Reflecting God's Beauty In A Broken World

Child Sex Slaves--- 3 words that do not belong in the same sentence and yet this unthinkable and horrible travesty not only exists but it is thriving and growing. Today, there are over 1 million children who enter the sex trade each year. In Cambodia, girls may be sold into sex slavery as young as five! The "old" girls are 11-13 years old! Torture and violence are a girl’s daily companions. She will be raped 8 to 10 times a day by adult males who come from all over the world to humiliate her. They will take photos and videos of her terror so they can "re-live" the moment and impress their friends.

But her story remains untold. Her voice is silenced by the fear, shame and guilt that she is forced to endure. Her body is desecrated by the multitude of sexually transmitted diseases it is forced to host. She is hopeless, helpless, has no passport or papers, no identity. She has become what they want her to be – a product- a sexual commodity!

Yet it is into this darkness that God is calling His people through the words from Isaiah 61:1-4 to be His light by entering into the battle against oppression, to bind up the broken hearted, to release these prisoners from the dungeons of sex trafficking, to set these captives free; to bestow on them His crown of beauty instead of ashes, to replace their spirit of despair with His garments of praise, to pour His oil of joy upon their crushed hearts so that they can become oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

Will you be part of God's Isaiah 61 team by reflecting His beauty in a broken world as you speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, restore hope and dignity to those who are viewed as disposable and invest in their lives in order for them to fulfill their God given destinies?

The Ratanak Foundation is having its 3rd Seek Justice Conference entitled: Reflecting God's Beauty in a Broken World on January 16 & 17, 2009, in Toronto.

Click on link to read more abou the conference details: Conference Info and how to register for this upcoming event.

I Will Rise

These past few weeks there has been so much going on in my mind. When I think of all the planning and logistics of the upcoming conference in January, when I think of my spiritual daughters in Cambodia and the pain and trauma they are dealing with, when I think of a good friend who was ministering to these little ones and now she herself is going through physical suffering that has resulted in her temporary leaving the field---all of these things weigh on my spirit and I am so easily tempted to run in the other direction. But there is a song that has been my anthem these past few weeks, a song that has played in my mind, a song that enables me to run this race that God has called me to pursue, a song that gives rise to hope. It is called 'I will Rise' by Chris Tomlin.

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And riseI will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

As I think of the lyrics, I think of the journey that my little sisters in Cambodia have experienced and my good friend who is facing physical challenges, I think of the loneliness that leadership involves and yet through all of this Jesus is the anchor to each of our souls. He is the Peace that we have each come to know in our trials, He is the One who has overcome and gives us His power to overcome. Thank you Lord that you have won the victory for us and there is a day when the darkness around us will break into light and we will rise on eagles wings. And we like the angels will sing 'Worthy is The Lamb'---You indeed are worthy O'Lord to receive all glory and honor. Give to each of us the courage, perserverance, endurance and resolve to move forward, knowing that with each step we take, You are right beside us to guide and direct our paths. And just like Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, Jephthah and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies (Hebrews 11:32-25) Quicken our faith that we too will live with the same kind of spiritual tenacity that these saints of old demonstrated so that we can testify how great is our God who is indeed worthy to receive all praise, honor and glory!