Brothel

The most impactful Christmas gift I received was a stocking stuffer called "God in a Brothel" by Daniel Walker.  I heard about the book last fall from Hagar International, the ministry 418 Stitches supports. This is what Hagar had to say about the book:

"God in a Brothel is the true story of an undercover investigator's experiences infiltrating the multi-billion dollar global sex industry. It is the story of a rescuer who freed hundreds of trafficking victims leading to the prosecution of dozens of perpetrators. It is the personal story of Daniel Walker, a New Zealander who followed a path of costly discipleship, agonizing failure and unlikely redemption. Perhaps most importantly, it is a story of triumph for the victims released from lives of slavery.

At Hagar, we treasure this story because we witness the transformation of clients released through Daniel Walker’s good work, every day. We highly recommend that you read this book."

I used my Christmas sewing break to dive right in.  My take on it?  The book is painfully difficult to read from absolutely cover to cover, and there's much of it that is just so heartbreaking that I have no words of my own to describe.  But it is impossible to read the book and not be impassioned to have a hand in the rescue of these women and children. With that in mind, I highly, highly recommend this book as well. 

Many of you have probably heard about Passion Conference 2012 that happened here in Atlanta.  Over $3 million was raised from 42,000 college students to be given to end human slavery.  

That is mind-blowing.

I was thrilled to see that Hagar International was one of the ministries blessed by those funds raised.  This is what they had to say about their experience.

It's so easy to get in our day-to-day schedule and routine life in suburbia, and there is such a world of hurt beyond the bubble of our own realities.  Reminders like reading "Brothel"and like learning about all the ministries that Passion gave towards are so vital to keep our focus on our purpose here on earth- to glorify God and be used by Him... 

to be vessels of God's love to the ends of the earth and used by Him in whatever way He chooses.  

Each of us are made perfectly in His sight to have our own specific way to give and serve others, and no one else can give and serve in the same way you can. 

To not find what your specific gift is and a specific place in which to invest of yourself... and to not then pursue that end... is to miss out on great blessing indeed.