Highlights from the last few weeks:
We completed a week of Human Trafficking awareness with a few other ministries on campus. This included display tables in the Union, a guest speaker, a movie showing, and some evangelism training.
Before this event I knew very little about human trafficking. It seemed like something that happened on the other side of the world. I was shocked to learn that it happens in our very own state, maybe even in our own quaint little town. It is estimated that 200 women are bussed in every year and forced into prostitution at the various hunting lodges during pheasant hunting season.
The Mall of America is considered "the factory" where many disadvantaged youth are lured in with the promise of help. Another way they get girls is by posing as a modeling agency and then forcing them into the porn industry. America is the biggest importer of porn which more often than not uses women and children who are there against their will.
I was left with the question, what can I do? This problem is so big and it is hard to come up with tangible things that one stay-at-home mom can actually do to make a difference. One small thing we decided we can do is no longer purchase coffee or chocolate that is not Fair Trade (for a list of companies click on highlighted words). Most of the coffee and cocoa beans imported are harvested by enslaved children. These children aren't just forced to work, they are often abused, molested and raped.
I used to think that fair trade just meant the workers were paid a fare wage, now I know there is much more to it. My favorite coffee stop, Starbucks, isn't 100% fair trade but from what I gather I think they are at least working on it which is more than many companies are willing to do.
The Gang from SDSU
Getting ready for the annual Ultimate Frisbee Tourney
Oct. 23 - 25 was our annual fall conference. It was at a new location this year to accommodate the growing number of students. I think (but my mommy brain is fuzzy so don't hold me to it) that about 400 people were there. Maybe more? It is always interesting having kids at a conference, waiting in lines for meals, late bedtimes, sleeping together (when they actually did sleep), etc. On the whole I was glad for a few good conversations that I had with some people, but that is about all I think I can expect to get out of a conference in this season of life. And I'm okay with that. I wonder what my kids will remember from these times. I hope they have fond memories as they look back on these experiences. I worry that they feel looked over or I'm too tired and stretched to really be meeting all their needs the way I "should". I don't really think that is the case, that is just what I get anxious about when my guard is down. It was a lot of fun housing with some good friends and their kids and we had extra hands helping us with the kiddos which was a real blessing! I was especially encouraged to hear from one woman that she is considering going overseas next summer after hearing about opportunities at our conference.
Once we returned home we had about 2 days and 10 loads of laundry (seriously, where does it all come from?) before heading off to MO. Hubby was going to be at another conference out of state so he was kind enough to drop me off at my best friends for a visit and fly out from there. Single parenting is so much easier when you have other kids and adults around! We had a wonderful time and I think hubby did too (how could you not in FL?).
Alas, it is always soooo good to be home again. I'm so thankful for safe travels, a van that got us there and back, and a cozy home of our own. I feel really out of touch with my everyday life and things on campus but that will all come back into focus soon enough.
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