March Madness: Final Elimination Round

This is it! 

March Madness all the way to Mexico City!

We're in the final round. Only $700 in monthly commitments needed. 

Become a ministry partner today: http://s1.ag.org/marchmadness2015

Thank you!

Watch, Pray, Act, Give: Human Trafficking

"Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor: 
a modern-day form of slavery."

Psychology of Human Trafficking Updated from Thema Bryant-Davis on Vimeo.

Watch: I hope you take the time to watch this eye-opening video concerning human trafficking and the sex trade. Consider some of the truths shared from it below and may it challenge you to pray, act, and give. 

A dose of reality: A woman in a legal Nevada brothel said, “No one really enjoys getting sold. It's like you sign a contract to be raped.”

A different perspective: “Slave victims must be looked at as vulnerable, but that has to be separated from [viewing them as] weak and powerless. Because the problem is that even now in the modern abolitionist movement and in intervention and prevention efforts people are going in and assuming that these victims, that these [at-risk] communities … and [at-risk] children ... are somehow weak and powerless. It's that hero complex where we somehow [think we] have to go in and save them and rescue them. When in reality what we need to do is go in and empower them.”

An ounce of prevention: “Many times we think about how we can warn women and girls what to look out for. But the truth is as long as there continues to be a demand for those who are trafficked - a demand for prostitution - then this will continue to happen. So we really have to interrupt the cycle early by looking at those messages that teach boys and men that women are a commodity. That sexuality is something to purchase.”

Pray: O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of women and children deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed. Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.

Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted. Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good, and send the exploiters away empty handed. Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen. (Sister Gen Cassani, School Sisters of Notre Dame)

Act: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31.8-9

Give: Your one-time gift or monthly commitment empowers us to raise awareness and instill preventive measures concerning human trafficking and the sex trade in Mexico City. Thank you! 

Forgetfulness and Freedom

 Yay, no snow day for us this weekend! We arrived in Portage, IN on Saturday in preparation for Crossroads Family Church's missions convention on Sunday with Pastor Michael and Paula Bean.

Saturday we were fortunate to greet the youth, share a little about Speed the Light, introduce our ministry and hear all about their exciting missions trip to Guatemala.

Did you notice? I actually remembered to take some pictures this weekend!

No danger of letting this little accomplishment go to my head though, as I accidentally skipped over a page of my notes during our presentation. 

Such is life.

Sometimes you remember. Sometimes you lose your head.

Big thanks to Pastor Bean (2nd from left) for his gracious invitation to attend such a wonderful missions convention. To Jonathan Vitale (far left) who shared his heartfelt call to the ends of the earth. And to Jason Morrison (far right) missionary to the Czech Republic who challenged us to sacrifice more intentionally for the sake of freedom. A freedom that guards us from distractions as well as a freedom that liberates us to give extravagantly to God's missional cause. 

Now this I won't forget!

Andrea Morrison with the little guy. It's been a long day for this MK.

But Wyatt manages a smile regardless :)

We are pressing through to raise the last bit of our financial budget. Please consider a one-time gift or monthly commitment to help us proclaim freedom to the captive of drug addiction and set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. Every heartfelt offering (no matter the amount) brings us closer to our return to Mexico City. Thank you!

Watch, Pray, Act, Give: Teen Challenge Mexico City

Watch: Three Teen Challenge residents share their testimony in this video. Although it is all in Spanish even if you don't speak the language I think you can understand their story as they share through art. Enjoy and please pray for Teen Challenge Mexico City/Reto a la Juventud and its directors Gamaliel and Alejandra.

Pray: Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen. (BCP)

Act: “This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” Isaiah 58.6-7

Give: Every heartfelt gift or monthly commitment (no matter the amount) brings us closer to our return to Mexico City (and we are very close). Thank you for your support.

A Missionary Monday Confession

I am a dork.

More specifically, I am a forgetful dork.

I consistently forget to take pictures at the churches we visit almost every week. So then I spend Monday morning searching Facebook to "borrow" a couple of  photos to share with you. 

My secret is out. My burden feels lighter.

Let's move on.

Today's photos are courtesy of Cindy Smith, part of the dynamic duo of Pastor Dick and Cindy Smith (pictured below) at Shiloh Assembly of God in Hymera, IN. 

And here is the rest of the crew that call Shiloh Assembly home.

Thank you Pastor Dick, Cindy, and Shiloh Assembly for your kind invitation to come and preach. For your gracious hospitality and lively conversation at lunch. And for your prayerful and financial support.

We were blessed to be with you.

Every heartfelt gift or monthly commitment (no matter the amount) brings us closer to our return to Mexico City (and we are very close). Thank you!