BRAVE HEARTS

Expressive art creation: Turn It Up by Paul Goodnight

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

There’s a burning in our hearts for change! Around the globe people from all cultures and walks of life have spearheaded a movement that is boldly declaring an end in the US and abroad to the atrocity of modern day slavery. Yes, human trafficking!

This evolving movement is like the drip on a leaky faucet-constant and unyielding; and that means freedom and relief for countless innocent souls.

Not only are there rallies occurring, but supporter’s are gathering in prayer first, producing movies like “I Am Slave”. This movie directed by Film Maker Gabriel Range certainly rattles our comfort zones and demonstrates how unsuspecting Sudanese families are destroyed today because their daughters are abducted, and bartered like grain in a sophisticated social slavery system. They are preyed upon in an underground slavery movement which is rapidly growing. But thank God for determined captives yearning for freedom and  the human rights advocates tirelessly galvanizing others. They are modern day resourceful trailblazers!

Because of these trailblazers, there are vanishing sleeping giants-awakening public educations forums are mushrooming, watchmen/watchwomen vigilantly guarding communities and creating unsuspected havens of safety. These Prayer Warriors are mightily flourishing. They are those that feel an urgency-an unction to address this social ill and it’s like a steam roller, rapid firing dominoes causing this evil to topple over! It may be gradual, but oh it's happening! Good results are occurring just ask Carolina Diplan founder of Home of Change. The Home of Change organization has locations in the United States, Netherlands, Dominican Republic and in Tajikistan, their motto is: Home of Change Restoring Freedom. Ms. Diplan joyfully attests to young girl’s lives being restored and hope birthed for those that had been well acquainted with the brutality of this modern day slavery. Prayers are being answered!

Adamant voices, many outcries of indignation, heartfelt prayers, exhaustive work, capital campaigns, goods, services, and techno savvy organizations are helping revitalize many once shaken communities. They have hunted down many of the human trafficking schemes. It’s a new season; Immigrants are not being victimized so easily. Trustworthy endeavors are more readily available than in the past years. So much good has come as a result of  these efforts to end this dastardly practice of human trafficking! Genesis 50:20 aptly pronounces:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to

 accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (NIV)

Thank the Lord that many victims and their loved ones voices are not being permanently snuffed out-silenced. How do I know? Well I contend that if the Government Agencies and Non-Profit services that I recently learned of in Orlando are any indication of the host of resources and services that are birthed nationwide, we are certainly moving in a positive direction. So glad that I was invited and attended with friend Dr. Lorraine Harris (an the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member) the 5th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day: In Our Own Backyard. We ventured around Lake Eola meeting many committed civic and faith based organizers which I have listed below in Resource list, heard spoken artists and singer Evan Taylor Jones (who really crooned Bob Marley’s hit) and witnessed the outstanding Pop Shop and an uplifting skit performed by youth leaders of: It’s Yes School of Performing Arts. Truly it was a day of enlightenment dedicated to educating and eradicate modern day slavery!

The statistics are startling; reportedly there are 27 million slaves in the world. They are young children, teens and yes, even adults which have been abducted, bought and sold right under our noses-stolen from our midst without a trace. But with the help of many, freedom can be more than a dream. With prayers and gifted services slavery can be abolished and the guilty brought to shame. Here are a list of services which may be beneficial to you, your advocacy endeavors and interest groups. Help awaits you! 

I pray that freedom will be restored for brokenhearted victims and souls will be stirred to shine a light in dark places. Like everything, change starts with us! Our beloved Dr. Martin Luther King says: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!”

SEVERAL RESOURCES* DEDICATED TO

 HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS

                                            (*Resources located in Orlando-Central Florida)

City of Orlando Police Department

Department of Children & Families

Mexican Consulate Orlando

Orange County Children’s Advocacy Center

Orange County Library System

P.P. Greater Orlando

UCF Victim Services

USCIS- US Citizenship and Immigration Services

360 Foundation

Amnesty International

Chapter 519

Born2fly Project

Boystown of Central Florida

Burning Hearts, Inc.

Child Rescue Network

Covenant House Florida, Devereux

Exodus Cry@OHOP

Florida Abolitionist

Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Forgiven Much Ministries

H.O.M.E.

Home of Change

Hope City Ministries of Discovery Church

Images of Glory, Inc.

International Justice Mission

Out of Life, Inc.

Releasing Chains

Students Against Slavery

Chapter of IAHTI

The Hope Mercy Love Foundation, Inc.

The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command

Trafficking In America Task Force

Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Inc.

Women At Risk International

Youth for Human Rights International

Youth With A Mission Orlando

Zebra Coaltion

Prayer of Hope:

Lord we are accountable to you, and endeavor to offer life changing help to those in need. Our hearts are burning with compassion! Save those and provide a lively hope to all that have been victimized, wounded and suffered at the hands of evil. Shine your light on all darkness and let no evil prevail. Give us grace and wisdom on what to do and how to make an impact for the good of your kingdom. Thank you for leading us with purpose and direction and most assuredly with the resources to do your will; we declare that we shall overcome! In Jesus mighty name! Amen, amen!

God Riches Blessings to You, Linda Mose Meadows, Inspirational Author of:
The Blessedness of Believing, A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

EXPLORING THE MEASURE OF THE MAN

“Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.” Martin Luther King Jr.

January 20th didn’t seem to arrive fast enough. We had marked our work calendars weeks before in eager anticipation of seeing Michael Eric Dyson. This was a great way of our honoring Dr. King and being able to attend a worthy and inspiring commemorative celebration in his honor. I couldn’t believe that we’d have the opportunity to see and hear Doctor Brother Preacher Teacher Michael Eric Dyson right in our own backyard! Right here at historic William and Mary College-literally down the street from work. This noted college campus is only a stone’s throw from work. We'd first have to return home to scoop up our son and mother in law-that evening, it was a family affair and we knew it would be robbery to leave them out.

Later on I would observe that the audience was a wonderful cross section of people all ages and ethnicities. The young, the elderly and the in between -their attendance was a sure sign that others felt the importance of bringing along their loved ones as well to witness and partake. Here stood this intellectual giant right in our midst and he was honestly frank and funny, just really real! Thank God for candor! Laughtern is not a bad thing either.

We were insured perfect seating because our arrival on campus planted us at the Sandler Center’s Auditorium before the ushers pushed open the locked entrances. I am pleased to share that we were not disappointed as I shared on face book! No shortchanging the attendees! This was without a doubt mentally exhilarating! For a moment I wondered, what must it be like to sit in this intellectual dynamo’s class room?

I was a student all over again and listened intently to Michael Eric Dyson,
the prolific commentator, the brilliant theologian, the insightful Sociology professor, the astute NPR correspondent and the best selling author who imparted his wisdom and easy humor as he poured out his heart about Dr. King. The word magnanimous comes to mind regarding my perception of the whole evening. Noteworthy is what the evening was! Dr. Dyson’s arguments and delivery regarding Dr. King were engaging. It was as though we too were drawn in dialogue about the measure of the man: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Click on excerpt which will give you a glimpse of the magnitude of our evening.








Friends, I wish you had been there! It was a no holds barred evening-a well balanced intellectual assortment! Dr. Dyson shone a bold flood light on the social and historic realities for a nation in the midst of radical social, civil and economic change. The food for thought shared by Dyson brought a revealing panoramic view of who Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was for America in his life and after his untimely death. I thank God for planting Dr. King on this earth!

Author of: "April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America.” is especially significant during this 40th anniversary of the life of our civil rights leader. As a result of Dr. Dyson’s presentation I am compelled to encourage you to read his website, listen to his telling interviews, acquire his recent book(s) and let's agree to engage in relevant and yes, difficult discussions that stretch us and most certaintly celebrate and honor the rich legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We'll certainly be all the better for it as we explore the measure of the man!


Peace and God's Abundant Blessings To You,
Linda Mose Meadows, author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/ http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/