The vision that God has given me is to help women to get out of prostitution; sharing Christ's love in every aspect. A few months ago God woke me up and gave me a vision of what I am to do and steps that are to be done. He showed me that I am to work with prostitutes, build relationships and show Christ's love to them - that this is more important than any other aspect of the vision.
About a year ago, I started up a jewelry business, in order to take a trade to Africa to help provide income to the black community. I am now going to use this business to teach the women, in order to give them another means of making money, so that this one step of survival might be eliminated. I am an entrepreneur and have numerous other ideas for business at some point.
After, or in conjunction to providing a new method of making money, I will also use the support group that I started up here in Colorado Springs, Real Women of Genius. This is a group that helps women to get out of sexual addictions; going through a devotional that God has helped me to start writing. I believe these are the two most predominant steps and will be my initial focus.
Later, at some point, I would like to have a safe house where women can go to live and get out of the lifestyle and be protected as they work through the program.
The last couple of steps will be to go through a similar program that I have been going through where you deal with forgiveness, idolatry, self, sexuality, curses, generational curses, etc. This cleans out house, so as not to allow the enemy any foothold any longer.
As well as: using the Lifeworkx program that Steve Aldrich leads and I have gone through, where the women will learn who they are: strengths, spiritual gifts, passions, talents, etc - who God has uniquely made each of them to be and what His purposes are for their lives. This will help the women to learn their "new" identity in Christ and what's next for their lives. Then helping them to take the necessary steps to do this.
As you can see this is a pretty huge vision God has given me and will require numerous steps. The absolute first step is this initial trip – the vision trip – to see where God is working and further show me where He wants me and to prepare me for the next steps.
After this step I will come back to raise the support needed and then I will go to language school for whichever area I will be living in. Then, I will, by the grace of God, get to start putting this vision into place.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Legalizing Prostitution, in Durban, SA, for the World Cup?
I just read this really disturbing article: www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7509357.stm. Durban, SA is looking at legalizing prostitution during the 2010 World Cup. This just makes me sick to my stomach. One of the arguments for it is that it will lower rape. Really? Are we so far gone that it is not possible to suppress ones sex drive for a week or even a month?
I have worked in the field long enough to know that offering another source does not stop rape. There are already a whole lot of ways for people to get sex legally and for free; ways that are a whole lot less demoralizing to people. I am not condoning this in any way - I believe abstinence and sex in marriage are the only way that we are to live. I just know that one who rapes is sick and not thinking clearly, or morally. He/she will not be thinking "well, hey, if I can legally pay to have sex...". No, it is about control, power, entitlement and the enemy, not logic.
I served on a Human Trafficking committee in Denver months before the Democratic Convention. I am aware that sex crimes go up and become a whole lot easier, as well as on demand whenever there is a large event where there will be thousands of people. Why in Heaven's name are we making this easier instead of helping to eliminate it? With the Democratic Convention, we demised ways to protect as many children as possible. I am not so naive to believe that we stopped all of it, but I do believe we helped. A large part of this was bringing awareness to the people at large.
I believe that if they are to legalize prostitution during the World Cup, there will be even more trafficking going on. The mafia, pimps and so on will jump all over this opportunity to make more money, as much as they can, which means that even more people will be put into prostitution and then South Africa will have an even larger problem on their hands.
Even without a Biblical foundation for one's viewpoint on this, does it truly make sense to legalize prostitution one minute and then make it illegal the next? What are they going to do, say "make as much money as you can, for tomorrow you will be arrested"?
Shouldn't we rather be protecting these women (and men and children)? So many people do not choose to be in prostitution, but rather are forced, or are convinced that there is no other way for them. We should be doing everything we can to show value to them as a person and helping them get out of prostitution - period!
I have worked in the field long enough to know that offering another source does not stop rape. There are already a whole lot of ways for people to get sex legally and for free; ways that are a whole lot less demoralizing to people. I am not condoning this in any way - I believe abstinence and sex in marriage are the only way that we are to live. I just know that one who rapes is sick and not thinking clearly, or morally. He/she will not be thinking "well, hey, if I can legally pay to have sex...". No, it is about control, power, entitlement and the enemy, not logic.
I served on a Human Trafficking committee in Denver months before the Democratic Convention. I am aware that sex crimes go up and become a whole lot easier, as well as on demand whenever there is a large event where there will be thousands of people. Why in Heaven's name are we making this easier instead of helping to eliminate it? With the Democratic Convention, we demised ways to protect as many children as possible. I am not so naive to believe that we stopped all of it, but I do believe we helped. A large part of this was bringing awareness to the people at large.
I believe that if they are to legalize prostitution during the World Cup, there will be even more trafficking going on. The mafia, pimps and so on will jump all over this opportunity to make more money, as much as they can, which means that even more people will be put into prostitution and then South Africa will have an even larger problem on their hands.
Even without a Biblical foundation for one's viewpoint on this, does it truly make sense to legalize prostitution one minute and then make it illegal the next? What are they going to do, say "make as much money as you can, for tomorrow you will be arrested"?
Shouldn't we rather be protecting these women (and men and children)? So many people do not choose to be in prostitution, but rather are forced, or are convinced that there is no other way for them. We should be doing everything we can to show value to them as a person and helping them get out of prostitution - period!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Leaving in January
I am planning to leave in January 2010. I don't have an exact date as of yet, because we are waiting for some details to fall into place. :-)
Friday, December 18, 2009
OC Internship
Those who are interested - check out the OC blog about Lifeworkx oc08Internship.blogspot.com. This is the program I went through in 08 to prepare me for missions. As you can see we had a lot of fun. Oh, yeah, we also did a lot of work. Hmmm, I think I still owe Steve a paper.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Life is Changing
As hard as packing, getting rid of things and taking care of all the details to leave are, I find the hardest thing to be the grief. I knew I would be sad to leave everyone, I didn't know I would be on the verge of being an emotional wreck. I'm not sure I can explain the grief that I feel. I find myself crying almost every day over something or other. I find myself in the best place I have ever been, with the most wonderful people I have ever known and it is now that I have to say good bye.
Knowing that I have to give up working with Thomas (the boy I nanny) is such utter pain. I'm not sure how I am going to handle leaving him. Do you think he'd fit in my suitcase? It is already hard when we don't get to see each other for a couple of days. The first time I mentioned I was leaving in front of him he started crying and was fussy and cranky for the next week. Now when I mention it he rubs my face, gives me a kiss and a hug, so maybe he is adjusting to the fact that I will be gone; I wish I was. I know he is not my own, but the bond is very similar. The love that I feel for this little boy is beyond measure. I never thought I could love a child the way that I love him. I have grown and healed so much because of him. I am glad to have been his nanny and am grateful for Skype.
Then there is my niece, Taylor. I didn't know her too well until I moved back to the Springs. Now her and I are really close. I will miss getting to see her almost every week or talking to her on the phone. I will definitely miss the "I love you, too, Emily" s. I am so grateful that I have had this past year and a half to get to know her and that she is now old enough to remember me. Why can't my sister just let me bring her with me? Why can't I bring all the people I love with me?
Now, as of yesterday, there is my new nephew, Nehemiah. It saddens me to think that I won't get to know him the way I know Taylor. Or that my family won't get to know my children (when I have them) the same way either. Sometimes the sacrifices seem too much. I do appreciate the fact that God let me be here for his birth, that I got to stare in his eyes and that I get to see him twice more before I leave.
These 3 are the hardest for me, but it is also hard for me to leave my friends and family. I have a better relationship now with most of my family than I have in the past. I have a huge spiritual family that I have dinner with once a week, share holidays with and live in community with throughout the week. They are a life line to me. I have wanted this all of my life and now I have to let go. Of course, there are also my girl's night friends whom I love and cherish (another life line). And my church whom have become another family to me and support me in so many ways. As well as the many other individual friends that I enjoy time and conversations with.
Yes, I am aware that they will all still be family and friends after I leave and I do get to see them for a few months next summer. I know that they will still be a support to me and we will still have conversations. It is just that this won't look the same and this makes me sad, even as it is a good thing. It doesn't help that it is the holidays and many of my friends and family are leaving town, many for a couple of weeks and won't be back before I am to leave. Plus, things are being canceled and the fact that my time with people and doing events that I love to do is short, has become shorter and some won't start up again before I leave, sometimes makes it seem all the shorter. I also know that due to the placement of my birthday between holidays, most people aren't in town for my birthday and often forget to acknowledge it. I understand that none of this is personal or has anything to do with me and am aware that I am loved and none of this means other wise.
Change is just hard and it is even harder when it is your whole life changing. I will not get to do the same things, see the same people, have the same job, live in Colorado Springs, have snow or even cold, eat the same food or even hear the same vocabulary. Things are different. I won't have much of my stuff or have the time for all of the same hobbies. This past year has mostly been a time for rest and recovery; preparation for Africa. I have had a good amount of time to spend with the people in my life and down time. Soon I won't have this. Don't get me wrong this is all good, no it is great, and wanted. I am excited for the future. Different is the goal. That does not make it any easier.
The good news is that this is all normal and a part of the life changing, transitional process. Months from now I will be sharing how excited I am to be in Africa, about the new friends I have and all the cool food I get to eat. I will continue to be relational and put people first. I will love people and share the love of Christ. I will adjust and get situated as fast as I normally do. I will build a life in Africa and will recall with fond memory the life I had in Colorado Springs. And, at some point I will love this life as much as I do now.
But for now, I will continue to allow Him to help me through the grieving and transitioning process; I offer up all of this to Christ and say "Here, all of this is yours, do as you wish". Thank you for allowing me to live this past year and a half and for all of the friends and family you have loaned me, for however long that may be.
Knowing that I have to give up working with Thomas (the boy I nanny) is such utter pain. I'm not sure how I am going to handle leaving him. Do you think he'd fit in my suitcase? It is already hard when we don't get to see each other for a couple of days. The first time I mentioned I was leaving in front of him he started crying and was fussy and cranky for the next week. Now when I mention it he rubs my face, gives me a kiss and a hug, so maybe he is adjusting to the fact that I will be gone; I wish I was. I know he is not my own, but the bond is very similar. The love that I feel for this little boy is beyond measure. I never thought I could love a child the way that I love him. I have grown and healed so much because of him. I am glad to have been his nanny and am grateful for Skype.
Then there is my niece, Taylor. I didn't know her too well until I moved back to the Springs. Now her and I are really close. I will miss getting to see her almost every week or talking to her on the phone. I will definitely miss the "I love you, too, Emily" s. I am so grateful that I have had this past year and a half to get to know her and that she is now old enough to remember me. Why can't my sister just let me bring her with me? Why can't I bring all the people I love with me?
Now, as of yesterday, there is my new nephew, Nehemiah. It saddens me to think that I won't get to know him the way I know Taylor. Or that my family won't get to know my children (when I have them) the same way either. Sometimes the sacrifices seem too much. I do appreciate the fact that God let me be here for his birth, that I got to stare in his eyes and that I get to see him twice more before I leave.
These 3 are the hardest for me, but it is also hard for me to leave my friends and family. I have a better relationship now with most of my family than I have in the past. I have a huge spiritual family that I have dinner with once a week, share holidays with and live in community with throughout the week. They are a life line to me. I have wanted this all of my life and now I have to let go. Of course, there are also my girl's night friends whom I love and cherish (another life line). And my church whom have become another family to me and support me in so many ways. As well as the many other individual friends that I enjoy time and conversations with.
Yes, I am aware that they will all still be family and friends after I leave and I do get to see them for a few months next summer. I know that they will still be a support to me and we will still have conversations. It is just that this won't look the same and this makes me sad, even as it is a good thing. It doesn't help that it is the holidays and many of my friends and family are leaving town, many for a couple of weeks and won't be back before I am to leave. Plus, things are being canceled and the fact that my time with people and doing events that I love to do is short, has become shorter and some won't start up again before I leave, sometimes makes it seem all the shorter. I also know that due to the placement of my birthday between holidays, most people aren't in town for my birthday and often forget to acknowledge it. I understand that none of this is personal or has anything to do with me and am aware that I am loved and none of this means other wise.
Change is just hard and it is even harder when it is your whole life changing. I will not get to do the same things, see the same people, have the same job, live in Colorado Springs, have snow or even cold, eat the same food or even hear the same vocabulary. Things are different. I won't have much of my stuff or have the time for all of the same hobbies. This past year has mostly been a time for rest and recovery; preparation for Africa. I have had a good amount of time to spend with the people in my life and down time. Soon I won't have this. Don't get me wrong this is all good, no it is great, and wanted. I am excited for the future. Different is the goal. That does not make it any easier.
The good news is that this is all normal and a part of the life changing, transitional process. Months from now I will be sharing how excited I am to be in Africa, about the new friends I have and all the cool food I get to eat. I will continue to be relational and put people first. I will love people and share the love of Christ. I will adjust and get situated as fast as I normally do. I will build a life in Africa and will recall with fond memory the life I had in Colorado Springs. And, at some point I will love this life as much as I do now.
But for now, I will continue to allow Him to help me through the grieving and transitioning process; I offer up all of this to Christ and say "Here, all of this is yours, do as you wish". Thank you for allowing me to live this past year and a half and for all of the friends and family you have loaned me, for however long that may be.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Concert Update
Many of you have been asking how the concert went. It was amazing! One of the best nights I have had in a long time. It was really great to hear more of Stephanie's story and her heart; I learned some things that I hadn't known. It was also great to hear so many of her songs live. I loved getting to share my heart with others and what God is doing, as well.
My friends and family did an amazing job with the decorating/set up and food. The soup was so amazing that one particular person requested that we make a cook book with the recipes to sell as a fund raiser. What a complement! Course I really can't take the credit, since it was my friends and family who really made the amazing soups and breads. I am taking this idea into account and am considering making a cook book with my friends (they have hundreds of great recipes) and may sell them each time we do a benefit concert.
I have to admit that I was quite stressed out before the concert. There were times that I was just sure we wouldn't get it all done and I had no idea how God was going to give me enough help the night of the concert (most people weren't too excited about giving up their entire afternoon and evening and I can't say that I blame them). I was also a little nervous that we wouldn't raise enough to cover the costs of the concert; in spite of the fact that most things were offered to me for free.
I should know now to be anxious in nothing and that God is faithful and just. I had only 3 weeks to advertise and get things done, yet the night of the concert I had just the right amount of help and everything fell right into place (surprise, surprise). We had more than enough food, beverages and supplies. Plus, the event raised almost $1000!!!! Praise God, praise God, praise God!
The atmosphere of the event was exactly the way I had envisioned it. I'm not exactly sure how to put it into words, but we had tables set up for people to eat at and be more relaxed. I wanted it to be elegant, but comfortable. It wasn't like your typical concert it was much more elegant than that, with absolutely great music. Course it always is when Stephanie is playing/singing. Quite a few people stated that they would like to know next time we do one.
The best part to me was knowing how much support I have. I am beyond blessed with amazing friendships and family. So many of them pulled together to make this event possible and I am thankful for each and everyone of them; I could never have done this without all of them.
Another cool thing is that More than Music has decided to use this idea and do Benefit Concerts on a regular basis to help non-profits raise money for their ministry. They will be offering this throughout the nation, so if any of you are interested, be sure to take them up on it. They cover part of the costs, which is very generous.
I also want to thank all of you who gave me support; donations, guidance, prayers and finances. There would be little point to this concert if it weren't for you. Thank you for believing in me and the ministry God has for me.
Emily
My friends and family did an amazing job with the decorating/set up and food. The soup was so amazing that one particular person requested that we make a cook book with the recipes to sell as a fund raiser. What a complement! Course I really can't take the credit, since it was my friends and family who really made the amazing soups and breads. I am taking this idea into account and am considering making a cook book with my friends (they have hundreds of great recipes) and may sell them each time we do a benefit concert.
I have to admit that I was quite stressed out before the concert. There were times that I was just sure we wouldn't get it all done and I had no idea how God was going to give me enough help the night of the concert (most people weren't too excited about giving up their entire afternoon and evening and I can't say that I blame them). I was also a little nervous that we wouldn't raise enough to cover the costs of the concert; in spite of the fact that most things were offered to me for free.
I should know now to be anxious in nothing and that God is faithful and just. I had only 3 weeks to advertise and get things done, yet the night of the concert I had just the right amount of help and everything fell right into place (surprise, surprise). We had more than enough food, beverages and supplies. Plus, the event raised almost $1000!!!! Praise God, praise God, praise God!
The atmosphere of the event was exactly the way I had envisioned it. I'm not exactly sure how to put it into words, but we had tables set up for people to eat at and be more relaxed. I wanted it to be elegant, but comfortable. It wasn't like your typical concert it was much more elegant than that, with absolutely great music. Course it always is when Stephanie is playing/singing. Quite a few people stated that they would like to know next time we do one.
The best part to me was knowing how much support I have. I am beyond blessed with amazing friendships and family. So many of them pulled together to make this event possible and I am thankful for each and everyone of them; I could never have done this without all of them.
Another cool thing is that More than Music has decided to use this idea and do Benefit Concerts on a regular basis to help non-profits raise money for their ministry. They will be offering this throughout the nation, so if any of you are interested, be sure to take them up on it. They cover part of the costs, which is very generous.
I also want to thank all of you who gave me support; donations, guidance, prayers and finances. There would be little point to this concert if it weren't for you. Thank you for believing in me and the ministry God has for me.
Emily
Friday, November 6, 2009
Stephanie Pauline Benefit Dinner & Concert
Saturday, November 7th
Pulpit Rock Church, West Campus
6:00-8:30 pm
Dinner starts at 6:00
Help me to raise support as I seek to help women get out of prostitution in Johannesburg, South Africa. A light soup dinner will be served with a brief presentation about what I am doing, followed by a night of music by Christian artist Stephanie Pauline, with More than Music.
Pre-Sale tickets $10 email joysplash101@yahoo.com to reserve tickets (before 2 pm).
Tickets at the door $13
Children 12 and under FREE
Check out Stephanie's music at MorethanMusicInc.com
Come be a part of our ministry!!
Pulpit Rock Church, West Campus
6:00-8:30 pm
Dinner starts at 6:00
Help me to raise support as I seek to help women get out of prostitution in Johannesburg, South Africa. A light soup dinner will be served with a brief presentation about what I am doing, followed by a night of music by Christian artist Stephanie Pauline, with More than Music.
Pre-Sale tickets $10 email joysplash101@yahoo.com to reserve tickets (before 2 pm).
Tickets at the door $13
Children 12 and under FREE
Check out Stephanie's music at MorethanMusicInc.com
Come be a part of our ministry!!
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