Women and Children in Crisis

...Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.  Isaiah 1:17

I am participating in a class at church that is a mission preparation class called Women and Children in Crisis.  We are learning about human trafficking, sex trafficking, children in orphanges, children of war, poverty, and so on.  It is one of the most intense subjects I have ever learned about but I feel so very drawn toward the cause.  Although I won't be participating the mission trip this year I plan to go in the future.  In the mean time this class is helping me open my eyes to the injustice in the world and prepare for trials my children may experience.

Parts of my class I have been able to share with my husband.  We were able to sit together and watch the mini-series "Human Trafficking" one night.  We started to watch the movie with the intent to watch for a while and then finish it the next night.  We ended up watching straight through until 1 am.  It was very eye opening for both of us of what is happening in our world.  And unfortunately it is much worse in the realy world than it was on the movie, real stories very seldomly end with a rescue.

Another part of the class that has been very beneficial to me is what we have been learning about poverty.  So many times people are in human trafficking due to poverty; looking for a job to earn more for their family, being sold because their family can't afford another mouth to feed, being stolen and sold and the list goes on.  I am also learning a lot about the people in my life based on our background and those of the people that raised us.  I now understand a little about why people do the things they do with their money, why some people want so many possessions and then there is me who wants to spend all of our money adopting children.  There is so much poverty in the world, in the United States we have our share and in developing countries I think they have more than their share.  It is so hard for me to believe how little people have to live on in many countries.  With what we have learned I am looking for ways to reduce my family spending, reduce our possessions (all of my family is not in agreement yet but M is ready to sell some of her toys in sale because she has "lots", such a sweet girl) and do more for those in need.

My prayer life was very private and personal to me in the past.  I have been learning more about prayer and have participated in Soaking Prayer and Theophostic Prayer.  I have already been feeling the blessings of prayer from others in my life and know that I will be seeking more of both.  I also feel that in the future when my children are processing their life before joining our family they will need prayer and support.  I hope that I can share Theophostic Prayer and all the healing it can do with them when the time comes.

And the most important thing that I am doing with this class is reading the Bible from Genesis through Revelation.  I have memorized many verses and read passages but never in my life have I started at the beginning heading to the end.  I have to say that I feel this is the most life changing part of the class so far for me.  I am getting to know God in a new way and it feels so good to know Him.  Through my study I feel that I am being a better teacher to my children and can help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

Please keep my class and myself in your prayers in the coming months.  They have begun to fundraise for the mission trip starting with a HUGE Garage sale and baked good sale, they will also be painting a house, selling meals after church service, baked sales, bizarres and anything else that comes up all the while learning all they can to minister to hurt people in a developing country.  God has big plans for them on this trip and I am so happy to help them as much as I can.  We all appreciate your prayers and support. 

Blessings to all!