New Feature! Click the icon for a voice update from the team.
"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.
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
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
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
- 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
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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12 comments:
That was awesome!!
Great to hear your voice!!!
Ethan,
After listening to your voice message and talking to Justine the other night, I do detect a southern accent in your voices. Thank you all for the wonderful updates. I told Justin that I check your blog daily just so that I can see your three faces. You are all dearly missed.
Carol Bracey
hey guys good to hear ethans voice and that you guys are doing so well! good post
Justin,
Your Grandma Virginia, Uncle Randy and I are very proud of you and the other "upstreamers" and your honorable cause ministry. We see how God is blessing all of you with loving contacts along the way. You're meeting many new, dear friends; And, I know you will always remember them in the days to come...memories you will have always:)
We have been following your progress and glad to get the team's updating reports. Also, so very glad that all of you are ahead of most of the raging floods and what the storms have caused. Hope none of the debris catches up with you. Get in the habit of looking behind you as well as looking ahead;) The current flowing down river being so fast now will certainly help in making it easier to go farther with each paddle stroke.
We love you all! Keep up the very good witnessing, teaching and preaching and your commitment to fighting trafficking injustic.
Ethan, your voice message was such a pleasant thing. It was much enjoyed and appreciated. Thank you very much!
God bless each of you,
Grandpa Carl
Grandma Virginia
Uncle Randy
Got up yesterday morning... and saw the LA Times with a front page picture of the Mississippi! I'm just as glad as Justin's grandparents and uncle to see you made it through Missouri and Illinois safely before the danger and floodin goin on up there. That voice update was awesome! With all these sweet memories and experiences in your fight to make a dent in Human Trafficking and that Christ may be Glorified and magnified in your lives... Grandpa Carl is right:)... memories you will always have! and y'all well use these memories for the rest of your lives!Philippians 4:8-9 says it perfectly (all of chapter 4 is really amazing)anyhow, Miss you guys... drink up all the sweet tea that you can drink! Grace and peace y'al from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! To God be all the glory!
Your sister in Christ,
Saskia
so good to hear your voice ethan. i don't think i realized how much i missed that voice until i got a sample of it again...keep up the good work and continue to set Christ on display. love you guys.
hey ethan, justin and tim. i just wanted you all to know that im praying for you daily and im glad that ethan is healed. stay safe and continue to pour your hearts out. im really proud of all of you.
hannah barrett
Ethan,
Looks some of the levees broke which is good news for you all. The river won't rise as much as expected. At least that is what they are saying now. Still working on that church for y'all this weekend. Here's our address:
Jason and Kelly Sipes
1002 Broadway St
Hickman, KY 42050
Grace and Peace Brothers!
Great to hear The Voice of the Upstreamers!
Sincerely Yours,
The Voice of the Lancers
Hey guys!
It was great to hear your voice Ethan. Last night I had some people here in Chester that saw the write up in the Hearld Tribune and wanted to know how you guys were. I told them that we check your site daily and all appears well. Our address is:
Mike & Pam Fogerson
706 State St.
Chester, IL 62233
May God continue to watch over and bless you.
Your friends in Chester
Dear Drifters,
Glad to see you are slowly but surely making progress to New Orleans. The flood waters are slowly cresting in Keokuk, IA, but more rain is predicted for tonight and tomorrow and that is not good for communities down south.The railroad bridge in Hannibal has water over the top of the track. The sny levi district which is up North of that asked if they would open their draw bridge to let more debris through and they refused because it will jeapordize the integrity of the bridge.
Hang in there.
LinC
Tim and Barb- Keokuk
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