Earlier today I promised an opportunity to win a copy of Priceless, by my friend Tom Davis. He's the real deal. A man who loves God and ministers in response from the gifts he's been given.
God asks the same of me. To love Him and respond from what He's given. Among other things, I've been given the gift of words, an audience and a message. Even if you take away the 500 or so people who "hide" my posts (HA!), I can still connect with about 1000 people, just through facebook, not including Twitter or my blog. Yep. That's a gift. By using what I already possess, I have the potential to change the story of many lives, mine and yours included. I have to respond! And one simple way I can do that is with an invitation to you, my readers.
Today was designated National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. When I saw it posted, I remembered that I have been wanting to give away a copy of Priceless. It's a novel based on the horrific stories of young girls Tom knows in Russia. He uses real places and describes real circumstances many orphans in Russia have to deal with. They're lured with the promise of a better life, given new clothes, offered a job, put on a plane, and sold into the bondage of slavery—trafficked for sex. In spite of finding himself in life-threatening situations as he partners to rescue helpless girls, Tom's lead character, Stuart Daniels, discovers that he's stronger than he thought. In the process he leads us to see that "hope can be found in the darkest of places."
And he challenges us. He challenged me. In addition to the millions already held captive by trafficking, 1.2 million children are trafficked all over the world every year. That's a lot of kids walking in a darkness most of us can't fathom. With their identities stripped and nowhere to call home, they're lost. Not just in Russia or in cities somewhere other than where we live. But in our own neighborhoods. No kidding.
To help raise awareness of the magnitude of trafficking and to practice the art of giving from what I've been given, I'm giving away a copy of Priceless. Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 4:00pm, PST I'll choose randomly from among those of you who leave a comment on this blog or on the note on my facebook page. But FIRST, I'm inviting you to something more:
• Visit the site or facebook page of one of these organizations. I'm associated with several in one way or another.
• Pray as you go, asking God to show you what you have that you can use to change the story for just one victim of slavery.
• Then RESPOND. Maybe you'll post a link to an organization on your fb page or forward my note to your list or be nudged to give money or attend a conference.
In your comment to me, let me know your response or that you're praying about a response. I'm not gathering info, and I won't follow up with you unless you win (or want me to). I just want to come alongside you with what I've been given and pray.
Oh, one more thing! I'll send not one but TWO copies of Priceless to the winner. How's that? One to read and one to pass along to a friend. It will be good practice in giving away from what you already have!
Thank you for reading. I can't wait to see what God does with this simple response!
Children's HopeChest web or Children's HopeChest facebook
Stop Traffick Fashion web or Stop Traffick Fasion facebook
Not for Sale Campaign web or Not for Sale Campaign facebook
Courage to Be You web or Courage to Be You facebook
International Justice Mission web or International Justice Mission facebook
Hagar International web or Hagar International facebook
Stop Child Trafficking Now web or Stop Child Trafficking Now facebook
10 comments:
My heart grieves when I hear those stories. So, I'll do the same if I'm chosen for your book give-away--I'll post info about his book on my blog, fb, and twitter. Blessings, Robin!
I will memorize 888-3737-888. I will pray. I will confess my uneasiness with this issue that has caused me to become only cursorily aware when I know I need to know more... and act on that knowledge. Even if it means giving up some of my own comforts. Thanks a lot, sister. No, really. Thanks.
Thank you for this opportunity! My wife and I adopted 4 years ago and God continues to break my heart for the social injustices around the world. With knowledge comes responsibility and my prayer is that God will use me to impact others for Him - to make a difference even if its in just one persons life. Upon reading I will blog about this book and challenge others to do the same.
Thank you for this opportunity! I know this is dangerous but I want to know more - it's dangerous because with knowledge comes responsibility. My prayer is that God will break my heart for the things that breaks His and that He will use me to impact the lives of others - even if it's just one person. Joe
The issue of modern day slavery/sex-trafficking breaks my heart. In reponse to the issue, I will post a link to this blog on twitter & facebook. I will also write a blog post about the issue of modern day slavery with links to various orgs that focus on ending sex-trafficking in the world today. One of those orgs is Love146, through which I was first exposed to this horrible issue. Thank you for using your gift of writing to bring awareness to this issue. My prayer is that we will see the end of sex-trafficking in our lifetime! Blessings, Denise
I'm spending a few minutes to come and pray with those of you who have left a comment. As I read your responses with tears in my eyes, I recognize the same uneasiness, heartbreak, intensity and hints of nervousness in my own heart that you all have expressed. It's one thing to talk about and call attention to issues. It's quite another to be stepping further into the circle of hands-on responsibility, allowing myself to be close enough to feel the tears of the oppressed dripping onto my own skin. How about you pray for me; I'll pray for you, Karen and Fiddlin' Momma and Pastor Joe and Denise.
Lord, God, reveal Yourself to us. Show us how to respond to Your heart toward us and toward those held captive. Give us words, strengthen our resolve, guard and equip our hearts as we journey forward in Truth. Amen.
Hi Robin! I just heard an interview yesterday on the Diane Rhem show by the author of "The Whistleblower". Check it out, either the book or the interview. You might be interested.
I just blogged today (www.imnosuperstar.blogspot.com/) on Davis's powerful novel Scared and his nonfiction Father of the Fatherless. My husband and I adopted a 14 year old and have taken in more than a dozen other hurting teens and preteens at various times. We just had our adopted 10-year-old granddaughter for 7 months because she was not adjusting to the adoption well. Keeping our eyes and ears open has been our best way of finding God's way for us.
Thank you to all who responded to the invitation to know more about human trafficking. I literally wrote out names and put them in my special bowl. I'll continue praying for each of you by name and welcome any continued contact you desire.
Pastor Joe Wilson, I'll be sending you two copies of PRICELESS by Tom Davis. One for you to read and one to give away on your blog, from the pulpit, over dinner, however you choose. It's another way to perpetuate awareness and offer hope for victims of human trafficking.
I have a third copy to share, so I drew a second name. Surprise! Fiddlin' Momma, I'll be sending you that copy. You get to decide whether to keep it or pass it along. Or both.
So, Pastor Joe and Fiddlin Momma, drop me an email with your mailing info to imagebearer.stanley@gmail.com.
Blessing to you all. Robin
Hey Kara! Thanks for the info. I put it on my list to follow up on. Denise, I found Love146 and will add it to my list. Thanks for the heads up. Carol, I'll be back to your blog. I appreciate your vulnerability and manner of of inviting us to respond to orphans as Jesus would.
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