Advocacy Summit: Raise Your Voice to End Slavery

A quick trip north... 

Early last week I had the privilege of participating in the International Justice Mission's 5th annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C...

 Lana and I hit the road north following worship with our Imago Dei family to join around 250 others from 40 states in order to raise our voices for the oppressed...

 Upon our arrival, we checked in our hotel and hit the pavement to eat at one of my favorite places (mostly for nostalgic reasons): Tortilla Coast..

 You simply cannot go wrong with chips and salsa!

 It was such a lovely evening at our nation's capital...

 No matter how hard we tried, we did not succeed in snapping a 'selfie' with the capital in the background.  However, it did make for a few good laughs...

 Monday was a packed day of equipping by the amazing staff of IJM, including CEO/President Gary Haugen, as well as other experts from Solidarity Center, World Vision and Free the Slaves...  We enjoyed an informative panel discussion detailing examples of proven anti-trafficking models around the world that have rescued and restored victims, brought perpetrators of slavery to justice, and protected whole communities by deterring trafficking and slavery.  As stated multiple times during the summit, 

We stand at a tipping point in the movement against slavery.  Proven models to combat slavery do exist.  It is possible to fight slavery effectively.

This is good news.  This is our ethical imperative, as well as biblical calling, to

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

The highlight of Monday's Advocacy Summit for me was getting to hear from Gary Haugen, first during small gathering with fellow state leaders and then again as a large group.  Both talks were inspiring and compelling.  A few paraphrases for you:

"Slavery is driven not by the power and will of the traffickers but by the weakness of the voices of the vulnerable...traffickers enslaver the poor because they can...they need to know (the perpetrators) they can't win!

"Those who take these tasks to hand are in it for the long haul."

Then he quoted Nelson Mandela who stated after 27 years in prison, "It always seems impossible until it is done."

And then we were off...

Tuesday morning we headed to the United States capital to meet with our policymakers...

What an honor to be a part of this group of advocates!

 Our fearless leader (as we affectionally call her), Holly, gave us a final charge from our home base: the Lutheran Church of the Reformation

 We had nearly 15 people from multiple districts participate from North Carolina.  We began as one large advocacy team (before breaking into smaller teams) to meet with our NC senators, BOTH of whom are already involved in combating modern day slavery.  Both Senator Burr and Senator Hagan cosponsored the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act that finally passed (after two years of advocating) with Child Protection Compacts and was signed into law earlier this year!  This approach allows U.S. government funding to go deep in a specific region to develop successful models that demonstrate measurable progress.  By partnering with foreign governments, the U.S. can leverage its diplomatic pressure as a leader in the fight against human trafficking, while also providing resources for countries to build capacity and improve.

We had great meetings with both senator's staff members and look forward to staying connected...

 What an incredible team we had. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow advocates and hearing stories. Our group included local ministry leaders, students, counselors and even a trafficking survivor.  Below is a picture of our advocacy team following a great meeting with Congressman George Holding...

 When all was said and done, Lana and I (blisters and all - ha) moved my car to Union Station to wait out the evening rush hour traffic...

 We were spent after meetings that began at 10 AM and ended at 4:30 PM... A little R&R on the capital lawn shoeless with some Starbucks....

 Once we caught a second wind we began the 4 hour (traffic free - woo hoo!) drive home...

 Wednesday was a day of recovery following an after midnight return home...  It was great to be reunited with my kiddos, my husband, his wonderful parents, and of course, my first born...

 Titus

 Later, our day picked up in adrenaline producing ways...

 As our five kiddos were riding bikes on our street (Joshua finally learned how to ride his bike!) a car came squealing and fishtailing around corners multiple times.  So, I got her license plate and called the police.... who showed up in force, especially when she didn't have her drivers license on her I believe.  

 Turns out she is from out of state but renting nearby with others who also share the vehicle.  I'm unsure about citations, however, I am sure she was warned and hopefully will drive with care and concern for others.  It was scary, especially having to yell out to my kids to get out of the way.  They, also, learned a valuable lesson on the need to pay attention and be aware of vehicles.   

It was an interesting exclamation point to my week of advocating for the vulnerable.  Gary Haugen made a sobering statement that put a lot into perspective for me.  He said,

"Law enforcement is the invisible air we breathe."

Wow.  Especially in light of the force that showed up to serve and protect my family dealing with a reckless driver who endangered the lives of our children.  How sobering to consider the world's poor, particularly though not limited to those living in developing nations who live outside of the rule of law. Haugen shared a story that was more close to home.  The story was of a woman in Oregon who called 911 with her ex-boyfriend beating down her door with the objective of abusing her.  The operator, as you can listen to and hear more of the story here, says

"It is unfortunate that law enforcement is not available in your area."

What?!.  As you can hear from the NPR report, things played out exactly as the woman feared.  I don't know about you, but this certainly compels me further in defending the rights of the poor and needy (Prov. 31:9b).  Will you join me and others who are raising our voices to end slavery and advocating for the rights of all who are destitute?

Ways you can get involved:

1) Pray  

Prayer is foundational to the work of justice.  It is in alignment with the character of our Heavenly Father who has created us in His image.  Bethany Hoang, author of Deepening the Soul for Justice, reminds us that, "Seeking justice - bringing right order and exerting life-giving power to protect the vulnerable - does not begin at the threshold of abuse.  Seeking justice begins with seeking God."  Start praying.  Start a prayer group.  Sign up for prayer updates from IJM and/or other organizations doing the work.

2) Give

There are several organizations leading and engaging issues of injustice.  My favorite is the International Justice Mission because of who they are: they are Christ-followers, Skilled Professionals and Bridge-Builders.  They partner with many other great organizations like those mentioned earlier in this blog (World Vision, Solidarity Center and Free the Slaves), as well as others like Polaris Project.  Support the work of justice through giving.

3) Do   

I've posted this link of 14 things you can do to fight trafficking before.  It is very helpful in providing practical and various things you can do now.  Also, you can spread the word and/or make plans to attend this incredible opportunity for students:

COLLEGE STUDENT EVENT: AUGUST 5 – 7

American slaves followed the North Star to freedom–inspiring nineteenth-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass to create The North Star—a newspaper that would connect, inform and inspire those fighting to end slavery. The North Star Student Leadership Conference seeks to do the same.

I am excited to share about IJM’s first-ever gathering for student leaders passionate about God's call to seek justice.  North Star is for college students ages 18-25, and students will have an opportunity to hear from a number of IJM Staff, including our President, Gary Haugen, and Director of Operations, South Asia, Saju Matthew.  IJM is investing in student leaders who refuse to be silent about the injustices in the world. 

Review our North Star website for details and register your students.  Early Bird special ends June 30.  The conference is August 5-7, hosted by Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, GA. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO: spread the word to students and student groups you are connected to! If you don’t have students that are in interested in attending, you or your church could consider providing sponsorships for students from all over the world who have a desire to come, but lack resources.