"We love sharing stories about rebelutionaries making a difference.
That’s especially true when we believe that what they’re doing will
serve as a catalyst for other young people to do the same thing. Well,
this is one of those stories.
Consider this shocking fact: Every year in the United States, between
100,000 and 250,000 children are trafficked and sexually exploited.
Human trafficking isn’t just problems overseas—it’s happening in our own
backyards.
When sisters Nicole (16) and Rachelle (20) learned about this
heartbreaking reality, they were moved to action. Here’s the story of
the Freedom Ball and Fundraiser—taking place on April 21, 2012—in their own words:
Rachelle’s Story
When my mom got a fiction book about human trafficking from the
library little did she think that I would look at it and become
passionate enough about the subject to end up trying to do something
about it. It’s a very intense subject—sex trafficking. I’m 20 and the
thought of girls younger than me being forced into such a horrible life
fills me with both indignation at the men who would use helpless girls
and compassion for the victims.
I researched it, looked into different organizations, and wondered
what I could do locally. I thought about contacting an organization and
just talking to someone but all of the organizations that I could find
were either focused internationally, in different states besides CO, or
not decidedly Christian.
When my cousin told me about Mercy Project Colorado,
it sounded like the perfect organization to talk to. Then my sister
came up with the idea of holding a ball as a fundraiser. I thought it
was a great idea! So here we are—12 days from our first ever fundraiser:
The Freedom Ball. It’s been an exciting journey so far and I can’t see
where God will take this small event! I hope you will join us in
supporting this great work!
Nicole’s Story
It started the last week of January, when I was hanging out with my
cousin and asked him, “What’s your passion?” When he told me, “Fighting
sex trafficking,” I was stunned. I knew next to nothing about it. He
said sex trafficking happens in the U.S. just like any third-world
country. What’s more, he said a friend of his was starting to build a
safehome called Mercy Project Colorado
right near Broomfield (about an hour from me) for girls rescued to get
Christian counseling, free medical care, and just basic help.
That evening, I began to do some research. Sex trafficking is a $58
billion industry in the U.S. affecting 100,000 to 250,000 children every
year. But in all 50 states, there are only 10 safehouses for
trafficking victims. I began to pray that God would show me how I could
help. And while I prayed, the idea came, in a thought so clear, so
obvious that it was eerie: “Host a benefit ball.” My first thought was,
“What?! You’ve got to be kidding!” But God had given me a big goal in
answer to my prayers. How could I back down now?
I decided that moment that no matter what it took, I would host this
ball. For me, it was a crazy leap of faith! I had nothing going for me. I
had no money and I’m sixteen. But the next day, my older sister said
she’d help. After that, getting our mom’s permission was easy, and the
Freedom Ball was launched!
Throughout the planning that has gone on since then, a lot of
impossible things have happened, like someone donating a huge room for
us to use that would usually cost hundreds of dollars! This project was
built by prayer, and now we wait in eager anticipation (and a little
nervousness!) to see what God will do with it. Please be a part of
changing the lives of sex trafficked victims today!
We asked Nicole and Rachelle what rebelutionaries could to do help make the Freedom Ball a success. This what they told us:
- Make a donation to help build the home (”Any little bit helps! You don’t have to be a millionaire. We certainly aren’t!”).
- Sponsor someone to attend the ball (”If you can’t make it, you can help cover the $25 ticket for someone else.”).
- Pray for the ball (”We’ve already seen the power of fervent prayer, please join us in praying for success and increase awareness!”).
- Spread the word (”Send this to your friends, family, or church… Anyone who might donate. If they live in CO, encourage them to come!”).
We would add one more thing you should do: If you like Nicole and Rachelle’s idea, steal it!
I’m sure nothing would make them happier than to hear that other teens
were inspired to action by their example. In fact, I’m sure they’d love
to help you. You can reach them at freedomballfundraiser [at] gmail [dot] com."
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Hello Everyone!
I received this email from the Rebelution, if any of you are not familiar with this website I encourage you to check it out at the link below...
I know that many of you do not live in Colorado, but you may be able to donate, or pray that there will be a positive response, and that they will be able to raise enough money and support, to get this off the ground.
This is a very touchy subject for some I know, but it is not a subject to be shoved under a rug...
We should spread the word that this is happening.
Because this is very REAL! And many girls are being wrongfully abused, because we choose to ignore the fact that sex trafficking is REAL and is going on daily, and it does not just exist in third world country's. Who knows it could happen in your own neighborhood.
~As April 21st approaches, please pray for this fundraiser to go well! ~
And please get involved, informed, and send out the word!
I hope you all have a wonderful night:)
<3 Moriah
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