Basketball and Derbies and Justice, Oh My!

Happy Monday!  What an exciting weekend!  Exciting enough to merit a countdown!  Here are my top three thrilling(ish) moments of the weekend.

1. Michigan State is not disappointing!  Our team is a favorite to win this NCAA thing and they are well on their way!  Go green, go white!  Goooo cute apparel that I love to sport!

2. We went to our first roller derby!  It was fun and funny!  Why don't all athletes use punny names?  Adrien Payne In Your Neck.  Sydney Cross-Checkby.  Jerry Rice You to the End-Zone.  Seriously.  We fans should insist on this.  Anyway, the derby was fun, but I'm sticking to basketball these days because I understand the scoring in that game.

3. Our church hosted a guest speaker from IJM (International Justice Mission), and I had the honor of going to lunch with him afterward.  As I've mentioned, our church formed a Justice Team after a different speaker came last year (also from IJM).  After hearing him, we simply could not continue as though we hadn't heard the stories and the statistics.  We've been meeting for a year now, and are as determined as ever.  This year Seth Wispelwey came to speak- he works in IJM's Government Relations and Advocacy department.  The timing was perfect- Seth was able to provide us with some information about how we may want to organize our team, how to utilize our congregation's strengths, ways to support IJM, and how to be active locally.  He provided tons of resources, and all the templates a justice team could ever want.  Having the chance to pick Seth's brain was the most exciting part of my weekend.

If you are interested in justice- internationally or domestically, check out the resources available on IJM's website.  Another great organization that is fighting human trafficking is Polaris Project.  And if you suspect a human trafficking case (or would like to find out about volunteer opportunities) call this number: 1-888-373-7888.

Taking Action

Friends, I have been useful today!  (I can't always say that.)  My baby's favorite stuffed animal lost its ear a while back and I?  Sewed it back on today!  Like a real mom!  Who sews!  Here it is:

Bun-Bun has two ears again!

I love feeling useful.  Which means I also love writing politicians (regarding issues even more important than missing bunny ears!)  It's such an easy thing to do, and it makes a difference.  Before you "x" out of this window forever, I promise this is not becoming a political blog.  Selling children as sex slaves, is not, should not, be a political thing; it's a human thing.

Sadly, many of our states do not have a safe harbor law to protect child prostitutes from prosecution.  Children forced into this lifestyle, with no hope of escape, can be charged as criminals rather than supported as victims.  Let's not sugar coat this.  It is human trafficking.  It is slavery.  As Christians, we are also called to free others from bondage- both spiritually and physically.  Jesus leads us toward the suffering and asks us to meet the physical, earthly needs of these aching prisoners.  In this case, the aching and abused children.  It is a daunting task, but do not be overwhelmed.  Here are four easy things you can do to fight child prostitution:

1.  Pray.  Pray for a massive decline in demand for children sex slaves.  Pray for the young men and women who have been rescued and are trying to recover.  Pray for children still enslaved- that they remain hopeful, and are rescued soon.  Pray for our political leaders to recognize the importance of this issue and take action.

2.  Write your Senators, Congressmen and women, Governors, all your political leaders!  Find out if there is a safe harbor statute for children in your state.  Tell them to crack down on human trafficking.  Be heard! 

3.  If you are interested in doing more or learning more, check out International Justice Mission or Polaris Project.  They have loads of information, resources, and Hallelujah! Rescue stories!

4.  Know this number: 1-888-373-7888.  It is the National Human Trafficking Hotline.  Call if you suspect any kind of potential trafficking.

If you happen to be snowed in (or frozen in), don't fret about not getting your errands done, you can accomplish so much from your own cozy home.  And I promise, doing any one of these things is better than sewing a thousand bunnies back together.