In 2007, I found myself weeping over human trafficking while responding to a request to pray for a pastor prior to his sharing his Cambodian experience with modern slavery. It has, since, become quite clear that at that moment God had placed a weeping within me for those who have been trafficked, and I have felt the need to turn my weeping into action ever since. As a result, I sought avenues through which to involve myself and others in the anti-trafficking movement.
While on this journey, God led me to co-found North Star Intiative, a Christian-based anti-trafficking organization tasked with opening a facility to restore victims. He also led me to spearhead, along with Julie Janovsky, the creation and passage of Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 253. This leglislation led to the formation of the PA Joint State Commission’s Human Trafficking Task Force of which I am now a sitting member. The function of this multi-agency committee is to investigate the issue of human trafficking in Pennsylvania and ultimately to recommend steps to combat trafficking to the PA Senate.
In reflecting on my last year, it has become clear that God has trained me up through both my study of scripture, particularly the Book of Nehemiah, and my graduate studies in Community Psychology. Now He is leading me to step away from the teaching profession temporarily and participate in efforts to combat trafficking in Cambodia, Thailand, India and Georgia (US). I will travel to these locations and work alongside partnering organizations within their communities. I will work in the areas of prevention, intervention and aftercare in order to assist those at-risk, specifically those threatened by the commercial sex industry. In addition to helping those at risk now, I hope to bring back usable skills and experience to further strengthen efforts here at home through the organizations mentioned earlier. In short, God has made it clear to me that He is ready for His Body to rescue the innocent and set the captives free.
However, in order to embark on this journey, I must temporarily step away from the teaching profession (begining January 2011) with an unpaid leave for the next several months. What this means in practical terms is that I will be sacrificing my salary, my occupational benefits including healthcare, and the overall costs of the trip. I have sought council and put much prayer and thought into this decision and have decided to step out in faith. I am asking you to partner with me on this journey by giving the gift of freedom through prayer and/or finacial support in order to help those who have otherwise been forgotten. I have chosen to do all fundraising through my local church. So for more details on the beginning of my journey and how to partner with me, visit me at www.mosaiclancaster.org/timbradley instead of using the Support Me tab here on my blog.
Sincerely,
Tim Bradley
