eradicating child exploitation.

engaging culture in creative solutions.

this week on campus, the students of CRU are joining students from IJM (international justice mission) and iEmpathize to bring awareness to the student body at CSU of the responsibility we have to empathize rather than apathize or sympathize with the sexually trafficked.

if you’re like me, the topic of the sex trade is one that seems far off, and honestly nearly nonexistent. as i sit in my warm house with my dishes and food lining the cabinets, the life i lead is one that make this kind of oppression feel very far off. this week is helping to raise my awareness too, as i seek to help students at CSU understand the issue at hand.

over 27 million people are currently enslaved.

over 2 million every year are sold into the sex trade.

the average age of a child exploited in the US is 12 years old.

these statistics are staggering and very overwhelming (i feel) on where to know to begin. that’s how i feel about a lot of things when i hear the overwhelming reality…it’s too big for me to make a difference. but today i sat on a mattress, trying to make that difference. i think with our western culture, we can do several things…tell others, give, become more responsible consumers (buy from companies that are responsible for their workers, etc). i remember my prof’s at FHSU telling me that it’s not about changing over night, but making changes for a lifetime…lifestyle changes.

sitting on a mattress? the organization iEmpathize works in the US and Mexico to both bring awareness to those who can help by acting or donating, rescuing those oppressed by slavery (sex or work without pay), and helps to rehabilitate those rescued. as i sat on my mattress, i brought oakley (our puppy) to draw people in to ask questions. i was able to invite people to join me on the mattress to experience a life exploited, while also talking with them to destroy ignorance and ask the Lord to draw them to action.

days like today remind me of how much i love my job. we do random things, but it’s all for the glory of God…and i am so grateful.

You know those moments when God shows up and fascinates your heart? I wish that I wasn’t so surprised when it happens, but I take pleasure even in my somewhat unexpectant heart because He takes pleasure in setting my heart to awe. Last night was one of those moments. Sitting with my bible study girls (only two of the ten came, which was kind of discouraging at first), I watched as the Lord showcased the evidence that He is constantly at work in the lives of these girls I am entrusted with. As I began to ask questions about how they’re feeling with the new semester starting, filling them in on the study we’ll be studying this Spring and asking how I can pray for them…I saw their previously unexposed need for Jesus come into the light. They began to share things that were REAL and HURTING. We prayed and cried together.

In these moments, my heart is truly in awe, but I think Jesus has been teaching me more and more that He has ENTRUSTED this young hearts to me. I am exuberant to see Him soften and kneed these hearts to yearn for Him. Lord, forgive me for not believing it would come. I choose your timing. Jesus, again I take my white nuckled hands off and declare I trust You. You are the trustworthy One. I will trust in You. And I will celebrate in Your work.

Things are off to another full start here on the Fort Collins end. We have had student leadership meetings, bible studies and other planning meetings. Most importantly in my ministry, I am learning to trust ever so slightly and celebrate in His faithfulness.