My Place of Grace

Here is an example of some of the after care efforts that the International Justice Mission provides to those they rescue. Something as simple as a bicycle can mean the difference between simply surviving vs. thriving. In India, Former Slaves Explore Freedom - On Bicycles(Information taken from IJM web site http://www.ijm.org/ ) Thursday, 26 August 2010 BANGALORE, INDIA – What does a bicycle mean? This symbol of sport and leisure for many signifies something quite different in IJM’s anti-slavery casework in India. To a recently-rescued victim of forced labor slavery, a bicycle can be a pivotal tool in the emancipation process, as it expands life choices, broadens horizons and makes the long road to freedom easier to travel. Being able to travel freely is a new experience for some IJM clients. While trapped in slavery, even if granted permission to temporarily leave the facility, forced laborers are often required to leave a family member behind as “collateral” to ensure their swift re...

Yes! I have given birth! No...not to a human baby, but to my first published book. It felt much like the birth of a baby. A lot of anticipation, care, hard work, and push, push, pushing it out. It was finally delivered on October 28th. That date having great significance, because it also happens to be the date of my first child's birth day, so my first child and my first book were delivered on the same day...how cool is that. What's so special about this book? Well, there are several things that make it special. First, it was inspired by a time in my life when difficulties were running rampant, and God gave me the outlet of expressing myself through poetry. Second, it is a ministry book. Not only ministering to peoples heart and spirit, but also all the profits from the sale of the book are going to a Christian organization called the International Justice Mission, to help put an end to the injustice and tragedy of human trafficking and slavery. Last but not least, it is part ...

I've been working on a publishing a book of poetry for the past several months. I am feeling this stirring of excitement as it nears it's completion. To be able to hold the compilation of my thoughts all together in my hands is to me, like scoring the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl or the game winning home run in the World Series. I started writing this collection of poetry a few years ago, during a difficult time in my life. In many ways it is my journey with God through that time. Thus I entitled it "Hand in Hand with God" He has been my "coach" so to speak, in this experience, and I give Him all the credit for training me to score! I wanted to share a little bit about this journey in my life, because I think so many times God uses difficult circumstances to reveal the direction and purpose He has for our lives. He reveals diamonds in the hard, dirty walls of our caves, and shines light and perspective in dark places of our lives. God brings beauty fr...