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Words of Wisdom on the Via Dolorosa

There are things that my friend reminds me of which make me sad. I used to tell stories and put flowers behind my ear and run out in the rain. I still could do those things, there is nothing stopping me, but it would feel insincere, like I am drinking from a well not my own. The things that stir within me move slower, more deliberately. I cannot and will not pretend to be 20, but I need to know, I want to believe that the things I have to offer have value, deep intrinsic value, to the Kingdom of God and to my team.

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Numbers Game

20. Million. Can you even begin to wrap your mind around that? When I first read these words on International Justice Mission’s Website, I couldn’t grasp the numbers.

Inklings

• Sixteen years after a genocide that saw the death of 1 million people, Rwanda is making progress. Josh Ruxin reflects on all that Rwanda has accomplished, and ponders what will happen in the next ten years. #
• GrindTV reports that Jodie Nelson had a surprise visitor on a nine-hour paddle from Catalina Island to Dana Point, which the California surfer made in support of breast cancer research. A 30-foot minke whale rode alongside her for two hours. An answer to prayer, perhaps? At the start of the journey, Nelson and her crew prayed that "God would reveal his beauty and creation and nature, and allow me to endure this long trek." #
• Laurie Hayes, Director of Development for International Justice Mission, sent out this update about a rescue in Chennai, India. "Last Friday, IJM's Chennai team rescued 13 children, women and men from slavery in a large rice mill. Forced to live in tiny shacks within the compound, the slaves were desperate for release. One of the victims, Mukesh*, was suffering from tuberculosis and had been forbidden from leaving the mill for treatment. At rescue, he had not eaten for four days. Today, he and the rest of the slaves are free. Mukesh is receiving medical treatment, and he and the other former slaves will receive funds and supplies from the government to build their new lives. IJM aftercare staff will provide them with continued assistance as they resettle in their home villages." International Justice Mission works in countries where there is a functioning legal system that allows them to prosecute people who are trafficking in human lives, along with other injustices. The process is a slow one, but when criminals are punished for breaking laws, others are more likely to think twice before committing the same act. Over time, an entire culture can be changed. This is the hope we are talking about with Hope Ink. Hope for people in slavery. Hope for the downtrodden and those living in extreme poverty. It's a gut-wrenching, one-person-at-a-time operation to begin with, but like a snowball, if we can get things rolling, the impact gets larger with each turn. You might not be a lawyer, but you can help rescue people condemned to a life of slavery. See how you can get involved by visiting IJM's Website. #
• We talk about a lot of serious stuff on Hope Ink, but sometimes we just need to have a laugh. Thanks to writer Josh Mock for passing along this gem of a video. #
• The Karen Women Organization speaks out against atrocities carried out by the government in Myanmar in a report given to the United Nations. Over 500,000 people have been displaced as a result of corrupt government actions. Pray that persecution will cease for minorities in Myanmar, and that refugees will be able to return home. #