Carrie Nye

Slavery in America: A Conversation with International Justice Mission

Carrie Nye — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

In light of the courage and leadership of late President Lincoln for his work and voice to end slavery in his day and because today we celebrate his birth, this is a repost of an interview held with International Justice MIssion staff member Lauren Johnson. IJM currently is one of the world leaders in combatting slavery today.

Last month I visited the International Justice Mission headquarters, not far from the Pentagon and just outside our nation’s capitol. It was a beautiful day. The air was crisp and cool and the ground layered with the remnants of the recent snow storm.

Inside IJM, you’ll find a quant, but inspirational photo gallery. The walls are lined with telling photographs of beautiful people who are part of IJM’s work abroad. Each face on each photo has a story to tell of survival, of redemption and of justice at work.

An IJM church mobilizer, Lauren Johnson met me in the gallery. Upon meeting Lauren, it was clear that God has orchestrated her life’s path perfectly by placing her at IJM during this time. She was a terrific host. After a tour of the floor offices, Lauren and I sat down and we had a conversation about human trafficking.

Carrie: Lauren, thank you for having this conversation with me today about human trafficking in the world and what IJM is doing. I wonder if you could share with us a little about what your role is in the church mobilization department here at IJM?

Lauren: My team is responsible for sharing with US churches about our work and the Biblical call that we have as Christians to seek justice on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. We walk alongside churches as they build justice ministry into all aspects of their church, including missions, discipleship, evangelism, worship. In my particular role, I resource churches with tools that will help them along in their own journey and keep them updated on IJM’s frontline casework around the world.. I also assist IJM speakers who travel to churches in the US to share about God’s call to justice with diverse congregations around the country.

Carrie: When you are sharing with these churches, how do you go about sharing about the work that IJM is doing and about this global issue of human trafficking and modern day slavery without paralyzing or scaring people?

Lauren: Well, we try to communicate a message of hope because the facts and realities are startling. National Geographic estimates there are 27 million slaves today and UNICEF estimates that there are about 2 million children exploited in the sex industry. Those are hard numbers to hear. But we also communicate that our God is big, and he’s bigger than even these statistics. He sees every person trapped in slavery. In scripture we see that he wants to redeem them and bring them out of the oppression. We also share stories of IJM clients who have been rescued from slavery or violent oppression. A big part of my job is sharing these stories of hope about God’s goodness and God’s grace. We have seen many incredible stories of rescue. Our field staff who do God’s work on the front lines are also a source of encouragement.

Carrie: What do you say to those who believe that modern day slavery is something that only happens in the developing world?

Lauren: We at IJM see that modern day slavery thrives in areas of the world where there is an absence of the rule of law, which makes it very easy for people to be trapped in slavery and for people to run businesses with slaves. But you are right; it does happen all over the world. I know you are writing this column about slavery happening in the U.S. and we’re grateful that you’re raising awareness of this issue. IJM’s particular area of expertise is working in areas where the public justice system is not functioning, so we do not conduct casework in the U.S., but slavery does exist in our country. Thank you for what you’re doing to equip people to fight it.

Carrie: Are there things that Americans living here in the US can do to lessen the demand in trafficking in the US and overseas?

Lauren: The first thing that comes to mind is what we are doing with our Justice Campaigns. We, as citizens of the United States of America are in very powerful positions to influence our leaders. So we’ve been asking people to contact their Senators and Representatives in congress and ask that they support measures against human trafficking and make decisions that will help people in the developing world who are victims of slavery and child exploitation. We are specifically asking people to ask their representatives to support exciting legislation called the Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA). If this bill is passed, it will give extra funds to the United States State Department’s Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Office to help them fight child slavery and child exploitation. So that would be the first thing that comes to mind. Another thing would be to consider the things we are purchasing. An organization that comes to mind is Trade As One, which is an organization that helps the Christian community think about the way they purchase items and use their spending power.

Carrie: How would you encourage CL user to get involved with IJM or in the issue at all and act?

Lauren: I’ll start with the Justice Campaign since I already talked a little about that. You can ask your representatives in Washington to stand up for victims of trafficking around the world - just visit www.IJM.org/justicecampaigns to get started. This really makes a difference. Also, we recognize this work is impossible without God’s help, so we take very seriously our need of prayer. We have Prayer Partners all around the world praying for us and we need more people join us in praying for our clients and casework. You can sign up to be a prayer partner on our website. Also, as a non-profit we encourage folks to support us financially. Our donors are vital partners in this work and paying for the rescue the poor cannot afford is a really valuable way to engage in the work of justice. We have a monthly giving program called the Freedom Partner Program – that is fantastic – you can invest in a certain area of the world or particular casework type.

Carrie: Our last question comes from a CL user. Ridley would like to know how IJM balances fighting for justice while at the same time exercising compassion and Christ’s love for those who are the ones inflicting the injustice?

Lauren: That’s a really great question. One important thing that we do at IJM is that we pray for the perpetrators. We recognize that like all of us, they are created in the image of God and we know that our Father is longing for their reconciliation to Him. So that’s what we pray for. We also believe that to treat the perpetrators with love is to restrain their hands from inflicting pain upon other people. We do celebrate the hope and healing of our victims but we obviously do not celebrate the pain inflicted upon them by the life of the perpetrator. But, we see an obvious call to seek justice and restrain the hand of people who are oppressing others.

Carrie: Lauren I really appreciate you taking the time to chat with me about this issue and about what IJM is doing to fight for justice on behalf of the oppressed and enslaved. IJM’s work is truly inspiring and I believe that your mission is a kingdom one that is obedient to the call for justice we know our God desires for all his people. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and press on with your good works for the Lord.

Lauren: Thank you. It is really exciting to walk with God in this journey of seeking justice on behalf of the oppressed. Justice is an aspect of God’s character that really is an exciting and challenging component of Christianity and of our faith walk. So I just encourage everybody to investigate justice ministries and see how God might be calling us to use our own resources, gifts, and power to rescue and bless those who are being oppressed.

Thanks for checking out the interview CL users. I’d love to hear from you regarding any comments you have or questions related to this interview with Lauren.

Q&A with Slavery No More Founder, Jocelyn White

Carrie Nye — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:32:10 -0800

Jocelyn White is Co-Founder and CEO of Slavery No More. Taken from the Slavery No More website, the mission of Slavery No More is to resource a diversity of the most effective organizations working to combat and abolish modern-day slavery and human trafficking, and to create awareness and a diversity of opportunities for meaningful personal engagement.

Recently I had the priviledge of asking Jocelyn a few questions about Slavery No More and how they are working to abolish modern day slavery.

How did you become aware of modern day slavery and human trafficking? I first became deeply aware and moved to action when watching a Leadership Summit DVD that featured Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission. As he showed photos of their clients, I began to see my own nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and it became personal.

How did Slavery No More come about? Slavery No More was something my husband, and Co-Founder, had felt led to do many years ago, but we hesitated because we felt there were so many under resourced anti-trafficking agencies, but after years of operating as a Community Based Organization, it was time to formalize it into a non-profit that existed to support the great work that was already being done.

Slavery No More has a desire to be a bridge builder. To bridge law enforcement with non-profits, and people who are doing something to directly rescue and restore victims of human trafficking and slavery to those who have a desire to combat this problem. We truly believe that “awareness becomes compassion when it takes action.” We want to mobilize people from awareness to action, thus showing compassion.

What dreams and hopes do you have for Slavery No More? Our deepest desire is to see modern day slavery abolished- completely abolished on this earth. It would no longer be an organized crime where oppressors take advantage of the weak. We know this doesn’t happen overnight, but we do believe that if enough people do something, even if it’s just one thing, we can collectively see slavery abolished in the 21^st century. According to a report by UNICEF in 2001, 27 million people are enslaved today. That’s more than any time in history. We would love to see 27 million people offer their voices, talents, and influence to seeing them freed.

I often hear people express feelings of being overwhelmed by the realty of modern day slavery and as a result they are unclear on how they can help. What action steps do you recommend for those just learning about the enormity of the issue? A house doesn’t move from not existing, to being a house. Foundations are laid, one brick at a time is strategically and properly placed, and each portion of a house can be divided up into parts. That’s what can be done with combating human trafficking. As one educates themselves, they can align their skills and areas of influence to the part of the issue they are passionate about. Slavery No More helps mobilize people into meaningful engagement.

What projects is Slavery No More currently working on that anyone can participate in? On January 26, we are assembling our first 200 Freedom Bags. These first Freedom Bags will be given to 200 victims of human trafficking as they enter an aftercare facility in Southern California. We hope to see the Freedom Bags go all across the nation. One can visit our site about the Freedom Bag Campaign.

February 18, we have a Justice Matters Conference hosted by Calvary Chapel Murrieta. Registration is currently open our site.

May 5 we are co-chairing a benefit dinner for International Justice Mission at the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles. IJM, in our opinion, is one of the leaders in fighting trafficking.

One can sign-up for our event and volunteer notifications on our website, as well as get daily updates on Facebook and Twitter- join the discussion.

IJM founder and president Gary Haugen once said, "The victims of injustice in our world do not need our spasm of passion; they need our long obedience in the same direction. They need our legs and lungs of endurance." How do you maintain your long obedience and endurance of your legs and lungs in the fight against slavery? I often think of Alex, a commercially sexually exploited minor I had the privilege of knowing and spending time with. She was trafficked here in the United States, and she was only 16 years old when I started working with her. Her story is sad, yet tragically typical, but her triumph is nothing short of miraculous. Her family wasn’t looking out for her, the people who are supposed to love and protect her. She was groomed by a pimp who promised to meet her needs. She was quickly forced into prostitution and had no way out…but someone took the time to know her story and decided to help her.

What if no one was looking for her, listening for her cry, what would have happened to her? There are an estimated 300,000 children trafficked within the US, many of whom have no one looking for them- that’s what motivates us- finding them. I honestly feel haunted imagining their cries late at night when I’m going to bed. Witnessing their rescue and restoration increases my faith. God is asking us to take back all of what has been taken from the innocent of the world by evil, and giving them back all the riches that God has born them to have.

God has a heart for the weak, the oppressed, and the forgotten. When we take it upon ourselves to respond to God’s invitation to participate in their rescue and restoration is when you truly see His power, mercy, and His people at work. Sometimes our willingness to go into pain and search in the darkness is when healing and light shine the most.

In what ways can we help prevent human trafficking today? Get Informed- Learn all you can about the issue. There are a lot of great resources on our website Store written by professionals in the field. Learn about the non-profits that are doing something to end human trafficking, and then take that first step- get involved in one of their campaigns and initiatives, or start attending and supporting their events.

Become an Abolitionist- Talk about it. Tell your family and friends what you are learning and why you want to see it put to an end. Some feel that bringing about awareness is nothing, but a supervisor for the LAPD increased my conviction that awareness IS prevention and awareness IS rescue. Often times the victims are too traumatized to testify, but if there is a witness, someone in the public that saw something and said something, that could be the one witness that could move a case forward. Also, an educated juror means everything to the victim because they understand the type of trauma and manipulation they have been under, and truly see them as a victim.

Are you part of the problem? Many don’t realize that they may perpetuate the problem. The sexualization of our culture has made many people numb to the fact that women are abused every single day. Pornography is a highway to human trafficking. Photos and videos aren’t just created out of thin air, people, who are often children, are tortured and abused to create them. Do you know the age of the one you are looking at? Do you truly know the age of the one you are purchasing a sexual favor from? Are you a responsible consumer? Seeking to purchase Fair Trade items as a regular practice?

Support Freedom- Finances is what allows programs to exist. Investing in the rescue and restoration of victims of human trafficking and slavery is the best investment you can make. Also, become a responsible consumer. Visit our Products That Free page on our website to proactively shop fair trade*, which ensures what you consume is not created by slaves, thus decreasing the demand and providing economic stability and dignity for the workers on the other end.

The national human trafficking hotline is 888-3737-888. If you see something, say something- a slave’s life may depend on it.

*Video by Trade as One featured on Products that free webpage.

I Own 44 Slaves

Carrie Nye — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:58:13 -0800

According to a survey by the Fair Trade Fund, I have 44 slaves working for me.

I took the survey on a website called Slavery Footprint. I answered a total of 11 questions regarding items I have around the house and the type of food I have waiting to be devoured in my fridge. Based on my answers, I own 44 slaves. That means that 44 individuals in various parts of the world worked by force and without compensation to make, build, develop, farm, etc. a number of ‘things’ and food that are right now sitting around my house.

Of course there is no way for the site to calculate the exact number given the fact they have no idea when and where I made the purchases I did to obtain the food and items that I have. But that isn’t the point is it?

The point is that we live in a global world of global trades and consumerism. Shoes, clothes, that new pair of jeans that fit oh-so-well, chocolate, coffee, light bulbs and just about any and all electronic devices could very well be tied to modern day slavery. The bricks holding up that building on the corner you pass everyday may have come from a brick kiln in India and made by the hands of slaves; many of who are just children and all of who do not deserve to be there. The delicious grilled fish had for dinner the other night may have been fished by young slave boys off the coast of South America or Africa.

The answer is not to stop building with brick or to stop eating tilapia. It’s not to stop buying light bulbs or a pair of jeans. Boycotting is not the answer. In fact, boycotts can cause significant damage to areas where our purchases are what’s keeping an economy active. However, we can become more aware, more creative and more proactive with our purchases in a way that sends a clear message against enslaving people.

I do think however, that as consumers, we must be aware of the global market we live in. When we purchase a dark chocolate-salted-caramel chocolate bar (my new favorite) or any other chocolate for that matter, we should know where that chocolate came from. Unfortunately cocoa fields in Ivory Coast (a West African country where a vast majority of the world’s chocolate hails from, is also home to thousands of child slaves working the cocoa fields. I don’t know about you, but as much as I love a good piece of chocolate, I’ll pass on it any day if it means ending the demand and therefore the need to enslave children to satisfy a craving.

Fortunately modern day slavery has caught significantly growing media attention and is no longer an issue largely ignored. Actually, it’s quit the opposite. Ten years ago it was difficult to find products not made on the backs on the slaves. Today that is not the case. There are many places to which we can buy products and be confident no children, woman or man was enslaved for it.

Here are a few things we can do to make sure what we are buying is legit and not made by slaves:

1. Read the Bible and Pray. The most important thing we can do, those of who are Christ followers, is seek God and learn what his stand is on justice and injustice. Check out the Justice Journey Handbook for some study help. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." -Ps. 89:14 And read Is. 58. It will knock your socks off.
2. Educate yourself. The Polaris Project is a great place to start. Learn the facts and the realities of modern day slavery. Be aware of what products come from what countries in the world. If you’re a big coffee drinker like me, do the research and find out where the coffee you’re buying comes from and make sure it’s slave free.
3. Get involved. Contact your local police department and inquire about any human trafficking task forces in your area. Get in touch with your local church to see if they are aware of the issue. If not, point them to step 1 and learn together as a church. Discover what’s already going on in your area and help out.
4. Talk about it. It’s a social age. Use social media to help others know and understand the issues. Show a film on human trafficking in your home and have a discussion after about ways to get involved. Offer to speak about it at your church, school or tupperware party.

January 11 is national anti-human trafficking awareness day. Slavery is not a politically issue. It’s not a race issue or a people group issue. It’s not something that only happens in Southeast Asia or in developing countries. Modern day slaves exist in every part of the world, regardless of color, political association, economics or religious affiliation. And by the products we buy, we’ve now the marks of slavery have made their way into our homes.

Slavery has been around for a long time but it doesn’t mean it should continue to be around.

As mentioned, tomorrow is National Anti-Human Trafficking day. I’d love to know about what activities or events you might be participating in to help spread awareness and advocate this week or this month.

I have listed below a starter list of online companies from which we can make purchases of clothing, jewelry, bags, etc. What company do you know of that you can add to the list?

How many slaves do you own? Take the survey and find out.

Etsy

Better Way Imports

International Sanctuary

International Princess Project Punjammies

Shop at markets that sell local grown produce and fish

Shop to Stop Slavery

Slavery and What We Buy

Not for Sale

“It has been called by a great many names and it will call itself by yet another, and all of us had better wait and see what new form this old monster will assume.” –Frederick Douglass

Best Reads of 2011

Carrie Nye — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:58:43 -0800

I read some great books this year. Here are the books that made my year-end review of bests.

The Help: Wow! What a great story this was to read. This book was an entertaining page-turner. Set in the south during the 1960’s The Help captures the voice and perspective of the white women who employ black women as the help and the black women who work for them. The Help captured some of the realities of that time and managed to bring out some humor in doing so. Check out the movie too if you haven't seen it yet.

Unbroken: Looking for an adventure story? Unbroken is your book. Unbroken is the true story of Olympian, WWII veteran and POW survivor, husband and father and broken spirit who found God at a Billy Graham crusade Louie Zamperini. Zamperini’s life is something out of a movie. In fact, I believe a movie is in the works. Zamperini’s story is one of resilience in the face of great danger and intense threats upon his life whether by a plane crash over the Pacific, stranded at sea for over a month, shark attacks and capture by the Japanese. Throughout the story it is unmistakable that God holds Zamperini’s life in the palm of his hand.

The Dangerous Act of Worship: Mark Labberton, pastor and author writes about justice as worship to God. Labberton believes the American church by in large is taking a nap. He says, “Waking up is the dangerous act of worship. It’s dangerous because worship is meant to produce lives fully attentive to reality as God sees it, and that’s more than most of us want to deal with.” Elsewhere he says, “God intends that from true worship will flow lives that are the evidence of his just and righteous character in the world.” I’ll be reading The Dangerous Act of Worship again. For anyone seeking to understand what it means to live lives of justice and lives that reflect the character of God, this book is a great help to what we find in the Bible on justice and worship.

Mark of the Lion trilogy: Okay so I’m a little late in the game. While this trilogy has been around for quite some time, I finally got around to reading the three books in 2011. I loved these books. Set in the first century when the Romanian Empire was in full force, the story follows very realistic characters, namely Hadassah, a young girl who looses her Christian family at a time when Christian persecution was extremely high. She ends up serving a Roman family as a slave and her faith is tried time after time as she lives out her new lot alone among a family of idol and pagan worshipers. Hadassah exemplifyes what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus. The Mark of the Lion books are full of adventure, suspense, drama, passion, love, sorrow and what it means to truly follow Christ.

I am currently reading Half the Sky by New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof and his wife Sheryl WuDunn. The subtitle of the book says it all: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. The book is comprised of stories of girls and women who Kristof and his wife have met along their travels as journalists. They tell the stories of these girls so that the voices of the oppressed are heard. Not only are their stories told, Kristoff and WuDunn then go on to share about who and what has led these girls and woman to transform their lives out of oppression and into opportunity for themselves, their families and their communities. The reason for the transformation in the majority of cases is education, namely the education of women. The Skirball Center, a Jewish cultural museum in Los Angeles is currently hosting an exhibit on Half the Sky now through May 2012.

That's it for me this year. What were some of your favorite books of 2011?

Hope, Peace, Eek the Cat and Christmas

Carrie Nye — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:42:15 -0800

It’s funny how memories or experiences past find their way into present thoughts. Lately I’ve been thinking about a particular moment in my past that I have had difficulties putting reason to.

On a fall day in 2003, I found myself at a Mother Theresa hospice and orphanage called House of Peace located just outside the city walls of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. I was with a team from my local church at the time and we were there to visit with the children at the orphanage and to sit with and visit those spending their final days at the hospice. All of who had AIDS.

When we walked into the hospice, there were a few ill men lying on the springs of beds without mattresses. We wondered down a dimly lit hallway where a woman was lying down on again a bed of springs and without a mattress or any type of cushion support for that matter. Then we walked into a room where a handful of dying women laid on the same mattress-less beds. One woman was asleep on the tiled floor.

The group I was with was instructed to pair up with someone and walk through the rooms and pray out loud for each person who was sick. I was paired up with my friend Tami. We stood for a moment and took in what we were seeing. Women, literally skin and bones, wide eyed and life less surrounded us. The room reeked of death and it was just about more than I could stand.

Tami looked to me to start praying. I was speechless. I was motionless. I literally stood there in shock and then without warning, the floodgate that was my tears opened and began to flow down my face. I couldn’t pray. My words were insufficient. I was surrounded by death and overwhelmed by need for Jesus.

This past Advent season I longed for Jesus in a way like I haven’t before. I’m always excited in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas about celebrating the coming of Jesus as the baby born of a virgin in barn like conditions. I love the Christmas story for the scandal of it, the chaos of it and the absurdity of God’s plan in it all. Logic has no place in the story and for that reason I absolutely love it and I love celebrating it.

But like I said, something was different this year. I actually felt not only excitement and joy over the coming of Jesus as a baby; I felt a longing and a need for him in a new and profound way.

***

This past year I watched a lot of loved ones, loose loved ones. I watched as my mom cared for one of her closest friends as her 18-year-old son was a victim of malpractice which has resulted in him becoming permanently brain damaged and since exists only in a coma like state. Later in the year, this same close friend of my moms was diagnosed with terminal stage four cancer. My mom attended her memorial a few weeks ago.

A close of friend of mine lost both her step dad and mom to cancer in a matter of 3 weeks time.

My dad lost his dad after years of my dad and mom caring for him weekly.

An old friend and former coworker took his own life in October.

My mom’s dad was told in October that he had 10 days to live. We just celebrated Christmas together thankfully, however, the thought of death looms above.

A few close friends of mine went through painful miscarriages.

These events are those personal to me and they’ve brought up memories and thoughts over that day in the Congo as I stood among the dying calling on the presence of God with my tears and heartache.

And it is the presence of God that I absolutely longed for this Advent. Through all the loss I watched my family and friends experience this past year, I needed to lean on the Author of life come as a baby in a manger. I needed to call on the Creator and Giver of life because without him all in life is meaningless. My need for this Jesus was so blatant this year, it overwhelmed me and I found myself daily crying out like Eek the Cat saying “Kumbaya" Lord. Come by me Lord Jesus. And praise God that’s exactly what Jesus did when he was born that Christmas day so many years ago. He came to us. Emmanuel, God is with us!

I recently heard a Pastor friend say Jesus is hope with flesh on. He said the power of presence overwhelms words themselves. Before Jesus was born among men, God’s people followed him by obeying his spoken word. When Jesus came, God himself made his presence known with them. He gave life to his words. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John. 1:14. This is Christmas!

So this past Christmas day, I read the Christmas story out of the Bible with my husband. I spent the day with some family and I praised God for his presence among my friends and family who have experienced so much loss this year and for his presence in my own life.

Most things in life do not make sense. The loss I saw in Congo continues to invade my mind from time to time. The loss I watched my parents and friends experience this year won’t be the last of loss in this life. And the good news is that Jesus has come and dwells with us through all of life’s confusing, chaotic and difficult times.

In 2012 I know there will be more loss, more death, more chaos, more trials and more heartache. And through it all there will be Emmanuel. God is with us!

May we all live out our belief that Jesus is hope in the flesh in 2012 beginning with me. May we all find the Hope that Jesus brings in a house of peace. Happy New Year!

*One of the sisters serving at the House of Peace

**The House of Peace sign that hangs above the front door of the hospice

***A few of the very cool kids living at the orphanage at the House of Peace

Friendsgiving

Carrie Nye — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:56:38 -0800

In June of 93’ my life took a turn. I graduated from the eighth grade that June 17^th. As the ceremony ended, my silly Jr. High friends attacked me with hugs and goodbyes. When the goodbyes ended, I piled into my parents car and my family left our home in southern California and moved to Fresno that day.

The move that summer was a big adjustment on not just me, but on my parents and my brothers as well. I’d like to think I assimilated just fine but that’d statement would make my nose grow.

It was tough. In southern California I had my extended family and friends within a bike ride’s distant. In Fresno, I was a decent four-hour drive away. In southern California I enjoyed a consistent 70 something degree-day just about year round. Fresno, however, has its extremes. You can fry an egg on the sidewalk in the summer and leave otter pops outside to freeze overnight in the winter. I started off my freshman year of high school out in the boonies at a school surrounded by cows and vineyards. It was stinky to say the least. Little did I realize at that time that I was experiencing my first ever culture shock.

High school did not go well for me. After completing only one semester at the stinky high school, I said sayonara and never looked back. Instead, I enrolled in an adult education program that was designed for adults to complete their high school studies independently and at their own pace. And so I went to work on completing my high school credits at home where it did not smell like cows.

As a fourteen year old I was at a crossroads. My life as I knew it in southern California was over and I was struggling to find my way in this new foreign land called Fresno.

And the Lord was with me.

My teenage problems may not have been problems at all compared to issues of hunger, pain, loss, war, etc. And yet my God was with me and carried me through that season.

We landed at a church in the sticks outside of Fresno where I met youth Pastor Kevin and his wonderful wife Christy. I also met a good size group of other teens trying to find their way also in this life. We met for church together on Sunday mornings and attended Sunday school class just for us teens. We often times hung around at the church Sunday afternoons and played whiffle ball. On Sunday nights we had church again. On Tuesday nights we all met up at one of the families in the church for a youth bible study around a bonfire in the backyard. On Wednesday nights we were back at church midweek for a youth service. My older brother was in the youth band and we sang together, heard things from Kevin like “you’re a new creature with a new feature” (2 Cor. 5:17) and hung out together some more. We went to concerts together like Carmen (“Whose in the house? JC’s in the house!”) and Point of Grace. We went to youth rallies with other churches in our denomination and we hosted one of our own. We attended church camp together every year in the summer. We went on leadership retreats and were empowered to be young men and women after God’s own heart and to encourage others to do the same. We were taught to be courageous in our faith and we often went out together and talked publicly with others about Jesus. Basically, we were together a lot and we were very involved in each other’s lives. That youth group kept me grounded and kept me from losing my mind as a young teen living in what felt like a foreign country compared to my home in southern California.

Long before churches were talking about the importance of “doing life together,” that’s what we were doing. In fact, several years later, that’s exactly what, we’re still doing.

The friends I made in that youth group as a teenager have become my foundational friends. Though I have not lived in Fresno for over twelve years now, and have even lived as far away as Boston (now that is like living in a foreign country!), my closest and most treasured friends are those from my youth group.

We’ve been in or at each other’s weddings. We’ve been together through pregnancies and babies. We’ve met up for weekends on the Central California Coast (one of my most favorite places in all the land). We’ve attended funerals and memorials of loved ones together. We’ve stayed close despite moves and life’s circumstances. We've had many conversations over fresh brewed coffe. And last weekend we celebrated Friendsgiving together.

I do believe God heard my fourteen-year-old prayers for friends that year I first arrived in Fresno and he gave me something even greater than friends. He gave me another family. He placed my family and me at the church we attended so that I could be encouraged and loved by Kevin and Christy. And so that I would know that he alone is God and regardless of location or circumstance, he is good and he listens to our prayers, even if we think they are small in comparison to others prayers.

Sure, thanksgiving is over, but my thanks to God and to my friends from my high school days will never end. We have many more years of laughs to come and of watching our families grow. It is my prayer that when I have kids, God will place us somewhere where our kids will have a youth group to grow up with like I did, even if it’s in a place that smells like cows.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:3-6

Giving Christmas Away

Carrie Nye — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:29:32 -0800

I cannot believe this Friday is Black Friday! Can you? This is an old post from a couple years ago that I thought I'd share again. I added a new option for gifts below and am wondering what you might add to the list.

Black Friday has begun and the flood gates of Christmas shopping are open. Last Christmas, I remember my husband and I walking through Target looking for “the perfect gifts” for our family members. We walked in, looked around for a bit and walked out empty handed. Every year it seems like a struggle to find gifts that fit for the people we care about. Companies compete with one another by conveying messages of all of the things that our friends and family NEED this season. Commercials bombard our homes with elves busy at Sears, singing BestBuy employees and Old Navy manikins wearing the latest Christmas sweaters.

Before you get cut off in parking lots this Black Friday or wander the isles of Target in search of the perfect gift, I thought I’d offer some suggestions on ways to give, yet in a more less traditional way.

We all want to give. We were created with that desire. We were made by the hands that designed the very nature of giving. When we understand this awesome truth it becomes inevitable that we give. Who better to explain this than singing vegetables wearing ugly Christmas sweaters.

If you’ve had enough with crowded parking lots and lines, consider this Christmas season the gift of hope, freedom, food, a new start or empowerment. Giving breeds giving. Here are a few places where you can do just that.

Heifer International – Gifts of animals for breeding, farming, food purposes
IJM – Purchase a freedom package for individuals upon their rescue from slavery
Gospel for Asia – Gifts for outreach, missionaries, compassion gifts and much more
Samaritan’s Purse – Gifts for children around the world

Slavery No More - Provides several links to organization that are helping to combat slavery in the world today.

Feel free to leave comments with more suggestions and happy shopping!

A Story of Forgiveness

Carrie Nye — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:48:11 -0800

Earlier this week I read an article on CNN's belief blog that threw me into a stewing pot of thoughts. At the core is one simple word that seems so complex to live out, even in the shallowest of circumstances.

Forgiveness.

Celebrity Portrait Photographer Jeremy Cowart set out on a mission with filmmaker Laura Waters Hinson (As We Forgive) to produce a photo series project called "Voices of Reconciliation." Cowart and Hinson went to Rwanda. They wanted to give Rwandans the opportunity to make their own statements to the world about the 1994 mass killings and uprooting that took place in their backyards.

In the article Cowart says, "I grew up in the church and am a practicing Christian. I've heard "love your neighbor" and "forgive others because God forgave you" my entire life. But I don't recall my church ever discussing the idea of forgiving killers."

With the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas knocking at the door, I have been thinking about the gifts I'd like to give to my friends and family. I'm beginning to wonder what this season might look like if I gave the gift of forgiveness where I need to with others and with myself.

"He who is devoid of the power to forgive, is devoid of the power to love." MLKJ

"Without forgiveness, there is no future." Desmond Tutu

"Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again." Saint Augustine

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." Lewis B. Smedes

Cowart goes on to say in his blog, "While incredibly difficult to accomplish - especially if the offender has not admitted their wrong and asked for forgiveness, it’s a force that has the power to tear down walls and free hearts."

In terms of those in Rwanda who are the forgivers, Hinson said, "“For the victims, forgiving their offenders is a way of setting themselves free from the chains of anger and bitterness.”

Forgiveness is a powerful act. One that cannot be divorced from that of love. I'm incredibly touched by the radical grace these Rwandans have extended to each other despite the cruelest and most horrifying circumstances. I am humbled by their acts of love and forgiveness towards each other. It takes a lot of courage to snuff out the darkness with a ray of light.

Cowart touches on the fact that this type of radical forgiveness is not part of our culture. In fact, it's counter-cultural on every level. Forgiveness of this magnitude is Kingdom forgiveness. It's the kind of forgiveness that turns the ground over and sifts through muck. It up roots and replants. It seeps in deep and transforms from the inside out. It's redeems and it heals. It offers second chances and it sets us all free.

I hope this season of thanksgiving and Christmas gift giving is full of kingdom type radical love and forgiveness.

Check out Cowarts photo series of those Rwandans who have courageously chosen to forgiveness and love and who are now teaching the world to do the same; starting with me.

I Am Thankful For....

Carrie Nye — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:06:47 -0700

It’s the season of giving thanks.

A couple years back, some friends of mine began what is now called The Thanksgiving Challenge. Beginning November 1^st, we use our Facebook status to give thanks for something or someone or anything we are thankful for. We’ll do this everyday throughout the month.

Here are a few reasons why I think it’s a good thing to be not only be thankful but to also express our thanksgiving.

Being thankful keeps me from fretting over what I do not have. My eyes are opened to all that I do have. Its crystal clear then that not only are all my needs met, I see just how abundantly blessed I am beyond what I need. I’m not so easily suckered into thinking I ‘have-to-have’ all that I see because I recognize all that I already have. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Ps. 23:1

Being thankful helps me to recognize and be mindful that every good and perfect gift is from God. All that I have and all that I am is his. My ego stays in check. James 1:17

Being thankful allows me to have a spirit of gratitude which leads to joy and contentment in all circumstance in life, especially the painful and difficult ones. All of which are evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Gal. 5:22

Being thankful keeps me humble and ultimately draws me closer to my Heavenly Father. Phil. 2:1-11.

So far during this thanksgiving season, I am thankful for getting the giggles with friends. I'm thankful for my family who serve me daily with joy in doing so. I'm thankful that I get to be an aunt to some pretty rad nieces and nephews and I’m thankful that as a woman I can wear blue jeans and even reveal my ankles without shame. I have many more days to express all that I am grateful for. My hope is that I become a person in who a spirit of thanks is an attribute that reflects the goodness of a good God!

Having a heart of thanks is contagious. I hope you’ve caught it bad this season!

Why is it important to you to give thanks publically and what are you thankful for?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Ps. 100

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:16

Sunrises

Carrie Nye — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:13:30 -0700

My brother Ben takes the most amazing pictures of the sunrise over Los Angeles. Ben is one of those guys who changes out advertisements on billboards lining the cities streets and freeways.

It’s from the height of one of these LA billboards where Ben captures incredible sunrises as the light chases out the darkness over the city. His pictures are incredible and unless you too are up before Starbucks puts on the morning brew, sunrises are easy to miss.

Los Angeles has a thick layer of haze –a glorified name for smog and ick- that looms above. It’s gross actually. And it is that gross, smothering layer of haze that gives off an incredible light show as the suns rays pierce through it. And it’s the coloring in the sky during a sunrise that is so beautiful.

The smog and ick really are particles of dirt and filth that float in the atmosphere. When sunrays collide with the particles, the result is a colorful display in the sky. The pictures that Ben takes are not only beautiful they remind me of what God has done with the dirt layers in my life. I’m reminded of how he’s changed me, creating something beautiful from something dirty. The pictures remind me that he drives out the dark corners of my heart with his light continually.

When the day is drawing to an end I enjoy taking pictures of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. As the sun creeps down allowing the water lined horizon to rise up over it, the sky’s coloring is typically breathtaking. Some of the most gorgeous and vibrantly colored sunsets I’ve seen are those that occur after a rain.

The sunrise and sunsets are little reminders to me that everyday God’s mercies are new. I have dirt in life everyday, but his love and forgiveness are available as assuredly as the sun rises each morning and sets each night. We may not always physically see the sunrise or set, but we know that above the clouds, the sun is there without fail.

I don’t know where you are in your journey of God turning your dirt and smog into something lovely and beautiful, but I hope you take joy and rest knowing he sees you and restores from the morning east to the night west everyday.

Shout out to my brother Ben for allowing me to share some of his awesome photos below: