Support Update

As of today, I'm happy to report that $2,570 has been donated or pledged so far toward my trip to India. THANK YOU for such an outpouring of generousity! My heart is so very touched by all the friends, family, colleages committed to supporting this endeavor.

I still need another $500 to cover the travel needs and expenses before I can book a flight. We are thinking of going in February or March. If extra funds come in, we will be able to travel a little further and visit trafficking organizations in other parts of India. Erin and I would love to make it up to the Nepal border and network with Tiny Hands International, a faith-based group doing border intervention work I learned about at the human trafficking conference in Nebraska. I have gotten to know three people by now who work for Tiny Hands from the U.S., but their main work is in India, which I've heard would be incredible to see. There are a few other organizations I have been researching that I would love to connect with as well. Yesterday, for instance, I discovered Transitions Global and read about their new project in Mumbai, scheduled to open in February or March, right when we'll be there. If you get a chance, you should read the story about how that organization started -- talk about inspiring!

Erin and I have been thinking about adopting a theme for this trip that we can each blog about. In the anti-trafficking movement, thanks to Secretay Hillary Clinton's declaration of the "4th P" (the first three, which her husband declared back in 2000, are Prevention, Prosecution, and Protection, aka the "3-P Perogative"), "Partnerships" is the new buzz word -- and for my part, I would love to have a hand in helping to connect different organizations doing similar work in India so they can join hands, share best practices, and put forth a more united front in the fight against slavery!

From what I have read and heard, India is particularly plagued by this phenomenon of human trafficking. Please join me in praying for what the Lord might specifically have for me to do there -- whether that's fostering partnerships or some other type of project.

I have been reading Isaiah a lot lately and this verse (6:8) comes to mind ...

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'

And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

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