5 Stones is a group of individuals committed to combatting sex trafficking in Wisconsin.
YOU can actively be involved in this fight through...
Raising awareness
Planning events
Researching
Using a talent in the arts
Networking
Financially supporting
Training and educating
Healing and restoring
To connect with someone about getting involved in this fight, click here! There is something for everyone.
On Saturday, February 25 in Madison, WI, 5 Stones is hosting an event to raise awareness and funding. All proceeds will be used to establish a shelter for victims of sex trafficking in WI and for a WI-based documentary on human trafficking. "Come learn more about sex trafficking in our state and support a great cause! Great music, raffles, personal narratives from victims of sex trafficking -- you don't want to miss out on this great event (and don't forget to invite your friends)!" For more information, click here.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
DAY 12 - GEMS for ages 12 - 24
At church today, we studied 2 Samuel 13 - 18, a story about a dysfunctional family. A short synopsis of the story is this: David had 2 sons with 2 different women. Absalom, one of his son's had a sister named Tamar. Amnon, David's other son, raped Tamar (who was his half sister). When David found out about the sexual assault, he did nothing.
What happened to Tamar?
"Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went...and Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman." 1 Samuel 13:19 - 20
Let us not follow in David's footsteps.
Everyday, girls are confined to a dark, dirty room, raped over and over again. Let us not sit back and do nothing.
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) is an organization whose "mission is to EMPOWER young women, ages 12–24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential."
Let us fight to ENCOURAGE and EMPOWER young women (and young men) who have been violated by the selfish men and women who enslave them and rape them. GIRLS ARE NOT FOR SALE.
Read this short poem written by a survivor:
Before I Die
Life is too short
Regrets and mistakes are memories made
Live your life to the fullest
“You’re never gonna make it,” they said
Show them you can
Love yourself
—Selina, age 16
Let us love survivors by encouraing them to love themselves and to seek out the love of their Heavenly Father, One who is Love Himself.
"It [Love] does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:6 - 7
What happened to Tamar?
"Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went...and Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman." 1 Samuel 13:19 - 20
Let us not follow in David's footsteps.
Everyday, girls are confined to a dark, dirty room, raped over and over again. Let us not sit back and do nothing.
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) is an organization whose "mission is to EMPOWER young women, ages 12–24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential."
Let us fight to ENCOURAGE and EMPOWER young women (and young men) who have been violated by the selfish men and women who enslave them and rape them. GIRLS ARE NOT FOR SALE.
Read this short poem written by a survivor:
Before I Die
Life is too short
Regrets and mistakes are memories made
Live your life to the fullest
“You’re never gonna make it,” they said
Show them you can
Love yourself
—Selina, age 16
Let us love survivors by encouraing them to love themselves and to seek out the love of their Heavenly Father, One who is Love Himself.
"It [Love] does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:6 - 7
Saturday, February 11, 2012
DAY 11 - Agents of rescue and restoration
One month ago, January 11, marked 2012's National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day. Here is a video made in honor of the day.
This couple read an article in a newspaper about modern-day slavery. They made a choice to become agents of rescue and restoration for these young boys stuck in chains. Through their efforts, the children now receive an education, health care, and nutritious meals. They are free.
There are millions of children living as slaves all around the world, including in our own cities. Are you willing to be an agent of rescue and/or restoration?
Ways to be an agent of rescue.
Ways to be an agent of restoration.
This couple read an article in a newspaper about modern-day slavery. They made a choice to become agents of rescue and restoration for these young boys stuck in chains. Through their efforts, the children now receive an education, health care, and nutritious meals. They are free.
There are millions of children living as slaves all around the world, including in our own cities. Are you willing to be an agent of rescue and/or restoration?
Ways to be an agent of rescue.
Ways to be an agent of restoration.
Friday, February 10, 2012
DAY 10 - 10 facts about the "S" word
Top 10 Facts About The "S" Word from Free the Slaves on Vimeo.
What is YOUR role in freeing the slaves?
Is it praying for slavery to end? Is it raising awareness? Is it sharing your finances? Is it buying slave free products? Is it educating the community? Is it...?
When I learned about modern-day slavery about 2 years ago, I had a CHOICE. I could CHOOSE to block out the knowledge that I had just gained and move on with my life as if I had never heard about this injustice OR I could CHOOSE to change the way I live in light of that knowledge. I CHOSE to change. I pray for those enslaved by others. I raise awareness through writing and conversation. I give of my finances to organizations that are fighting against slavery. I am educating myself about products that are made by slaves and slowly changing my buying habits. I can't do everything, but I can't do nothing either. I know I can't end slavery on my own, but if only one life is freed because of my efforts, it is worth it to me.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
DAY 9 - The Cost, part 3
On DAY 3, we were able to see the cost of modern-day slavery. Human beings stripped of their dignity and rights. Physical pain. Heartbreak. On DAY 6, we were able to see the cost of rescue from modern-day slavery. Time, money, and energy. Today, DAY 9, we will see the cost of aftercare.
First, check out this story of restoration.
You can help victims like Serey by supporting LOVE146's Round Home.
In the United States, Arizona is a leader in providing safe houses for victims of child sex slavery. In April of last year, an aftercare center was opened in Phoenix to provide holistic care to victims. There are dreams to open another safe house in Tuscon, but funding has fallen short so far. Please consider giving of your prayers and finances to make this dream come true. You can donate HERE.
In Milwaukee, BASICS has recently launched a program that trains mature Christian women to mentor those rescued from sex trafficking. You can become involved by contacting Mike Moses.
“We often think of that rescue moment as being the key. Unfortunately it’s so not that simple and the needs of these victims AFTER the fact are so great." Elizabeth Campbell, Staff Attorney at the University of Michigan Law School's Human Trafficking Clinic
The cost of aftercare is PRICELESS.
First, check out this story of restoration.
You can help victims like Serey by supporting LOVE146's Round Home.
In the United States, Arizona is a leader in providing safe houses for victims of child sex slavery. In April of last year, an aftercare center was opened in Phoenix to provide holistic care to victims. There are dreams to open another safe house in Tuscon, but funding has fallen short so far. Please consider giving of your prayers and finances to make this dream come true. You can donate HERE.
In Milwaukee, BASICS has recently launched a program that trains mature Christian women to mentor those rescued from sex trafficking. You can become involved by contacting Mike Moses.
“We often think of that rescue moment as being the key. Unfortunately it’s so not that simple and the needs of these victims AFTER the fact are so great." Elizabeth Campbell, Staff Attorney at the University of Michigan Law School's Human Trafficking Clinic
The cost of aftercare is PRICELESS.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
DAY 8 - 8 online shops to buy slave free products
Knowing that slavery exists is not enough for me. I need to begin to change the way I live in light of this knowledge. Here are 8 places in which you can shop to stop slavery and shop for a purpose.
Clothing:
http://www.forgottenshirts.com/
Clothing
http://www.fairindigo.com/
Clothing, Accessories, Housewares
https://www.setboutique.com/shop/
Clothing, Accessories, Jewelry, Bath & Body
http://www.delicatefortress.com/artisans.html
Jewelry
http://www.etsy.com/people/PSMthailand
Greeting Cards
http://www.tamarcards.com/home.php
Greeting Cards and Potato Bags
http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/cards.html
Coffee, Tea, Chocolate and Cocoa
http://shop.equalexchange.com/
"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." James 1:22-25 (ESV)
Clothing:
http://www.forgottenshirts.com/
Clothing
http://www.fairindigo.com/
Clothing, Accessories, Housewares
https://www.setboutique.com/shop/
Clothing, Accessories, Jewelry, Bath & Body
http://www.delicatefortress.com/artisans.html
Jewelry
http://www.etsy.com/people/PSMthailand
Greeting Cards
http://www.tamarcards.com/home.php
Greeting Cards and Potato Bags
http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/cards.html
Coffee, Tea, Chocolate and Cocoa
http://shop.equalexchange.com/
"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." James 1:22-25 (ESV)
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
DAY 7 - Thoughts after 7 days
I've been wearing the same dress (and shirts and leggings) for 7 days. I've been asked if I am going to wash my clothes. Jenny suggested via her boyfriend's suggestion that if we decide to watch our clothes, we should only hand wash them. At first, I wasn't sure. I don't want this month to be easy. Those who are enslaved don't have choices. They aren't comfortable. I'm beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. You know that feeling you get after you've had a good workout, but you're still in those same clothes? That's how I feel. I'm not sure if my clothes are eminating an odor yet. I am meeting with some trustworthy friends in a couple of hours, so I'll ask them to smell me. This morning, I decided I was going to hand wash my clothes tonight, but as I write this, I feel that I should fight the urge to be comfortable, and continue to wear my dress (and shirt and leggings) until others can smell an odor.
Speaking of clothes, I have been thinking a lot about how many clothes I have in my closets and drawers. Over the past couple of years, I have slowly downsized my wardrobe, but still have way too many clothes for one woman. I am planning on downsizing even more this month. I'd like to give half of my clothes to the poor and needy here in Milwaukee. I've also been thinking about how my clothes were made, and that's been making me sad. Check out this video about cotton.
Although I don't have the money right now to replace my entire wardrobe with ethically made clothing, when I need more clothes, I am going to pursue stores that offer clothes made by individuals who are treated and paid fairly. At this point in my life, I have been trying to only buy used clothes at thrift stores.
My thoughts these past 7 days have been so focused on modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Some days I spend hours researching organizations and reading articles that educate me about these issues. Some nights my mind runs through all the ways I can help raise awareness through writing and conversations. I have little time to think about those things in my life that can cause anxiety, doubt, and worry. Don't get me wrong, sometimes my thoughts around the depth of these issues can cause me to feel overwhelmed, but then I read stories like THIS, and know that there is hope. My efforts to raise awareness and to fight these evils are worth even just one story of hope.
"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24
Speaking of clothes, I have been thinking a lot about how many clothes I have in my closets and drawers. Over the past couple of years, I have slowly downsized my wardrobe, but still have way too many clothes for one woman. I am planning on downsizing even more this month. I'd like to give half of my clothes to the poor and needy here in Milwaukee. I've also been thinking about how my clothes were made, and that's been making me sad. Check out this video about cotton.
Although I don't have the money right now to replace my entire wardrobe with ethically made clothing, when I need more clothes, I am going to pursue stores that offer clothes made by individuals who are treated and paid fairly. At this point in my life, I have been trying to only buy used clothes at thrift stores.
My thoughts these past 7 days have been so focused on modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Some days I spend hours researching organizations and reading articles that educate me about these issues. Some nights my mind runs through all the ways I can help raise awareness through writing and conversations. I have little time to think about those things in my life that can cause anxiety, doubt, and worry. Don't get me wrong, sometimes my thoughts around the depth of these issues can cause me to feel overwhelmed, but then I read stories like THIS, and know that there is hope. My efforts to raise awareness and to fight these evils are worth even just one story of hope.
"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24
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