I recently told someone I would write an update on my life… here is a brief one – as promised. 🙂
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When I returned from the race I shared that one of the areas that God had broken my heart over was human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and children. It was difficult to come home and feel so far away from the people that I had grown to love on the other side of the world in places like India and Nepal. It was also extremely hard to give up the hands on role that I was used to taking when it came to social issues.
In many ways it felt like coming home was a step backwards. If the goal was to maintain momentum and launch into the things that God had for me then – in my mind – diving into the nations was the most reasonable course of action. I spent the first year struggling to catch my breath and get oriented with all of the changes I was facing. Honestly the whole time I believed in the back of my mind that it was just going to be a short visit and then I would be leaving again.
But then God started to open doors…
He lead me into a 1 year social service work certificate program. A program that lead into another year for a diploma and the application process for 2 1/2 years after that for a bachelors degree in social work.
He moved me into a brand new job working with vulnerable individuals in the community. Through my involvement he started to draw out my leadership ability and opened my eyes to the world of non-profit organizations from a hands on, front line perspective.
He placed some of the most brilliant, self aware and driven visionaries, leaders and advocates for social justice around me. The other day I actually sat back and thought about some of the people I hang out with on a regular basis – I have a network of support I didn’t even see forming a year and a half ago.
In Proverbs 19:2 (NIV) it says:
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.
I have walked through each of these open doors my interest in human trafficking has remained a central focus. The thing is instead of just being a blind passion their is a refinement to the way that I approach it now. Through my studies I have the opportunity to consider trafficking in a broader context. I am starting to recognize that by doing so I have a much better chance of pioneering a movement that strikes at the root of the injustice. I am also becoming distinctly aware that there is not just one issue or one solution necessary for wide spread change.
One of the things that I have been dreaming about is starting some kind of non-profit organization. I would love to have your support in prayer as God continues to open doors and lead me into a deeper understanding of the issues associated with human trafficking. I don’t want to do something half way I want to be cutting edge with innovative ideas and a commitment to best practice.
As I continue to learn and see that dream take shape these are a few of the thing I’ve been focusing on:
-Issues with border security and deportation leading to re-victimization.
-Reducing and dissolving stigma for those who return home to their communities. Educational awareness in rural villages, towns and cities.
-Consideration of appropriate and effective rehabilitation methods based on relevant cultural contexts.
-Job creation and skill training – not just after the victimization has taken place but as a preventative measure in collusion with education about human trafficking awareness.
-Issues associated with globalization.
-Ways to break down racial and ethnic conflict between nations and people groups.
-The domestic trafficking of citizens within their own nations – specifically in Canada with a focus on First Nations women and girls.
