Good morning everyone. We'll be getting started in about 10 minutes. Sound check for Lamont Hiebert and Sara Groves....
Before we get started, would love to know who we have with us in the room this morning.
First name and where you are in the world, "make a comment" section.
Doors just opened, folks coming in to TSS playing "Hosanna, Hosanna...You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises.."
[many of the songs Lamont has lead us in this weekend are off of their latest album, Jubilee]
[This album has been inspired by many of the clients and recovering victims Lamont has met in his travels around the globe...]
[more info on Lamont and Ten Shekel Shirt at www.tenshekelshirt.com]
Bethany Hoang, Director of the IJM Institute, is taking the stage to open our time together...
"We're looking forward to sharing 4 more people this morning and we hope you're excited to saddle up with us for one more morning of prayer." - BH
"Lord, we pray that you will use this morning to prepare us to walk with you in the days, weeks and months ahead walking with you in this work of justice" - BH
"Please welcome, Andrey Sawchenko, Director of IJM Cebu, Philippines..."
"IJM Cebu works to rescue victims of sex trafficking, accountability of the perpetrators..."
IJM Cebu has rescued 105 victims of trafficking this last year, and the arrest and conviction of 44 traffickers! Praise God.
"Our biggest challenges in the office: relationship breakdown with key power actor in the local police unit...lack of political will in leaders to affect deep challenge in the justice system...spaces for aftercare victims in shelters"
"Top 4 prayer requests for our staff: unity amongst our staff, courage to face difficult situations/people, convictions in cases pending in the upcoming months, new rescues esp. in large establishments we've been targeting for awhile..." - AS
Andrey is intro'ing a recent client who is joining us via webcam...
[Thanks for joining us, Katie!]
"This client was lured to a babysitting job in the city but was not paid adequately and the working relationship was very bad. She and her co-worker wanted to leave but the employer wouldn't allow them to."
[Fantastic, Grant! Thanks for joining us.]
Question from AS to our client: "Do you have a favorite bible verse?"
Client's A: "1 Cor. 13:13...And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Incredibly moving as our client recited the verse from memory with tears in her eyes...
"Our client would like prayers as she finishes her studies this year...
...prayers that she would also be able to help others...
...prayers that justice will be served in her pending case."
Pamela Mumbi, our IJM Zambia director is praying for Andrey and IJM Cebu...
"God, thank you that you intervene and rescue...Hold our IJM Cebu staff's hands as they be your hands and feet to bring about rescue..." - PM
Dieter Achezehn, IJM Rwanda director next....In Rwanada, less that 1 percent of Rwanda's population understand how to execute wills and protect their land rights. Through IJM Rwanda's work, over 3000 rwandans were trained through community outreach on proper will writing and execution...67 widows and orphans have been restored to land and homes, the development will templates, creation of a formal Family law manual...
Govt of Rwanda awarded the Jali district where we work as the best run district and recognized/awarded IJM as a major part of that development.
Dieter takes the stage now...
[Thanks for joining us, Charisa!]
"I'd like to share an encouragement from IJM Rwanda..." - DA
"Many of our national staff work beyond what is expected; They've decided to stay in a difficult situation and they've caught the passion of this work, and it encourages me." - DA
"Please pray for physical strength for our team, that we may stay mindful of God's presence is all things..."
Sara Groves coming on stage to share her song "I Saw What I Saw", inspired after a trip taken to Rwanda.
This same video playing on-screen...please join us in watching it.
"Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of, your courage asks me what I'm made of...and what I know of love, and what I know of God."- SG
Now, Vice Pres of Investigations, Jeff Blum
"I'd like to categorized the 3 areas of the difficulties with investigations work that need prayer..." - JB
"Physical: the hours are long, and there is always constant danger. We must always be alert and we generally go into these situations alone."
"Emotional: Sometimes we have to go into the situations our victims faced everyday. We have to operate while controlling our frustation and anger in what we see. We experience heartache and anger when it appears that evil triumphs over good in a 'failed' operation."
"Spiritual: It can feel like a hailstorm with God as our umbrella when we face this sin, temptation and wickedness everyday."
Prov. 28:4
"When everything works right, it's an incredible feeling. But sometimes things fall apart and the hardest thing is to know that the girls we've seen in these situations are still there."
