Strength for the Journey - Step by Step

"Unbreakable"

2012-02-17T09:01:00.000-06:00

"This is the music video for 'Unbreakable', a song about the importance of the empowerment of women and girls in our world, written, composed and recorded by eight young people from around Manitoba. These young people are Akina Kennedy-Shirt, Dani Chalus, Jeremy Ryant and Sharlene Nicole Mabasa from Winnipeg, Andrew Chudley from Oakbank, Kat Klassen from Steinbach and Callum Spencer and Jayde Clendenning from Flin Flon."

i am making a difference

2012-02-16T06:50:00.000-06:00

i am making a difference

2012-02-15T06:31:00.000-06:00

One-Month Challenge

2012-02-14T07:09:00.000-06:00

Today is not only Valentine's Day, it's also the start of the One-Month Challenge - Go Fair Trade for 30 Days! Join Manitobans in supporting fair trade and sign up for the One-Month Challenge at www.fairtrademanitoba.ca. Pledge to have only fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate for 30 days. Sign up as an individual or in a group and participate with your workplace, school, congregation, organization or anyone else who supports fair trade! (info taken from the One-Month Challenge brochure)

i am making a difference

2012-02-13T06:46:00.000-06:00

The Show ~ Kerris Dorsey (MoneyBall)

2012-02-12T10:05:00.000-06:00

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why

Slow it down
Make it stop--
Or else my heart is going to pop
'Cause it's too much
Yeah, it's a lot
To be something I'm not

I'm a fool
Out of love
'Cause I just can't get enough

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why

I am just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down I know
I've got to let it go
And just enjoy the show

The sun is hot
In the sky
Just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the signs
And synchronize in time
It's a joke
Nobody knows
They've got a ticket to that show
Yeah

Just enjoy the show

dum de dum
dudum de dum

Just enjoy the show

dum de dum
dudum de dum

Just enjoy the show

I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back

Just enjoy the show

I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back

Just enjoy the show

i am making a difference

2012-02-11T09:02:00.000-06:00

i am making a difference

2012-02-10T22:08:00.000-06:00

i am making a difference

2012-02-09T22:03:00.003-06:00

i am making a difference

2012-02-08T22:00:00.003-06:00

i am making a difference

2012-02-07T21:51:00.008-06:00

February 5 - 11 is International Development Week and Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) has some great video clips of Manitobans who are making a difference in our world. Check each video out in its entirety (either on the MCIC website or right here for the next few days), and be entered to win a $250 Fair Trade wardrobe!

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/03/whats-the-role-of-faith-in-fighting-slavery

CNN: The New Christian Abolition Movement

2012-02-06T09:13:00.001-06:00

religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/05/the-new-christian-abolition-movement

"I don't think I'm any different than anyone I work with, in vulnerability or dignity."
~Danielle Mitchell, World Relief

World Vision Trauma Centres

2012-02-05T20:18:00.000-06:00

You can help by going to link and making a donation today:
catalogue.worldvision.ca/Gifts/Forms/Gift.aspx?giftId=2485&mc=4249801&lang=en

International Guild of Visual Peacemakers (IGVP)

2012-02-04T16:02:00.001-06:00

Thanks to my photographer friend Judith who posted about the International Guild of Visual Peacemakers today, and I could not help but follow her lead. This is such a cool idea and literally makes me want to dust off my camera (that's been hibernating this winter!) and go out and shoot for peace!

visualpeacemakers.org

"images free us to see. . .
the stories within our eyes,
our shared gestures,
our unique expressions,
the mysteries we ponder,
the struggles we share,
the undeniable power of love,
& our journeys of faith"

CNN: What's the Role of Faith in Fighting Slavery?

2012-02-03T23:08:00.001-06:00

It has been a privilege to highlight The CNN Freedom Project, not only because human trafficking (and other injustice issues that are interconnected) is close to my heart, but because in their reporting, they have not shied away from the faith aspect of the fight. They could have easily looked the other way in this regard and not bothered to report about faith, but they haven't, and for that, I commend them.

As you read the following article by David Batstone (Not for Sale) or when you think about injustice, if you ask yourself the question, "Should I get involved?", I think that you're asking the wrong question. As people of faith, it is God's call to all of us:

"He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?"

~Micah 6:8

I believe that the question you should be asking yourself is, "How can I get involved?" And the best thing is that it doesn't matter what you decide to do - feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the widows and orphans - the one thing that I can guarantee you is that you will meet God there. We think we do these things to bless others and we find that we leave blessed. People of faith need to stand up and literally be the hands and feet of Christ right now.

"God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house.

God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child

with a virus that will end both their lives.

God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war.

God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives,

and God is with us if we are with them."

~Bono

Freedom February

2012-02-01T21:27:00.000-06:00

Check out more information about Freedom February at www.freethem.ca:

"We have come up with 29 things you can do this February to express, remember, and raise your voice for freedom sake. 29 Days to Love"

Psalm 23 ~ Trevor Morgan

2012-01-31T21:41:00.000-06:00

The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not want

He makes me lie down

in green pastures

And He leads me

Beside still waters

And He restores my soul

He leads in paths of righteousness

For His Name sake

Even though I walk through the valley

Of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil

For You are with me

Your rod and Your staff

They comfort me

Oh, they comfort me

You prepare a table before me

In the presence of my enemies

You anoint my head with oil

My cup overflows

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Forever

It's Official. . .

2012-01-30T21:41:00.022-06:00

I think it's official. . .

you may have thought that I was a little crazy when I announced that I was going to Austria in 2003 to hike the Alps (LaDawn, outside?!?)
perhaps I was a little off the beaten trail when I decided to go to Turkey in 2006 (culture shock does not even begin to describe it)
but today, after finishing my science teaching term on Friday, I was offered AND ACCEPTED a 10-week term to teach social studies (yes, you can laugh - I have no experience whatsoever!)

It's official. . .I think I have lost my mind!

Live the Question

2012-01-29T21:12:00.000-06:00

"Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart.
Try to love the questions themselves,
like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language.
Do not now look for the answers.
They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them.
It is a question of experiencing everything.
At present you need to live the question.
Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it,
find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day."

~Rainer Rilke

Judith Voth Photography

2012-01-28T08:06:00.000-06:00

My friend Judith was kind enough to take some more Jolica pictures for me. Check them out on her blog:

judithvothphotography.net/?p=2227

and check out her amazing photography website at:

www.judithvothphotography.com

Look Again and Think

2012-01-27T23:22:00.000-06:00

Today was such a bittersweet day as I finished up the teaching term I started in mid-October. I don't know exactly what's next, but I am trusting that God will provide (work, direction. . .). This morning's reading from My Utmost for His Highest said this:

"'I say to you, do not worry about your life. . .' Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing - our relationship with Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, 'That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.' Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.

"'Sufficient for the day is its own trouble' (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, 'What are your plans for next month - or next summer?' Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think."

God of Wonders ~ Third Day

2012-01-26T23:36:00.000-06:00

Lord of all creation

of water, earth and sky

The heavens are your tabernacle

Glory to the Lord on high

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are Holy, Holy

The universe declares your majesty

And You are Holy, Holy

Lord of Heaven and Earth

So early in the morning

I will celebrate the light

As I stumble in the darkness

I will call your name by night

Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and Earth

Precious Lord reveal your heart to me

Father Holy

Lord God Almighty

The universe declares your majesty

You are Holy, Holy

Halleujah to the Lord of Heaven and Earth

Ron

2012-01-25T22:35:00.003-06:00

www.insightforliving.ca/broadcast/lifetrac/LTCA0252

Giving Yourself Permission

2012-01-24T12:14:00.001-06:00

I love it how we can make plans for the day, but God has other things in mind. I went into the city for an appointment last Friday, but I decided to go in EARLY to meet up with my Jolica mentor and friend Drina. While driving, I caught a short program called LifeTrac (from Insight for Living) and it went something like this (italics are mine):

Do Others See You Differently?

"What do you see?" God asks.

If you could turn those eyeballs of yours around and blind yourself to what's in front of you and see only what is within you, what would you see? It is that that must take your immediate attention. Now. Right now.

Living a life of authenticity means giving yourself permission to be who you are and when you stop trying to be someone else, you free yourself up to know who you are.

Apparently I was not early, I was right on time. . .the perfect time to hear a message that spoke right to my heart! You can hear the whole message (about 5 minutes in length) at:

Every Piece

2012-01-23T08:19:00.001-06:00

"My dear Jesus, My Saviour,

is so deeply written on my heart,

that I feel confident,

that if my heart were to be cut open

and chopped to pieces,

the name of Jesus would be

found written on every piece."

~St. Ignatius

'Altona Feels Like Home'

2012-01-22T14:12:00.000-06:00

Too much CNN chocolate blogging, so this article had to wait a few days. . .from last week's Winnipeg Free Press, check out:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/ourcityourworld/africa/altona-feels-like-home-137551253.html

CNN: Teaching Fair Trade Practices to Kids

2012-01-21T11:06:00.000-06:00

CNN: Working in Cocoa Fields at 10

2012-01-20T21:05:00.003-06:00

CNN: A "Divine" Effort

2012-01-19T06:46:00.000-06:00

CNN: How to Help - Slavery in the Supply Chain

2012-01-18T07:01:00.000-06:00

This week's CNN focus has been on chocolate (I don't know about you, but chocolate is very near and dear to my heart!). I don't doubt part of their focus comes at a time of the year when chocolate sales start to soar as we get closer to Valentine's Day. If you can, check out "Chocolate's Child Slaves" (CNN International, Friday, January 20 - check local listings for a time) and:

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/17/how-to-help-slavery-in-the-supply-chain-2

CNN: Weatherill on Tackling Child Labor

2012-01-17T17:56:00.000-06:00

CNN: Who Consumes the Most Chocolate?

2012-01-16T22:46:00.000-06:00

Taken from:
thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/17/who-consumes-the-most-chocolate

World CONSUMPTION of cocoa: 2008/09
Europe – 49.32%
North America – 24.22% (United States only – 20.19%)
Asia and Oceania – 14.49%
South America – 8.68%
Africa – 3.28%

Annual per capita CONSUMPTION of chocolates: 2008
Germany – 11.39 kg
Switzerland – 10.77 kg
United Kingdom – 10.31 kg
Norway – 9.8 kg
Denmark – 8.57 kg
Other Countries:
Belgium – 6.8 kg
Australia – 5.96 kg
US – 5.09 kg
Brazil- 2.48 kg
Japan – 2.15 kg

Net world Cocoa EXPORTS: 2008/09
African region – 76.8%
Asia and Oceania – 16.9%
Americas – 6.19%

Top 5 countries, Net world Cocoa EXPORTS: 2008/09
Ivory Coast – 37.01%
Ghana – 19.16%
Indonesia – 15.33%
Nigeria – 8.71%
Cameroon – 7.03%

Net world Cocoa IMPORTS: 2008/09
Europe – 58.87%
America – 27.25%
Asia and Oceania – 12.12%
Africa – 1.7%

Top 5 countries, Net world Cocoa IMPORTS: 2008/2009
United States – 20.96%
Germany – 13.20%
Belgium – 6.28%
United Kingdom – 5.63%
France – 5.47%

Rise ~ Shawn McDonald

2012-01-13T06:59:00.000-06:00

Yes I will rise

Out of these ashes rise

From this trouble I have found

And this rubble on the ground

I will rise

Cause He Who is in me

Is greater than I will ever be

And I will rise

Sometimes my heart is on the ground

And hope is nowhere to be found

Love is a figment I once knew

And yet I hold on to what I know is true

Yes I will rise

Out of these ashes rise

From this trouble I have found

And this rubble on the ground

I will rise

Cause He Who is in me

Is greater than I will ever be

And I will rise

Well I keep on coming to this place

That I don't know quite how to face

So I lay down my life in hopes to die

That somehow I might rise

Yes I will rise

Out of these ashes rise

From this trouble I have found

And this rubble on the ground

I will rise

Cause He Who is in me

Is greater than I will ever be

And I will rise

CNN: Chocolate's Child Slaves

2012-01-12T20:57:00.001-06:00

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/05/college-kids-vow-to-end-slavery

Do Something Now.

2012-01-07T08:41:00.000-06:00

Continuing from yesterday's post - from dosomethingnow.com:
"We love music and have been privileged to bring many new songs to people around the globe. But we are convinced that worship is about more than music; worship is love in motion. It's clear that the kind of worship God wants most requires more than words, calling us to love the world in Jesus’ name. The desire of Do Something Now is to open the door as wide as we can, inviting everyone to join the movement. You don’t have to be university-aged or attend one of our events to impact those in need. You’re here, and you can join the movement wherever you are. This is hope of a brand new life for people who cannot help themselves. None of us can do it alone. Follow your heart. Do Something Now." [I added the bold]

CNN: Students Gather to End Modern Slavery

2012-01-06T09:36:00.001-06:00

A Hero's Journey

2012-01-05T10:27:00.000-06:00

I love cards - giving them, getting them, spending too much time in the store looking for the perfect one that puts words to the feelings in my heart. I found this one the other day from a company called Tree of Life Inspirations out of B.C.:

"The adventure of love is calling us on a hero's journey. . .

. . .to walk the path of the heart.

Braving vulnerability for connection.

Exchanging fear for insight.

Risking change for vision.

. . .A world where friendship

flows from the eyes of strangers,

and every hand is held with love."

God's Will

2012-01-03T09:03:00.021-06:00

This is a long excerpt from my devotional, Our Journey, but I thinks it's incredibly important as I/we look ahead to the new year before me/us:

"I remember asking questions about God's will as a college student - persistent, distracting questions about ministry and direction and even a lifetime partner. I was confused about what to do and where to get answers. I sincerely wanted to do God's will, but I was not sure how to discover it. People often gave conflicting answers and pious platitudes. 'Pray and wait, brother; God will show you,' as if God's will could only be found by putting my motor in neutral. 'Let go and let God, young man,' as if God's will could only be found by abandoning my search for it. I became very discouraged in my attempts to locate this elusive thing called 'THE WILL OF GOD.'

"Are you at a place like that? Maybe you want to move out of state, but you're not sure if it's God's will. Perhaps you have been offered a new position but don't want to make a career move until you are certain that God is behind it. Are you struggling with a difficult relationship and desperately need to know whether God wants you to walk away? Everywhere people are wrestling with the same kinds of questions, and often it comes down to this: 'How can I know God's will for my life?'

"This may come as a surprise to you, but the Bible doesn't spend a lot of time on that stuff. As I've said before, God's will is 98% about who you are. God's focus isn't so much on the externals; He wants to change the inner you. He says, 'If I can change you into the person I want you to be, you'll know where you're supposed to go, where you're supposed to work, and who you're supposed to marry.' Paul said it plainly: 'For this is the will of God, your sanctification' (1 Thessalonians 4:3)."

The Story of Broke

2012-01-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

I'm a little behind with the latest movie from The Story of Stuff. Check out The Story of Broke at www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-broke.

learn ~ live ~ hope

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

"learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

the important thing is not to stop questioning."

~albert einstein~

A Sin Against Humanity

2011-12-31T09:28:00.003-06:00

IJM - Introduction Video from International Justice Mission on Vimeo.

In a Single Word

2011-12-30T09:39:00.007-06:00

All the great things are simple,
and many can be expressed
in a single word:

Freedom

Justice

Honor

Duty

Mercy

Hope.

~Winston Churchill

Eli

2011-12-29T10:37:00.000-06:00

www.altonaecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3406590

Compassion asks. . .

2011-12-28T23:32:00.001-06:00

Compassion asks us to go where it hurts,

and to enter into the places of pain,

to share in the brokenness, fear,
confusion & anguish.

Compassion means full immersion
in the condition of being human.

~Henri J. M. Nouwen

Whatever You're Doing ~ Sanctus Real

2011-12-26T12:31:00.000-06:00

It's time for healing time to move on

It's time to fix what's been broken too long

Time make right what has been wrong

It's time to find my way to where I belong

There's a wave that's crashing over me

All I can do is surrender

(Chorus)

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone

Time to begin again

Revaluate who I really am

Am I doing everything to follow your will

or just climbing aimlessly over these hills

So show me what it is you want from me

I give everything I surrender...

To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up

Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out

That I've wanted to say for so many years

Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but I believe

You're up to something bigger than me

Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but now I can see

This something bigger than me

Larger than life something heavenly

Something heavenly

It's time to face up

Clean this old house

Time breathe in and let everything out

Isaiah 9:6

2011-12-25T12:18:00.001-06:00

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Healing Begins ~ Tenth Avenue North

2011-12-23T23:49:00.000-06:00

So you thought you had to keep this up
All the work that you do
So we think that you're good
And you can't believe it's not enough
All the walls you built up
Are just glass on the outside

So let 'em fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now

This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Afraid to let your secrets out
Everything that you hide
Can come crashing through the door now
But too scared to face all your fear
So you hide but you find
That the shame won't disappear

Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don't fight
This coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us

Hope

2011-12-19T18:43:00.002-06:00

I want to blog about Partners Relief & Development and their work with the Burmese people (I highlighted one of their videos a few days ago). I just ordered their calendar and it includes amazing photography and touching quotes - a perfect combination in my eyes. Of course, I love their book Displaced Reflections and I'm anxiously awaiting their second book, which I'm sure will not disappoint. Check out their website and see how you might consider getting involved:

www.partnersworld.ca

"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word:

Freedom, Justice, Honor, Duty, Mercy, Hope."

~Winston Churchill

Reporter - A film with Nicholas D. Kristof

2011-12-18T18:48:00.002-06:00

I blogged about the preview of this film in August and I finally got my hands on a copy and watched it. It's an amazing film - definitely worth watching! One of the central themes is about what's called 'physic numbing'. Basically the idea is that our brains can't handle large scale suffering. We can grasp the idea of 1 victim, but when that number increases (even just to 2), we become less compassionate (there's a whole area of study on compassion - I'm not making this up). Hopefully I've peaked your interest and you'll watch the film Reporter for yourself!

"If I look at the mass, I will never act.

If I look at the one, I will."

~Mother Teresa

www.reporterfilm.com

It takes a village to build a village

2011-12-15T18:11:00.000-06:00

Check out the following article from this week's Red River Valley Echo. It includes some of the pictures I took from the spring when I worked with the refugees and the Hopes & Dreams club.

CNN: China Busts Child Trafficking Ring

2011-12-14T17:50:00.000-06:00

invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2011/12/john-homeless-ottawa-canada

Displaced Childhoods

2011-12-12T06:56:00.001-06:00

Displaced Childhoods from partners Relief & Development Ca on Vimeo.

My Heart

2011-12-11T13:29:00.000-06:00

It's been quite a while since I've blogged about myself and my life - I've been covering other links and features from various websites, so I thought it was about time to blog a bit about myself again. I want to share some of the things on my heart currently (those of who you know me best, know my heart is a vast ocean, so this will be but a drop!).

At the end of 2009 when I was in South Africa, I experienced, for the very first time in my life, a true desire to go to church and worship. It was not an obligation and as soon as the Sunday service ended, all I could think about was 'when is the next service?'. When I moved this past August, I had no idea how long I would be in the area. I was just on term work and didn't know how much I should connect with the community. I was also working nights during the week and so when the weekend rolled around, I slept a lot of time sleeping, trying to recover from the past week and preparing for the lack of sleep for the next week.

So it wasn't until late October that I finally went to a local church. The reason I picked this specific one was the fact that they take out full page ads in the newspaper to promote the various programs in the church which focus on the community at large. One example is that they fix up vehicles and basically give away cars (there are some rules, but that's the basic premise) and the people receiving the vehicles don't have to go to the church - they don't even have to be Christians.

Life has been incredibly busy, especially since I started teaching again in mid-October. I get to the end of the week exhausted, with a pile of marking and prepping that never seems to get smaller. A few weeks I've made the decision to get a few more hours of sleep versus going to church. But the weeks I've decided to go have been such a blessing. It's amazing how different it feels when the pastor at the front speaks directly (doesn't talk around an issue), and is real, to the point of sharing the messiness of his own life. It's been a really good church for me to worship in on Sundays and now I'm hoping that I can also connect with the people in other ways in the new year.

John (not his real name)

2011-12-10T10:11:00.000-06:00

Normally when I blog about InvisiblePeople.tv, I include the video clip right here, but today I'm not going to do that. I want you to click on the link below and I want you to read the write-up before watching the clip. There's something severely wrong in a 'civilized' society that beats up on the vulnerable homeless.

MP Joy Smith's Tireless Efforts Continue

2011-12-08T06:56:00.001-06:00

Joy Smith continues on in her fight against human trafficking and exploitation of the most vulnerable - from yesterday's Winnipeg Free Press:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/punish-sex-buyers-not-providers-mp-135154378.html

CNN: This is Miguel's Story

2011-12-07T06:57:00.007-06:00

I want you to remember Miguel's face. . .this is the reason - HE is the reason - why we need to be vigilant. He is the reason to buy fair trade; he is the reason NOT to participate in pornography and prostitution; he is the reason to be a conscious consumer (especially as westerners who not only want what we want, but we want it cheap). Please don't forget Miguel. . .

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/06/haitian-boy-buried-alive-by-traffickers

They Were Women

2011-12-06T18:56:00.001-06:00

I ask you to take some time today to stop and reflect about the women who lost their lives on this day in 1989 in Montreal for the simple fact that they were women. Then consider how you can improve the life of at least one woman or girl (locally or globally) because there are many on our globe who face violence today just because they are women.

Little Drummer Boy

2011-12-05T06:33:00.000-06:00

Check this out: Sean Quigley is a 16-year old from Winnipeg. He not only sang the song, he played all 8 instruments, directed, and edited the video! Way to go Sean!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrNcD34KFhM&feature=related

CNN: Common Dreams

2011-12-04T08:35:00.000-06:00

You will need about half an hour to watch the CNN Freedom Project documentary Common Dreams, but it is definitely worth your time!

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/01/watch-the-common-dreams-documentary

CNN: Your Cell Phone, Congo's Misery

2011-12-03T08:05:00.001-06:00

We are all truly connected and not just by using your cell phone, but the materials that lie inside it:

edition.cnn.com/2011/11/28/opinion/wright-congo/index.html?hpt=op_t1

CNN: Violin Symbolizes Brush with Slavery

2011-12-02T06:40:00.000-06:00

Check out the following article for a dark side of Canada's history. I had no idea this happened in our country and I think our prime minister needs to make a formal apology, so I would ask you to write a letter to him in that regard (no postage required):

Stephen Harper

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON

K1A 0A2

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/22/violin-symbolizes-brush-with-slavery

CNN: Growing Up a Slave in the US

2011-12-01T06:38:00.000-06:00

www.youtube.com/user/JolicaCompany

Gift of Hope

2011-11-30T06:52:00.000-06:00

This is one of Jolica's current Foundation projects (5% of all retail sales go to 1 of our 2 current projects):

Joining on Somaly Mam's Brothel Bust

2011-11-29T21:24:00.000-06:00

I admire both Nicholas Kristof in his reporting of serious woman's issues and Somaly Mam in her fight against human trafficking in Cambodia (www.somaly.org) and it's wonderful when the 2 combine forces! Head over to the following links to find out more:

kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/joining-on-somaly-mams-brothel-bust

www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/opinion/sunday/kristof-fighting-back-one-brothel-raid-at-a-time.html?_r=1

Won't You Be My Love ~ MercyMe

2011-11-28T06:44:00.001-06:00

When you fall asleep tonight

In your warm and cozy room

Know that I'm awake

And I've got no shelter and no food

I am not alone

My friends are broke and lost

Looking for someone to lead them to my cross

I need your help, I need your help

Won't you be My voice calling

Won't you be My hands healing

Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world

Won't you be My chain-breaker

Won't you be My peacemaker

Won't you be My hope and joy

Won't you be My Love

The other side of the world

She is just a few days old

A helpless little girl

With no family of her own

She is not to blame for the journey she is on

Her life is no mistake

Won't you lead her to My cross?

Won't you be My voice calling

Won't you be My hands healing

Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world

Won't you be My chain-breaker

Won't you be My peacemaker

Won't you be My hope and joy

Won't you be My Love

To those I call My own

To those I've set aside

As spotless without blame

The chosen ones My bride

We will be Your voice calling

We will be Your hands healing

We will be Your feet walking into a broken world

We will be Your chain-breaker

We will be Your peacemaker

We will be Your hope and joy

We will be Your love

Your Hands ~ JJ Heller

2011-11-27T18:00:00.000-06:00

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

CNN: 'Death in the Desert'

2011-11-26T09:13:00.000-06:00

The following link features the full documentary 'Death in the Desert' and sheds a new light on trafficking - organ trafficking. They are longer videos, so you'd need a chunk of time; and they are graphic videos, so proceed with caution.

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/08/death-in-the-desert

CNN: Busting a Nigerian Prostitution Ring

2011-11-25T06:36:00.000-06:00

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/11/inside-a-nigerian-prostitution-bust

Lee Anne

2011-11-24T05:42:00.000-06:00

invisiblepeople.tv

I love her 3 wishes and I hope that she's able to see them through!

Girls Just Want to Go to School

2011-11-23T06:48:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I wonder if we have our priorities totally wrong in the west - actually, I know we do. When my students complain about homework or having their iPod and cell phone taken away, I wonder what it would take to make them appreciate what they so freely have and that so many others around the world only dream of, longing for the opportunity of an education. Or, as Nicholas Kristof's article below describes, taking the opportunity, even if it means getting up 3 a.m.

www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/opinion/kristof-girls-just-want-to-go-to-school.html?_r=1

CNN: Ending Organ Trafficking

2011-11-22T06:38:00.002-06:00

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/refugees-face-organ-theft-in-the-sinai

CNN: Dozens Freed From Forced Prostitution

2011-11-21T06:52:00.001-06:00

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/05/police-raid-frees-30-from-alleged-forced-prostitution

How Many Slaves are Working for You?

2011-11-20T07:18:00.000-06:00

My cousin sent me this link:

www.fastcompany.com/1781900/the-slavery-footprint-this-site-will-reveal-how-many-slaves-work-for-you

which talks about 2 other sites that you should check out:

Call + Response at www.callandresponse.com and

Slavery Footprint at www.slaveryfootprint.org

I have already featured some of the videos from Call + Response on my blog. I went to Slavery Footprint to find out I have about 60 slaves working for me - check it out, it's an interesting set of questions that they ask to determine the number of slaves working for our food, clothing, etc.

Erin

2011-11-19T06:47:00.000-06:00

invisiblepeople.tv

Not My Life

2011-11-18T07:36:00.001-06:00

notmylife.org

CNN: We Can Change the World

2011-11-17T06:58:00.000-06:00

This is a preview to tomorrow's blog about the film "Not My Life." There are 3 videos to check out at:

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/16/director-we-can-change-the-world

Richard

2011-11-16T06:57:00.000-06:00

invisiblepeople.tv

Learning to Breathe ~ Switchfoot

2011-11-15T07:07:00.000-06:00

Hello, good morning, how ya do?

What makes your rising sun so new?

I could use a fresh beginning too

All of my regrets are nothing new

So this is the way

that I say that I need You

This is the way

That I'm learning to breathe

I'm learning to crawl

I'm finding that You and

You alone can break my fall

I'm living again, awake and alive

I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

Hello, good morning, how ya been?

Yesterday left my head kicked in

I never thought I could fall like that

Never knew that I could hurt this bad

I'm learning to breathe

I'm learning to crawl

I'm finding that You and

You alone can break my fall

I'm living again, awake and alive

I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

So this is the way

that I say that I need You

This is the way

That I say I love You

This is the way

That I say I'm Yours

This is the way

Angels in the Dust ~ Do Ubuntu

2011-11-14T07:27:00.003-06:00

Thanks to my friend Teresa, I found out about the Do Ubuntu bracelet campaign and the documentary Angels in the Dust. You can find out more at www.angelsinthedust.org and if you are interested in getting involved, I have some of the bracelets so just let me know ASAP. I have sold about 20 so far but they sent me 100 and I'd really like to send them money instead of having to return the bracelets. They come in 3 different sizes and 2 different thicknesses: extra-small, only in thin; small/medium in either thin or thick; large in either thin or thick. They are $15 each and would make a great stocking stuffer! I also have a copy of the documentary, so if you'd like to see it, again just let me know.

Call + Response

2011-11-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

www.callandresponse.com

Horror

2011-11-12T09:56:00.000-06:00

www.callandresponse.com

CNN: Underage Prostitutes Rescued in Peru

2011-11-11T07:37:00.002-06:00

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/05/underage-prostitutes-rescued-in-peru

Also check out the following Winnipeg Free Press article:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/brothels-no-safe-haven-expert-132980858.html

Darryl

2011-11-10T06:45:00.000-06:00

In This Rape Center, the Patient Was 3

2011-11-09T06:52:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This is a hard article to read. Proceed with caution. For those of you brave enough to continue, know that you can no longer claim ignorance.

www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/kristof-In-This-Rape-Center-the-Patient-Was-3.html?_r=1

Thank you Nicholas Kristof for not being afraid to share the truth and making us aware of the stark realities in our world.

Brotha BlueStocking

2011-11-08T06:42:00.001-06:00