A Special Day, Continued

Special Day REASON #2:

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

I know that is quite a mouthful, but it basically means this: Today, we stop to realize that there are children in this world who do not know what it means to be free. There are still children who are forced to work in awful conditions, for too many hours, being devalued and mistreated, with no hope or way out. They are modern day slaves.

In fact, the statistics show that there are more people enslaved today--in the 21st century--than at any other point in history. And, so many of them are children!

And they desperately need each one of us to rescue them.

It's been so easy to turn my head...to think that someday later {when it is more convenient for me}, I will help. I have spent my time focused on the abundant blessings I have around me, wrapped up in my world that is so free, so safe, so comfortable. I've been secretly thankful that it's not my children who are enduring harsh treatment, or my family who is living in such desperate levels of poverty. I have counted my blessings and enjoyed my abundant American life for many years.

But, we can only do that for so long, before God grabs our attention and calls us out.

Mark and I truly know---with no doubt in our minds---that we are being called to "join the chase" for these children. And, as He reveals the injustice that breaks His heart, we are amazed at how quickly our hearts have been broken too. They are now in my daily thoughts, my dreams, my prayers...

So, on this day of awareness, we want to share a bit of news with you!

We are in the beginning stages of our new ministry, called His Chase, and will hopefully be launching it in the next couple of months, as we continue to pray our way through each detail.

Obviously, our priorities have been shaken up in recent months, and we had a choice to make. We can either stay where we are, surrounded by our own emotions and looking inward for meaning. Or, we can turn to Him, and say "What now? Please use this to make a difference." We feel He was just waiting for us to turn to Him, empty-handed, and say "What can we do?" We have been reminded so clearly that time is precious and life is fragile, and we don't want to waste another second on our road instead of His.

So, He is showing us exactly where He wants us. And, we are doing our best to follow His lead.

We are anxious to share more with you about His Chase. The name means two things. First, our little Chase was always His. And, we want to honor our son by choosing to use his life to bless the lives of other children. The second meaning is that we are joining God's chase ("His Chase") for children across the globe, who He desperately longs to free and redeem.

I have been so very proud of my husband, who has been diligent to listen to the Lord and follow His plan for us in this new ministry. He has dreamed big, as he always does, and it is coming together so quickly! We have had such gracious giving people jumping in to offer their gifts and talents left and right, and we can see the hand of God in every single detail. We are currently working on the website, the logo, the launch party (yes, you're all invited!), and the structure of the first project. So stay tuned for more details!!

It is our hope and prayer that many of you will join His Chase for children, so these little ones can live a life of abundant joy.

Abundant joy looks like this to me:

Bright smiles on the faces of the children who have been rescued from a life of slavery on Lake Volta in Ghana.

These are the children of Touch A Life. And, these are the children we will be traveling to meet in future months. These are the children we hope to build "Chase's Place" for. And, these are the children who will hopefully welcome many of their friends home, as we begin rescuing more children through His Chase.

So, today is a special day. As President Obama stops and declares a national day of awareness for children in slavery, we know that He is calling us to not only be aware, but to act on behalf of these kids. To stand in the gap for them. And, to bring them God's love, so they can experience the abundance we have all been blessed with.

Will you join us in praying for these children? We appreciate all of you for joining our hearts in aching for these kids who are trafficked. May we all be a part of their rescue, so they can fulfill the purposes God has for them!

Tonight, Kendyll wrote a song that she hopes to sing when she meets some of these children. It made me smile:

Don't worry, children, you'll be off the lake.

No more work, for goodness sake.

God's watching over you and you'll be safe.

Don't worry, children, you'll be off the lake.

A Special Day, Reason #3: My First Giveaway!

And, now, for those who stayed with me through this post, I am hosting my first giveaway on my blog. I'm giving away a set of two books that have literally changed my perspective forever.

{and one extra CUTE surprise as well!!}

The winner will receive a signed copy of Jantsen's Gift, by Pam Cope. { a story of a mother's grief for the son she lost, her newfound perspective on what is important in this life, and her work to free enslaved children in this world.}

And, Dangerous Surrender, by Kay Warren. {a story of Kay's journey to being "gloriously ruined" for life, as she truly surrendered to God's call on her life. Absolutely amazing and inspirational. It will change you forever.}

The third component is a surprise...I promise it's cute and will remind you daily of the children. :)

I truly do pray that whoever does receive these books will be blessed. Please leave a comment and I will draw a name on Wednesday at 8:00 pm.