Freedoms Promise

The Widow & Orphan

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:25:52 +0000

When God called me to the issue of human trafficking and Cambodia he gave me a verse that has become the heart of Freedom’s Promise. James 1:27 say, “Religion that God our father finds pure and righteous is this, to take care of the widow and orphan in their distress and to keep ones self from being polluted by the world.”

I have loved this verse for many years because God reveals what religion truly is to Him – not to this world or to the church - but to Him. What I have realized on this trip is that Cambodia is full of widows and orphans even though husbands are living with the family. In this culture most husbands work seasonally, use a lot of their money to gamble, drink or buy cigarets and sometimes are even leaving their first family to begin again with a younger wife. I am not speaking of the whole but the majority. Their are good and bad men here just as there are in any other country, but there is a different cultural mindset here that the men can do as they please and the women are left to live like widows in many cases. The women here are strong and very capable and if provided opportunity can provide for themselves and their children.

But that is a band aide and we are after the root. I’m thankful that we have had the right vision for Cambodia even if we didn’t realize it. I’m thankful we are helping the widow and orphan and we will continue to do so. But, we will also look at how we can cut out this new root! How can we change the mindset of men to have a heart for their wives and children. How can we help them understand that their role is to provide for their family. To put aside self and care for others first. The western man struggles with this too.

Ultimately it is God who changes hearts and mindsets! While we have been shown a huge root cause of trafficking – we have also seen hope. We have met many men this trip who have been transformed and in turn are transforming their communities. I would like to see a men’s mentoring project develop but I’m encouraged by the new relationships we have made this trip and know that change is already being inspired from above.

Second Project Review

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:02:19 +0000

Today we visited our New life of Hope project that reaches 4 different villages. This was the most humbling project to see because the need is even greater. At our first stop, Phany asked how many students ate breakfast that morning and only a few raised their hands. Here they sat ready to study all morning on empty bellies. They will get 2 meals a day on average. At the next stop, Phany asked how many had gone to Thailand to work. Several of the older students and I’m talking 10-12 year olds, raised their hands. They would work long hard days on Thai farms for a season and then come back to Cambodia. The fact that these children came back at all is a miracle. Each stop showed us the great need they have for even a small opportunity to create change in their lives.

Phany asked me to speak with each group of students and I was able to encourage them to make their minds strong and take advantage of any opportunity to learn and make a better future. I also thanked the teachers for doing their jobs. I explained that American teachers are also paid poorly and teach because they love children. I explained what an important responsibility it is to train a child and thanked them for doing such important work.

It’s hard not to get overwhelmed when the need far out weighs what it seems we are doing to help. But education takes years and it’s the first inroad to working in these villages. I look forward to our next visit to this village to see the impact of another 6 months and another year. Will I see the same teachers training up the children or will they have gone to Thailand to work? Will I see more children staying to learn instead of going to Thailand? I hope yes but even if we only save one from a life of slavery – it is worth the effort!

First Project Review – Cambodia

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:17:32 +0000

How amazing to see in person the project we have supported since 2010. Restoration of Vulnerable Children is a project designed to provide basic needs for children vulnerable to traffickers. Even I didn’t fully understand the benefit until I saw it in person. We walked into a room full of 50 students practicing their bible verses and singing before they began lessons in Khmer and English. This was just the afternoon class – another group of children met in the morning. This project serves over 100 children.

In America we are obsessed with numbers and we want to know how many lives are changed. But when you come and see a child blessed with opportunity it is huge if it’s only one life changed. To be in a room of 50 joyful children and know they now have hope and a furture was indescribable.

Then we went upstairs to see the sewing portion of the project. 21 women that have learned to sew aprons, purses, placemats, wallets and now are learning to tailor a shirt. I was able to share with them my story of being a wife and mother and God calling me to also be a business woman and help others. I encouraged them to work hard and dream big – that women are strong and can do anything we set our minds to do. They were very touched by my story and several shared how much they appreciated my words and the provision for the project. It was fun to see their eyes light up when Phany told them we were Freedom’s Promise and they knew we provided this opportunity. They appreciate the opportunity to better their lives and for so many in Cambodia it’s the lack of opportunity that keeps them in poverty and at risk to trafficking. This one small step of learning English or a skill like sewing opens the world up to them.

We did realize upon visiting that the sewing class doesn’t have access to English – we couldn’t believe the oversight because learning English will provide so many opportunities for them. We are going to fix that immediately to ensure the women will also have access.

Haircut Brings Hope and Light

admin — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:42:02 +0000

Today we visited our partner Precious Women and I received a haircut and shampoo. Most of the girls coming to PW are coming from the beer garden’s and Karaoke bars. This young woman is unique because several years ago World Vision intervened as her mother tried to sell her to a brothel. She was removed from the family and entered their projects to make jewelry. But this wasn’t her hearts desire and she found her way to our project at PW where she trained to cut hair.

How wonderful that I got to support a prevention success story. One girl, who will NOT know a life of shame, exploitation and terror. She has hope in her future and I got to pay for a service that brings dignity instead of shame. My hair is amazing and the shampoo was so relaxing!

Precious Women has only been around for 1 and a half years but already they are having a significant impact in the lives of young women. I like that their approach is holistic in that they provide counseling for the families as well as the girls. PW wants to help the entire family to ensure the girls have support as they gain vocational training and/or education to build a new life. These girls have siblings that can be as much at risk if the parents are not encouraged in changing their mindset.

The Common Root

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:03:58 +0000

Every time we come to Cambodia we unpeal another layer and understand a bit more. This morning we met with Ann Hall of Resource Development International (RDI.org) and instead of a layer – I think we diced up the whole onion! We learned more about culture, mindset, healthcare, corruption, family dynamics, the language, prostitution, infidelity, etc.

I’m going to just list for you some things we did not know before and are critical for shaping how we work in Cambodia – and honestly I think we’ve uncovered another root cause. What I find fascinating is as we work in the US and Cambodia we have felt we need to address different roots. But I’ve just discovered at the heart of it all is one critical root! The role of the father.

1. We have always been so impressed with the sweet, joyful Cambodian people but the reality is that’s how they treat us and they are nasty to each other.

2. Anti-ethics are taught from a young age. Men teach their sons to do whatever it takes to get what they want. Doesn’t matter who you hurt.

3. The Khmer language is very simple so their are not words to express deep emotion. Makes it more culturally difficult to express compassion, love, grace, mercy, etc.

4. The oldest daughter has the role of providing for the family but she is not allowed to pursue higher education, which leaves prostitution as a common option.

5. Men are a major problem in Cambodia. They work odd jobs and use money to buy alcohol and cigarettes. Their wives keep money on the side for kids school and medical needs.

6. Men have multiple wives, often leaving one family for a younger wife. They do not show deep emotion to children or wives.

7. Individual thought is foreign. Buda teaches a fatalistic attitude. Problematic for acceptance of faith, striving for change, education, good jobs.

I’m going to stop there and let you stew on this. The good news is God has already been inspiring change in FP that addresses these new issues. We are amazed at what we have learned and how God is equipping us to respond. This has been a major breakthrough for us!

We are now off to Battambang and Banteay Meanchey. So internet will be spotty until we reach Poipet. Be in touch soon.

Partnership with Kone Kmeng

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:09:02 +0000

While FP has chosen the focus of prevention, we still feel we are searching for what we uniquely have to offer in the fight against trafficking. This was the focus of our meeting with Phany and Laura of Kone Kmeng.

We partnered with Kone Kmeng to implement the RVC & NLH projects and like many of our supporters – you have no idea what that stands for or what these projects really do. We want to really focus our prevention work in Cambodia and we want to better communicate that work to you our supporters.

So, here is what you can look forward to! We will be supporting Kone Kmeng projects in Cambodia that have a minimum requirement to provide education, protection & prevention, income generation and spiritual growth. Beyond these four elements each project addresses community specific needs. We will soon have a map on our website that will let you click on a project to learn more about the community and their stories. Our hope is to provide good stewardship, transparency and accountability in all our projects.

It is morning here of Day 2. We are off to meet with our other partner Precious Women and shop for products to bring back to the US. More tonight on our day.

Day 1 – Teen Challenge

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Day 1 in Phnom Penh has been amazing. We first met with Koy Chim of Teen Challenge to hear more about his projects. We were so impressed with him and the holistic approach he has taken. First, not many folks are working with the teens of Cambodia. Within the scope of anti-trafficking work, girls and women are the focus. The reality is that many boys are victims of sexual exploitation.

Koy started a place for boys addicted to drugs to live and rehabilitate. They work eco-farming the land and raising livestock, while detoxing and healing from their abusive pasts. Then they move onto education and vocational training. Think boys ranch and you are on the right track. Koy’s entire approach is holistic not only in their healing but in running the farm. They raise pigs and use the manure to produce methane. Oh, and did I mention he is completely sustainable and doesn’t require funding for the boys home?!

He was later approached about starting a similar place for girls and has done so. This is still in production and is not yet sustainable – hence our meeting this morning. They currently have 9 girls and will eventually house 30. Already they have transformed the property they rent and are having an impact in the community. Koy and his wife have 4 children and devote time, resources and their own money to changing the lives of the destitute. It is rare to find Cambodian’s with vision and the ability to execute their vision. We have already partnered with two such visionaries in Phany and Lida and knew within 2 minutes that Koy was in this rare group. We look forward to pursuing a partnership with Koy and Teen Challenge!

Repentance – Unity – Hope

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 03:54:54 +0000

Today I joined Prayer Surge Now and National Highway of Prayer along with other abolitionist leaders and prayer intercessors for a brilliant two hour conference call. I was honored to be asked to speak and was encouraged by the other abolitionist leaders working to eradicate slavery.

What most impressed me was the unity of the body at work. There are folks who God has burdened with prevention of trafficking, others for the men who buy sex and create the demand, others for the pimps and traffickers who are so lost they feel it’s okay to barter and sell God’s precious people, and still others for governments, world powers, and civic leaders who perpetuate trafficking through corruption or ignorance. There was not judgment on the line today but a resounding call for repentance and revival. In each presentation and prayer the theme was the same. The Ecclesia must repent for the part it has played in perpetuating human trafficking, become unified and start acting like the kingdom of God!

Rick Lumbard with CERTEC also spoke on the global issues of human trafficking and he said something I found very stirring. “It is not a good day to play ministry – we need to play kingdom and play it well!”

If you are reading this and think you have not contributed in some way to slavery, I would encourage you to look around your home, the places you shop, restaurants you eat at – and evaluate again. Freedom’s Promise has focused on the sex slavery side of human trafficking but it doesn’t mean that labor trafficking, bride trafficking, and indentured servitude are not equally disturbing and important to God.

The reality we must face is that human trafficking is a global epidemic that impacts everyone. It is happening in both developed and undeveloped countries. It is happening in all 50 US states and is quickly becoming a vast problem here. There are between 750,000 – 1 Million missing children every year in America. We are now seeing reverse trafficking happening in the United States. Child prostitution is so bad here that people are coming to the United States to have sex with children. There is a serious break down in our morals that we say to ourselves – anything goes. (Tony Nassif, Preventing Abuse, CA)

There will be another call on Wednesday night and I encourage you to call in and listen to the speakers, here how best to pray for those on the front lines of the fight. In reality, we are all on the front lines but most don’t know it. Imagine the impact we could have if the body of Christ unified itself, repented of the part they have played in enslaving people, and stopped perpetuating slavery!

Wednesday, Jan 11, 7-8 pm Central
Conference Call Number & Code
712-432-0075 & 6149782#
Visit: www.prayersurgenow.net

Below is a transcript of my 5 minute talk on the call this morning.

At that time I did not know there were still slaves in the world. I was unaware that children, women and men were being exploited for either sex or labor purposes. It’s happening in every country both third world and developed. There are cases in all 50 US states. It does not discriminate against race, gender, age or religious background. Modern day slavery, human trafficking is about vulnerable people being exploited for someone’s economic gain.

This is an overwhelming and difficult issue so it gives me comfort to find rest in the fact that I serve a God of justice. He uses everything in our lives, everything, for His good. When I was six I was molested and the impact that has had on my life has been profound. That experience gives me a small glimpse into the devastation women and children experience when they are brutalized multiple times a day.

We recently received a report from our partners about 2 young girls in our project that were raped by 3 monks. The next report we received one girls entire family came to know the Lord.

We have to be willing to humble ourselves to the point where our worst moments become the Lord’s greatest victories. While we can’t always understand why bad things happen to the innocent – we do serve a God of justice. He has a purpose and plan for the good and bad in our lives.

(2 Chronicles 7:14) “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”

Slavery is not new to God but it is growing rapidly today! We hear stats that say, human trafficking is the 2nd largest growing criminal industry in the world. If slavery has always existed what has changed that it’s now growing so rapidly? Yesterday I read an article in Forbes titled Technology, Business and Anti-Human Trafficking Innovation and a light bulb went off – technology.

Technology is our friend but can also be used by the enemy. The Internet is the number one platform for buying and selling sex in most developed countries. Backpage.com, Eros.com and others are the main source of marketing for pimp controlled sex trafficking, brothels, pornography, massage parlors and escort services.

With the rise of technology, travel has become easier and sex tourism in Asia has grown. Thankfully the Internet has also been a tool used by government, non-profits, business, law enforcement, social networks and technology innovators to educate and advocate for ending human trafficking.

It is no coincidence to us that Cambodia is ground zero for human trafficking in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. We see that where money, power and technology exist – greed, corruption, and exploitation also exists. In the 18th century this was true of Europe, in the 20th century the United States and in the 21st Century it is shifting to the East.

The Gospel has followed here too. God is on the move and Asia is now ground zero for the Gospel. Human trafficking is prominent in Asia, making it ripe for change to occur in people’s lives. There is destruction, injustice, hatred, violence…and the people want change. They are open to change. They are open to the Gospel.

Freedom’s Promise works at the humanitarian effort of bringing justice to unjust situations, we also bring the Gospel. Love in Action. We make a difference – not primarily through our work but through the work of the Holy Spirit; through the person of Jesus Christ, bringing light to darkness. Hatred shattered and God glorified. Love wins. God wins

Prayer Call on Trafficking – Sat. Jan. 7

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:52:14 +0000

We know that trafficking is a global issue but few of us understand the reality of trafficking in our own back yards. A 2011 CNN article estimated that there are 100,000 to 300,000 children between 11 and 14 who are vulnerable to being sold for sex by pimp-captors every year in the United States, according to government statistics. Many non-profits, individuals, businesses and the government are stepping up to address this growing problem.

President Obama has declared January 2012 human trafficking prevention month. Many organizations will be planning events this month to raise awareness. Freedom’s Promise has joined with the National Highway of Prayer for two confernce calls to initiate the global awareness of human trafficking. Twenty leaders will be speaking on the issues including Amber Barron, executive director of Freedom’s Promise. These calls are open to the body of Christ around the world to join in prayer and be a voice for the voiceless. Please note that the phone line is limited to 1000 callers. For more information check out the National Highway of Prayer site. (http://www.NationalHighwayOfPrayer.net)

FOR THE GLOBAL OBSERVATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS

Saturday Morning, January 7, 2012 8-10 AM Central

Wednesday Evening, January 11, 2012 7-9 PM Central

Using Prayer Surge NOW! Nat’l. Conf. Call Line 712-432-0075 & code

6149782#

National Abolitionists & Prayer Leaders:

Amber Barron, Freedom’s Promise, TN

www.freedomspromise.org

John Bornschein & Lisa Crump, CO

National Day of Prayer Task Force

www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Maryal Boumann, Pray California, CA

www.praycalifornia.org

Maureen Bravo, Resources Unlimited International, FL

www.resourcesunlimitedinternational.org

Pierre Bynum, Family Research Council, DC

www.frc.org

Mark Gonzales, USA Hispanic Prayer Network, TX

www.hispanicprayernetwork.com

Rick Lumbard, CERTEC, IA

www.windandfire.org

TaeChin ³TC² Kim, Transform USA, CO

www.transformusa.org

Tony Nassif, Preventing Abuse, CA

www.preventingabuse.org

Benji Nolot, Exodus Cry, MO

www.exoduscry.com

Alice Patterson, Justice at the Gate, TX

www.justiceatthegate.org

Thomas Walker, IN & Stephanie Steele, CA

National Governors¹ Prayer Team

www.governorsprayerteam.org

Hosts & Contacts:

Tomas Lares, FL

www.floridaabolitionist.org

www.nationaldayofprayer.org

tomas@FloridaAbolitionist.org

Dai Sup Han, CA

www.PrayerSurgeNow.net

www.CA4Jesus.net

prayersurgenow@gmail.com

Amber Barron, founder & executive director

Freedom’s Promise

www.freedomspromise.org

The Movement of God

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:08:27 +0000

Urgency. Passion. Timing. Boldness. I’m a young 37 and so I realize that in many ways I have not lived enough life to utter wisdom and “prophecy” and what I see God doing. Yet I also have had more experiences than many live in a lifetime – good and bad. I know this – God uses everything in our lives, everything, for His good. We have to participate in that; we have to be willing to humble ourselves to the point of where our worst moments become the Lord’s greatest victories. Amazing, huh. Amazing.

So I realize that in many ways I am naive in what I am about to say, but here it is – God is on the move. And on the move in the East. I have never felt this kind of urgency or passion or timing. Ever. I can’t explain it. I just know I feel it. Do you feel it?

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Look at the world map with me. I cannot take credit for this idea, but it really got me thinking. Really thinking. In many ways I had been thinking along the same lines and ideas, but had never articulated this. Look with me. Look at the geographical areas of influence throughout history. Look at how God is moving…

The move is westward. Hmm…seems like I have read that somewhere. “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” (Acts 16:6-7).

I think it is no coincidence that Cambodia is ground zero for human trafficking in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries. I don’t understand God’s wisdom and sovereignty, but the movement of spheres of influence, and the ability for God’s missionaries, continues to move westward. It is now in the “east” and approaching the origins of life. Coincidence? I think not. What it means, I have no idea. Except this – God is on the move and Asia is now ground zero for the Gospel. Ground Zero. Human trafficking is prominent, making it ripe for change to occur in people’s lives. There is destruction, injustice, hatred, violence…and the people want change. They are open to change. They are open to the Gospel.

Be Thou My Passion

So while we work at the humanitarian effort of bringing justice to unjust situations, we also bring the Gospel. Love in Action. We make a difference – not primarily through our work but through the work of the Holy Spirit; through the person of Jesus Christ, bringing light to darkness. Hatred shattered and God glorified. Love wins. God wins.

So God is on the move. And Asia is ground zero. Are we moving with Him?