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It will be a shelter and a shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place...Isaiah 4:6 |
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The Refuge Newlsetter | April 2011
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REFUGE FUNDRAISERS
*September 17 ~
"Made for Survivors"
Fundraiser and Silent Auction in Palestine, Texas. Donations are needed for the silent auction.
*October 8~
"Children are Priceless"
Human Trafficking Awareness Rally & Fundraiser at Bergfeld Park in Tyler, Texas
*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
COMMUNITY
On March 24, East Texas held its first Human Trafficking Awareness Conference at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. The main trainer was Mandy Griffith, Assistant US Attorney U.S. Dept of Justice, Plano, Texas.
Topics addressed were:
(1) Understanding sexual exploitation
(2) Understanding general sex and labor trafficking
(3) Discovering tangible ways the community can help end human trafficking. It was an all-day professional training conference and awareness seminar.
THANK YOU
A special 'thank you' to all who made this a priority and attended the conference. It becomes a matter of urgency when you realize that the average life expectancy of a child lured into prostitution is seven years; with murder or HIV/Aids as the main cause of death.
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Mentorship Program
On March 27, six team members from Refuge of Light traveled to Wellspring Living for Girls in Atlanta, Georgia, for a Vision Casting trip. For two days we met with counselors, teachers, and other staff members to get an overall picture of the home and the programs needed for the girls. It was such a blessing to see the way Wellspring is providing, not only hope for a new life, but the tools needed for restoration.
It is our prayer that ROL will provide a safe home for girls in Texas in the very near future. We have returned from Atlanta with renewed faith and determination to open this critically needed home for Domestic Minor Girls. Standing firm in the belief that Christians are to take the lead in this horrific injustice against our children.
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'LIGHT' Ministries:
A ministry extension of ROL that focuses on preventive measures in the scope of child sex trafficking within our community.
Human trafficking is a supply & demand issue. If the demand decreases, so will the supply. Young men & women need to know of God's love and redemptive work to offset this equation. That is why it is imperative that we reach troubled teens (BOYS, as well as girls) that are being held in our Juvenile Detention Centers.
A Bible Study on Sunday evenings at the Juvenile Detention Center began in January. This ministry has been blessed with 6 professions of faith. It has been truly amazing. ROL is still in need of Youth Study Bibles. Our goal is to provide a Bible for each teen that comes through the system.
ROL also sponsors a community awareness program; speaking at schools, churches and civic organizations. Contact us if you would like to schedule a Refuge of Light representative, as a speaker, at any of your upcoming events.
COMING SOON:
- Cottage construction for 7-12 girls. Plans are under way for the cottage at Refuge of Light. Finally, the vision is becoming a reality. Our goal is to build a secure cottage and provide the help needed to equip these young girls, so that they can transition into a restored life. With your help we can raise the funds to build this cottage.
- Refuge Store in Tyler. The search has started for retail space in Tyler, TX to house an up-scale resale and fair trade store to help fund the ministry of Refuge of Light. We are currently taking donations of gently used furniture, household items and clothing. Please help us fight the war against child sex slavery by supporting the store with your donations. The money we raise will be poured into the lives of young girls rescued from commercial sexual exploitation.
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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 |
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Upcoming Events:
- HUMAN TRAFFICKING ADVOCACY DAY at the capitol on Wednesday, April 27th at 12:00 pm at the south steps of the capitol. It has been organized by Children at Risk. If you are interested in attending, please let us know, or reply to Dawn Lew at dlew@childrenatrisk.org or 713-869-7740. There will be a press conference and rally to hear from legislators and to thank them for making human trafficking a priority.
- ROL will be attending the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Christian Shelter Conference in Austin, TX, Friday, May 13 at 6:30pm - May 14 at 4:30pm. The location is: For the City Center, Austin, TX. On-line registration is open at www.traffickstop.org. Cost is $30.00 per person. There is a movement of Christians across the country who are actively engaging to provide shelters or safe houses for children coming out of the commercial sex industry. Featured Speakers: Jenn McEwen, Vice President of Wellspring Living, Atlanta, Georgia. Jeffrey J. Barrows, D.O., M.A. Health Consultant, Founder & Executive Director, Gracehaven in Ohio and Director, Christian Trafficking Shelter.
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(903)279-8769
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