On Sunday night I have the privilege of hosting two women from India who will be sharing their stories of horror & hope. These two heroes were rescued from human trafficking and have walked through an amazing journey to wholeness and redemption.
I am passionate about this cause, and would LOVE for all you women in Lubbock to come hear their stories - THIS Sunday (April 22nd) at 6pm at Church on the Rock (10503 Slide Road).
Want to know why I'm so passionate about this?
Here is one reason why…
From a blog I wrote in August of 2008
I
had the privilege of being involved with a retreat in India at one of
the most amazing places I have ever visited. It was an oasis in the
middle of crazy India and it housed men, women, and children who have
been rescued from the streets and all manners of horror.
The
retreat was specifically targeted towards 85 women who were rescued
from sex trafficking. Many of these girls were sold or kidnapped into
prostitution and others of them were the daughters of prostitutes who
also were abused and mistreated on the streets. If you can imagine, I
was literally on the verge of tears when I allowed myself to imagine the
horrors these girls have faced. Yet, I didn’t see pain or sadness in
their eyes, but great hope and joy. There was an occasional flicker of
longing or lament, but most of the time I just saw life!
I
preached on Friday night about being a daughter and of course in my
mind, I envisioned it looking something like what I experienced last
year – girls crying, sharing their hearts, praying with the all-wise
Americans, etc… Guess what? After I finished what I thought was a pretty
good sermon and gave the invitation for prayer, only five girls came
forward – yep, that’s it…five. I hate to admit it, but I was about to
question God about why He would send me and not use me when Mandi (a
fabulous girl from Dallas) started to sing a song acapella – “Child of
God”
I stopped in my mid-complaint as she began to sing
because this song was explanation enough from the Lord. You see, God’s
revelation to my heart about being His daughter as my identity occurred
before I got married, and the story was the focal point of my sermon
that I shared that night. Over 8 years ago, the one song that ministered
to me in that time was “Child of God,” and it was so instrumental that I
even had it sung at my wedding. So, when Mandi started singing this
song that is almost 10 years old, the Lord said to my heart…"Paige, you
just do what I tell you to do and then trust me to heal their hearts –
they are my children.”
I looked out over the sea of
women and saw that though they weren't coming up for prayer, some were
silently crying, some were writing in their journals, and some were
sitting and letting the Father love on them. So, although I didn’t see
what I had envisioned, I left with an unwavering knowledge that God is
at work in the hearts and lives of these young women.
Later
that night, I found out that God wanted to redefine "ministry" for me.
He reminded me that there are different seasons – a time to cry
& a time to laugh. And after dinner we laughed so much! In fact,
I think that perhaps the most good I did that entire weekend was allow
the girls to teach me to Bollywood dance…They were doubled over in
laughter at times - not sure if they were laughing with me or at
me...but the point is - they were laughing!
And
as I went to sleep that night, God whispered to my heart, "Paige,
they've seen enough tears - tonight I just wanted them to laugh." Who
knew my ministry this year would not just be in speaking or prayer but
Bollywood dance?!
So,
I share a few pics of this fun night, and I ask you to pray for these
women - and maybe you might even come Sunday night & really let these ladies stories...their faces become etched in your hearts. It changed me...and it will change you.
If only we might do our small part to see more laughter replace the pain that MILLIONS of women face across the world.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
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