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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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. . ."
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