"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

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, July 11, 2008

It's Over!

Here are pictures of our last day and our final landing!
Just a taste of the ships that were on the river with us...scary!
Downtown New Orleans, we're so close!
Ethan's rudder, held together with sticks, fishing line, and duct tape
No cigar, no beer, sweedish fish are my victory indulgence
We're done!
IJM Shirts
Jumping pictures are my favorite, you never know what you're going to get!
We're in New Orleans, and we're having a great time. We all sold our kayaks already, and we don't know when we'll go kayaking again (hopefully not anytime soon). Justin flies back to Sacramento Saturday night. Ethan and I will be here until Monday. Ethan will take the train to Texas to visit family and then fly home after than. I will be flying home to San Francisco. We have had a wonderful trip and have truly been blessed by the people we met, IJM, and everyone back home. We have loved being here, but we're so excited to go home!
With much Gratitude and Love,
Tim






22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done men of zeal and passion! Thank you for your compassionate willingness and actions to do something so powerful and far reaching about human injustice. God abundantly bless each of you!

Anonymous said...

Awesome to see that you guys are finally done and still in one piece!!! Everyone in Savanna,IL was praying for you and checking your site as often as we could! Enjoy your downtime!!!

Anonymous said...

Huzzah!

Congrats and know you have our families thoughts and prayers as you continue your education and careers.

May God continue to bless you.

Cheers.

carsonbelmont said...

Wow, crazy!! I can't believe you guys are done already!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to have you home.
A job well dne.
Dad

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home Boys...Welcome Home! We can't wait to see you!!!
Carol Bracey

escamillaweddings said...

great job guys!

God bless the rest of your summer travels!

Anonymous said...

Hurraaaa!!!!, well done faithful servents of Jesus. You have stayed the course and finished the calling which you had been called to do in a spirit of love and compassion. I am sure that He is well pleased and for your efforts you have stored up rewards in Heaven greater than you could dream and His promise also is that you will live life and do it abundantly. Allways remember those lessons learned and moments spent with Him on the river.
God bless and keep you all as you return to you individual lives and callings in Christ Jesus.

Dana

the McWhorters said...

Ethan, your body is a weapon.

Tim, your beard is huge.

Justin, your beard is huger.

Elizabeth D. said...

congrats on making it sirs! well done indeed!

can't wait for monday timmy! i want to see the beard, so don't shave until you get home. i dind't know your chin was capable of that :)
xoxox
your sis

Amy Susan said...

I would like a refunded donation - I never intended for my financial support to be directed towards the purchase of mass quantities of baby oil. I'm not fooled; you lathered up for those "candid" portraits.

Becca said...

Wow Ethan! Looks like you were right. Super buff. haha. Glad to hear you're all safe. :)

Can't wait to talk to you soon. I have many stories to share and I'm sure you do as well. I'll call when I'm back in the country and we will definitely have to get together.

:)

Jenni said...

I can't believe it guys! God is so good. Can't wait to hear about it from you personally. Enjoy your time back home.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations
I must admit- I was a bit worried in the beginning-but you did it!!! What a great cause!
jo
Minneapolis

Anonymous said...

How many pictures did you go through to finally decide those ones? either way, i like them. cant wait to see you guys
carly

abc said...

sweedish fish eh'? that's awesome! great job to all three of you. i'm proud of you all.

Anonymous said...

Joy!
It did my heart a world of good to read that you all finished strong and well!! VICTORY DANCE!! His name has been made known through you!
Juliana
R, VA

Me said...

cheyaaaaa!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brooklyn. said...

I just read this right now and pretty much fell apart! chills basically knocked me out of my seat right now. You three are really men after God's own heart, I am so blessed to know you!
I hope I have as much impact as you three have because of this someday. Thank you for what you've done, really. It makes me want to just hug you all. and then jump for joy! And then eat a popsicle. :D thank you sooo much! (i dont know what exactly im thanking you for, but i feel so extremely joyful, and you had a hand in that. hahah)

Anonymous said...

Nice job guys! Great to see men of passion and ideals who accomplish such goals as a team, and to share the wonder of the journey. Best regards-

Unknown said...

An exceptional demonstration of faith, courage and selflessness - thank you Justin, Tim and Ethan - your service is an inspiration ... just make sure you shave the beards before you come back to CBU so you don't scare of the new freshman :) God bless you as you enjoy much deserved recuperation.
Jeremy Zimmerman