"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 4, 2008

River Wisdom

The other day a reporter asked us, "What have you learned from this trip?" I don't remember what we answered, but the question sure set me to thinking. After much contemplation I produced the following list of...

Things I Have Learned On The Mississippi River.
  1. Just because a sandbar is there at night doesn't necessarily mean it will be there in the morning.
  2. Deer are very strong swimmers.
  3. The song "You Are My Sunshine" was written about a man's horse (we saw the horse's grave in St. Joe's, LA.)
  4. Berries float and honeydue sinks.
  5. Bald Eagles aren't really endangered...they are all just in Iowa.
  6. Don't bother trying to catch up to Justin until he is ready to be caught up to.
  7. Don't bother estimating mileage because Tim's guess will be more accurate anyway.
  8. Churches in the South are suprised to learn that there are Christians in California (bonus lesson: Dr. Mooney is right about everything).
  9. Catfish can grow to be as large as a VW bug (...or so they say).
  10. Just because a city is named after a state doesn't mean it is a large city (Arkansas City, pop. 400).
  11. $20 tents don't keep out rain.
  12. Bug spray doesn't work on gnats.
  13. If you can get used to it, holding a few ounces of water in your mouth will cool down your whole body.
  14. Vicksburg, MS did not celebrate the 4th of July for 100 years because it was on the 4th that the city fell to U.S. Grant and the North.
  15. Apparently, you aren't supposed to hide under a bridge during a tornado.
  16. Kayaking the Mississippi River is hard.

15 comments:

carsonbelmont said...

Wow...that last piece of wisdom is absolutely shocking. I would have never thought it. Oh and wait a second...there ARE christians in California??? Keep it up boys, Happy 4th of July!

Unknown said...

That is the funniest list ever! I am so amazed at what you guys have done! Ethan, I will see you soon. Grammy, Ginia and I will spoil you rotten on behalf of ourselves and your mother.

Liz said...

this was the most profound list of wisdom i have ever read! thanks for enlightening me!

happy 4th boys!

Ryan Christie said...

this is a really funny post...

Anonymous said...

Carson, nice to see you back!!! Happy 4th of July Justin, Tim and Ethan!! We are counting down the days till we see you again!..I can't believe that all these years sitting around the campfire that I have been singing aboout a horse!!
Carol Bracey

abvowell said...

I now feel all the more wiser. Thanks for the "ed-ja-ma-kay-shun". Proud of you guys! Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Happy Fourth.

Had I known you had a bad tent, I would've loaned you one of mine.

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Hey guys,
I have thoroughly enjoyed keeping track of you by blog. All the "mother's prayers" are being answered...you're almost there! Finish strong (with much bigger upper body muscles too!), looking forward to seeing you again in CA. Ethan, I've DVR'd the Fresno State BB Championship for you and Jordan to watch. Love to you all
Jana

Anonymous said...

The Drifters
Praise God you are almost there. The flood of '08 certainly didn't make a major challenge any easier. Finish strong and allow God to use you whether it is living a common day in day out walk with HIM or kayaking down a major river! It was nice to get to know you.

LinC,

Tim and Barb

jules said...

ethan, that post made me laugh and made me miss you and made me really excited for us to go running when we are both back in cali. i cant wait to hear stories! im praying for you boys and i cant believe you are almost finished... craziness.

Unknown said...

Excellent post. Looking forward to having you guys back home in California.

Mooney

Anonymous said...

funny! i am so excited t see you guys.
carly

Anonymous said...

Dudes, it was great having you in our home in Prairieville, LA. Your mission was an extreme inspiration to me. It helped me to reinforce my thoughts about supporting anything someone is passionate about. Especially if it is Christ centered by helping people in need. I asked my family what would be the one thing to say to you guys about your journey...my wife (Wendy) said you guy's are awesome, my daughter (Sara) said it was pretty cool that someone would kayak around the world to raise money for someone else in need, my son (Justen) did not say anything at all, but he is the one that has helped me realize the true meaning of someone being passionate about what they believe in. I could see passion all over you guys and I didn't even have to talk to you about it.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of this experience. Your friends in Louisiana...Guy, Wendy, Justen and Sara, Cheney. P.S. Sara says, "I'll be calling you when I get to CALI".

Karen Bergh, MPS said...

I've been tracking and telling everyone I can (including posting a story on the CBU Web site's home page) about your feats and blogsite. We are so proud of you...this is an amazing achievement on the "domestic field" of mission work and courage and athletic endeavor. You guys rock! (Mooney is always right, isn't he?!) Blessings, ~Karen Bergh, in CBU Marketing division

Elizabeth D. said...

that is quite the list! pretty random, entertaining stuff. i was surprised to find that tim is so skilled in the high art of estimating, as that is something that i am positively awful at. i guess he got all of the good estimating genes or something. anyway, we're all SO looking forward to having to you back home tim! i'm sure ethan and justin's families feel the same :)