An Ugly Houston Truth

One of my favorite singers is Adele.

One of her most popular songs begins with this line:

“There’s a fire, starting in my heart. Reaching a fever pitch, it’s bringing me out of the dark.”

That’s how my heart has been feeling lately. A fire starting. But a different kind of fire than Adele so beautifully sings of. A fire to help abolish human trafficking.

Contrary to popular belief, including my belief until recently, sex trafficking is not only an international problem. I blindly thought it didn’t happen to girls around here. False. The city where I live has entire areas that are brimming with the sex industry and known for having girls of all nationalities available- including girls born and raised in this city.

How do these operations run? Most of them have the false front of an innocent spa or massage parlor. But what happens inside is far from innocent. Girls and women are held against their will and forced to do things multiple times a day that no female should ever be forced to do.

{You can watch a video here with more info about the Houston statistics.}

My stomach is turning as I write this. As the mom to two daughters, the thought of this happening to them is beyond the scope of what I want to imagine. But it happens to someone’sdaughter. Every. Single. Day.

I have been mulling over and praying about what I can do. Let’s just say that what I want to do to the people responsible for these atrocities is probably not the best course of action. At least that’s what my husband tells me. J

So what can I do? Our church is currently in a period of time that we call the Sell Stuff Movement. We started this last year and it’s simple- sell stuff you don’t use (or stuff you do use but don’t really need) and give to the less-fortunate. (it’s in the Bible! Luke 12:33) Last year, our small church was able to fund a water-well drilling in Haiti. $4000 was all it took to change a village!

This year, we will be giving to an organization in Cambodia that works to prevent sex trafficking in that area. So I’m in the process of cleaning out closets to see what I can sell to give to this excellent mission. (One of our very own ladies in the church is moving to Cambodia in a few months to work at this school. Praise God for those willing to go!)

So here on my blog, I want to do something a little different. I am going to post a few nice items, one every few days, that you the readers can buy. ALL of the money I make in the month of March will be given to a local organization here in Houston called Redeemed Ministries. This NPO serves to minister to the girls and women who are rescued from this horrible life. You can read more about them here.

The first item is this 100% Silk blouse from Banana Republic. The size is medium. It is new with tags, and the price tag says $89.50. I would love to be able to get $40 for it to donate to Redeemed Ministries.

(Please excuse the sub-par photos, it truly is a beautiful shirt!)

Advertising is also available for Etsy shops and blogs. E-mail me for more info- all advertising money from March will also go to Redeemed Ministries. (and rates are really good!)

Are you with me, readers? I know that my world has been shaken by this knowledge.

PS After I wrote this blog post, I found out that today is International Women’s Day. What better way to celebrate women than by fighting for their freedom?

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Linking up: Inspiration Friday– At the Picket Fence
Free for All Friday– Five Days 5 Ways
The Wiegands