The Numbers

''Globally, some 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year, according to a 2007 report from the U.S. State Department. Of that number, more than 70% are female and half are children. However, a 2009 United Nations report stated that around 20% of all trafficking victims are children.'' CNN's Project Freedom, 4th May 2011

Indian Rescue Mission

This was sent to us by our friends at Indian Rescue Mission-it's a short introduction to who they are and their mission.



Blessings,

KB

P.S. The Tallest Man On Earth is my Monday music today.

God Grew Tired Of Us

The documentary God Grew Tired Of Us came out a few years ago so it's not a 'new' movie, but since it was my first time to see it, it was new to me.

It narrates the tale of the Lost Boys of Sudan-a group of boys that were forced to flee their motherland because of war and violence. In their exodus they wandered through the desert and faced trials varying from starvation to illness to lions and air raid bombings. Their numbers dwindled from more than 20,000 to 12,000 by the time they reached the refugee camp. Temporary relief was found in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, but it was short lived and they soon were transplanted to a refugee camp in northern Kenya. Another trek across the wilderness. Another long trip littered with disease and heartache. Another stint in a refugee camp.

Fifteen years later, the boys are now men and a select few were given the opportunity to come to the United States-another wilderness within itself. The boys adjust to living in apartments, shopping in a grocery store, working in the United States and facing the loneliness inherent in being new in a foreign land.

I can't say enough beautiful things about this movie. I was captivated by it from opening to end credits and shed a great many tears throughout. It is a sweet story of redemption that I highly recommend to everyone.



Blessings,

KB

P.S. The Weepies are appropriate for such soft weather outside.

humanrights.gov

The United States government has launched a new website: humanrights.gov, an easily accessible and user friendly page to gain access to press releases, articles, studies and breaking news on human rights issues from all over the world. Their section on trafficking is a wealth of information from such people as Ambassador Luis CdeBaca and Secretary of State Clinton.

April 3, 1968

"It was on this day in 1968 that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final speech in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had come to support striking sanitation workers.

He said: "The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. … Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee — the cry is always the same: 'We want to be free.'"

And ...

"We've got to stay together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity."

And ...

"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation."

And ...



"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!"
The next day, he was assassinated." The Writer's Almanac

Blessings,

KB