MERCY | JUDGEMENT
Human trafficking is a HUGE issue all over the world; the explotation of women, children, even men too. First learning about this issue when I was 11 years old, the problem has only gotten worse even with it being brought more into the light in recent years. There is estimated to be over 30 million slaves in the world today.
My friend Leigh is doing something to make a difference in the awareness of the trade and SHE IS AWESOME. Here's a little bit about what she's doing and who she's working with.
"In 2014, Wipe Every Tear attempted something that had never been attempted before; a getaway for precious girls trafficked in the sex trade. They took a team of 25 young American women, and all of the girls in their care, along with over 30 bar girls, on a five-day vacation to a resort in the Philippines. Then in 2015 they took a team of 15, with over 30 new girls again on the same trip! The result: Heaven on Earth. Late nights worshipping, early morning self-defense & workout classes, afternoon walks on the beach, morning prayer, snorkeling, inner beauty workshops, countless laughs exchanged over meals, banana boat adventures, dance competitions, baptisms, friendships, and best of all – these precious girls were experiencing Jesus.
And they are doing it again this year. Except this year, Jesus has asked us to doing something completely unconventional and wild. On this third annual Girl's Getaway we've been asked to not invite just bar girls, we've been asked to invite LADYBOYS. A ladyboy, in our terms, is a transgender (male turned female). And Jesus has asked us to not only specifically love them, but to invite them on a life-altering vacation to a resort in the Philippines. So often transgender's are forgotten about and go unloved. For some reason we have this stigma that they aren't worth loving. But that's so far from the truth. JESUS LOVES THEM SO MUCH. So much so, that He has gone as far as designating this time and place in history. So we should, too. They are just like us. Afterwards, when they go back home, they'll be offered a new home and college education. This isn't just about taking someone in need and giving them something we think they might like. It's about saving someone's life.
I can't do this without you, WE can't do this without you. If I'm being honest, it's always been so hard for me to ask for financial support when it comes to trip. But this time it's different, it's still hard, but there's such an air of hope and revival to this trip that I can't let that get in my way. These sweet girl's lives are depending on it and Jesus has such a deep-rooted calling in this request. Please consider, not just giving to me, but sowing into this opportunity. You might not be able to come physically, but you can be apart of it by sending me there. I love you so much, friends, and I am so grateful for you. But most importantly, I am so thankful for your prayers and the prayers for these precious women."
I am incredibly excited that people I know are passionate about this too-- it is inspiring to fight for freedom for the people who have no voice. We must come together and create a community and DO things to change the way things are. Because we can, WE have the freedom todo so.
Leigh is selling shirts to raise funds for her trip.
Mercy triumphs judgement.
Mercy redeems, mercy saves. And like she said above, the "girls lives are depending on it". Leigh and her team might be the only mercy, the only Jesus that these girls meet.
If you would like to purchase one for $20 (or more if you feel led to donate to her trip) please let me know and I can get you in contact with her.
Lets make a difference together. And if it's not you going to do the work, support others to make a difference!
