Anna's Story Part 2

Anna and the rest of the girls have been on the bus for hours now, growing weary by their emotional state of mind and the lack of food or drink, Anna is in a daze thinking about the family she left behind in Russia. Darkness hovers over her as she thinks about what lies ahead. She can hear the faint whimpers of some of the other girls on the bus with her, but there was no sound coming from Anna other than the beat of her own heart pounding against her chest. The driver remains silent and ignores every attempt by the girls to get answers.

As the sun begins to set, the bus finally comes to a stop in Vientiane, Laos. There, Anna and the other girls are handed over to yet another man. Anna didn’t know at the time, but this would be her final destination and her doorway to a hellish life. The life of a human trafficking victim, and the man she was handed over to was her new owner, her pimp.

The girls were placed in one room with sleeping mats on the floor, a small stand with a TV on it, and no toilet just a bucket for private business. Various men came in and out of the room inspecting the girls, and to set up one porn movie after another to play on the small television set which the girls were forced to watch around the clock. They were also forced to look through the peephole in the wall to watch the “sex for sale” business already forced onto the young girls already trapped in this brothel. This was Anna’s new home: a brothel for underage girls.

Anna was being trained how to please a man because in a few short weeks, she would be the one in the next room performing while the new girls watched. As the weeks passed, Anna started becoming agitated and very angry at the thought of her captivity. She doesn’t have her passport, any money, nor does she speak the local language, so escaping was almost scarier to her in a foreign country than her current situation. She also remembered the condition of one of the other girls after she was beaten severely for attempting to escape the week before, so Anna fought the urge to do the same.

Her only escape was in thought. Anna spent the time she wasn’t working thinking about her family back in Russia. This was her only time of solace. After continuous demands to be set free and receiving no response to her petitions, Anna shut off her emotions and became what her owner wanted her to be. All hope for help and rescue eluded her, and she began to loathe her white skin which only served to increase the desire of others for her work.

Stay tuned for Anna’s Story part 3………

www.theexodusroad.com

Blessings always,

He's Using You: Dating a Married Man

This topic is not my usual platform for blogging. However, I am disturbed by the nonchalant attitude and moral standards or lack thereof, that I seem to continuously observe....especially in the recent years of women who date or are in some way emotionally involved with married men.  

What is going on? Where is the sisterhood and common respect and courtesy for one another? Christian or not, dating or being involved on any level with a married man is a big NO NO! I am Christian, so for me the most important thing is what God's Word has to say about this subject. And He makes himself perfectly clear....as always. 

Adultery is the complete corruption of God’s good creation of marriage. Through the sin of adultery, Satan tempts us to seek sexual fulfillment in avenues other than the one God has ordained—within the bounds of monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Adultery rips at the fabric of society because it tears apart marriages and families which are the building blocks of society. God’s law in general, and the 7th commandment in particular, is held up as the standard for Christian behavior. 

Some readers might think that this is a blast or some kind of rant, but I assure you it's not. I have been reflecting back to my own pain when I found out that my ex-husband was being unfaithful, and that the woman he was cheating with knew he was married, and even worse,  she knew me personally. So I guess this topic does fit into my normal platform: hurting women. I haven't always been a "Christian", and even then, I knew that being involved with a married man was wrong. I'm pretty sure there's a woman code out there for not dating another woman's husband, or dating a friend's ex, etc. Why and how did some women get to a point in their life where they think this is okay? I wanted to examine this not just from God's Word (even though that is what I live by) but from the perspective of the "world". It's a delusion for any woman to think that the married man she's dating will leave his family for her. Statistics show that a scenario like that is highly unlikely to happen. Don't kid yourselves ladies. He's using you, and there are many reasons why he will if you allow yourself to go there. I want to mention a few of those reasons  so fasten your seat belt for this ride. Take a minute to listen to the video below, and then keep on reading!

a.k.a He'll NEVER stay that into you

There are no positive reasons for dating a married man. Even the good reasons don't stand the test of time and turn out to be bad ideas in good ideas' clothing.

He won't commit to a future with you. A man who is in a very unhappy or unsatisfying marriage can feel swept away by how wonderful you make him feel. He may even blurt out, "I've never felt this way before and I can see spending the rest of my life with you." This may sound like a commitment to a future with you. It's not. Don't confuse his loving the way you make him feel with his loving you and making a commitment to you.

Cheating on his wife tells you how he deals with any situation he doesn't like. You are evidence of his avoiding dealing with unpleasant situations head on. This means that he's likely to resort to some devious behavior with you if the two of you encounter relationship problems. Which you will because nothing good ever comes out of adultery.

Hiding is exhausting. Having to keep your relationship a secret can attack your self-esteem and cause you to miss out on one of the wonderful aspects of a relationship. Walking together freely and radiantly through the world can fill you with the glow of being with someone who is proud to be with you.

Can you love someone who is so disrespectful of his wife? The existence of your relationship with a married man tells you how little he respects his wife by lying to her instead of being a man and telling her he wants out. Don't you think he will do the same to you?

Lose his respect and it's over. Even though he's the one who pursued you. Even though he's the one that made it difficult to say "No." And even though he tells you how wonderful you are. At some level, he's going to have trouble respecting you for settling for such a flawed relationship.

You're not a home wrecker, just an accomplice. Like it or not, you are a willing participant in a man violating his vows and betraying the trust of his wife -- not to mention grossly disappointing his children and making it difficult for them to see him as a role model. Oh yes, you're an accomplice to a home wrecker.

You're kidding yourself. BIG TIME. Despite his reassuring you how much you mean to him, his not ending his relationship with his wife in an above-board and respectful way -- and not beginning a legitimate relationship with you -- are actions that speak louder than words.

Time is too precious to waste. Ever notice how quickly the years go as you get older? Because it's convenient and comfortable, a relationship with a married man can go on for a long time -- and before you know it, eat up the precious time you might have had in a healthy relationship with a chance of flourishing. When people who have been involved with married men finally move on, they often regret having wasted the time in a dead-end affair.

Don't the women who go down this road feel they can do better? Why are women perpetuating each other's pain? Don't we have enough already?

Okay, so let me get back to the most important part of my message ......God says it's wrong. That in and of itself should be enough to steer clear of this bomb that blows family's into shattered pieces. 

1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)

 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

Matthew 5:27–30 (ESV)

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. 

As women, we need to love and support each other, not tear each other apart with betrayal, and above all, we need to honor God with our lives.

Blessings always,

Maria

(info:Mark Goulston)

Anna's Story - Part 1

This is the story of a modern day slave, sold and trafficked at the tender age of fifteen. Meet Anna, a beautiful Russian teenager from St. Petersburg whose hopeful journey to help support her impoverished family turned into a road to hell, where dreams are shattered, bones are broken, virginities are stolen, and hope for escape becomes non-existent. She is so lovely and naive at the same time, she thought she had seen the worst in the world already due to her family's struggle with poverty and pain.  Anna's mother is a prostitute, and has been for as long as Anna can remember. With three younger siblings and no father around, they have always struggled. Anna dropped out of school at the age of thirteen to take a job at the local bake shop to help make ends-meet and put food on the table for her mom and siblings.

 

One day while walking to work, Anna glanced over to a store window and noticed a sign that was advertising a free trip to America to work as a nanny earning $1000.00 USD a month. She immediately became excited at the thought of being able to earn that kind of money, and how well her family would be able to live off that in Russia. Hopeful and nervous at the same time, Anna decided to walk into the store to inquire about the position. She approached the store counter where she was greeted by a friendly woman with a warm smile. Anna felt relieved and proceeded to inquire about the ad posted in the window. The woman introduced herself as Irina and was very happy and anxious to answer all of Anna's questions, which really wasn't much since Anna was extremely naive and only managed to tune in to the fact that she would be making more than enough money to take care of her family if she was lucky enough to secure the position. After just a few minutes of conversation Irina tells Anna that the job is hers if she wants it. Anna thought to herself "do I want it?" Of course I want it! She could hardly believe how easy that was and how lucky she was.....Irina must have taken a special liking to her!

 

She got all the specifics from Irina and was a little surprised to learn that she would be leaving to America in just two days. Her mind was racing with excitement and couldn't wait to get home to tell her mom the good news. Their days of struggle and poverty were finally coming to an end.

 

She returned to the store two days later as instructed by Irina with one tiny bag packed of the few meager belongings she had, and after a very emotional goodbye episode with her mom and siblings. Upon her arrival, she was met by a Russian man who told her that he was arranging her flight to the US and needed to collect her passport. After handing over her passport, the man ushered her toward a bus which he said would transport her to the airport. Still a little nervous but yet excited, Anna boarded the bus and was greeted by four other teenagers already seated. The Russian man then boarded the bus, took the driver's seat and headed off to what was supposed to be the airport.

 

Anna realized something was wrong after the bus had been on the road for hours, they were barely given any food or drink, and their questions were not being answered. The real fear kicked in when they crossed the border into China, and the bus came to a stop. The Russian man got off the bus and was approached by a Chinese man who was handed the passports of all the girls on the bus in exchange for cash which Anna witnessed from her window seat.

 

The Russian man disappeared and the Chinese man boarded the bus, took the driver's seat and drove off with Anna and the other girls.

 

Stayed tuned for part 2 of Anna's story........

 

www.theexodusroad.com

 

Blessings always,

 

Maria

 

 

A Love That Binds

According to the world, we are defined and categorized by our finite superficialities. Caged and contained by the likeness we share according to race, culture and social status, we tolerate rather than celebrate our individuality. For within our individuality lies the qualities, experiences and gifted offerings that transcend the ties that bind and suffocate humanity. Timeless and universal, our capacity to love is the greatest, most powerful entity we possess, for it is capable of breaking every bind and freeing every tie. It was with love that our Heavenly Father breathed His likeness into us, blessing us with the gift of life, with each day being a new present. And it was by way of love that we received the offering of Christ, who restored intimacy in our relationship with God after sin separated us from His grace.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands; for my sake, and the Gospel's, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30)

In the book of Ruth, it is the faithfulness of love that intertwines Naomi as mother in-law and Ruth as daughter in-law, when Ruth is widowed after ten years of marriage to Mahlon. Breaking tradition by following her heart, which is tenderly held by Naomi, Ruth refuses to return to her Moabite family in Judah after Mahlon’s death. Urged by Naomi to embrace the opportunity to love again and remarry by returning to Judah, Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”-Ruth 1:16-17 NLT

Beauty for Ashes

Content in her singularity, Ruth’s allegiance to Naomi planted seeds of purpose, promise and protection in God’s blueprinted plan for their lives. Freed by the selflessness of servitude, Ruth received nothing by way of petition or complaint, but rather by her laborious love for Naomi as she received daily provision collecting remnant grains. Footing a path fortified by faith, Ruth was unwittingly positioned for the redemptive love and cherished protection of her Kinsman Redeemer, as she toiled in fields owned by a valorous man named Boaz, meaning, “In him is strength”. Endured by a woman who humbly sought provision without egoistic expectations, Ruth captured Boaz’s eye and heart, compelling him to uncloak her past, for her present now intertwined with his. Learning of the struggle she endured as a widow and the selfless love she bestowed upon Naomi, Boaz’s heart was tendered for a foreign woman in need of sovereignty. Approaching Ruth, Boaz said “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” -Ruth 2:8-9 NLT

Redemptive Love

Blessed with an understanding of the preciousness of reciprocity, Naomi felt compelled to assist Ruth in securing Boaz as her kinsman. Honoring cultural tradition, Naomi instructed Ruth to lie at Boaz’s feet and share his cover one night after he prepared for bed on the threshing room floor. For lying at his feet symbolized the bind between servant and master and signified Ruth’s desire to receive Boaz as her family redeemer. Moved by a sense of urgency to redeem Ruth, Boaz abided cultural tradition but acted boldly, approaching her closest relative, who declined the opportunity to marry Ruth. Freed by the relative’s decision, Boaz was not deterred by the discard of another man. Seeking Ruth as his wife, Boaz became her kinsman redeemer, one who is related by birth not catastrophe. Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today.”-Ruth 4:9-10 NLT

Jesus, Your Kinsman Redeemer

In marrying Ruth, Boaz acted as her kinsman redeemer, replacing impoverishment with unimaginable wealth by way of relation. Upon receiving salvation by way of Jesus Christ, we receive Him as our groom, the greatest Kinsman Redeemer, creating eternal, spiritual relation. Our Heavenly Father has watched over us as we toiled in the fields of life and He seeks to end our suffering by binding us in love to the One who will forever reign victorious over sin. As joint heirs, we share in all that He possesses. Sweet is the taste of our surrender as we submit unto, for it is with love that He positions us unto our knees. In surrender, a woman bequeaths all that she is so that she may become one with another. He alone counts the beats of our broken hearts and longs to enthrall us in the whirlwind of eternal romance.

If He loves us so dearly, what could possibly separate us from Him? If we are crafted by the Most Amazing Creator to receive completion by way of Jesus Christ, if our Redeemer lives and longs to receive us by way of salvation, why are we without Him? We must understand the authority of our faith, for it commands our senses to receive and believe the unseen. We cannot gaze upon our Heavenly Father and we cannot lie in the physical embrace of our Kinsman Redeemer, but oh beloved, we must know that we are tirelessly sought after and wooed by the awesome Trinity of Father, Spirit and Son. In the midst of our hearts there is a vicious war being waged between spirit and soul. When enamored by the physical world, our souls commanders our existence and woefully worships sin. When enamored by the spiritual world, our spirits are commanded by Christ. It is by way of spirit that we receive the cleansing of salvation, as it washes away our imperfections and inequities, for God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”-John 3:16-17 NLT

As Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, Boaz offered waters from a well to quench her thirst. As our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ offers us an internal quenching for the spirit, so “those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. “It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:14-15). Upon receiving Christ, all our provisions are met, there is no need to primp, preen or prepare for our journey as new creations. Omniscient and merciful, He is fully aware of our flaws, loves us in spite of them and offers Christ as a covering. With no relative closer in relation than Christ, he seeks to woo and court us into completion, for as His brides, we bear fruit in His name. No man, woman or child in existence closer in relation to us than Christ, for we are of God and Christ is His Son. Without sin, blameless and holy, Jesus Christ was sent by God to not just die as the penalty for our sins, but to rise victoriously, so that we too may rise, resurrected in the spirit and freed from the confines of our flesh. In kneeling at Boaz’s feet, Ruth’s yielding unto her Kinsman Redeemer greatly impacted not only her life, but created a genealogical lifeline of unimaginable royalty which included King David…and ultimately Jesus Christ.

According to the world, we fall on bended knees as a sign of defeat; according to God, it is on bended knee that we submit unto Him, for in submission we receive salvation; in salvation we receive restoration; in restoration we receive redemption; in redemption we receive authority; in authority we receive victory. Beloved, know that He longs to heal the pains of our broken hearts and fragmented souls. This is our moment to reach out to Him, for His heart is tendered by the beckoning our desperate cries. With bowed heads, bended knees and repentant hearts we submit the following prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are in need of a Savior, a Kinsman Redeemer, for our hearts need cleansing, our spirits need salvation and our souls need healing. We do believe that Jesus died for us so that we may live anew; we ask that You forgive our sins and forever free us from the pains, loss and shame of yesterday. May we learn to rest in the love that binds us to You, in Jesus Name we humbly pray, Amen.

Audaciously Anew

By sharing in the prayer above, He has breathed life anew into our hearts, minds and spirits. Beloved beauties, during our most difficult times in life, we must understand that we serve a merciful God, who knows all that we have endured. It is His grace that has guided our steps when we felt abandoned and unloved. It is His love that led us to this redefining moment of salvation as we receive Jesus as our Kinsman Redeemer. Our Redeemer longs to share an intimate relationship with us, for He has counted the strands of hair upon our heads and wants to ensure our protection. Why we may ask would such a mighty and awesome God want a personal relationship us? Is He aware of my many sins? Yes Beloved Beauties, He knows us and accepts us unconditionally, at this very moment, because He is love. In loving us unconditionally, God understood our imperfections in contrast to His holiness and created a pathway through Jesus Christ so that we may enter in an eternal relationship with Him, for “there are none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10).

Our Savior died upon the cross, His bloodshed as payment for our sins. His perfection justified our imperfections and destroyed the yokes that burden and bind for “even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God has passed over the sins that were previously committed” (Romans 3:22-25). We are no longer identified by or associated with our pasts; we must not turn back or dare glance over our shoulders. Hindsight brings regret, but spiritual insight brings clarity. Never again will we walk alone; never again will we be disjointed, forgotten limbs. We are invaluable and precious in the body of Christ. We are now descendants of royalty, may we fulfill our unique purposes, and may the love of God forever bind us.

The Exodus Road

Hello Peeps!

I want to take a few minutes and share some wonderful news with you. God has opened another door for me to share the things that I am most passionate about! For those of you who know me personally or read my blogs, already know that human/sex trafficking and every and all things concerning hurting women are at the forefront of my heart and mind. I would like to introduce you to The Exodus Road and ask that you take a few minutes and read about what they do, how they do it, and why they do it......it's pretty amazing! Also, I will be blogging for them on a regular basis, and giving you an intimate view of real undercover investigative work, rescue missions, victim recovery and after-care. Stay tuned for my first story coming your way in just a few days: "Anna's Story".

The Exodus Road exists to empower the rescue of victims of sexual slavery. Operating primarily in Southeast Asia, they believe that a major component of fighting human trafficking and child slavery lies in working with local law enforcement to find situations of trafficking and to then assist in the rescue of victims and the prosecution of criminals. By decreasing the profitability of the trafficking industry for the criminal, they will eventually slow the mechanisms that make the exploitation of women and children so lucrative.

The Exodus Road is not a single investigative organization, but rather it is a network of surveillance teams and individuals, committed to fight trafficking, one legal court case at a time. Currently, they are working with 15 operatives, representing seven different investigative organizations. Collectively, their team’s past experience has played a role in the rescue of over 600 victims and the prosecution of nearly 350 legal cases. Most are current or former police or military men. 

The Exodus Road Stats:

• 15 undercover, trained investigators
• 11 supported organizations
• Field Director in SE Asia
• Their team brings with them 622 victim rescues and 349 legal prosecutions in their collective careers
• Updated prosecution and rescue stats available on the home page:

www.theexodusroad.com

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." (Isaiah 61:1)

It is a privilege to have this opportunity to work along side The Exodus Road, and I am humbled that God would once again give me the desires of my heart. The things you will read in the near future will sadden you, anger you, shock you, but what I'm praying for is that it will MOVE you! 

Move you enough to get involved and make a difference. 

Next up:     Anna's Story.....stay tuned

God bless,

Maria

Remnants of Moldova

My intention was to blog everyday during my visit to Moldova, however, after day three I was drowning in my thoughts, and I was overcome by intense emotions. I couldn’t make heads or tails out of anything let alone articulate anything in writing. So I will attempt to finish what I started after spending the last several weeks praying my way through a heap of why’s, how’s, when’s, and what’s next? Every few words on this key board brings me to a halt to what my next words will be. What is going on God?

Thinking back to the first day we met the girls, to the last day we spent together is a short miraculous story in time. A window that God allowed us to climb through into the lives of these young women and experience (to the extent that we could) life as they know and live it. With the passing of each day during our short visit, God gave us a glimpse into their stories, their hearts, and their pain. I find myself sharing their stories with others, and then those others find themselves sharing with yet some more others…..and the reaction is always the same….the tears start to well up in their eyes, and they are overcome with emotion. I can relate; I don’t think a day went by during Moldova that I didn’t cry. Yes, yes, everyone knows I’m a crier anyway…a big sap!

I listened to the story of one of the girls as it was told by the house mom that this particular beautiful girl had just been diagnosed with HIV. Her name was not told to us, but when she came over to one of my team members and requested prayer for health issues concerning some bad test results she just received, I knew immediately in my heart that she was the girl the house mom spoke about earlier. My heart broke. Again. I think that was the beginning of the drowning I mentioned earlier. It took all I had to concentrate on anything else, even though there were so many other stories of trafficking, rape, abuse, abandonment, rejection, murder, and the list goes on into oblivion. All I wanted to do was love her, hug her and touch her.

And yet, they manage to smile, laugh, sing, dance, show love and affection! Only Jesus Christ can bring that kind of hope!! Oh GOD you are truly a redeeming and faithful Father not only because you’re Word tells us, but also because you show us in your character and your actions. What a privilege it was to climb through that window for you! I knew the trip to Moldova would change me forever, and it did. Thank you God for the honor of allowing me to tell my story as difficult and as challenging as it was, I know it was for your Glory. I know you can take what the enemy intended for evil and turn into good….and I you allowed me to see that good, to behold Your Majesty at work in the lives of these young women.

I was very impressed with BoL (Beginning of Life) and the work they are doing in Moldova. They are truly invested not just in the lives of the women in the restoration home, but with the youth in general, and are hard at wok to help break the destructive cycle within the culture, some of which is very similar to our own. And we know the Scripture “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). They need workers; people to invest in their harvest and grow the field. Please consider becoming a worker.

I am a bondservant of Jesus Christ.  I am not forced to labor such as the victims of human trafficking, but instead I am a laborer for love…..for my King…..because I love Him.

God teaches love for our neighbor (Matthew 19:19) as well as love for those in need (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus was the one who taught the Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Further, Proverbs 31:8-9 teaches us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” These principles certainly all apply to those hurt through the illegal practice of human trafficking.

As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to pray, to speak out against human trafficking and modern slavery, and to live in ways that help create change in the lives of those impacted by this tragic crime. I will never forget you Moldova.

God Bless,

Maria

www.hopechest.org

www.bol.md

Moldova - Day 3

What an incredible day! The team split into 3 groups and headed out to local high schools to teach Moldovan teenagers. Our group - Michelle, Prudence, and myself were paired with a man named Peter who is a social worker and spends his time educating youth about trafficking, domestic violence, pregnancy, professional goals and much more. He is on staff at BoL, and has managed to cultivate relationships with the high schools to the extent that he is invited in on a regular basis to teach about these very important social issues. We sat in and taught during 6 different classes. The grade levels varied with each class as did the personalities and attitudes of the children. Moldovan teenagers are not very different from American teenagers, in fact they are very much alike in many ways.

Peter did not incredible job with his presentation and Q&A about the treatment of women in a marriage relationship. The kids are bright and articulate, and had a lot to say. For example, one of the questions Peter asked was if a woman provokes a man enough, is it okay for that man to hit her? Most of the kids answered 50/50. They said that yes a woman can provoke a man enough to get to that point, but it's still not okay for the man to hit her. Peter also asked by a show of hands how many kids in the class had father's who showed love and affection toward their mother's. Some raised their hands and other's did not. Peter kept emphasizing the role of the man and how it is the responsibility of the man to love his wife no matter what. I love that! He also addressed the one's whose parents are divorced and told them that the divorce is not their fault, and they should never blame themselves for that.

After each presentation he gave, we got to address the class and speak on different issues, tell them about ourselves and what we do in America. I talked about my job, the ministry I'm involved with, and life in Las Vegas which seemed to excite and intrigue them.......probably from all the movies and videos they see. I explained that living in America doesn't mean that we do not have problems or that we are all rich......because that is the impression of most here in Moldova especially the youth. We each had something to share and boy did they have a lot of questions! The program that Peter has created and has brought into the schools is to teach prevention. A lot of these kids who have dreams of going abroad end up accepting job offers which lead them into trafficking. Praise God for men like Peter!!

After we left the schools, we headed back to the restoration home to spend some more time with the girls. We split up 3 ways and did art journaling, crocheting, and self defense. I stayed with my room mate Michelle who taught the girls self defense....which by the way is something unheard of in Moldova for women. When she spoke and explained the concept of self defense it was completely foreign to them. As she continued with the help of an interpreter, I started seeing the eyes of each girl light up like a Christmas tree! It was incredible.....I was trying to imagine what they were thinking....is this really possible? Can I being a girl really defend myself? and it's okay? Wow! After Michelle explained the fundamentals, she began to demonstrate different techniques on how to protect and defend yourself if the need arises. She initially used one of our other team members as her "dummy" to demonstrate....but then.....she asked for volunteers from the group of girls in the class. Slowly and with a little coaxing they started to step up. As I watched them learning the moves and techniques, and learn how to roll a proper fist and punch, I was overcome with emotion from the empowerment I saw in their eyes and the excitement that flowed out from each girl to realize that it's okay to defend yourself and fight back if someone is trying to hurt you. One word to describe it: INCREDIBLE! After that there was no stopping them :) I sat and watched overcome by emotion and my tears just flowed. These girls have always been victims and have never been taught that protecting yourself was okay.

Needless to say the day ended with a bang, and some barriers were broken and some hearts became more receptive to the strangers in their house.

Stay tuned for day 4...........               www.hopechest.org

God bless,

Maria