Never Doubt ...

A big hola from Mexico!

As we finish off our remarkable time in southern Baja, I am reflecting on a few things:

• ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has’. Margaret Mead. Rancho El Camino is one of these groups. I am so grateful to be part of a church where we have many groups of thoughtful, committed global citizens living and facilitating the Kingdom of God.  To our Mexico Justice Journey team, thank you for your selfless acts of love and sacrifice!  May all the seeds that have been planted in us and in Mexico usher in harvests.
• Unity in Diversity.  We learned and experienced profound unity in Mexico with our team, with Rancho El Camino, and the colonias (surrounding neighbourhoods). 
  • Unity means being a bridge builder and peacemaker both in the Body of Christ and with others out in the world. Unity is about a profound with-ness with others in pain, unity refuses to see others as separate, or less valuable, or there to be blamed or used. “Love is what you do when you truly believe that we are one.” – Elias Scultori. This is from our Justice Journey Spiritual Formation Handbook: Communitas, Together on Mission - With God, For Others by Spiritual Directors Mark and Petra Anderson, who facilitated Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Formation for us.
• Human trafficking:  As February 22 is/was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, I think and pray for some friends of ours in Mexico City, El Pozo de Vida who are committed to prevention, intervention, and restoration for women, children, families and communities that are vulnerable to human and sex trafficking. We are also thinking and praying for Chab Dai, Precious Women, and Ratanak in Cambodia. 

Let's take a moment and pray for survivors of human trafficking in Mexico, Cambodia and Refugees (Tenth's 3 main global priorities).  

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Proverbs 21:15 

We want to see God intervene in the lives of people affected by human trafficking, and we want Him to bring lasting change to their situations.

Pray for survivors 

For those who are trapped in slavery, pray: 

• For revelation: that the truth of their situation is brought to light. Pray that they can make contact with people who are in a position to help them.
• For justice: that the crimes being committed against them are stopped, and that they come into freedom.
• For reunion: that the families and communities that have been separated by trafficking will be reunited and restored.
• For recovery: that they receive the help and support they need to fully restore their lives – that they can move into mental, physical, and emotional wholeness, social and economic security, and a place to thrive. 

From 24-7 Prayer.  Continue praying for God to shine for those who are vulnerable to human trafficking.