Thursday, May 10, 2012

Instead of focusing on my World Race for this post, I will introduce you to a mission close to my heart that is taking place THIS SATURDAY . . .

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

Half a year ago, God introduced me to Amy Joe Pernie. We met years back but neither of us remembers the encounter. She is the Owner/Operator of In His Steps, a Christian Dance Studio here in Pensacola, FL. I have had the honor of being a guest choreographer for her studio the last half a year and have enjoyed just about nothing more. What a peaceful place, even with the music blaring! I would spend all of my time there if I could but alas, God has called me elsewhere! We thought the partnership would be more in depth, since our heartbeats are so similar in ministry and life but God has a plan and for now, that does not involve a partnership past this weekend (except for the prayers offered from one sister in Christ to another!). 

My heart for the anti-Human Trafficking effort in connection with my desire to see dance speak . . .has drawn me into Amy's vision of an event that attacks the first and uses the latter to do so. I am honored to be a part. I want to see individuals in our local Pensacola area, step up to the plate, realizing the great need to end slavery here . . . and now.

I ask that all pray over this huge event. Huge in necessity and I pray huge in size. 

I ask those near and somewhat far to open up your schedule THIS SATURDAY to attend an event that will change your life forever. It will bless you but it will also knock  you to your knees and we all need a little bit of that . . .okay, a lot of that. Organizations from the local front and abroad will be present for inquiry on what you can do NOW to aid in the rescuing of victims, along with the recovery of these same victims. . . in Pensacola, in India, and elsewhere. 

I believe Human Trafficking is the Civil Right's war of MY GENERATION and if you are living now, you are responsible. Harsh words. Truth. You and I will be held accountable for who we fought for . . .and who we left to fend for themselves. I don't mean to discourage but to challenge. Maybe you have plans this Saturday night . . . maybe they aren't as important as saving lives. Just sayin' :) 

With all the love in my heart, I beg you to come . . .or to pray. The event begins at 6:30 pm. If you are unable to attend, would you please set your alarm for that time and pray over the movement taking place in the Pensacola area to end slavery now? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

Revealed Ministries will be on sight also. What a thrill of my life it is to connect the two of these ministries in such a way! Revealed will have volunteers on sight, along with a booth with information about our events AND with merch for sale to help build the ministry and spread the LOVED. message! L'Atitude will be available for interviewing and such as well. . . I just can't wait for Saturday! 

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

I was blessed to choreograph the piece that represents the story of a girl who was trafficked RIGHT HERE IN PENSACOLA a few years ago. I have a 15 year old sister who will be attending, this event may not be for children but teens should be aware of what could happen to them. Let's prevent this by instilling the truth of the world in our young women, showering them with the weight of their worth, and encouraging them to fight for others who are not blessed to be warned first. God bless you as you pray over your ability to come and/or pray.

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

LOVED.,
Lauren!<><+

PS Part of my mission while on the World Race will be to fight Human Trafficking (India, Nepal, and Cambodia especially). Won't you consider giving towards this mission? Click here to give a little or a lot.

Monday, May 7, 2012

"Behold, I make all things new . . ." (Rev. 21:5)



As I Move Forward into this week, I bring the lessons of my weekend with me. What is the power of lessons without the change that they bring in our lives, the learned lessons are the applied lessons. 

The purity retreat I was a small group leader for this weekend taught me something invaluable and in a new way than ever before. One of the meanings of the word Purity is:

"Freedom from anything that debases"

The emotion that has left me chained recently has been the stifling of anger inside of my heart towards a human who has hurt me in the past. Someone that I have no desire to show honor to, nor even mercy, despite the mercy and unconditional love that has been shown towards me by my God. As a Christian, I am called to give just as freely as I have been given. This includes the gifts of forgiveness and compassion to those who have not earned such things. This weekend, I nailed to the cross (actually, literally!) my anger towards one of God's specific human creations. I will choose to be pure, to find freedom from anything that debases, and to move forward . . .

In doing this, I have found freedom in many regards. I feel stronger, wiser, and more dependent on my heavenly Father, the one from Whom all strength and wisdom flows. He is the giver of life and in me, I have found that newness of spirit, springing forth from the Living Water of God and His Word. He is life-giver. Other areas of my life . . .and even other relationships that have suffered from this or that, feel freer than before and able to withstand the storm of life. Sin can entrap the weak but His strength made perfect shall set us all free. Repentance brings freedom. Be free!

Having found such spiritual, emotional, and even physical freedom from the stress of my angered condition, I now turn my focus and your attention to the physical freedom needed by those around the world. 


Cambodia

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

Cambodia is my focus country this week. On Wednesday, I will announce a mission coming up this weekend that has specific connections with this country. For now, I will tell you of its' need and my heart for its' deliverance.



From laurenclement.theworldrace.org


Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, a transit point, and a destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for hope to be brought to them. 

(For more specifics on Cambodia and the work already being done there click #here, read the post, and click the links there)

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

There are organizations striving daily to free trafficked victims in this country; however, the resources are low and the fight difficult. We will not give up. I say "we" because you are a part. By reading this blog post, you have just become responsible for what you can do to fight against modern day slavery (forced labor and in this case, sex trafficking).

You may spread the word on this issue . . . yes, please do. Get others to join the fight. 

You may give to my mission: 
#Give!
(I will do all that I am able to, while on my World Race, to #endslavery

You may search online for other organizations that raise funds to fight trafficking in Cambodia.


From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

Whatever you do, do something :) Here are a few examples (blog posts) from past and present World Racers, of ways I may serve while in Cambodia: 



(Please read parts 1 & 2 below)
http://kylienorman.theworldrace.org/?filename=restoration-week-part-1
http://kylienorman.theworldrace.org/?filename=restoration-week-part-2

(A couple more great posts)
http://kenramurdock.theworldrace.org/?filename=not-for-sale
http://elainarogers.theworldrace.org/?filename=beauty-for-ashes


Now that you have a sufficient amount of research within your grasp, I want to share with you my heart in ministering within the realms of human trafficking.

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

I know what it feels like to be trapped. I was never used in the sex industry by any means, but I know what capture is and have lived it. It's a big portion of my story. I believe with all of my heart that one of the mission focuses of my life is the bring liberation to those trapped by sin. The sin of others or there own. I have found freedom and I am called to share it with those who have yet to find it! In Cambodia, I pray God's sovereignty. I hear of those who travel there on their race and are disappointed by the lack of mission opportunity presented to them within this ministry field. If this is the case, I shall be satisfied. My heart would be that God would allow me to work in it however, and so I boldly pray and ask you to do the same. I hear the cries, my heart beats for the liberation of lives and for their future stories told. GLORY! Glory to God for what He continues to do in setting hearts on fire for this mission! Our work is just beginning . . .mine is almost here. I could go on and on but instead I will post a video taken in Thailand by fellowWRacers. Often the ministries within these two countries overlap whileWRacers travel. May you watch, become aware, attain righteous indignation towards this debauchery of human life, and may you pray harder than you ever have. Freedom is here. Oh God, let it rain.

From laurenclement.theworldrace.org

LOVED.,
Lauren!<><+ 

" Dear Jesus, may all hear the words You spoke through John about the "new earth" and find freedom beneath the shadow of Your wings . . .

"Behold, I make all things new. . ."