

 

Braiding for Freedom - January 29th



Sara and I decided to do the same braided hairstyle today!

 

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.  

 

 Photo credit: International Justice Mission

 

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. January 25th, January 26th, January 27th, January 28th

 

Braiding for Freedom - January 24th

Braids for the twenty-fourth!!!

 

Tauriel hair

 

 

 Star hairstyle :)

 

(I even dressed up in the Tauriel costume I made because I did this hair style... I'm such a geek...)

 

Okay, so I'm gonna be a little nerdy today and do some comparing of "The Hobbit" to the real world.  In the new movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the elves are fierce fighters who protect their lands and the forest from evil things; but sometimes they are blind to the evil, just as we are sometimes blind to ways that we need to be helping the people who need it most.  Just as the elves protect their land and people, we need to protect the "least of these" and, if we can, help them receive justice.  Please read the story of Nasimiyu below:

 

NAIROBI, KENYA – Nine-year-old Nasimiyu* was waiting patiently in an empty classroom for her aunt to pick her up after school, just like any normal afternoon.
But, on this day, a man who worked at the school as a guard saw the little girl waiting alone. He sent her to collect something from a storage closet, then followed her inside, locked the door and raped her. After the attack, he disappeared from town.

After this Nasimiyu's family was devastated, for they had no where else to turn.

But IJM proved that justice is possible.
For more than a year, IJM attorneys stood up for Nasimiyu in court and supported the state prosecutor in the case against her attacker. IJM social workers supported her family and made sure the little girl was offered all the support she needed to heal from the abuse. They also helped her prepare to share the truth about what happened in court.
On January 16, 2014, the judge found the man who assaulted Nasimiyu guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
Nasimiyu, now 11 years old, is studying safely at a boarding school with lots of support from her parents.  Read the whole story here.

 

IJM has helped Nasimiyu receive justice.  But there are still many others trapped in the grip of injustice.  

 

Children need a defender.  Will you stand up for them?

 

See Samantha, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie's braids on Pinterest.

 

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

 

Want to join us?

  Go here to read more about 'a month of braids'.  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 to stand with those who stand alone.  You can also see all the 'freedom braids' on Pinterest.


"When did we let evil become stronger than us?"
-Tauriel, (The Hobbit: The desolation of Smaug)

Something to ponder...

-Blessings-
Grace



Braiding for Freedom - January 23rd

 

Braids for the twenty-third!!!

 Elsa's and Anna's coronation hairstyles from Disney's Frozen.

 

 Elsa's...

 

 

...and Anna's. : )

 

 See Samantha, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie's braids on Pinterest.

 

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

 

Click here to go to International Justice Mission's website to learn more about slavery and to see who we are supporting.

 

Want to join the fun?

  Go here to read more about 'a month of braids'.  Please 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 to stand with those who stand alone.  You can also see all the 'freedom braids' on Pinterest.

Braiding for Freedom - January 22nd

 January twenty-second's braids!!!

 



Left: French four stranded braid.  Right: Side braid ponytail.

 

See Samantha, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie's braids on Pinterest.

 

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

 

Want to join the fun?

  Go here to read more about 'a month of braids'.  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 to stand with those who stand alone.  You can also see all the 'freedom braids' on Pinterest.

Braiding for Freedom - January 21st

 

Braids for the twenty-first!!!!

 

 Tauriel's hair from the Hobbit

 



Elven hairstyle

 

Hello there!  Sorry I haven't posted in a while!  The past few days have been pretty busy around my house. : )  (But I have been at least been taking pictures of our braids everyday.)  Keep an eye out today for the braids you haven't seen yet!

 

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.

 

:Helpful Ideas:

-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 to stand with those who stand alone.  Go here to read more about 'a month of braids'.

-You can also see all the 'freedom braids' on Pinterest

Braiding for Freedom - January 20th

Here are the braids for January twentieth!!!

 

 

(Three waterfall braids)

 (Braided updo)

Here is a picture of the sunset at our house... so beautiful... :)

 

 

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

 

We are braiding our hair every day for girls and boys like us, who are trapped in modern-day slavery.

Join us.

Sponsor here

 

Read more about the month of braids here.

 

 
In the words of Dr. King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, help keep kids safe in Guatemala.

 

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

 

 

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.



Braiding for Freedom - January 19th

January nineteenth!!!

 

(From left to right: Sara, Grace, Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie. Izzy and Sam not pictured.)

 

Braiding our hair to bring awareness of modern-day slavery, and to stand up for those who have no voice, those who desperately need a defender. 

Some girls can come safely home from church.  But not Griselda.  Why not?  Here is her story. 

 

 

Griselda was 13 years old when this happened to her, I am 13 and I can't even imagine how she felt.  But thanks to the support of people like you, IJM was able to stand up for Griselda and help her in the fight for justice.  Then they were able to give her the aftercare she needed and now she is able to live without fear.  Thank you so much to those of you who have already given! 

 

We are braiding our hair differently every day for girls like us.

 

Join us.

Sponsor here

 

Read more about the month of braids here.

 

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

 

 

 

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.



Braiding for Freedom - January 17th

(Elven hairstyle)

 

(single braid)

 

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

 

We are braiding our hair every day for girls and boys like us, who are trapped in modern-day slavery.

Join us.

Sponsor here

 

Read more about the month of braids here.

 

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

 

 

 

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,

The answer to yesterdays braid count is...
*drumroll please*
Seventy braids!!!
See the picture and read the post here, also see the picture here.

Braiding for Freedom - January 18th

Braids for the eighteenth!

 

 (Crown braid with bun)

 

 (Three French braids put into one)

 

CHENNAI, INDIA – In the last weeks of 2013, rescue finally came to families who had been forced to live and work as slaves for up to three years chopping trees. Children as young as eight years old were forced to work alongside their parents, and one child said they were not only barred them from going to school, but beaten by the owner if they even asked.

 

The families said that the man who owned the wood-cutting operation—and controlled their entire lives—leased plots of land that they would clear, chopping and collecting wood that would be sold to local factories and small businesses as firewood for boilers. They moved from site to site frequently. Sometimes there was a shed where they could store their belongings, but they often slept outside in the same forests where they worked, with no defense from the elements, snakes or other wild animals. It took about a week of exhausting physical labor to fill one truck with the minimum load—about ten tons of wood.

IJM was able to bring rescue to the families who were working at this abusive wood-cutting operation, you can read the whole story of the rescue here.

 

 

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.  

 

 

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 16th

 

 Braid number sixteen!!!

 

 (Crazy right?!)

 

 This hairstyle took almost five hours total to finish!

 

 



Doe's anyone want to guess how many braids I have in today? ; )

(I'll give you the answer in tomorrow's post.  So make sure to check back!)

 

This was quite a surprise for my cousin Kerry who is sponsoring me at 25cents a braid! 

 

These braids and the Princess Leia braids are the ones that have raised the most money so far!  Does anyone have a braided hairstyle request?  Make a donation, comment below and I will wear your requested braid all day.  And yes I'm serious. : )

 

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.  

 

 

 

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.