ADVOCATE: [v. ad-vuh-keyt OR n. ad-vuh-kit, -keyt]

AN ADVOCATE IS SOMEONE WHO

: refuses to stand by.

: speaks up when something is wrong.

: uses their voice on behalf of people living in slavery and violent oppression today.

AN ADVOCATE IS SOMEONE LIKE YOU 

 noun

: a person who argues for or supports a cause or policy

: a person who works for a cause or group

: a person who argues for the cause of another person in a court of law

verb

: to support or argue for (a cause, policy, etc.)

Advocacy is about shifting the balance of power.

[Visit: www.freedomcommons.ijm.org] 

 Since 2010, I have had multiple opportunities to join other modern day abolitionists on Capital Hill to speak up on behalf of the vulnerable, the poor and the oppressed, specifically regarding the issue of modern day slavery and violent oppression that effects the global poor.  These past couple days were yet another opportunity to not only be encouraged by the persistence and dedication of hundreds across our nation, but to hear testimony of the various ways our voices have been heard.  

 Around 250 people from nearly 40 states descended upon our nation's capital on Monday to receive an update on current legislation, as well as receive some training on how to have an effective meeting with our members of congress and/or their staff.  

 Below is a picture of our group of North Carolinians who traveled in at their own expense.  One of us in the bunch, is a senior in high school!  This individual has even started their own non-profit in their school to raise awareness and funds to combat human trafficking.  

 Another of these awesome friends and fellow advocates developed a children's curriculum to help teach about God's heart for justice.

 Each of these pictured have powerful, inspirational and individual stories of becoming aware of and then burdened for the voiceless who then determined unique and practical ways (based on their own spheres of influence) to engage the issue...to not just stand by but to do something...they inspire me....

Tuesday morning, we woke up early and caught a cab to our central meeting place.

(Below: a view from our hotel... due to the pope's upcoming visit we were faced with limited affordable hotel accommodations, so we ended up near National Zoo... a few miles from Capital Hill...not complaints here...it was lovely and restful)

 We were privileged to have Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, come speak to us.  He has become a champion in the U.S. senate for combating this issue.  He is the sponsor of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act of 2015 (S.553). It was passed unanimously in committee and currently has 18 cosponsors from both sides of the political aisle.  This is amazing given the current political climate on the Hill.  It (S.553) is a history-making opportunity to end slavery.  

(Learn more about the bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/553)

 After our morning session, we dispersed and hit the pavement across the Hill...

 (Pictured Below: The U.S. Supreme Court building)

The inscription atop the Supreme Court building reads, "Equal Justice Under the Law."  This is something the global poor do not experience.  Every person made in God's image is worthy of dignity and justice.  This is one of the reasons why we advocate.   

 Team photo opportunity after completing our morning meetings on the senate side...

 My dear friend and sister in Christ who labors in the Triad area for the gospel and the good of others.  Love her....

 I hope you are encouraged and reminded that you too have a voice.  May God open our mouths and fill it for His glory and the good of people made in His image!

"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