CAMPAIGN OF AWARENESS

John 15:5

I am the vine you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit: apart from me you can do nothing.

 The ripple effect…….. throwing a stone in the calm smooth pond, just to see how far the circles will go before they fade away….Well, have you ever considered 8 stones and tossing them in from 8 different points of the pond and seeing which ones will touch the other?In July of last year, we started working on an Anti-Human trafficking Campaign.  It’s taken a lot of man-hours to prepare and get all things together. Truly, it was like birthing pains for me. I have never received grant money, therefore, it has been a time of learning.  I learned how to work cross culturally, collaborate with 2 organizations and at times, with as many as 10 staff members. I struggled a lot to learn the concepts and dynamics of collaborating. Learning the ins and outs of procedures worried me because I am desperate to make this count.  To be here, to witness the finale these past 3 months and the resulting affects have rendered me speechless.  I can't even begin to describe the magnitude of the work that has already been done. Words cannot describe what I have experienced. I wish words could adequately described my experiences. I have been so profoundly rewarded and blessed after all the birthing pains of working this grant.  Let me add that, I have an incredible team of people that worked on this with me. I need to give them credit they deserve for always coming with me, pouring out their passion and sacrificing time as well.                   Through out the year we visited 8 locations; talked about what human trafficking was, conducted a skit showing human trafficking locally and across boarder. Manzi Daniel Logic sang his heart wrenching song.   Each location we visited, we were rewarded more and more.  People received us, expressing gratitude for our ministry. In these 8 location (schools, orphanages, church’s and community centers) we asked the students/participants to write essays on why they would want to be an ambassadors in this war against human trafficking. We read them, choosing 7 participants from each location to come for a day of training.  As part of the training held April 16, 2016, we asked each participants from those locations to go out into their community and spread the word.  What I was not prepared for was the explosion of events that took place aftewards.  By April 30th 2016 each location had done 2-3 outreaches in their communities. These participants were on fire! We have reached over 3000 people. We continue to ask those that hear our campaign to reach out to 10 people. In doing so, our reach is upwards of 9,000 people in less than a month’s time.  This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg.  Daniel has been blowing up social media, radio and tv spots with his anti-human trafficking song.  This ripple effect is amazing, the students and their teachers that are participating hav such a drive and passion for spreading this word. Most of the students going on holiday are also taking there t shirts home with them and telling people about human trafficking. I may never know every story or conversation, but I do know that a seed planted and well water bears much fruit.  Which leads me into the Women’s retreat I went to April 15-17th. It was about John 15:5.  I love God’s timing in things as I was feeling a little burnt out. He renewed my hope in showing me fruit. The key point is, that I can do nothing with out Him. I serve such a capable God that loves us so much that He shows you when you think you’re in a dry season how incredible humanity can be by the passion for this cause.  Most days I feel like I am not doing enough to make an impact as this monster called human trafficking destroys so many lives.  Yet, I hold on to the hope that this campaign continually reveals to me.  I don’t’ have to rescue everyone. I don't need to be in the trenches all the time. I can be on the side lines watching youth change the landscape in their communities.  All because I first empowered them and allowed God to work in each of there lives. Just as the Lord does to us, He empowers us and lets us bear much fruit.