Birthday Weekend

I turned 28 last Saturday, and I claimed the entire weekend as my birthday (mostly because I had to work on Saturday, but, let's be honest, I probably would have claimed the whole thing even if I wouldn't have had to work!) It was a very random, eventful weekend and I

hope you enjoy the highlights...

First the biggest bouquet of flowers arrived at my office (which is not listed and I've never given the address to anyone!) compliments of my beautiful friend Sarah Pahl in Dallas (who is obviously going to be an amazing lawyer, because she's got great investigative skills!)

I had originally planned to celebrate my birthday on Friday

night, because two of my really good friends were going out of town the next day, but a brothel raid was scheduled for that night, so my plans were up in the air for awhile. I was scheduled for the morning shift, so we went ahead with the celebration... My wonderful friend Isa drove us up to an Italian restaurant, on top of the mountainside overlooking the city and I had an amazing dinner with Lynn, Angela, Isa, Amy, and Sarah (whose flowers got their own seat of

honor).

The next day I worked from 7am-3pm. I met with clients who were taken out

of the brothel the night before for intake interviews and affidavit taking with the lawyers. My boss surprised me and bought the best cake I have tasted this side of the pacific! The staff there sang to me... and then I attempted to "cut" the cake (it was more of a butcher) with the straight end of a plastic fork.

That evening was a "Walk against Trafficking" and a free concert put on by MTV Exit (End Exploitation and Trafficking) with three great Filipino bands. It was a great concert though... The next pic is some of my co-workers showing up to support the effort. (Even those who didn't particularly enjoy the music still came to support! :) )

The next day, Sunday, I went to Happy Horizons Children's Ranch to celebrate with some of my favorite kids in all the world (although many of them I can't actually call "kids" anymore). After orienting Amy and Matt to the joys of the public bus, we spent the afternoon eating cake and ice cream and playing games.

Thanks everyone for making me feel so loved this weekend!

Crime and Celebration

A baptism, a raid, a stolen wallet, and a sermon. The highlights of my weekend. The events that made this weekend very long, but one of the most exciting and memorable of my stay here in Cebu thus far.

My Refuge House, one of the aftercare facilities here that I am working very closely with, currently has 5 girls living in their care. One of the girls is getting ready to be transferred to a longer term shelter. However, because of the impact of the staff at My Refuge, and all she has learned there, she wanted to be baptized before she left. So the shelter pushed the baptism forward, and opened it up to any of the girls who wished to make a commitment. Amazingly, all five of them decided to participate! It was a great testimony of who God is, and although the girls still have alot to learn, their desire to allow the Lord to assist them through those trials is very exciting!

If you would like to see pictures and other comments about this event or this shelter you can check out the Interim Director's blog at http://russmegumikids.blogspot.com/

That baptism was Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening, on my way to the office, I stopped by the drug store to pick up some meds. As I was leaving, I felt someone move my bag. Usually when I feel someone touch my bag, It's nothing, just me being paranoid, so I shook my backpack a little, picked up my speed a bit, and climbed into a taxi. And when I got in I noticed my wallet was gone.

Needless to say, I was more than a little upset. I came into the office and called my credit card company to cancel my card and moped around for a little while (mostly just mad at myself for not reacting when I felt my bag move... and not wearing my backpack on the front instead of the back). My co-workers were great, one offered to take me to the police station to report it (although, honestly, I'm sure it wouldn't do any good). Most shocking to me though, was when two Filipino co-workers handed me money because "we know what it's like to not have any cash." I was encouraged beyond my ability to express.

That night I participated in my first raid of a bar. It was incredible to watch my co-workers in action and see how they rose up to the challenges, not just that evening, but also in the days that followed as they worked with the girls. I'm amazed and excited to be part of such a great team!

I left the scene early, arriving home around 5am because I had to travel out to the province for a speaking engagement at "Happy Church." This is the church that is part of "Happy Horizons Children's Ranch" where I lived and worked the last time I was here. I was pretty tired, but, again, the Filipinos there made it every bit worth the venture! The pastor, Ricky, went out and bought some "Lechon" (roasted pig-- the traditional party food) because they remembered that my birthday was in a few weeks. And I sat with the family most of the afternoon and rested before coming back to the city. And, of course, seeing the kids there never ceases to make my day joyful. It's a long trip to get out there, and I never want to go, but everytime I arrive, I never want to leave, and I'm always so happy I made the trip.

It was a memorable weekend in so many ways. And my favorite part, as always, are the amazing Filipinos I have the privilege of counting as friends!

Victory!

The IJM office in Manila had a major victory last week!

Read about it here:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090930-227672/1st-public-exec-guilty-of-human-trafficking
or here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/09/30/09/court-convicts-cop-life-human-trafficking
or here:
http://www.balitapinoy.net/philippine_crime_news.html
or here:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/cop-sentenced-trafficking
or here:
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/3059-manila-court-metes-police-officer-life-sentence-for-human-trafficking
or here!
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=509973&publicationSubCategoryId=93

All the articles say basically the same thing... but the publicity is amazing!

Thanks everyone for your support in this work! Please continue to pray for the ongoing cases in this office and others around the world.

Yay for Victories!!!