|
EVENTS:
May 4 - 9:
Present and plan with global ministry
leaders at conference in Middle East- Derri Smith
May 6: Franklin Volunteer Group - Bria Blessing
May 15: Teach at John School - Marna Jane Bevill
May 19: Maintenence Professionals Luncheon- Karen Karpinski
May 21, 22: Teaching and community project at Donelson Academy (pending)- Derri Smith
May 24:
NashvilleVolunteer Group- Pax Wiemers |
|
Help End Slavery! |
| |
|
|
For volunteer group info: | |
Nashville: Pax
Last Mon. each month EXCEPT May meeting is on 24th b/c of Memorial Day
Franklin: Bria
First Thurs. each month |
|
|
|
Formatted by Jenny Vazquez | | Simone was busy having a baby! |
|
|
|
|
End Slavery TN + Faceless International = Synergy!
On three consecutive weekends in March, Faceless International and End Slavery TN (ESTN) teamed up to engage and inspire young people from around the country.
 ESTN intern April Goodwin shared ways we work here in Nashville which participants can replicate in their hometowns. She also led a victim identification poster hanging event, arranged a convocation at Belmont University and with the rest of the team, played with high risk refugee children.
The two organizations joined together for a movie night, watching and discussing a film about human trafficking/slavery. We look forward to future partnerships with our friends at Faceless International! |
Phi Mui Gets the Word Out
March 21st was a busy day for area abolitionists! At the same time as one of the Faceless events (see above), members of Belmont University's Phi Mui Sorority participated in an educational session on human t rafficking led by Karen Karpinski.
Following that session, the girls split into three groups to distribute posters and informational materials to businesses in the Hillsboro Village Area. In a period of one hour they talked with more than thirty business owners or managers, hanging or providing the flyers.
What a fabulous difference this group made in their Saturday Service Day for Ending Slavery! A huge thanks to Paige Chappell and all the girls of Phi Mui, and to their fearless leader, Karen.
|
|
From Tennessee to the World
God is using Nashville as a launching place for abolitionists around the globe. It's exciting to watch! Here is what's happening with a few of our volunteers:  Bria Blessing to Ukraine:
"I was born a Texas girl, but by the time I was a teenager I ended up as some sort of Texas-Ukrainian concoction. When I was 13, God told my parents to move to Ukraine because He had work for them to do there, and I was suddenly thrust into the world of an MK ("missionary kid"). "Little did I know how much I would fall in love with that country and people over the years...which is why, when I was 27, I was very confused when God told me to move to Nashville. I couldn't understand why I would have to leave what had become my home, and up until recently I still didn't understand God's reasons for having me here for the last three years (as much as I have loved Nashville). That is, until, at the start of 2010, He told me to go back to Ukraine to fight human trafficking in my adopted home country. "All the years that I spent living in Ukraine, human beings were being bought and sold in and out of that country right under my nose, and I had no idea it was happening. It took God bringing me to Nashville to even learn what human trafficking is, and to discover that Ukraine and Eastern Europe are some of the major hubs of slavery. But to my knowledge, the anti-slavery movement in Ukraine is extremely small, and there's a lot of work to do. "In just a few short months, I'll be returning to my beautiful Lviv, and I can't wait to get started - creating awareness in my city and around the country, and going into schools to educate young girls about human trafficking and how to protect themselves from becoming a victim. I have loved Nashville, and now I'm not only grateful for the wonderful host city it's been to me, but also for how it has helped me discover the next chapter of my life." Charlie and Liz Dodrill to Columbia:
"Last summer, my husban d downloaded a free audio book about human trafficking. We had no idea just how much that free book would affect our future plans and our hearts which were immediately captured by the stories of young girls living in brothels forced to engage in sexual acts with hundreds of adult men.
"As we learned more, we knew that we had to be somehow involved in setting these captives free. We were unsure where to begin so my husband began reading any book that he could get his hands on (or download to his Kindle) about the slavery existing in the world today while I began studying about the psychological treatment of sexual abuse and trauma. We found out about a local antislavery group that met near our home and immediately joined.
"The idea of starting up an aftercare home for girls was beginning to stir in our hearts. In February an organization in Medellin, Columbia that my husband worked with in the past contacted us. They plan to start up a home for girls that have been released from sex slavery and asked us if we would be interested in heading it up. We plan to go there for a week in May for an exploratory visit. We are extremely excited about this opportunity and while unsure if this is indeed the exact location and situation that the Lord is calling us to we are confident that he will provide a place for us to partner with Him in loving these precious children."
Michael and Mary Schreuder to UK These key local activists, are moving to Oxford, England this summer, where Michael has a new job; they plan to remain active in anti-slavery work in the UK. (Michael not pictured.)
Derri Smith (that's me) - Global
I spoke to partners and current/former missionaries at the International Teams (ITeams) 50th anniversary gathering in Chicago. Bill and I will be in the Middle East in early May, where I will speak to and strategize with mission leaders from around the world. In June, I will begin training outbound US missionaries on the issue of human trafficking and slavery.
Look out world. Here God comes! |
|
Opportunities for Action
Be an Events Manager- weekday hours.
Start a Truck Stop Initiative - like this.
Develop a Community Watch Program, like this.
Oversee Freedom Fighter Parties- in-home parties selling products made by rescued slaves.
Bring a Ride for Refuge to TN. Big job. Big results. Aid refugees, widows, orphans and the enslaved.
Join the team developing prevention materials.
Prevent-Students and Musicians can warn youth, like this. | |
Create! Graphic Designers are needed to create a
display board for exhibits, posters, bookmarks, more. |
|
|
Ten Minute Activism
Juliet and Jonathan Stuck are a beautiful couple who God is calling to work long-term to end slavery in Thailand. They've been in Thailand this year, working with rescued victims, and plan to return to work in rural villages where trafficking is epidemic. But first they are returning to the states to visit family, raise support and... to have a baby! What a blessing and encouragement it would be, if you'd go on-line and surprise the Stuck's with a gift from their baby registry!
Please have gifts mailed to: Aneeta Lekven
5794 La Chaise Lane.
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
The Stuck's also have need of a Graco Pack N' Play for their on-the-go lifestyle. It would be awesome to bless them with one, also, or donations towards one. Thanks, team! |
Help! We're Growing Fast!
What do trips to the Middle East to equip and mobilize national leaders to end slavery and printing victim identification postcards for local distribution have in common? Two things: They have great impact and they cost money. Right now we're growing fast and doing a lot that's effective and creative. It's exciting! But we have lots more $ going out now than coming in.
Please help with the expense of this work- our work- by sending a tax-deductible gift to International Teams 411 W. Rive r Road
Elgin, IL 60123 or on-line.
IMPORTANT:
Make sure to designate
"for Derri Smith's work account."
This account will support local work, plus travel and operational expenses in support of our international work. If you wish to specify your donation as "local" or "international," just indicate this. We'll make sure your funds are spent according to your wishes.
Even small amounts, given regularly, are a big help.
Thank-you, team! |
Monthly Volunteer Groups
The Franklin Abolitionists are off to a great start. Recently they held a poster hanging day and were able to place victim identification posters in key spots like a truck stop and gas stations.
Kudos to Bria Blessing for taking the initiative to start this group. As Bria heads to the Ukraine to work to end slavery there (see FromTennessee to the World, above) , leadership of the Franklin group will be assumed by Bucky Elliott. Bucky's considerable passion for ending slavery was fanned into flame by the recent birth of his daughter, Ella Jane. This group meets on the first Thursday of the month.
The Nash ville group, under the leadership of Pax Wiemers, who has been with End Slavery TN since day 1, has a new meeting place. We so appreciate Christina Van Regenmorter who arranged the use of a large, lovely meeting space in her church, Nashville Friends Meeting, in a great, central location very near Centennial Park. We'll gather there at our next meeting, which is May 24th at 6:45pm. The address is 530 26th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37209. Subsequent meetings will be on the last Monday of each month.
To contact leaders for further information, please see the sidebar to the left. |
|
End Slavery TN brings people together to use their unique skills, passions and sphere of influence to end modern day slavery and aid its victims in Tennessee and beyond.
We're part of the global work of International Teams, a Christian mission in which 1,200 people serve on multi-national teams in over 60 countries, coming together to serve the oppressed: The poor, the slave and the blind. We'd love to have you join us. Together, let's end slavery! International Teams - US 615-290-5714
endslaverytn.org
endslavery.iteams.org
Bringing people together to end human trafficking and slavery |
|
|
