caged bird...

(wplynn) flickr

It's early in the morning and I am listening to the birds outside my window chirping “I am free”; as I pray and reflect on this coming day.

For us it started with one voice chirping, “we need to look outside our lavish northern Virginia lifestyles and really see the problem of human trafficking”, then others joined in the chorus.

Today we are the Loudoun County Human Trafficking Task Force (VA). With great anticipation we are preparing for our first county wide first education & awareness movie event. A showing of “Not My Life”. People have joined hands & raised their voices, sharing what they know about trafficking and today 80-100 people are coming to start their education & awareness process.

Who will in turn spread awareness. But, more importantly they will start doing something about abolishing slavery in our lifetime.

It is a process, it takes patience. But the realization hits that one person can do so much. One voice, plus one voice swells into a multitude of voices.

Somewhere in your home town, there is a person or a child who is caged in human trafficking, chirping “please release me, set me free”. Will you be that voice that responds?

Here is your first step on how you can be that voice for the voiceless.

be a voice for the voiceless...

We believe everyone has a voice to be heard. By lobbying your local politician, you can advocate for those without a voice. Often times adjusting laws and policies surrounding the issue of human trafficking can make it easier to identity and convict traffickers in the court of law. For more information on how to inform your elected officials, check it out:
Ask Congress to Support Crucial Anti-Trafficking Bills Today!

It's a very simple act, write for their rights. Something you are able to do today is to sign petitions and letters today that will be hand delivered to the President, Congressmen and Senators.
Two great non-governmental organizations are invovled with powerful legislative advocacy to end slavery and you can help.

TAKE ACTION: http://www.polarisproject.org/take-action/advocate/569-tell-congress-to-act-on-critical-anti-trafficking-legislation-now

STAND FOR FREEDOM: Sign your name

http://www.ijm.org/content/sign-your-name-stand-for-freedom#sotu-form

do people know you and where you stand…

Do they know you as a political pundit?
Do they know you because you are mad about hula hoops?
Most people who know me after a time, know certain truths about me.
One of those truths is that I am in the fight against human trafficking.
One of my sweet girls from Starbucks posted this picture on my facebook page (xoxo Jessica)

"It's a shame they don't use signs like this. We'd be able to fine 'em faster, that's for sure"
So, I ask again…
What do people know about you and where you stand?

the missing step #2

What happened to step number 2? I literally just got the word that the (TVPRA Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act) didn't pass yet, so there is still time to contact your representative.
So step #2 is:
2. Sign the petition asking your U.S. Senator to Support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) It has expired and needs reauthorization.

It is such a simple thing to do...
All the details you need are here: (you may need to click into the orginal post to find the link)
Click International Justice Mission.

"Congress voting to renew The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, whose current authorization expires on Sept. 30, the main U.S. law that makes human trafficking and modern-day slavery illegal, provides critical services for victims, and must be reauthorized by Congress every three years. Advocates and survivors are concerned that this year, funding for victim services - among other important provisions - will be cut."

what I did on the rainy weekend...

The weekend of September 23rd and 24th; I went to a music fest and got VERY muddy. O.k. I didn't so much go to the music fest; but spent the entire weekend manning a Human Trafficking Awareness Booth at the fest. It constantly amazes me that people don't realize that there at 27 million people currently enslaved in our world, and a lot of those are enslaved in our country, in our state and in your town.
There were 9,500 people that that attended the music fest and we talked to at least 1,000 people at our booth.
Here are some of us at the Human Trafficking Booth from that weekend.

Four simply things that you can do now:
(you may need to click onto the orginal post to find the links)
1. If you aren't aware that human trafficking still exists; you need to become more aware and education yourself. Contact me and I can hook you up with information to read or arrange for you to attend a training class.
2. Oh no, what happened to step number 2? Read the next blog post.
3. Spread the word and educate others. This is so simple. Purchase and wear an awareness t-shirt. I've had amazing results with this.
I wear this shirt (and 5 others) in public:

Now note the hash marks on the sleeve and hem of the shirt. Each hash represents a person that has stopped me and asked me about what my shirt means. The red hash marks represent someone that I have exchanged information with and are now working with us in the local fight to end human trafficking.
It's so simple: all you have to do is get a t-shirt from Zazzle.com/httfnva
4. Buy the Freedom cd from Family Christian Bookstore, not on Amazon. It only cost $5 and every single penny goes towards International Justice Mission. It a really great album with artists like Third Day, Relient K, toby MAC, Mercy Me and Jars of Clay.
These are simple steps. Most you are able to do just sitting there at your computer.