"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

Saturday, May 10, 2008

An Upstream Schedule

Someone asked for the schedule to be posted. Here's the starting schedule. Adjustments may occur depending on conditions along the way.
  • May 12 (Monday) - Launch from Minneapolis. Paddle 2 days at 25 miles/day.
  • May 13 - Arrive in Red Wing and stay with friends.
  • May 14 - Leave Red Wing and paddle two days at 20 miles/day.
  • May 16 - Arrive in Winona. Spend Fri-Sun there. Speak at church.
  • May 19 - Leave Winona. Paddle 18 days at 32 miles/day.
  • June 7 - Arrive in St Louis. Spend Sat-Sun there. Speak at church.
  • June 9 - Leave St Louis and paddle 12 days at 31 miles/day. Find a church to speak at on 6/15.
  • June 21 - Arrive in Memphis. Spend Sat-Sun there. Find a church to speak at on Sun.
  • June 23 - Leave Memphis and paddle 18 days at 36 miles/day. Find churches to speak at on 6/29 and 7/6.
  • July 12 - Arrive in New Orleans on Saturday. Find a church to speak at on Sunday. Total miles paddled = 1,703!

(posted by one of the home support team - Ethan's Dad, Rich)

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2 comments:

jules said...

im so proud of you boys and im praying for you!

May 10, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Anonymous said...

we accidentally commented on the post below.

- the bookstore

May 13, 2008 at 5:33 PM

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