The numbers are in...

I just found out Thursday how much is going to help in India and Cambodia. Before I reveal the number I want to let you know that this could not have been possible without your support and my Savior!

This is from the email from Josie, the founder of Rescue Her:

"The amount donated from all of that is..... drumroll please : ) ..... $405.85!!!! Wow! I am sending $256 to India (to save 2 girls) and 149.85 to Cambodia. All because of your hard work and dedication and the people that rallied around you to support you."

Oh my!!!! I was concerned about sending the money enough for 2 girls and then not having enough to send to cambodia. God is so good! There was enough for 2 girls plus the home in Cambodia! He truly knows the desires of my heart!

I am pumped and ready to do it again! Hopefully more than before but if it is the same or less it is something! How awesome it would be to save 2 more and send more to Cambodia! Cambodia is one of the worst countries for sex trafficking and there are lots of little girls in there red light district.

This is a quote from Josie's note on FB about the mission in India:

"There are over 40,000 women in the 2 square mile area on Mumbai’s Red Light District held in slavery! Can you imagine? These women are treated worse than dogs, a lot of them are locked up in cages. They are trapped, and unless we help them there is no way to escape. The shelter that helped Anita has a waiting list of girls and children wanting to escape from their owners. They can’t help them all because of not having the funds to support taking care of them. That just shouldn't be! There are people in place ready to help; we need to make sure they have the resources to get the job done. That is our job... that is what you and I can do!"

Here is Anita's story. She was rescued by the ministry in India Rescue Her supports. The ministry that we were able to send enough for 2 girls to be rescued!
http://www.jyrafilms.com/human-trafficking-anitas-testimony/

Sometimes I feel like 2 is not enough. But those 2 are so precious in God's eyes. That just means 2 less on the list or 2 more spaces available to put on the list.

It is a time to rejoice but also a time to "keep our hands to the plow" for there are still more out there needing help!

Blessings,
Julietta

Looking for info

Looking for info on how to detect human trafficking. So far I have found the Polaris Project and they seem to have loads of info especially for the U.S.. I have now added on the side bar links. There is a link for Rescue Her, Polaris Project, and Concerned Women of America's article, "Pornography and Human Trafficking. As I find more I will add them. Soon I hope to be changing up my pages.

My goal this half is to get info out in new areas and to find more info. I have friends who were not able to come for the Rescue Her Night. So I will have another. I plan on having a table out at the Northside Walmart. And maybe a table or event at some of the colleges.

I welcome ideas!

Julietta

Two weeks off and back on the training train!

Ok so my training was not supposed to stop but I practically did. I started eating bad, and I was hardly exercising. I noticed I let everything go.

My hip also started acting up. I think that my hip enjoys the exercise! Crazy hip. Right now I think that is the best thing ever. I feel that my motivation has gone out the window but an achey hip is motivation for me!

Today, I ate better and was not as hungry as when I was eating bad. I also jogged about 2 miles non stop and 1 walking. I was amazed at how strong I was! What had I been waiting for?

So, I ask myself:

Have I come this far to stop now?

How much does human trafficking mean to me?

How much does my health mean to me?

My answers:

No I will not stop now! I am the healthiest I have ever been and strongest. God has not given me healing so I can turn to Him and say, "oh well guess I will take it for granted again!"

Human trafficking means alot to me! It is unique when it comes to missions. I know there are others helping but what about the ones I am meant to help. What about the lady sitting in a room locked up with no hope of escape? (Man I am getting pumped!) What about the way people responded at walmart? It needs to be shouted from the hill tops, "It is not ok!"

My family has a healthy mama again. A mama that can go swimming with them, cook with them, help work around the house and have energy again!

There is something to be said about honesty: If too honest it can hurt others, if not honest at all it can hurt others and yourself, but honest about where we are in life is freeing!

I feel a freedom in being honest about how I feel. I feel as if I can go on and keep my hand to the plow! Not looking back but learning from my mistakes!

Watch out because here I come!

Julietta

Celebrating freedom through awareness and fundraising!

4th of July was the day after my half. We did not have a barbeque or light fireworks. My girls and I sat outside of Walmart passing out fliers and selling Rescue Her products.

Rain was in the forecast but it only spit a few times! And drizzled at the end when everything was getting put away. It was a perfect cool overcast day. People were off of work and shopping for the 4th.

My friend told me it would be a good day and she was right! A day to celebrate freedom! After church crowd and 4th of July shoppers were out. Most people took the fliers once we told them a little of what it was about. Many passed and read the signs and had to take a another look to make sure they read it right. "Help fight modern day slavery! Human trafficking is slavery."

One Buffed young dude walked up and I told him how I had just done a half marathon the day before. I talked about what I did it for but the hook line was, "I did a half marathon yesterday."Buffed dudes stop to hear what you are saying when you mention something they have never done! He took my flier and went in to the store. Then he came back and gave! It was so funny to hear him say that he called his mom to ask her how long a half was. He also told me he had never done one and did not think he could. Of course we all know it is possible especially if you are healthy and able! Needless to say I used my hook line again on another buffer and he gave also. It is interesting how you can get peoples attention.

The day was great! I had my lovely joyful friend spend more than half the scheduled time,7 hours, with me handing out fliers. It was a joy. My girls manning the table and my friend manning the doors with me.

I had a little over a 100 fliers and we ran out quick! When the pile was down to 10 we were more selective. Next time I think I need 500 for a 7 hour time period. At least we know now. We had more people stop by when we were handing out fliers but by God's grace people still stopped just simply to find out what we were all about.

I started that day with prayer. My prayer was for it to be about the Lord and the girls. This wasn't about me or how eloquent or great my signs and fliers were. Without God backing me up whatever I did would not prosper. I have issues with speaking with people in such settings. But the Lord answered my prayers and gave me the words to speak. He also reminded me that I knew what I was talking about and if people refuse to hear what I have to say that it is ok. It was not meant for them.

There was little to no fear. Majority of those that stopped by were men. And there was those who were glad to see an organization to help fight human trafficking. Many gave without purchasing anything. There were sales also. Donations and sales were over $300.

With my over all fundraising(donations and sales), there has been over $5oo. I know I have enough to save one girl in India($127). I am not sure what the total donations will be but I hope there is enought for 2 girls.

Rescue Her supports a home in Cambodia and a mission in India. The money will probably be split up. As soon as I find out how much will be given, I will post it.

Thank you everyone for your support! I am training for my 2nd half for Rescue Her; so, I will keep you posted.

Blessings,

Julietta

My Half Marathon!

It started out a little crazy! I woke up late! Imagine that...me late! It turned out to be a blessing. I had set up my Ipod to start out with beautiful hymns. Quiet and alone in the early early morning with my Lord! It was lovely. To have that time with him was perfect. I had been so busy getting ready that I had not had that time with Him in awhile. Which is sad to say but its the truth. I am so grateful that when I have not been faithful He still is!

I started out with the negative thought," Oh great now I am last." Thanks to a sweet friend whom I had the pleasure of jogging with a few times tell me, "At least you know that you are last." True. I could not get any further behind. I got over that and reminded myself what I was out there for. I was out there to show how great my Lord is in healing me and how I can use my body to help fight human trafficking. That is crazy! I just wrote that and that is great!

I used my body to help those whose bodies are in chains and being misused! Praise God!

My sweet friend and teacher to my girls was there around lap 3 to cheer me on. I almost started crying when I saw her. She made my day. She was supposed to be my walking partner along with another friend but she could not. :( But praise God because she just got the ok to start exercising again! (I love you my friend and Thank you!)

There were lots of prayers that went up on that day. Prayers about my personal walk with the Lord. I want to change the lives of those around the world but it starts here at home. What good am I if I am not affecting the lives of those that are around me daily! Needless to say my prayers were for forgiveness and praise for "He that begun a good work in me shall see it to the end."
There were prayers and tears for my family that is grieving.

Prayers for the girls that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually bound. Prayers for doors in cambodia to be opened. Prayers for the police and officials in South Africa to catch and arrest traffickers that are using the World Cup as an opportunity to make money. Prayed for the governments in these countries to begin to care. Prayers that our country will put pressure on them to stop the slavery.

I did have moments where my focus was just the run. And moments when I did not want to do it any more. I wanted to quit. I even told myself that I did not want to do this again! But I had already committed to another...oops!

Your mind messes with you. It reminded me of fasting. When you fast, there are times of intense prayer and times all you can think about is when its done and when can I eat. I was fasting physically! My body wanted to stop. I wanted to stop! But I did not!


My husband was there for my last 3 laps around campus. 2 of those he was there at the starting line to cheer me on in his quiet and funny way(I love him!). The last lap,1.89 miles, he went with me. There is nothing like the man of your life along side you as you endure the hardest miles of the half! I told him a couple of times that it was hard. He was quiet most of the time but there when I needed the I pod fixed! The Ipod was messing up for the last 2 laps. I finally gave it to him and gave up trying with the music. It was the best though because that time was me speaking to God out loud."This is for the girls. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Lord help me." And I am sure there were more.

The last quarter was the hardest. My legs were so heavy yet I could talk fine. I was yelling, "woohoooo!!!" But then I could see the finish and it was really hard! I just said to myself," This is not for me this is for the girls, women, men, boys, babies(said with heartbreak and anger!), and for anyone that is enslaved. (It breaks my heart that anyone is taken advantage of in such a way. But it breaks my heart more to think that little children are being used and abused.)

I made it! 3 Hours 15 minutes! The girls got me to the end. Everyone that has been apart of this journey got me there but the girls got me to the finish line! My training would have stopped if it wasn't for my commitment to Rescue Her. Those enslaved got me to the finish line! And finishing with my honey beside me was the best moment!

I highly recommend finding what you are passionate about and doing a half marathon or whatever distance you choose for it. I do have to say though that you should choose a distance that is not easy for you. It needs to push you and stretch you!

My training has been a great time of prayer and praise to the Lord. It is a great way to have time with the Lord and to pray for your cause. Doing it for a cause causes you to reconsider when you want skip a day of training. It tests your commitment!

It had not been easy. There were days I wanted to quit and had every right to. But I didn't. There were days when I thought I would not make it. And there were days that I felt how strong I was and knew I could do it(or at least Ruthie reminded me I could!) Praise God for commitment and a trainer that is so compassionate. She scolded me at times not because of my lack of training but because of my over training! On the days things came up and I could not train, she told me it was ok as long as I kept going. Everyone needs a Ruthie in their life! If you have Jesus, you do! If you don't then seek Him out! He is the best life coach!

I was blessed to have my Lord and Savior, and Ruthie as my coaches!

Don't get me wrong, everyone has been vital. My friends, family, physical therapist, surgeon and even strangers who were there before my surgery, after my surgery and then recently for my training and completion of my half, cheering me on!

And my husband and my girls for supporting me through everything. Cleaning, cooking, pushing me around(in a wheel chair!), getting me electric buggies, nursing me to health, and just dealing with me not feeling good for so long. (Let's not forget all the trips to Ft Worth for follow-ups!)
My hubby for never saying I could not go train. My kids on the sidelines yelling for me. I love you so much. I want to not only say it with words but with my life!

Thank you all!

Blessings,

Julietta

Finished!

I did my half today! I did it in 3 hours and 15 min. Not bad for a first timer.
I am really achey and exhausted; so, I will write more tomorrow.
Blessing to all!
Julietta