"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

Sunday, June 1, 2008

The Drifters

Life on the river has been quite interesting lately. We stayed a night in Muscateen IA (The Pearl of the Mississippi) with the Hunt family. They fed us a very sloppy joe meal, and then Ben (their son our age) took us out to the football field to play Ultimate Frisbee with all of his buddies in town. It was the first time we had used our legs in quite some time. We then spent the next two nights camping along the river. The first morning we woke up to a pretty intense thunder and lightning storm. We decided to stay inside the tent until it calmed down a bit. Once the lightning subsided, we continued on for a day full of heavy rain. We met up with a reporter in Burlington, and they interviewed us as we pulled in for a quick lunch. There is a link to the article in a post right below this one.
Sunset at Campsite
The Bugs are coming out!!!
The Hunt FamilyEthan swinging on lunch breakYes, a full page article!!!Our new Home
The weather is constantly changing here, because the next day was in the high 80's. It was a beautiful day for kayaking and a even better day for working on our tans (don't worry, we lather up with SPF 30 every morning). Watch out California, because we are coming back as bronze statues (well, I'm more of a reddish color). We just spent the weekend with the Tim and Barb Patterson in Keokuk IA. Tim nicknamed us "The Drifters". Both Tim and Barb had us laughing all weekend long. We had steaks for dinner and cheese cake for dessert...not a bad days work. We have loved our time getting to know the great people at First Baptist Keokuk. They welcomed us in and gave us ample platforms to share our message. Thankyou
-Justin
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8 comments:

ginia said...

So glad to hear you had a good week-end. I have put out a specific prayer request in regards to our Southern varmints. "I'll set ... (Ethan, Tim, and Justin) aside as a sanctuary -- no flies (or other pests - my request). And God did just that. There wasn't a fly left." [Exodus 8:23,24] I emailed Florida friends to pray; they understand all about 'squeeters', no-see-ums, flies, etc. *smile*

June 1, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Justine said...

So exciting to see the article! And hear of how every night seems to be working out ---
We are back in California and continue to lift you guys up in prayer! The injustice is ridiculously overwhelming, and the only hope for any kind of change is in Jesus Christ alone. I am more confident than ever in that, and in the way that IJM pursues that.

Justine

June 2, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Anonymous said...

Steak and cheese cake,that's not bad! You guys will not only be bronzed but your mom's are going to have to get the cookbooks out to satisfy that craving for good ole northern chow.You continue to amze us and we are hoping beyond hope that your trip is very successful as well as educational.I'll bet you are experts on bug juice by now, so which is best , Love ya we are still praying, Common Ground Fellowship

June 2, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Anonymous said...

Way to go, Justin, Ethan and Tim! Almost to St. Louis! I'm wondering what the longest day you've had so far has been. Melody and I have a 43 mile day scheduled out when we get close to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Is that realistic?

June 3, 2008 at 7:16 PM
The Paddlers said...

jonathan,
it would be realistic for a kayak, but we have heard that canoeing takes longer. A 43 mile day, is about 8 hours for us, if it is good weather and no waiting for barges at locks and dams. It would be rough, if you could split it up I would encourage it, but if you had a place to stay that night and started early in the morning, you might be able to do it.
Tim

June 3, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Anonymous said...

thanks for the words of advice man!

June 4, 2008 at 6:12 PM
carsonbelmont said...

Justin your beard is getting AWESOME!

June 4, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Unknown said...

You got some really great pictures on this post!

June 6, 2008 at 8:19 AM

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