"Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice role on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing steam."-Amos 5:23-24

7/9 ARRIVED in New Orleans! 1704 Miles paddled downstream to fight the upstream battle against the injustice of human trafficking.

Down the River with the Upstream Team


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The Big Picture

THE PROBLEM

Everyday we go about our lives either unaware of social injustice in our world or lacking in compassion for them. There exists in our world a multitude of injustices, not the least which, is human sex trafficking. The facts are:

  • Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons.
  • Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade.
  • There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 children, women and men trafficked across international borders annually.
  • Approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors.
  • Sex trafficking is an engine of the global AIDS epidemic.

Throughout the world oppressors choose to indulge their selfish and brutal urges and dominate the defenseless. The world is not going to simply change on its own.

THE PLAN

As a trio, we are kayaking down the Mississippi River, starting in St. Paul, MN and finishing in New Orleans, LA. On May 12th we will set out on our adventure, not for our own benefit, but with the hope of spreading awareness and raising money to fight against sex trafficking. Our goal is to raise $20,000 that will be donated to the International Justice Mission, a human rights agency we are partnering with.

The International Justice Mission (IJM) is an organization that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression. They are extremely active in the fight against sex trafficking. Their strategy is four-fold:

  • Victim Relief- Rescuing sex trafficking victims
  • Perpetrator Accountability- Prosecuting those responsible
  • Victim Aftercare- Facilitating the recovery of victims and providing alternate means of income.
  • Structural Prevention- Promoting functioning public justice systems.

We have chosen to partner with IJM because we believe and support the work they do in the battle against sex trafficking.

SUPPORT

There are several ways to support our cause by giving to the International Justice Mission:

  • Online donations can be made to the IJM website. Be sure to write "Upstream Battle" in the comment line!
  • Checks can be made out to "CBU" and sent to: ATTN: ISP - Box #1146 California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504 Write "Upstream Battle" in the Comment Line of the check

CONTACT

If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please email us at: anupstreambattle@gmail.com

Friday, May 9, 2008

Kicking Tail and Taking Names















 


 
Uff dah!  We've finally made it tO MinneapOlis, MinnesOta!  We flew in last night at 7pm, and have been staying with Our friends Jesse and Brianne OlsOn.  They are an awesOme couple whO have graciOusly Opened their hOme tO us and been tremendOusly welcOming.  
Last night Jesse and Brianne tOOk us arOund the twin cities.  The mOst unique aspect Of MinneapOlis and St. Paul are the walkways frOm building tO building, which are cOmparable tO hamster playhouses.  The weather here is sO cOmfOrtable right nOw, it's abOut 60s and hOpefully will stay within this temperature when we get On the river.  ThOugh it might rain...  
TOnight we are staying at the OlsOn's, and the next twO days we will be staying in JOel and Amy SwansOn's hOme.  MOnday is the launch date, we will set Off frOm dOwntOwn MinneapOlis.  UnfOrtunately On Saturday we will nOt be having the benefit dinner at Bethlehem Baptist, hOwever we will be having a dinner On Sunday.  This will be much more lOw key, which will be a blessing since we'll be able tO get tO knOw the peOple a lOt mOre.   A disappOintment is that JOhn Piper has taken the mOnth Of May Off frOm speaking!  He's writing a bOOk, I mean, hasn't he written enOugh (tOtally kidding).  Can yOu believe it!  We cOuldn't, but we are recOvering frOm this shOck and we will be jOining them for wOrship On Sunday.  It is exciting tO be in MinneapOlis and tO be sO clOse tO starting.  We're all packed and ready tO head Out.  
We wOuld appreciate yOur prayers fOr safety, the hearts Of the peOple we cOme in cOntact with, and that we wOuld be gOOd stewards Of the time and OppOrtunities we are given.  
-Tim, Justin, and Ethan
P.S. The o's are capitalized because in Minnesota they hold out their o's, so it sounds like Minnesoota or MinnesOta.
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

is there anyway we could get a schedule up on the site? I'm wondering when you plan on being in new orleans.

May 10, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Rhonda Johnstone said...

Thanks for the update!

May 10, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Anonymous said...

That sounds awesome guys! Justin make sure that while your at the Olson's that you say hello to your old friends the Olson twins. Love you guys and we are all praying for you back in Norco.

May 11, 2008 at 8:38 PM
ginia said...

I am so glad you have friends surrounding you as you 'take off'. Praying with every stroke of the oar.

May 12, 2008 at 7:31 AM
carsonbelmont said...

Hey guys it's me from another country. I#ve been praying for you as often as I think about you guys, stay strong!

May 13, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Anonymous said...

Hello guys!
this is the bookstore IE- carol, whit, carly and ted.

we miss you guys. good timing on leaving. we are currently moving the bookstore. its all girls here, except adam.
we want an update please. maybe a call too.
and maybe a shout out to the bookstore??
love you guys!!!!

May 13, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Anonymous said...

You guys! Ha! I love the "O's" and "hampster playhouses" What a bunch of goons!

Here's another interesting historical fact for Justin: Minnesota is from the native Dakota Indian origin, "Minne" is water and "sota" is cloudy. Literally, it could be interpreted "cloudy water," but most likely it was in reference to the reflection of the clouds on the lakes and rivers. "Land of cloud-covered water" could be a better interpretation.

That is how Minneapolis also got its name ... "Minne" being water, or lakes and "polis" greek for city. "City of Lakes."

May 14, 2008 at 6:24 PM

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