On the Streets

Chained to bring people's attention to the problem of the modern slave trade: 200 years from the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, there are now more people in slavery than during the entire 450 year period when it was legal.


A group of about 20-30 people fired up with a vision: armed with 5000 flyers, sound system, banner and petitions, we managed to get about 2500 signatures over 4 days! Meeting young, old, men, women, executives, students and tradesmen, the message went out.


Somehow I just fell into the whole thing. Others were organising it, but as I got more and more involved, the importance of the campaign hit me. And there's been the realisation that this is something God really cares about - freeing the captives. Even the weather, which the forecasters said would rain all day on Saturday, was glorious sunshine all day - and Tuesday to Thursday the rain held off until after we finished the petitions.


And now I'm feeling that it doesn't stop here. I already believed in evangelism - people's souls to be saved - and I'm starting to believe more and more in social action as well - people being freed here on earth too.

"Let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!" - Amos 5:24 (NIV)

Getting Signatures

So far we have collected about 1200 signatures as part of the Stop the Traffik campaign in just 3 days. I've personally talked to hundreds of people over the last 3 days.

Modern Slavery

Yesterday I was watching the film "Human Trafficking" about women being tricked into slavery, resulting in being forced into prostitution. It was a disturbing film, but I'm glad I saw it because it's given me a deeper insight into the issues and makes me really believe in the Stop the Traffik campaign. There was a Russian school girl, only 16, who thought she'd been successful in becoming a model and arrived in New York all excited at the new prospects. The shock she got was horrific, when she, along with others, were told they owed lots of money for the expenses and had to work as prostitutes to pay back. She, along with the others, were raped and then set to work as prostitutes. The film was very moving, and I recommend everyone (adult!) to watch it to understand the problem.

Stop the Traffik

This week we have a series of events for the Stop the Traffik campaign (see the website) - a global coalition against the buying and selling of people (modern slave trade). We will be at the university on Tuesday and Wednesday getting people to sign the petition, which will be given to the UN, and on Saturday we have an event in the square, with Vanity Fair playing.

Sunday is the day when Alpin's dreadlocks will be massacred (i.e. cut off), to raise money for Kelly in Boystown, Mexico, to help build a centre for the women she works with (who may not be slaves but they certainly aren't free either). Anyone who wants to donate can do so through PayPal to mork.mindy@lineone.net.

Roses

Everywhere. Women walking with roses. The bus was full of them. Today is 8th March, and for those in England and other "unenlightened" places, that means it is Women's Day. I'm probably meant to give a rose to someone, but I doubt it's a random thing. Any suggestions?

Greece

Saw My Big Fat Greek wedding in Greece. It has to be done.

Conference in Serbia

A group of 11 of us from Macedonia went to a leadership conference in Novi Sad, Serbia on 23rd-24th Feb. A lot of travelling (about 6 hours each way, and only one day there), but I think it was worth it.

Long Silence

I like blogging. I must admit that sometimes when there is most to write about, though, there is the least time to do it! It seems I have neglected my blog for a whole month. So I going to make up for it!