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
