Over Christmas Jesse and I thought it would be so fun to get all the Indiana Jones movie and watch them with the kids. Jesse and I have great memories of seeing those movies when we were young. They were action packed, a little scary, and a little funny, but always had a good ending. We just knew our kids would love them and it would be a fun Christmas Break memory! Well…….maybe not.
You see my kids know that slavery still exists. If you ask them how many slaves are in the world today they know. They know that kids are being sold to do horrible things. They know men and women are enslaved all over the world including their own city. They know. They have been made aware. They put red X’s on their school folders that represent that slavery still exists. They wear swag that says end it movement [an anti slavery movement that brings awareness that slavery still exists] They tell their friends what slavery is. They know.
And because they know way more than we knew when we watched the Indiana Jones movies, they thought differently. I knew that when another one came out, I was going to get to have a date with my dad, get popcorn, a Dr. pepper, and enjoy a great hollywood movie. But, my kids saw evil, were scared, and when we got to The Temple of Doom, slavery. Kate and Rachel literally sat with their eyes closed, and only stayed in the room because they were afraid Jesse and I would be offended because we were having family movie night. After it was over, I asked them what they thought.
Kate said, “Mom I know that slavery exists, but to actually see it in a movie just makes my heart sad.”
“I know, but Indiana saved them.”
“It didn't matter, it was not something that I want to see.”
Rachel said, “Mom those kids were slaves and horrible things were happening to them, and it made my heart sad and I couldn’t enjoy the movie.”
Awareness does do something to you! It made them see a famous movie series way differently just knowing that slavery really does exists. It’s not just Hollywood. It’s real.
So get ready because when you know something, then you have a responsibility. This post is not just about awareness [maybe for my kids] but for the rest of us, maybe it’s time to put that X into ACTION. Those of you that read my post about being a “doer” you know that I find myself seeking action. After I became aware that slavery exists I wanted to participate in fighting for those who have no voice. I found ways to link my hands with organizations and get involved. You can participate by GIVING. PRAYING. and DOING.
I was reminded that “where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” Your treasure may be money but, it also may be your time, your home, your creativity, your words, and/or your prayers. Find out ways to get involved with amazing organizations that are on the ground running.....Preventing, Rescuing and Restoring. If you get involved your heart will too. Here is a list of organizations that you could partner with by GIVING, PRAYING, and/or DOING:
INTERNATIONAL:
A21 Campaign http://www.thea21campaign.org
ECPAT http://ecpatusa.org/wp/
FREE THE SLAVES http://www.freetheslaves.net
IJM http://www.ijm.org
LOVE 146 http://love146.org
MADE IN A FREE WORLD https://madeinafreeworld.com
NOT FOR SALE http://www.notforsalecampaign.org
POLARIS PROJECT http://www.polarisproject.org
WORLD RELIEF http://worldrelief.org
WORLD VISION http://www.worldvision.org
AUSTIN LOCAL:
REDEEMED MINISTRIES http://www.redeemedministries.com
ALLIES http://www.alliesagainstslavery.org [their website is down but you can get on their mailing list today]
REFUGEE SERVICES OF TEXAS http://www.rstx.org [They have some immediate needs]
LIFEWORKS http://www.lifeworksaustin.org
