I just returned to my hotel after a full day (second day) of training with the amazing Out of Darkness team in Atlanta and my day is not over. In over an hour, I'm heading to dinner with newly made friends to discuss prevention (anti demand) for the sex trade and afterwards, I will be traveling to the Atlanta Dream Center to prepare for Princess Night - Out of Darkness' outreach to women involved in prostitution.
I'm writing this blog now because it will be late when I return to the hotel and I am leaving tomorrow (Sunday) around 5 a.m. to head home to Indiana. And, I will not be able to share (for safety/confidential reasons) many details about tonight's outreach. What I can share is that we need you to pray while we are on the streets, not only for protection, but more importantly that God's light will shine into the hearts of the hurting women we meet.
I'm going to keep this brief because my heart and mind are heavy with the training I received, the new information I learned, stories about women that have been rescued, and the many things God has shown to me about F.R.E.E. Indiana. Training has finished, so now what? That's the question I am asking God as I start to process what He has shown to me. There is soooooo much that needs to be done and it can't be done all at once, so I seek Him to show me the next step to take and what the F.R.E.E. Indiana team needs to do.
Thanks to all of you who have been reading my posts this week. I hope you have been encouraged and inspired as much as I have been. F.R.E.E. Indiana Team - I'm looking forward to our meeting on the 13th!
Your prayers for safe travel as I return home tomorrow (Sunday) are appreciated. Thanks!
Until Everyone is FREE.....
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013
She is Somebody's Daughter
It's been a full day of meetings while traveling all over the city of Atlanta and its metro area, along with the first night of "official training" with Out of Darkness, so my blog will be short. Second day of "official training" starts early tomorrow (Saturday) morning and I need some rest.
During tonight's training, we watched a brief video about girls and women who were involved in prostitution. They shared their pain, their tears, the abuse they endured from their pimps and johns, and it ended with one woman saying, "I love my mom and I forgive her. I love my dad and I forgive him, but why didn't they come to save me? Why didn't they come for me?" Another girl had left home because of abuse. She was picked up by a pimp who promised her a better life and that he would be her "daddy". She said to the interviewer that she had no other options - no education (couldn't get a job) and no shelters/safe houses available for her.
I share this with you for a few reasons:
I will do my best to post a blog tomorrow night, after returning from outreach, but forgive me if I am not able to do so. I understand an outreach like this is very intense and requires much prayer (before, during and after).
During tonight's training, we watched a brief video about girls and women who were involved in prostitution. They shared their pain, their tears, the abuse they endured from their pimps and johns, and it ended with one woman saying, "I love my mom and I forgive her. I love my dad and I forgive him, but why didn't they come to save me? Why didn't they come for me?" Another girl had left home because of abuse. She was picked up by a pimp who promised her a better life and that he would be her "daddy". She said to the interviewer that she had no other options - no education (couldn't get a job) and no shelters/safe houses available for her.
I share this with you for a few reasons:
- When you see a girl/woman standing on a street and you know they are being sold for sex, please do not be quick to judge, but remember that she is somebody' daughter and that she is not there by choice. Pray for her.
- The men who pimp women for sex, as statistics report, have likely learned to do this at an early age; have been abused themselves; did not have positive parental role models; and may not realize/understand their treatment of women is not right. Please do not be quick to judge, but pray for them.
- From the training/meetings I have received so far this week, God has laid it on my heart that F.R.E.E. Indiana is more than just being about human trafficking. It's going to be about helping hurting women in the sex trade have a choice (an opportunity) to get out of this trade; go into transitional safe houses and then into long-term care programs.
- What I shared above (video clip) does happen everywhere, including Greenwood; Indianapolis; Franklin; Columbus; Plainfield; Carmel; Fishers; and other cities/towns in Indiana. Our eyes, ears, hearts and minds need to be open to see it and we must be willing to say and do something to help these girls and women created in the image of God.
I will do my best to post a blog tomorrow night, after returning from outreach, but forgive me if I am not able to do so. I understand an outreach like this is very intense and requires much prayer (before, during and after).
Thursday, October 3, 2013
God Is In This House
Although today wasn't full of activity, it was still meaningful and gave me another opportunity to meet with two more women (new friends) serving God with all of their hearts - one using her skills/experience as a physician's assistant to make medical professionals (especially hospitals - ER nurses and doctors) aware of trafficking and how they can help women in need while the other is Out of Darkness' director of residential services (i.e. safe houses), who seeks the leading of the Holy Spirit in everything she says and does to help women. I'm blessed to now call them my friends, sisters-in-Christ and fellow abolitionists!
Judy, the physicians assistant, has led Out of Darkness' Medical Outreach for almost a year. She gave some really good insight as to the number of women, being trafficked, who seek medical attention each year and more importantly, the different medical issues/conditions that doctors and nurses should look for/consider in order to identify someone who is being trafficked. Not only are they trained to look for certain medical conditions, but are also provided with questions they can ask the girl/woman to determine if trafficking is present as well as procedures/protocols to follow to assess the situation and how to respond (i.e. calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline number so the appropriate law enforcement can be contacted). Judy said many times after she gives a presentation/training, a nurse or doctor will think back to a girl/woman they treated in the past and realize she was or could have been trafficked. It's the awareness they now have, according to Judy, that can help save a girl's life. I'm thankful there are people like Judy who are using their job skills to bring awareness of modern day slavery and to encourage others to take action.
Miss Mel is Out of Darkness' Director of Residential Services and has this beautiful heart/soul/spirit for the Lord and for women in need. Mel is responsible for overseeing the two safe/transitional houses where women rescued from the streets can stay anywhere from 5-21 days before moving into a long-term care program. Mel shared a lot of information about starting and operating a safe house this evening to a small group of us (me, Judy from Macon and four women from Corpus Christie). There is too much detail to share in this blog, but I will say this much - WE NEED SAFE HOUSES LIKE THESE IN INDIANA. I will also say this, Mel made a point that had not resonated with me until tonight - you cannot rescue a woman from the streets and immediately put her in a long-term care program. There is a transitional period that must take place in order for a woman's needs to be assessed (i.e. she may need to detox from drugs/alcohol) and the structure of the house must be flexible enough that it gives the woman time to adjust to her "new life". Women coming off the streets need time for rest, to eat (many of them are malnourished), learn how to live with structure (i.e. rules), etc. before entering a long-term program. Out of Darkness opened their second safe house yesterday and had 4 women in the house before the day ended! The hand of God is moving among the streets of Atlanta and the favor of God is shining brightly on the staff and volunteers of Out of Darkness. God is in this house (I should say houses since they now have two) indeed!
One more thing, I spoke with Mel prior to our meeting tonight and shared my heart with her and this desire to see the "big picture" of the ministry she and I, along with many others, have been called to. Tonight, she took time to share what that "big picture" looks like for Out of Darkness and I took many notes. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed (in a good way) of the valuable insights God is giving to me, so I'm trusting Him to help me sort it all out and know what the next steps are for F.R.E.E. Indiana.
Tomorrow is a full day of meetings (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the "official" Out of Darkness training (they have over 200 people attending the training - wow!) starts tomorrow evening. Stay tuned for tomorrow night's blog!
Judy, the physicians assistant, has led Out of Darkness' Medical Outreach for almost a year. She gave some really good insight as to the number of women, being trafficked, who seek medical attention each year and more importantly, the different medical issues/conditions that doctors and nurses should look for/consider in order to identify someone who is being trafficked. Not only are they trained to look for certain medical conditions, but are also provided with questions they can ask the girl/woman to determine if trafficking is present as well as procedures/protocols to follow to assess the situation and how to respond (i.e. calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline number so the appropriate law enforcement can be contacted). Judy said many times after she gives a presentation/training, a nurse or doctor will think back to a girl/woman they treated in the past and realize she was or could have been trafficked. It's the awareness they now have, according to Judy, that can help save a girl's life. I'm thankful there are people like Judy who are using their job skills to bring awareness of modern day slavery and to encourage others to take action.
Miss Mel is Out of Darkness' Director of Residential Services and has this beautiful heart/soul/spirit for the Lord and for women in need. Mel is responsible for overseeing the two safe/transitional houses where women rescued from the streets can stay anywhere from 5-21 days before moving into a long-term care program. Mel shared a lot of information about starting and operating a safe house this evening to a small group of us (me, Judy from Macon and four women from Corpus Christie). There is too much detail to share in this blog, but I will say this much - WE NEED SAFE HOUSES LIKE THESE IN INDIANA. I will also say this, Mel made a point that had not resonated with me until tonight - you cannot rescue a woman from the streets and immediately put her in a long-term care program. There is a transitional period that must take place in order for a woman's needs to be assessed (i.e. she may need to detox from drugs/alcohol) and the structure of the house must be flexible enough that it gives the woman time to adjust to her "new life". Women coming off the streets need time for rest, to eat (many of them are malnourished), learn how to live with structure (i.e. rules), etc. before entering a long-term program. Out of Darkness opened their second safe house yesterday and had 4 women in the house before the day ended! The hand of God is moving among the streets of Atlanta and the favor of God is shining brightly on the staff and volunteers of Out of Darkness. God is in this house (I should say houses since they now have two) indeed!
One more thing, I spoke with Mel prior to our meeting tonight and shared my heart with her and this desire to see the "big picture" of the ministry she and I, along with many others, have been called to. Tonight, she took time to share what that "big picture" looks like for Out of Darkness and I took many notes. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed (in a good way) of the valuable insights God is giving to me, so I'm trusting Him to help me sort it all out and know what the next steps are for F.R.E.E. Indiana.
Tomorrow is a full day of meetings (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the "official" Out of Darkness training (they have over 200 people attending the training - wow!) starts tomorrow evening. Stay tuned for tomorrow night's blog!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Putting the Pieces Together
As promised, here is my first blog from Atlanta, Georgia and my training with Out of Darkness. Three words to sum up my first night - Thank You, Jesus!
I believe in Divine appointments and two came my way earlier this evening as I met with Anne Kerr, Director of Operations for Out of Darkness, and Rachel Eden, a young woman with a huge heart for Jesus who led Out of Darkness' Jail Ministry. In a month or so, Rachel will be working at a local safe house as a Volunteer Coordinator and ministering to women in a 12-month restoration program.
I felt like I had met kindred souls/spirits when I started talking with Anne, and then Rachel. It's so great to be with people who have the same passion, burden and brokenness as you do. You know they "get it", but more importantly, God uses them to give you new insights/ideas for what He has called you to do. And, that my friends, is what happened to me tonight. First night and I'm already starting to see some of the pieces of the "big picture" for F.R.E.E. Indiana. God is good!
I will share more of those pieces as my training in Atlanta continues. However, I want to take this time to praise God for the mighty work He is doing through Anne, Rachel, Out of Darkness, and a host of other people.
In a year's time, Out of Darkness has rescued 100+ women from the streets and out of jails (once they have been released, of course) in the metro Atlanta area. When they do street outreach (Princess Night - every Friday), they go into the darkness, shining God's light, seeking women in need of a touch from Jesus. It's not so much about the issue of whether a woman is being trafficked or not, it's the fact that a woman is being exploited, abused, sold for sex, and needs to have another option. Anne made a good point tonight, women in prostitution (you will no longer hear me label them as prostitutes - it's degrading) are not in their situation by choice. It's because they have not been given a better option to choose. Many of these women were sexually abused as children and believed the lie that "they're only good for one thing". If they ran away from home to escape the abuse, they often found themselves living on the streets and in order to make some money (many with no education, some with children, and no better options), they resorted to the one thing they knew how to do - sex. Please do not believe the lie "they are here by choice".
During outreach, the women receive a red rose, along with a card that has the number for the Out of Darkness Hotline Call Center. If a woman wants to get off the streets, she can call the hotline number and that starts the rescue process. Thankfully, there are Christ-Centered safe houses for the women to go to and long-term care programs available to address their needs and to help them heal and be restored. Atlanta has got it's act together when it comes to helping hurting women. Please pray for my new friends in Christ as they continue to do the great work God has called them to do.
Stay tuned for tomorrow night's blog.....
I believe in Divine appointments and two came my way earlier this evening as I met with Anne Kerr, Director of Operations for Out of Darkness, and Rachel Eden, a young woman with a huge heart for Jesus who led Out of Darkness' Jail Ministry. In a month or so, Rachel will be working at a local safe house as a Volunteer Coordinator and ministering to women in a 12-month restoration program.
I felt like I had met kindred souls/spirits when I started talking with Anne, and then Rachel. It's so great to be with people who have the same passion, burden and brokenness as you do. You know they "get it", but more importantly, God uses them to give you new insights/ideas for what He has called you to do. And, that my friends, is what happened to me tonight. First night and I'm already starting to see some of the pieces of the "big picture" for F.R.E.E. Indiana. God is good!
I will share more of those pieces as my training in Atlanta continues. However, I want to take this time to praise God for the mighty work He is doing through Anne, Rachel, Out of Darkness, and a host of other people.
In a year's time, Out of Darkness has rescued 100+ women from the streets and out of jails (once they have been released, of course) in the metro Atlanta area. When they do street outreach (Princess Night - every Friday), they go into the darkness, shining God's light, seeking women in need of a touch from Jesus. It's not so much about the issue of whether a woman is being trafficked or not, it's the fact that a woman is being exploited, abused, sold for sex, and needs to have another option. Anne made a good point tonight, women in prostitution (you will no longer hear me label them as prostitutes - it's degrading) are not in their situation by choice. It's because they have not been given a better option to choose. Many of these women were sexually abused as children and believed the lie that "they're only good for one thing". If they ran away from home to escape the abuse, they often found themselves living on the streets and in order to make some money (many with no education, some with children, and no better options), they resorted to the one thing they knew how to do - sex. Please do not believe the lie "they are here by choice".
During outreach, the women receive a red rose, along with a card that has the number for the Out of Darkness Hotline Call Center. If a woman wants to get off the streets, she can call the hotline number and that starts the rescue process. Thankfully, there are Christ-Centered safe houses for the women to go to and long-term care programs available to address their needs and to help them heal and be restored. Atlanta has got it's act together when it comes to helping hurting women. Please pray for my new friends in Christ as they continue to do the great work God has called them to do.
Stay tuned for tomorrow night's blog.....
Monday, September 30, 2013
Pray - Pray - Pray!
God's word tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against
the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Spiritual warfare is real, my friends, both in the heavenly places and here on earth. When we seek to do God's will, not only for lives, but to reach the lost, it's a war between light and darkness and it's not pretty.
That's why prayer must be a vital part of our lives. We not only pray for the lost, but pray for God to give us the strength and courage to step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who are hurting. Whether we realize it or not, when we seek the lost (going where they are), we are entering into enemy territory and the enemy doesn't play by the rules. Playing it safe (i.e. sitting in church and waiting for the lost to come to us) didn't work for the 12 apostles who gave their lives to reach the lost and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and it doesn't work for me.
As I was praying this evening, my heart and spirit were heavy and humbled as I thought about the children, women and men enslaved by human trafficking in the U.S. and the compelling purpose (as Pastor Wayne says) God has placed on my heart and others to Find, Rescue, Embrace and Empower (FREE) them.
As you some of you know, I am traveling to Atlanta this week to train with Out of Darkness. I'm excited about this opportunity to learn and see the "big picture" of what anti-trafficking work looks like, who's involved and how everything/everyone connects together. One of my prayers is God will show me what that "big picture" looks like for Indiana and how He wants F.R.E.E. Indiana to be involved. My goal is to blog each night I am there to share my experiences.
I ask for your prayers, please - to pray that children, women and men enslaved by trafficking are found, rescued and restored (now and every day); for God's protection as I do a night of street outreach with the Out of Darkness team and that God would remove any obstacles/hindrances the enemy may use to thwart us from reaching the women; and for God's Divine revelation and direction as I seek His plan for F.R.E.E. Indiana.
Stay tuned this week...... Thank you and God bless!
Until Everyone is FREE.....
That's why prayer must be a vital part of our lives. We not only pray for the lost, but pray for God to give us the strength and courage to step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who are hurting. Whether we realize it or not, when we seek the lost (going where they are), we are entering into enemy territory and the enemy doesn't play by the rules. Playing it safe (i.e. sitting in church and waiting for the lost to come to us) didn't work for the 12 apostles who gave their lives to reach the lost and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and it doesn't work for me.
As I was praying this evening, my heart and spirit were heavy and humbled as I thought about the children, women and men enslaved by human trafficking in the U.S. and the compelling purpose (as Pastor Wayne says) God has placed on my heart and others to Find, Rescue, Embrace and Empower (FREE) them.
As you some of you know, I am traveling to Atlanta this week to train with Out of Darkness. I'm excited about this opportunity to learn and see the "big picture" of what anti-trafficking work looks like, who's involved and how everything/everyone connects together. One of my prayers is God will show me what that "big picture" looks like for Indiana and how He wants F.R.E.E. Indiana to be involved. My goal is to blog each night I am there to share my experiences.
I ask for your prayers, please - to pray that children, women and men enslaved by trafficking are found, rescued and restored (now and every day); for God's protection as I do a night of street outreach with the Out of Darkness team and that God would remove any obstacles/hindrances the enemy may use to thwart us from reaching the women; and for God's Divine revelation and direction as I seek His plan for F.R.E.E. Indiana.
Stay tuned this week...... Thank you and God bless!
Until Everyone is FREE.....
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Getting Ready to Move
Hello, my friends!
I know it's been a while since my last blog. My apologies. I could say it's because "life happens" and that would be true. However, it would be a disservice to God and how He is getting me ready to move towards the vision and mission of my calling - F.R.E.E. Indiana.
If you noticed at the top of my blog, the header has changed from "A Voice for Freedom" to "Voices for Freedom". Why has it changed? I'm glad you asked. It's changed because God has sent an army of people interested in getting involved with F.R.E.E. Indiana. One voice has now become many voices and I praise Him for it! I asked God to send people with a burden and desire to help Find (R), Rescue (R), Embrace (E), Empower (E) the children, women and men enslaved by trafficking and that prayer has been answered. F.R.E.E. Indiana will have it's first team meeting on September 29. Let the work begin!
I write this blog not only to update you on the move in people's hearts to Say Something and Do Something, but to ask you to keep checking back in a couple of weeks as I travel to Atlanta to train with Out of Darkness, an anti-trafficking ministry connected with the Atlanta Dream Center. I will be in Atlanta from October 2-6 to not only attend one of their training events, but to also meet with their team and other people/agencies fighting the good fight in Georgia.
While I'm in Atlanta, I will be posting blogs to share my experiences and the work that's being done in Atlanta. Out of Darkness has rescued more than 100 women from trafficking, prostitution, etc. God is on the move in Atlanta!
One of my prayers for Atlanta is to have God show me the "big picture" of what anti-trafficking work looks like from the time a person is found and identified; to their rescue; all of the steps/work in between; and to the time they are placed in a safe house for the healing and restoration to begin. This kind of work has started in Indiana, but we need to do more.
It's time for the Body of Christ throughout Indiana to Say and Do Something to help free and restore those enslaved by trafficking. Our God is bigger than any trafficker; He is bigger than any obstacle that gets in the way; and He is big enough to provide all of the resources (i.e. people, funding, safe houses, services) needed to help those in bondage.
Your prayers for safe travel, protection as I go out onto the streets of Atlanta to do outreach with Out of Darkness; and more importantly, a clear sense of what God is revealing to me are appreciated.
Until Everyone is FREE.....
Robin
I know it's been a while since my last blog. My apologies. I could say it's because "life happens" and that would be true. However, it would be a disservice to God and how He is getting me ready to move towards the vision and mission of my calling - F.R.E.E. Indiana.
If you noticed at the top of my blog, the header has changed from "A Voice for Freedom" to "Voices for Freedom". Why has it changed? I'm glad you asked. It's changed because God has sent an army of people interested in getting involved with F.R.E.E. Indiana. One voice has now become many voices and I praise Him for it! I asked God to send people with a burden and desire to help Find (R), Rescue (R), Embrace (E), Empower (E) the children, women and men enslaved by trafficking and that prayer has been answered. F.R.E.E. Indiana will have it's first team meeting on September 29. Let the work begin!
I write this blog not only to update you on the move in people's hearts to Say Something and Do Something, but to ask you to keep checking back in a couple of weeks as I travel to Atlanta to train with Out of Darkness, an anti-trafficking ministry connected with the Atlanta Dream Center. I will be in Atlanta from October 2-6 to not only attend one of their training events, but to also meet with their team and other people/agencies fighting the good fight in Georgia.
While I'm in Atlanta, I will be posting blogs to share my experiences and the work that's being done in Atlanta. Out of Darkness has rescued more than 100 women from trafficking, prostitution, etc. God is on the move in Atlanta!
One of my prayers for Atlanta is to have God show me the "big picture" of what anti-trafficking work looks like from the time a person is found and identified; to their rescue; all of the steps/work in between; and to the time they are placed in a safe house for the healing and restoration to begin. This kind of work has started in Indiana, but we need to do more.
It's time for the Body of Christ throughout Indiana to Say and Do Something to help free and restore those enslaved by trafficking. Our God is bigger than any trafficker; He is bigger than any obstacle that gets in the way; and He is big enough to provide all of the resources (i.e. people, funding, safe houses, services) needed to help those in bondage.
Your prayers for safe travel, protection as I go out onto the streets of Atlanta to do outreach with Out of Darkness; and more importantly, a clear sense of what God is revealing to me are appreciated.
Until Everyone is FREE.....
Robin
Friday, May 17, 2013
Count Your Blessings
It's very easy in the day-to-day grind of life for us to take our blessings for granted. Whether you are a believer of Almighty God or not, you are blessed when you consider the following:- Right now there are U.S. children far away from home who are being beaten and sold for sexual services. If you have children and they are safe, you are blessed and so are your children.
- Right now there are men and women working very long hours with little or no pay while being deceived (i.e. have deb to pay off that keeps growing); isolated; abused and threatened (themselves or family members). If you have a job that allows you to come and go and pays a wage without the fear of abuse or threats, you are blessed.
- Right now there are women who are being told they are worthless, hopeless, ugly, stupid, and that no one cares about them. If you have people in your life who love you, you are blessed.
- Right now children, women and men enslaved by trafficking (for sex and labor) do not have the freedom to eat whenever or whatever they want; are not free to come and go as they please; cannot receive medical care; are not allowed to speak for themselves; cannot go to school; cannot contact family and friends for help, etc. If you can do or have any of these things, then you are blessed.
Please take a moment in your "daily grind" to count your blessings and to pray and remember the children, women and men being trafficked all across the U.S.
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