Friday, December 18, 2009
Tips for identifying victims.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Home at last! Home at last! Dear God Almighty We are Home at last!
We made it home to Salem last night just in time for church the next day and this morning (the 14th) we leave again for a small road trip up to Portland. Just a few more interviews and we are done with that part.
Some thoughts on the Canada part of the trip....
Canada, is Beautiful! Dood. Amazing. I wasn't even able to even look around the city but I could see the Mountains from everywhere....freekin sweet. Must go back if not just for photos..and snowboarding...and backpacking....and climbing....and some other stuff that would be really cool. Really cool stuff.
and....Melissa, the girl on the street. We first saw Melissa on the street corner dancing, "showing off" and well, we stopped. I wanted to at least talk to her, maybe film her for the story. All we could do is ask.
So, we walked up to her...very seedy block (obviously) and we happened to meet behind a school bus, there were some people selling things on the sidewalks some guys walking by, and I said hello.
This isn't the first prostitute I have ever talked to...this is however one of the first times I have went out and "looked" for a prostitute. Completely different from saying "No Thanks" I actually wanted to talk to her.
Everything went on like a normal conversation...you know, Hey I saw you on the corner back there....blah blah blah....somewhere in the middle of that conversation I introduced myself, and shook her hand, thanked her for letting us talk to her even though we didn't have a toke or want her for her "services".
Getting back into the car we went over what just happened out there...the adrenaline rush that we just had....talking to another human being. It was said in the conversation that when I reached out and introduced myself and gave her my hand it became a point of humanizing her...putting a name, face, voice, smell, touch to this otherwise "thing" that I would never in my life be seen around. Melissa. Ratty long blond hair, Short skirt with a blanket draped around her in the -4c, white high heels and she is just bairly taller then my chest. Cold hands shaking my warm hands. Willing to do anything for $5 dollars....just for her next fix.
Humans...think about it. People who feel, look, think, just like you. Humans who are just like us.
It was also weird to talk about how each of us felt just in the simple act of talking to Melissa. Everyone knew (assumed) why we were there. They though we were there for sex. This was normal for that area...Just thinking about the judgment that was passed on not just to the girl, but to me...It was then when I wondered about all the judgment that Jesus got when he would hang out with the prostitutes...what people thought of him and the guilt for the "appearance of evil."
Crazy stuff if you ask me. Honestly, I love my life. Way over privileged and I really thank God for everything I get to do. Its really great to work with a team of people as we're running down the street and mid stride we are having an audable conversation almost yelling at God....GOD BE WITH US RIGHT NOW...PLEASE! Such good stuff.
Its late and I need sleep...farewell.
The photos are both in Seattle on the Ferry....which one? Not sure.
Worth it?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Quick Promo
Please let us know how you liked it. (In my defense I did this at 3am)
WCDP Human Trafficking from Joshua Brown on Vimeo.
(Props to Ro for the music)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Seattle
In the last couple days, we have met with IJM, Not For Sale, as well as collations in the King County. Information is flowing here, and we are again so time consumed meals often are a competition of how fast can we get food, and bring it in the car with minutes to spare before our next appointment.
Stakeouts have also been on the agenda, to gain useful information on the surrounding area, as well as useful footage of the streets.
All the interviews as well as investigating makes for early mornings, late late nights, and lots of traveling.
The other day when we were doing a church service someone commented on how glad she was to see us all laughing together. She had been following our journey on our blog and praying for us. As a health care provider she had concerns of ptsd for us all, but when she saw us joking around and laughing, she noted what a pleasant surprise it was!
We really are a group of friends making a difference together. What a joy it is, even in the face of such a daunting issue. This issue has faces for us, people behind the ‘issue’ and it also has a hope that we know.
Please keep praying for us. We need to continue to be lead by the spirit in all that we do. Thank you for standing with us.