Finally an update

In the past week, I've had several people write and ask, "So how was the conference?" And I thought, "How did you know about the conference?" Oh, my blog! So I'm realizing that people do read this and I need to get with it more often.

One friend wrote, "I love your blog. I read Andy's blog, but I read yours more often because it is more for women." Then she told me to get with it and update it more often. Okay, I hear you Mariana! I'll will work to update more often and I'll get back on things I've asked for prayer for because people do read this blog! Duh!

So what did I get out of the conference? I learned that I need to get a business plan together for it and I was able to meet with a lady in Minnesota who helped me learn how to do that. So you can pray that I have wisdom and understanding as I put that together.

I learned that trafficking is worldwide. It is in America as well as any other country, and I saw that God is raising up women all over the world (and on that college campus) to respond to this need. Vanguard University is a Christian University that was the first Christian university to start a women's studies program. Women's studies there is not about a competition of men versus women. It isn't about women's rights. It is about raising up young women to respond to the call God has on them to meet their world where it is hurting and in need. Pray for the young women who God is moving on their hearts to respond to the issue of trafficking in the years ahead.

I learned that the mode to trafficking is so horrible that we can not imagine it. We watched a documentary "Cargo--Innocence Lost" about girls trafficked into the United States. It was awful. I'll tell you that I had to close my eyes many times. People around me were sobbing. How can such evil exist? The evil does exist, but God is calling us to go behind the enemy lines and bring his hope into those with innocence lost. Can you pray for the women God will rescue and restore?

I met a lady from the state department working in anti-trafficking. She is a beautiful Christian lady who is articulate and passionate about this issue. She helped to have the anti-trafficking law written in America and she helps to fight this around the world. She told me, "Don't be surprised when the secular anti-trafficking groups oppose you in Moldova, even though you are trying to do the same work. They don't like to bring Jesus into it." I've already experienced this in Moldova. Please pray that God would give me wisdom and favor with these other groups.

I had the opportunity to stay with a wonderful couple, Dave and Millie Gable, who poured their love and understanding into me that weekend. Millie and I attended the conference together. Thanks Dave and Millie for the hospitality. I felt blessed by my time with you.

The 2 days were swift. I was tired, jet lagged and dealt with late flights coming and going, but I also came home with a greater passion than ever.

God is doing a work in me to make me into something new and he is doing it a bit at a time, with things such as this conference. Thanks so much for your prayers. I need to tell you about the personal work that is happening, but that needs to be another posting.

Blessings!