Though I still wait on Him, I am not to be silent.

So, here it is, my first blog post on the sex industry; prompted by a seminar from 'No More Traffik' last week during which we discussed and were informed of the nature and causes of trafficking. Firstly, here is a quick overview of the facts...

Trafficking: 'The coercion, movement and exploitation of people for profit.'

•  Sexual exploitation makes up 79% of human trafficking.  Most of which is at the expense of women and girls.

• The next most common form of trafficking is forced labor.

• Though the term 'trafficking' involves movement, it is most often not over international borders but something that occurs close to home.

• Trafficking occurs in at least 160 countries.  

Why? Because there is a demand. Because a body can be sold multiple times a day over years, making it the largest source of income for organised crime.

Why? Because poverty and emotional vulnerability create an opportunity for exploitation.

Why?  Because not everybody views people as made in the image of God.  A certain mind set is required for somebody to perceive another human as a commodity to be used or sold.

So why am I writing about this?
Though as mentioned earlier, this post was prompted by a seminar, it was several years ago that I first heard the specific call of God on my life to work with women in prostitution. I accepted it as something to come into action far into my future.  But now I feel the stir of the Lord.  He has been molding and breaking my heart as He prepares me, and now though I still wait on Him, I understand that I am not to be silent.

In the seminar, having been presented with the facts, we were asked which aspect of trafficking personally offends us most... what is it that resonates with my heart specifically?  What brings ME to tears?  Personally my desperation is found in the theft of dignity that is involved in the sex industry....but for the person beside me it will likely be something else.  This is powerful and beautiful; we do not barge into these issues as if we can conjure up anything to contribute to the efforts of justice, rather we look into ourselves to discover the burdens and resources already at hand and bring them to the Lord as an offering to be used and multiplied.  For some they have a great anger when they consider the traffickers, for others they are overwhelmed by the tragedy of the stories of victims, some approach with a law degree or the gift of counselling others the ability to public speak.  It is with this individuality that we can creatively begin to tackle the issue.

With creativity and individuality, but also with an acknowledgement that by myself I have nothing to offer.   Alone Lucy can not storm into the brothels and deliver justice to the owners and bring about restoration for the victims.  I have neither strength nor expertise and I know nothing of suffering.  But I wait on one who does.

 I come simply with an imperfect desperation for the renewal of dignity and justice and a young life committed to see change.Where that commitment will take me I do not know, but I felt that I should write for the first time about the deepest and most mysterious burden of my heart, that perhaps one day I can look back on the journey and witness God's hand at work from the start.

"Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated O Jerusalem; loose the bonds of your neck O captive daughter of Zion." Isaiah 52:2

Decluttering life.

Every semester Belfast Bible College takes a day off classes for a 'Quiet day,' which probably tells you a lot in itself about the college ethos.  So today fellowship groups piled in cars to head out to the zoo, surfing, monasteries, Dublin...all over.  My group set out for the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

And may I say, today has been one of the best days of my time here. The museum was great, the company even better.  Never underestimate the power of an intentional day off...a Sabbath of your education.

The museum recreated an old village that you were free to wander around and experience how life would have been.  Each of us were struck by the beauty of the simplicity; small houses, few possessions, only home-made entertainment.  How strikingly different to the clutter of our lives and homes.  How far our schedules waver from following daylight hours and working with our hands.  How far apart bigger houses can drive family and social media can drive community.  Are we not at danger of cluttering our lives to the point of loneliness?

It was a fun and leisurely day of learning about the past as well as a time of fellowship, laughter and great conversations.  How refreshing it is to relax into casual yet deep discussions on everything from marriage to war and poverty with like-minded people.

And then in the evening I get the privilege to have somebody take me to a hill to wonder at the stars together and quietly contemplate the happenings of the day.

So there is a peek into a fantastically ordinary but lovely day, whilst I warm up with a hot chocolate and reflect on the lessons to be learnt.

Our Small Adventure.

It seems I have developed a delightful habit of taking a week off each semester for a refuel and an adventure! This semester it took the form of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle.  Time to make new friends, catch up and say goodbye to an old friend and travel with David for the first time.

And what a JOY it has been, our time in Scotland was filled with castles, parks, museums, bus tours, hostels, pancakes, afternoons in coffee shops and much craziness.  How sweet it is to spend time away in good company.

Then I traveled on home to touch base with family and friends and enjoy my own bed once again. Good conversations and the power of being back by the beach; being home refreshes my soul, but this time also signified to me a shift in seasons.

And what did I hear? That we are different.

That the Lord stirs up different things in each of us and persuades our hearts in different directions.  I can not impose my relationship with God as an expectation for others, nor should I desire for theirs to look the same.  Advice is limited in that their are a thousand paths, but God is not limited because He faithfully goes before us.

My seasons.

When the seasons change,
Who forewarns the trees?
Who makes their branches sturdy,
Who prepares them for the breeze?

When the snow is scheduled to come,
Who tells the birds to stock up?
Are they told to layer their nest,
Or is their survival simply luck?

When the sun begins to scorch,
Is there a call to alert the slugs?
Does somebody order their movement;
How come we dont lose the bugs?

My point is that seasons change,
But nature always seems to be ready;
So when it comes to my seasons,
Will my balance also be held steady?