God has a sense of humor.
You see, I detest garage sales. I don’t like going to them. I’ve never had one. Never.
Now I’m beginning a ministry named Save the Girls, and garage sales are a vehicle to help make it work.
Save the Girls offers hope for girls ensnared in the global commercial sex trade. Those who escape or are rescued face a difficult physical and emotional recovery process. World Vision, a highly respected Christian nonprofit organization, ministers to girls (and boys) who were sold into sex trade, sometimes by their parents. Human trafficking ranks #3 on top money-making crime list, surpassed only by illegal drugs and gun sales.
If you’re getting mad, good. Get mad! Then do something!
You can change your world because Christ has changed you!
As I pondered how to Save the Girls — recognizing I’m only one person — the proverbial lightbulb blinked on. Garage sale! Three reasons I believe this is God-inspired is:
1) I really do detest garage sales. I can think of a hundred things I’d rather do than have or go to a garage sale, and scrubbing grout is one of them. Just hand over you old toothbush and I’m good to go!
2) I am excited to have one this May. How weird! This past week my husband has inquired about my mental state. I assured him I’m sane. And joy-filled! I am having a garage sale with COMPASSION and a PURPOSE!
3) God deeply values girls. Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
A chunk of the money my family takes in at our first ever garage sale — and at my kids’ lemonade stand — will be sent to World Vision to save the girls. I so love the fact that I know World Vision workers will share Jesus with them. They will proclaim Christ!
Lord, may the day you give us be beautifully sunny, so many come and thirst for lemonade and you!
My kids, hubby and I will hand out flyers informing people of this crime. I plan to get publicity from the local news outfits too. And, the best for last:
On this blog, I will post promotional materials for you to use at your garage sale to Save the Girls: flyers, press releases, and so on. Check back in a few days and they’ll be available to you. I’ll also set up Pay Pal in case you want to make a donation through Save the Girls. Of course, you may donate directly to World Vision.
Let’s do this together, my precious sisters in Christ. Save the Girls!
A beautiful warrior reaches out to the needy.
Next post: A book review of bestselling novelist Brandilyn Collins’ latest thriller, Dark Pursuit.
Lucy, what a great idea. I’ve written a lot about sex trafficking for Today’s Christian Woman. Would love to put a link to your blog on mine later today if that’s ok! We often wonder what we can do about this terrible problem–and you’ve found a great way to take action. Love it!
I don’t care for garage sales either, but what a great idea! Human trafficking has to stop. God bless your endeavors.
Lucy,
This is a wonderful example of what one person (well, 2 with your husband!) can do to make a difference in the fight against child trafficking. Great idea!
Born to Fly International has a list of 43 ways anyone can stop the traffic (and I’ll make it 44 by adding your great idea): http://www.dianascimone.com
Hope the garage sale goes great!
Diana Scimone
President
Born to Fly International, Inc.
Stopping child trafficking…setting kids free to soar
http://www.born2fly.org
http://www.dianascimone.com
Twitter: @DianaScimone
I love this idea! How fantastic. Every day I see another way that we can use our skills, the things around us–and even, in some cases, the things we normally don’t enjoy!–to help the issue of child sex trafficking. It’s a cause that I share your passion for and I’m fully behind you in this endeavor. I hope you have a garage sale like never before! 🙂
Wow, this is amazing! Great thinking. I am your opposite I love going to garage sales. I hate having my own, but I love a bargain. We are thinking about having a sale too to help dig a water well in Africa. I hate knowing so many suffer. And yes, this area of trafficking is horrible. As a person who has briefly experiencing childhood sexual abuse, I cannot imagine their pain and hopeless. I weep for them. And yes, I ask God to help me take actions. So many areas to give too. I want to help them all.
I am SO excited to know you are being Jesus through your actions!
Love your beautiful heart!
God’s best to you as you step out and make a difference!
Tiffany
A creative and simple way to make a difference! Thanks for the idea! And you get to clear your clutter too! Thanks for the inspiration, Cheri
Saw your blog bookmarked on Delicious
I love what you are doing!!! And I can relate…I too hate to have garage sales. The church I am attending has 2 young people who recently joined a mission to help stop human sex trafficking. 3rd moneymaker??? That makes it even larger and more painful in my eyes. God blessyou and your yardsale….. 🙂
Jennifer, the sex industry has now moved into second place in terms of making money. SICK!
Continue to pray for the little girls and boys who are trafficked for sex. Pray they aren’t lured into it in the first place. Often parents let the kids go because they want a better life for the children, thinking their little ones will be nannies or waitresses and make decent money.
Thank you for your concern.