Anti-Trafficking events

Last year I was working on the Mercy Rising book project and came across an almost unbelievable story of a family who lives in East Asia. The parents both work all day and all night in sweat shops while their children live with their grandparents. Both parents send almost all their money to their family to keep them all alive. What haunts me most is that the parents get to see their children one day a year. On Easter.

This stuff shouldn't happen - how can we make it stop? Besides changing our purchases, find out more at these great events.

"Break the Chains of Human Trafficking", is a student-led community-wide event held in Marion, Indiana on April 10, 2010. In addition to bands, food, and other entertainment, including the DK Bicycles world class BMX stunt team, they are hosting former George W. Bush Senior Advisor, Laura Lederer. The Mercy Rising book tour will be there. I hope to see you as well.

Other anti-trafficking events:
Call and Response
4/10/2010 Berkeley, CA
4/12/2010 Greenwood Village, CO
4/14/2010 Cheboygan, MI
4/15/2010 Hammond, IN
4/14/2010 Durham, NC
4/14/2010 Wilmington, NC
4/16/2010 Chapel Hill, NC
4/22/2010 Spokane, WA
4/23/2010 Redwood City, CA
4/24/2010 Lac La Biche, CANADA
4/24/2010 Edmonton, CANADA
4/24/2010 Calgary, CANADA
5/4/2010 Missoula, MT
5/5/2010 Palatine, IL
5/16/2010 San Rafael, CA
5/22/2010 Beaverton, WA
5/22/2010 Danville, CA
5/22/2010 London, UK
5/23/2010 Pompano Beach, FL
6/4/2010 San Jose, CA

Halloween Candy, Fair Trade?

As a kid, I remember that one house in our subdivision - The loony people who gave us apples instead of candy at Halloween. The fun of candy and treats were just lost on those weird people.

This year, I stared down aisles of candy for two weeks in a serious quandary what to do about chocolate. On one hand I know stuff about cocoa fields and child slave labor that is more chilling than any haunted house. I don't want to support companies that are hurting children.

On the other hand, I don't want to be the lady with a "cause" on Halloween.

So after a couple weeks of research I find myself on the side of the consumer. It isn't easy to get your hands on individually wrapped fair trade chocolate candy pieces. Online purchases are mainly what we have right now, and I hate to pay for shipping. I probably need to brace myself to be inconvenienced. Just a bit grumpy and selfish today.

What can we do?

1) No Nestle products. Labeled as one of the top ten worst companies in the world when it comes to ethics, human rights, etc.

2) Most major chocolate brands you see on the shelf are participating in child labor for cocoa - consider fruit snacks, play-doh, or other alternatives. It ranks decently on the good guide rankings for toys.

3) Order fair trade candy online.

One in a Million

What does one million look like? dollars, cents, people, statistics?

One million children would fill a typical US stadium 15 to 20 times.
One million children holding hands would stretch for more than 750 miles.
It would take you 12 hours going highway speeds to reach the end of that line.

In June, Compassion International reached their one millionth child sponsored. These sponsored children in the grips of poverty are getting their chance at an education, loving mentors, food, health, and hope.

How did they get to 1,000,000 kids? Just one child at a time.

What does real change look like for one person. See the inspiring video below. (starting at 1:45)

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Today, on World Poverty Day, it might seem overwhelming. What can I do about world poverty? Not everything, just do one thing. Why this? Why Compassion International?
It's not about an organization, it's about people. I believe so much in the integrity of this one, though, I will continually advocate for children in need. Change one life today. If you sponsor a child, be sure to put #c251 in the "comments" section on their form, to be entered in a drawing to win free stuff!

Free Children's Adventure Computer Game

Quest for Compassion is a great new interactive computer game for children in the target age range 6-12 by Compassion International.

Children "travel" to other countries and learn about other cultures while filling up "travel passports" with their adventures on-line.

(pix-stock.xchng)

Movie and Book picks for summer

I recently had the sick feeling from feeding on too much junk. Not food, but media - whatever popped onto my television, radio, or news feed. As I try to feast my mind on better things, here is what I have found recently.



The Princess and the Goblin, George McDonald
A classic author writes an excellent children's book that is good enough for adults to enjoy as well. As the Goblins threaten the kingdom the brave peasant boy miner unravels a sinister plot. Will the princess make the right decisions along the way and does the kindgom stand in the end?


The Business of Heaven, C.S. Lewis
Daily snipets from the best of C.S. Lewis' writings. I can't believe how relevant C.S. Lewis is even today.


Up! (in theaters)
I was really suprised that beyond the excellent animation were two main characters that weren't in love, good looking, or shallow. The depth of the story line and the question about friendship, family, and keeping promises are packed with adventure and comedy.


Faith like Potatoes (DVD)
Although the action was a little slow (needed better editing). This story based on a real life community asks what will you do when you hear God tell you to do something but the rest of the people in your life aren't so sure. Was it God or was it all in your head?

(pix-stock.xchng)

Gift of time

(from Jessica)

In lieu of gifts, each year my sister takes her kids on a family vacation. Instead of running around spending too much, stressing with the other shoppers, her whole family looks forward to a relaxing time enjoying each other.

One year it is a ski trip, the next, a few days on the beach in FLA. Her kids, now in their 20s, still remember every Christmas trip they took. I know I'll not remember what color scarf I got for Christmas 10 years ago, but the memories they have made together will last their lifetime.

No matter what you do, the family should spend this time together. It ends up being a gift of time to each other and a valuable life lesson to remember what giving is all about...

(pix- stock.xhcng)

Help for Single Mom and Kids

Last Friday night I found myself sorting books and toys. Lots and lots of books and toys.

A local church opened up their doors to a single mom. She was needing to clean out their house that had contained the remnants of the lives of 2 adults and 6 kids. November weather is iffy in Indiana at best. So this church opened up it's meeting hall area supplied lots of tables and some of the men on staff along with her neighbors, co-workers, and friends helped load up her stuff, sort it, organize it into areas and price it.

I was blown away at the 20+ people coming together to get so much done. She said more were coming on Saturday to help man the sale. I mentioned to her during a dinner break how loved she was. She said "yes", and started to cry looking around at all the help and support she had.

The answer isn't always to join a committee, organization, or group. Sometimes what means the most is just being available to live life together.

Halloween Fun

1. Need a costume for the kids - visit Zwaggle where parents trade kid stuff - there are Halloween costumes there along with a Halloween contest. Keep kid items out of landfills and help your finances as well.

2. Hang with neighbors. It is a tradition in our house to hang with our neighbors in our driveway with the fire pit and hand out candy. Get to know those next door so you can find ways to connect with them and serve them if they are in need.

3. Offer to take a stressed parent's kids' trick-or-treating with your kids.

Can you think of any more Halloween tips? Recipes? Leave your comments below.

Common Ground MOPS

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak to a fabulous group of moms who are fired up about doing what they can to give back to their community. They were very kind and welcoming and I appreciate the opportunity to learn from them. They had lots of great ideas they shared with me about what they do as moms to not only give of themselves but involve their children and train their children to be givers.

Here are some of their great ideas of what they do:
1. Buy school supplies for needy kids
2. Take a homeless person out to eat so you can listen to their story and share the hope of Christ with them
3. Cleaning out toys with her daughter to get her excited about sharing and giving them to needy kids
4. Meet your real neighbor next door, be vulnerable enough so you can know them well enough to meet their real needs.
5. Foster parenting/adoption
6. Not for sale, charity water
7. Project Linus
8. Family service projects with the Lions Club
9. Mentoring/Tutoring
10. Local shelters - Julian Center
11. Food for Shepherd Community
12. McDonald bucks to give to the homeless instead of $ that can be used for drugs/alcohol
13. Volunteer in the community
14. Servlife, friends of wfp, results.org
15. Justice kitchen - learning to buy local, etc.

Moms with babies making a difference

There’s Something I Can Do (Angelina’s Story)

Our baby girl brought a beautiful new addition to our family 4 years ago. So many new things were added to our lives –love, joy, and gratitude. Other new things came into our lives – cribs, toys, diapers, etc. As Emma grew and changed she outgrew booties, bibs, strollers, and clothes. And, like all babies, she outgrew nursing.

This left me with a freezer full of milk and a heart full of emotions. It takes a lot of effort to pump this extra milk that is a part of me meant to be a part of her. There had to be something I could do with the extra milk. I didn’t want it wasted. I knew that people can donate blood to help others who are injured. Could I donate this milk to a baby who needed it?

I searched the Internet for a few hours and came back with nothing. Sadly I threw a freezer full of breast milk away. Wishing for a solution. Wishing for something better.

Two years later I was blessed with another healthy pregnancy and a baby boy. I knew this time that there had to be a better way to do this. I could not throw away all that milk again.

In October of 2006, I watched an Oprah feature on the International Breast Milk Project (IBMP). Jill Youse spoke about breast milk sent to Africa. My excitement went through the roof! I just knew this was it. For my entire life, I wanted to help those who are needy but what could I really do? The answer found me that day.

I signed up on-line and sent my application in to become a donor. The people on the site were so professional. They kept me up-to-date every step of the way. The organization provided shipping costs for the milk. They also can send a hospital grade pump and storage bags for those who need them. I arranged for postal pick-ups of milk shipments from home. IBMP’s attention to detail was impressive. Their screening process ensured only healthy milk found its way overseas.

I became even more involved by becoming a chapter president and began coordinating fundraisers. My life changed. I now lived my beliefs. I even got to meet a man from South Africa who had seen firsthand the urgent need for these shipments. I knew after speaking with him that we did not just transport milk. We sent hope.

I struggle to fit everything into my busy schedule: my kids, my husband, my friends, and household tasks. Life runs full speed ahead. I won’t pretend that I don’t wonder sometimes, “Can I keep up?”

But then I see firsthand the impact on my children. My little girl prays at night, “Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, Brother, cheeseburgers, and the little boys and girls in Africa.”

Angelina from Illinois

Compassion International

We had a Compassion International team meeting today. It was so good to meet others that are dedicated to the cause to fight against poverty. Even though we all are dedicated to the same cause we all have different areas of expertise.


Some are good speakers, some are well organized, some can decorate, some can lead, and some play music. Together we all make up a team that can encourage each other when it is hard and to give each other creative ways to overcome obstacles.

We also learned more about the Child Survival Program. It is heart breaking to think some women don't know how fight germs, use soap, or understand about a balanced diet for their children. Compassion is giving these women help and hope to see their babies grow up to a brighter future.

Do you want to know more about Compassion and the fight against poverty? Go to Compassion.com.

Sponsor a child today.

COMPUTER COOL

(From blog archive...)

Good Search

This site is my home page and search engine. Good Search will donate 1 cent each time you click. The site remembers your charitable organization selection. 55,000+ organizations are already registered. If yours isn’t on the site you can register it in a few seconds. Donations can add up fast. The ASPCA has earned over $12,000.

Be sure to also check out the Good Shop tool. Start from this site when you shop brand names like Amazon, Best Buy, and Travelocity and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to charity. Online shopping has a bonus of comparing prices, saving time, and gas money.

The Hunger Site

This site features click buttons for six different causes: hunger, child health, breast cancer, literacy, the rainforest, and animal rescue. Each click is a donation to that cause. You can also purchase items from the online store.

Ripple

This site funds clean water, food, education, and a $100 loan with your daily click. Ripple also features a search engine. To add to the giving power you can link the Ripple “give” button directly to your blog or Facebook page.

Free Rice

What a fun brain break! For me a good game of computer solitaire helps me declutter my thoughts . Try this fun new vocabulary game, where every correct answer you choose donates 20 grains of rice to an impoverished country. Give somebody around the world a break while you take yours.

Free Poverty

OK – I wasn’t so good at this one. I did much better on the vocabulary game but this is still fun and could be a great way to improve geography skills. You will locate cities and landmarks on a map and the site donates 10 cups of water to a poor country. I liked the feature that still added cups if it was close but not exact.

(pix-stock.xchng)