Intimacy to Advocacy

It's been a crazy last couple of weeks.  Morgan Perry from the Sex and Money film spoke to us two weeks ago not just on human trafficking in the US, but also on the necessity of intimacy with Christ before pouring ourselves out in ministry. Intimacy before advocacy. If we don't adhere to this order, we will become burned out and useless. Morgan's team's next film is going to focus on the breakdown of the family and its relation to sex trafficking: strong families equal strong kids. Strong kids equal high self-esteem, and pimps can't lure a child--and yes, I do mean child--into a relationship that will ultimately result in forced prostitution. I cannot wait to see the team's next film. It's going to fabulous and contain a much-needed message to families that don't realize the relation between broken/abusive homes and the girls on the streets.

Research and restoration homes should be the priorities of the "movement," so to speak. Social justice issues are actually popular and even hip, so with the incredible amount of awareness that is occurring, more action needs to be seen. I am particularly interested in restoration homes for girls who have been sexually exploited: minors who are caught in prostitution need a safe and therapeutic home-like environment. There are less than 100 beds available in US restoration homes for trafficked minors, and there are anywhere between 100,000-300,000 children who have been trafficked each year. I think it's undeniable that more restoration homes are needed, and needed immediately. Churches especially need to be more involved in initiating and supporting homes like these. We have heard the statistics, read the stories, know recruiting methods, etc etc etc. Eventually, you just want to actually DO something. When you hear it in class, see it in a video, read it in a book, and hear it from community leaders, you feel compelled to action. I know I'm going to remain working in the anti-trafficking field...I would love to work with getting girls into restoration homes as an alternative to jail time and also work in after-care restoration. Social work and non-profit jobs, here I come,  and goodbye to a nice paycheck. Whoop-de-doo. 

Everyone from the school went hiking at Red Rock Canyon last weekend: here's a couple of pictures from the hike.