Hearing the Cry: Human Trafficking. Hearing the Stories..

“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, …..”  Psalm 10:17

Statics are important in understanding issues of global significance. We must hear the numbers because they can tell us important facts and help us in our strategies of response. However we must also hear at another level if we are to respond from the heart and from our innermost being. We must hear the stories of the oppressed and the broken from the heart of a parent who agonizes at the pain of THIER child.  We must hear with the ears of Gods Spirit ...theie cries of desperation.

Liu, China: Restaurant worker:

“My name is Liu. I was born in the People’s Republic of China in 1976 on my parents’ small farm in Fujian Province. I did not want to be a farmer but I had not studied hard at school and had few skills. It seemed to me that a future in Fujian Province was bad and I was thinking about going to some big city to work.  One friend went to Shanghai but he returned to our village after only a few months. Many young people had gone there from many parts of China, but for someone not well educated it was impossible to find good work. 

Someone in my village told me he knew a man who could arrange good work in America or Canada.  This was of great interest to me and I spoke with this man to arrange everything to find good work in a Western country. A few weeks later, a man called Wang Yi Xiong came to the village. Wang was a “snakehead.” He said it was very possible, but it was complicated to organize documents and travel and a job. Getting to the west would cost 33l,200 Yuan which is almost $40,000 American dollars. My dream was to go to America and work, but now it seemed impossible because it cost so much money.  Wang said perhaps if my parents could pay part then I could pay the rest when I arrive in the Western country like America or Canada and had a job making a lot of money. I also could pay the money back to my parents and more so that they would have a good life when they were old. For Chinese people, respect for parents is very great, and I decided this seemed like a good idea. Wang said if my parents would agree, I would just need to pay one-third of the price before leave China and the rest little by little when I arrive in the West until the last of the price was paid. My parents thought it was good for my future and for them too. They said all the money they had saved over the years could be used, because I would find good work and repay them. I was very happy and give to the “snakehead” photos for the passport that he said was necessary.

Some weeks later, I went to Shanghai with the money and met again with Wang and the man who claimed he was the “snakehead’s” representative, a man called Su Baoshan. I also met five more people who were also going to West. The representative had our documents and new clothes because we must travel like tourists and our clothes looked too poor. At the airport we were all very excited because no one had traveled on an airplane before now, and we finally were going to the West. We flew to Bangkok where representatives gave us Korean passports, and then we flew next to Nairobi in Africa as tourists.  Su travelled with us and controlled everything. We were not to talk to anyone except certain officials that he knew. When we did not need the passports, he kept them. While we waited in Nairobi before the next airplane took off for Amsterdam, he explained that when we arrived in Amsterdam, we had to say we were political refugees and wanted asylum. He gave us lessons on we must say. I asked why officials would believe these stories, but he laughed and said it was the law. But we were confused because we not want to go to Amsterdam but to America. Su said it would be only for a short time. We would continue to America or Canada later. On the airplane he took our Korean passports and said another representative of “snakehead” would meet us in Amsterdam. Then he tested us on what we were to say to the officials. When we arrived in Amsterdam, we were questioned very closely by the officials who had a Chinese person as an interpreter and then were released and an agent for the Chinese businessmen took us to Brussels. I and two others arrived at an apartment where other Chinese people were living in a very poor part of city. It was very dirty, and we had to sleep on the floor with no heat. There was not even hot water to wash, and the man who was already living in the place said they were often ill because of the cold and little food they received. 

Some days later, a man named Guan took me to a Chinese restaurant to work. I started very early in the morning helping to cook and prepare food and then washing dishes and cleaning until late at night after the restaurant closed. The boss was very harsh and all my pay went to the man from the “snakehead” to pay the last of the price for coming to Europe. There was very little left for me to send home even though I was working 16-18 hours every day. After a few months, I was very sick with a skin condition and a cough but still, I had to work and there was no doctor to help. Guan said there was still a lot of money left on my debt for the trip and finding the job in a restaurant, so I had to work every day. If I did not work, I could never complete the trip to America and also my parents in Fujian Province would remain poor until they died. The discipline was very hard as well. One person who came with me from China, was beaten for not working hard enough. After the second time he was beaten, he tried to escape to find work with other Chinese people in Brussels, but was caught by a man from “snakehead.”  He was beaten in front of us and locked in a box to show how serious this was. I was very frightened and said I wanted to return to Fujian Province. They said I also would be beaten and locked in a box until I agreed to work. I worked more than three years to pay “snakehead” but it was never enough money to pay everything. If they did not beat me, they threatened to throw me out and fire me and then I would have no money and no hope for completing my travels. In the meantime, my father died and I tried to send as much money as possible to my mother because she had no savings as everything was given to “snakehead” so I could come to the West. I did not know how I would help my mother and continue my travel if the Belgium officials sent me back to China. What or who would be waiting for me in America?  Probably more work underground. I felt very tired from living.”

Reflection: People in slavery are very often drained of hope, self-worth and a sense of belonging.  Jesus faced many people in his world who were enslaved by cultural taboos, demonic oppression, etc.  He always responded with grace. Radical grace!  He responded by restoring hope, self-worth and a sense of community. As we hear the cry of those in our world who are oppressed and broken may we also hear our God calling us to action.  It’s not so important how BIG the action is as it is how faithful the response.  Am I taking the steps of faithfulness that God is showing me? I will not wait for everyone else to get on board before I decide that I can do something. I will seek out those who God is raising up to address issues of Justice ( Gods process of bringing his rightness to the world) and Shalom (Gods fullness, healing, completion in the world) I will open mys.elf to the possibility that God may wish to utilize me in a way that bring Justice and Shalom

Hear the Cry: Slavery footprint

This week you are invited to see how the products we purchase may be connected to human slavery. Also read this story of human trafficking.... 

Ricardo, USA: Agricultural worker
For Ricardo, it all started about four years ago, when he was offered the chance for well-paid work in the United States. An agent offered to organize his travel and employment and took a payment to cover costs. He escorted Ricardo and a group of others to the Sonoran Desert, and then deserted them, leaving them with nothing except food and water supplies for three days. The group spent eight days lost in the desert. When another agent appeared, they had no choice but to accept his offer of help, but they would have to pay. They made it out of the desert alive, but this was not the end of their ordeal. When the agent discovered they didn’t have the money to pay him, he handed them over to a man who was taking workers to Florida. The journey took over a week, with 16 of them packed n the back of a van. They had nothing to eat, and had to urinate into a bottle.  Once in Florida, they were sold to a labor contractor for $1,100. The contractor explained that they would have to work to pay back the money they now owed him.

Every day he took them to work on tomato farms. The work was back-breaking, a normal day lasted from 5:00am until 7:00pm. “I was practically dying,” says Ricardo, “we didn't eat very well, the water was polluted that we were drinking.” On pay day, Ricardo was given a check for $80, but immediately the contractor charged him $40 towards his debt, $30 for rent, electricity, water and food, and he was left with only $10.This system of payment continued, with the workers' debts increasing, it seemed the contractor would never let them leave.

One of his co-workers tried to escape, but was caught. The contractor beat him and threatened to kill him if he attempted another escape. “This is when I realized that it was really slavery,” Ricardo remembers. “The next day I was sick from … bad food and I was weak and I couldn't work. But that wasn't enough. They made me work, I had no choice. I went because I was afraid.”

Ricardo and five of his co-workers managed to escape during a supervised trip to buy food. They made their way to a town, where they met a Mexican woman who offered to help them. Her father arranged for them to work on an orange farm, and for the first time since arriving in the US, they received wages.  But after two weeks, the contractor learned of their whereabouts, and visited them, claiming each of them owed him $5,000. Ricardo called the police, but they did nothing and the man walked free. It was only with the support of a local organization, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, that they were able to stop the contractor enslaving other workers. The organization contacted immigration agents, who set up an undercover operation. This confirmed that workers were being enslaved on tomato farms. But once the workers were set free, most of them were not recognized as victims of trafficking, but instead treated as illegal migrants and forced to leave the country immediately.

It was through the support of the Coalition that Ricardo managed to stay, but even today he lives in fear of reprisals from the traffickers he exposed. Ricardo still receives anonymous threats by phone, and on one occasion, was threatened by a man with a gun. But the police are doing nothing to protect him, despite his willingness to help them in their investigations. They have not even taken the most basic precaution of providing Ricardo with a mobile phone or panic alarm.

Thought for reflection: Let the awareness of this story begin to seep into your consciousness. It’s happening in the world that you and I inhabit. It’s happening in the Good world that God has made. It’s happening in almost every country. It’s happening here in our own city of Houston, Texas. Tikkun olam ( תיקון עולם‎) is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world" (or "healing and restoring the world") which suggests humanity's shared responsibility (with the Creator) "to heal, repair and transform the world." Maybe the old adage is true… “we are the ones we have been waiting for”. Gods calls us….

Hear the Cry: Human Trafficking

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Elie Wiesel

For the next 6 weeks or so Chapelwood will as a congregation will attempt to "hear the cry"of the needy.  As the psalmist says “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted you encourage them, and you listen to their cry defending the fatherless and the oppressed”. We will hear the cry of the hurting and the imprisioned. The cry of those without hope. We may hear our own inner cry of desperation.  We will hear the cry of our God who calls us to awareness, prayer and action. It begins with awarness though....

Human Trafficking is a complicated industry.  Most victims’ stories are tales of poverty, need, want or dissatisfaction with the way life is – and a desire to discover what might be.  Both economic and spiritual poverty drive people into situations of vulnerability.  When a person is in survival mode, he or she is not concerned with moral or social status.  Driven by the need to survive, the poor are the perfect prey for traffickers promising good jobs in nearby cities.

Those of us who want to help must be aware.  Human trafficking has become a multi-billion dollar industry largely because the average person has ignored it.  The public isn’t aware of the extent of human trafficking and therefore does little to stop it.  By bringing stories of human trafficking to light, however, more and more citizens are playing an active part in the eradication of this modern-day slavery.

We must also address the root causes of trafficking: economic inequality, inadequate health care, economic and social hardships imposed by governments, political unrest, improper food distribution, unemployment, the absence of citizenship or travel documents, and a host of other factors – not to mention people’s seemingly insatiable demand for illicit sex.  Where there is demand, you are sure to find supply.

Human trafficking is a tangled mess, to be sure, and the size of the problem can make us feel helpless.  Yet people caught in the sticky, malicious web of human trafficking are being freed, one by one, through hard work and fervent prayer.

To see one (of many) organizations working globally around the human trafficking issue check out this group

For an organization here in Houston engaging effectively around the human trafficking issue check out Houston Rescue and Restore for additional events and opportunities go to www.chapelwood.org keyword human trafficking.

There is more that we must hear and understand about this complex issue. More awarness. Many more stories to be heard. Its an overwhelming issue. But I believe Gods word to us is HOPE. We will live into this hope.

Stay tuned for more blog posts in the near future.

The mission in video!

A special thanks to missionary Carleton Cole for the production of this video summary of Chapelwood's mission to Mizak, Haiti.

Chapelwood Haiti Pilgrimage 2012 from Carleton Cole on Vimeo.

Our mission together--Haiti 2012

The Chapelwood Haiti mission team returned late Saturday, July 14th after eight powerful days in partnership with HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). The primary focus of the mission was joining with HAPI's clinic to host a dental clinic and working with the women artisans to sharpen their skills in sewing and encourage the connection between art and spirituality.

Team arriving in Port Au Prince

Dental clinic:
In 4 days, we saw 132 patients and extracted 329 teeth. Our average patient was 34 years old and wanted 2 teeth extracted. The three dentists were supported by eight members of the team each day--as dental assistants, in-take volunteers and sterilization specialists :)

Dr Ron Rhea and his wife Kay assisting.

Dr Sarah Hummel, Nelio (local health care worker)
and Patty Cordrey with one of the patients

Dental tools ready to go!

Over night the construction site for the new Merlet Center was transformed into a dental clinic. Only God could have imagined the transformation that took place!

Merlet Center under construction.

Dr Michael Maher, Diane Gonzales, Carleen Woods
and Emily Carter get the clinic set up.

The back drops created by Chapelwood's VBS children and utilized during the HAPI children's program on Saturday became the colorful (stress-reducing) back drops at the dental clinic!


Artisans:
Monday members of the team led a discussion about art and spirituality. The women's co-op opened up about their connection to God as they embroider, sew and paint. The discussion focused on God's words to us and our words to God. As a result of the discussion, the women had a chance to create art not to be sold in the co-op but as an outlet of their God-given creativity. It was  beautiful week together with our team and the women.

Vicki Roussel working with one of the artisans on the 100 yr old treadle machine.

More stories to follow but here are some snap-shots of the week in mission with God.

The team standing on the land for the new high school!

Sarah's guitar was a HUGE hit!

Carleen Woods and Nina Hanks help load Noah's ark
during the Peace Pals children's program.

Play time!!

Embodying grace in Haiti:

Our mission team to Haiti has arrived safely and is working with our mission partners HAPI.   See pictures below as they begin the work of transformation through partnership

Rock of Ages... Jesus Christ

Sunday morning, the team had breakfast at the pastor's home and drove to Johvi to attend church.  As we arrived and opened the door to the church, music and singing filled the air.  Artur greeted each church member and guest personally.  In the true spirit of community, each song was sung in Russian and in English.


Pastor Artur shared his message of the importance of faith built on a firm foundation which was quite appropriate because later he presented each team member with a rock from Camp Gideon with a painting of the church at Johvi.  Artur then introduced and welcomed our team, and Ted and April once again shared their inspirational testimonies of the power of forgiveness. Kelly Musick told of her journey to be part of the team and of her love of children in any country.

Wick Stuckey reminded the congregation in his message that each of us is a beloved child of God, and we need to wrap the love of Jesus around us as we go through life's struggles.  He challenged the congregation to remember that God is faithful and has a purpose for each one of us.  He blesses us and enables us to be strong warriors for Christ.

The choir is made up of members of Artur's family as well as others in the congregation, Christian, Artur's fifteen year old son plays the drums, while other family members sing or play instruments.  His sister- in- law played the flute and made the service especially meaningful as she was one of two who joined the church and committed her life to Christ during worship.


Later, in the evening, Wick remarked, "I was so moved by the relationships in the Johvi church community.  These people look after one another; they know each other's stories and struggles.
On Saturday,  these same people worked with us preparing the camp and shared meals with us. Their church and its members are living
examples of a real Christian community.

At the end of the worship service, there were hugs and tears of joy and celebration before we moved downstairs to break bread together and reflect on the last five days.  Emails were exchanged, and a few of the young women expressed their desire to learn English through the communications.


Much too quickly it was time to return to Tallinn for our departure home.  Erriki and Nadia once again drove us as we took our last glances at the green countryside of Estonia.  As I sat in the back of the van, I realized that the team had witnessed God's disciples at work for the last five days.  Camp Gideon is run by a family whose relationship is built on the rock of faith.  They support one another and reach out to others in the community.  They are a model family of Christ for all to see. The congregations at Johvi and Sillamae also serve as a family for those in the communities to see; they reach out to help strangers and young women in need.


Artur is a man of vision--he has plans for a women's center outside of Sillamae; Sunbeam will be a place of hope for handicapped children and their families when it opens in September giving parents a respite from the constant care and will open the doors of educational opportunity for the children.
Our prayer for Artur is that the Lord provides the foundation for a new church in Johvi and enables the congregation to bless and serve.

Our prayer for Mall Tamm is that she continues to find the strength and resources to help the young people that she serves.  They come looking for someone who cares and loves them, and they are constantly blessed by the staff at the Lighthouse. Now, there are young people who return to the Lighthouse to give back and help others to be productive citizens.  We have been blessed as a team to witness the Estonian people creating a community of faith sharing followers of Jesus Christ.

A Hedge Connection to the Lord

Saturday was a workday at the camp in preparation for all of the groups that will attend Camp Gideon this summer.  Members from both the Johvi and Sillamae churches, our team, and many friends and relatives arrived to trim hedges, rake newly mown grass, weed flower beds, set up furniture, and sweep the walks as others spent the morning cleaning and preparing rooms for the campers.

At the same time, construction workers were replacing windows, repairing the roofs, and bringing in supplies for the hundreds of meals that will be prepared during the next three months.  The sound of the lawnmower could be heard all over the grounds as Artur spent hours cutting the grounds after the long winter of snow and ice.
 
As team members worked side by side with Estonians, conversations began with hand gestures and always ended in laughter.  April commented that she felt as if she were working with her grandmother in the garden at home and not in a country thousands of miles away from Houston.  She and Valentina felt such a connection as they pulled weeds and swept the concrete.  On Sunday, she brought a family

Youth from both congregations joined
in the clean up. 

book with photos of her ancestors and family home to share with April.

As Vicki commented later, "As I raked grass in the play areas, I felt like this was REAL community working together with peoples of different countries with a common bond...  the love of Jesus Christ.

April added, "All of the work done at the camp today was a labor of Love not of Pain as was the case during the time of the Soviets."

Artur and his beautiful family smile over the prayer shawls, cross,
and baseball caps and bracelets. 

Our evening ended with the exchange of gifts as Artur presented each team member with a hand-painted rock illustrating the Brown House, the main building for the camp.  Wick and Ted gave Artur and his family prayer shawls, Astros caps and cups, and a beautiful hand-made cross from Brookwood.  The real gifts to each group was the community spirit and love of Jesus Christ shared by all.  One young man who attended the camp with Siiri shared that his favorite aspect of the trip was getting to practice his English.

Wick shared how impressed he was with the work ethic of the Estonians...we experienced real community through simply trimming hedges together.  He loved receiving the rock because it exemplified the heart of the Estonian people with their simplicity and authenticity.

A Firm Foundation...

Breakfast was quick, and the children were back out in the sunshine enjoying the trampoline and swings before heading to the chapel for songs with Siiri and the counselors.  The team joined in the singing before our slideshow reviewing Thursday's fun and activities as well as a powerpoint about Texas and Houston.  As Tallinn only has six tall buildings, the campers were very impressed with the Houston skyline and all of the lights.

Composer, singer Siiri Sisask leads the children in song

One of the most inspiring moments of the morning was listening to the young people of Estonia sing their national anthem with a great deal of pride.
After a last trip to the beach, several of the students returned with a rock that they had painted and signed as a gift to the camp and Artur and his family.

As the bus driver began preparing the bus for departure, the hugs and tears began to flow.
One young girl handed me a rock that she had painted and said, "I love you."  These students were simply hungry for the touch of a caring      adult and the joy of singing about the Lord.


After a brief meeting with Artur and his family, we headed to Sillamae to meet Galina and Lilja who run the soup kitchen for the church. These ladies lovingly prepare meals each day for women and others in crisis.  After coffee and treats, we toured the kitchen, the chapel, and a sample bedroom suite for women in need of shelter and help.

Siiri and her teachers and chaperones
have breakfast on their last morning 

At six o'clock, everyone went to the chapel for Friday evening services where Artur shared the message of the importance of building one's faith on a firm foundation.  Wick introduced the team, and Ted Desforges our team leader and April Halberdier shared moving testimonies of how God has worked in their lives through forgiveness and healing.  At the end of the service, Wick invited those in the congregation to come and pray with us and to allow us to pray for them.  Many stepped forward in tears after hearing the testimonies as they also had experienced similar pain and darkness.  It is such a blessing to be able to pray with others in a different culture and country and language, and yet, know that we, as beloved children of God, are all the same.

Parachutes and Prayers...

After breakfast on Thursday, the  team drove to Johvi with Artur to visit the soup kitchen where church members lovingly prepare the food each day, so folks can get a hot meal and a change of clothes as well as secure warm shelter from the cold.

On the road back to the Camp Gideon, there was much excitement as we anxiously awaited the arrival of a group of youth from south of Tallinn.  Singer and concert artist Siiri Sisask, brought about 50 young people to the camp. Her foundation Let There Be Light serves about 500 children.  In a matter of minutes, some were jumping on the trampoline screaming with delight as they bounced four to five feet up in the air with no fear. Others were busy trying out all sorts of riding toys, swinging, and enjoying the views of the Bay of Finland.

Lunch was fast and furious, and they were out the doors to enjoy the sunshine and the free time.
And then, the games began... Red Rover was a new game for most but one they found fun as their friends changed sides.  Kelly's soccer game provided lots of action and fun as they cheered their teammates.


The parachute provided laughter and exercise as campers manipulated five balls bouncing all over the chute.  At one point, all of the students were under the chute singing songs and moving from one side to another under the chute.

Across the field, cheers and shouts encouraged runners in the relay races. At the same time, Wick and Ted had a kickball game going with kids quickly learning the rules.

After dinner, everyone gathered at an outdoor stage where the Johvi praise band played songs including Open the Eyes of My Heart and Here I Am  to Worship. Next, Siiri Sisask entertained the group with her original music and songs. To the delight of the children, she had some of the girls join her on stage.  Then our own Vicki Jud joined Siiri on stage to sing Amazing Grace and then Vicki sang several solos including This Little Light of Mine and I Come to the Garden Alone. When the singing was over, Siiri led the students in some traditional folk dances as well as the Estonian version of the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance.

 After a quick snack of sausage and salad, the children marched to the beach with their chaperones.  One by one, little bodies tiptoed into the cold water, and soon all 50 were in the water spalshing and shivering in the cold.

The cold air and water were no obstacle to taking advantage of the first opportunity to enjoy and swim in the bay.  Even the most hesitant found his way into the water

 In the background, a golden sun glistened on the water as the waves gently rolled in.  Tired and covered with goosebumps, the group slowly made their way back to the dormitories and dry clothes.

As the day came to a close, team members were
weary but filled with praise for the children and the events of the day.  Smiling faces and special
hugs were answered prayer for the team and the camp. We ended our day observing God's magnificent beauty and blessing.