The Journey

Women's Roles In Society

Last week, my article about Saudi women brought some interesting e-mails, and even more interesting heated debate around the office and the community. 

The article focused on the fact that a Saudi woman was arrested for driving.  That's right, driving a car warranted a woman an official arrest from the Saudi police. 

Well, today, let me take it a step further.  On my daily news cruise,  I found another article detailing an even more egregious government arrest. 

Yesterday a 78 year old woman was convicted of allowing two unrelated men into her home.  She was sentenced to 40 lashes, imprisonment for 4 months, and deportation from the kingdom.  WOW!!  And all because the religion says that intermingling of women and men unrelated is forbidden.

Evidently the men were bringing the woman some bread, when the religious police arrested them and hauled the woman into the police station.  "Book her Dano-"

I hope, most everyone reading this article can come to the conclusion, this is an obvious human rights issue.  But the conversation last week led back to women's roles in society.  I heard everything from, "Women should be submissive to husbands" to "Men are God's leaders in the world."

I'm not exactly sure I'm comfortable with those arguments, and before I lay down my biblical argument, I'd like to hear from you.  What do you think? 

One of the critics of the police said, ""This is the problem with the religious police, watching people and thinking they're bad all the time. It has nothing to do with religion. It's all about control. And the more you spread fear among people, the more you control them. It's giving a bad reputation to the country."

Do we have a 'religious police' of sorts when it comes to women's roles in our society?

Talk about Women's Rights...

On the Daily News Cruise this morning, I found an article that may interest some of you.  I think the only reason it really jumped off the page is because, I just got in a discussion of the 'role of women' in the church. 

But, Wednesday, In Saudi Arabia, a woman was arrested...For Driving!!

That's right, there is a law in Saudi Arabia that forbids women to drive. 

Click Here to Read the Full Story

So what do you think about that?  Is it right to have such laws in 2009?

It's something I can't escape

One of my first 'vacations' with Jamie was to the war torn region of Cambodia.  We toured the country with World vision and had a unique experience as our humanitarian guides walked us through the history of the Khmer Rouge.  When Pol Pot ruled the tiny Asian country, reports say he was responsible for the killing of over 1/4 of the entire population.  The result, orphans on the streets, infrastructure in debacle, and the soul of a nation left wondering if recovery would ever arrive.  It was an emotional trip as I was privy firsthand to the Killing Fields. 

Then when we decided to adopt our little Gabby from Rwanda, we were thrust into historical genocide once again.  We've read all the books available that describe the horror of the Hutu/Tutsi conflict in 1994.  Once again, I was left wondering, "How can humans act like such violent animals?"  The left over of the killings were much the same as the ones in Cambodia, families torn apart, people left to discover the meaning of reconciliation, and a nation in turmoil as it tries to re-define itself in the modern world. 

So when Chrstiane Amanpour decided to document the worst human atrocities in the last hundred years, those same emotions bubbled from the surface of my soul.  I watched the first installment this week, and the questions raging through my mind were once again left unanswered.  How can humanity behave this way? 

My faith has a hard time as I wonder, "Why would God allow these awful events to scar history as there are REAL people behind each one of these images?"

I certainly don't mean to put a damper on your Saturday, but I do think it important we take a close look at the fertile soil that gives rise to these terrible parts of the human condition.  It is our responsibility to learn how these things take off, and to do whatever in our power to stop it.  My heart is sad over the loss of Fathers, Mothers, Sons, and daughters who have no power to stand up for themselves. 

America...Here is the real world. 
Here is the place where the ruler of the earth can reign victoriously. 
Here is  a mirror into the darkness of human existence. 
May we be able to stand up for those who can't, and understand our role as Jesus followers in the face of evil. 

Please know, there are images in this film that are disturbing, but we must face our own abilities in order to stop the rage in the future. 

Check this out!!

One of my friends just sent me this advertisement for the 40 hour hunger sponsored by World Vision. 

SO TRUE!!!

And I wonder...

Tired of Sitting on the Bench? Be A Part of the Solution

I know the topic of the week is a little heavy, but it beckons a call to action.  We must be vigilant as a people who care about life and the well being of others, to reach out and help those who can't help themselves.  It breaks my heart to think about all the innocence lost because of economics.  I know it's the real world, but the real world is broken, and is in need of hope and future for the good of mankind, not the destruction of future generations.

Which brings me to another expose on solutions.

For a few years now, I've been closely lined up with a wonderful organization that is doing the deal.  A mentor friend of mine once said, "Between what's said and done...there's a lot more said than done."  And this group is definitely not in that category. 

Shaohannah's Hope has been caring and loving on orphans for the last few years, and they are INCREDIBLE.  I've never seen the heart of a mission so clear through the people that work there, the people that receive grants, and probably most of all the founders of this great picture of how we should live in the world.

Basically, the mission of Shaohannah's hope is to reach out to the orphans in the world through the body of Christ.  They have become a sort of clearing house for the international adoption community as they raise thousands of dollars from people who aren't in the phase of life to raise children, and they gift those dollars away to young families in need of financial resource.  I'm telling you, if you've ever wanted to be a part of an organization that is truly making a difference on the global stage, check out Shaohannah's hope. 

And if you're just looking to test the waters a bit, one of my friends over there at the Show Hope place is putting together an incredible opportunity. In fact if you're looking for a place to go this summer, here's a GREAT CHANCE FOR CHANGE!!

   The Show hope crowd is taking a small group of people over to an orphanage in China this summer, and it is sure to be a lifechanger.  You'll be working one on one with orphans.  You'll be working with orphan workers to see the intricacies of taking in children, caring for children, and hopefully uniting them with a family either domestically or internationally. 

I know on my own journey of adoption, it was a pivotal point when I was in Cambodia working with street children.  I just didn't have any idea there was a world out there with kids who needed a mom and a dad.  I took for granted all families in the world must have functioned like mine.  And that's just not the case.

If you're looking for a little break, and want to be a part of a movement.  Click on the Show Hope banner above, and sign up for the upcoming trips.  I promise, it will change your life.

God bless.  And let's continue being realfaith people searching for REAL TRUTH!!

Action Points for Child Sex Trade

Shareen posted a great comment on yesterday's expose of children caught in the sex trade of global perversion.  Her message of feeling trapped, and not being able to focus on solutions other than prayer, which are powerful, caused me to think, "Yea, if we want to stop this terrible practice, how can people get involved." 

So I started doing a little research....

Some Great organizations are already taking the lead on trying to solve these problems.  World Vision is a great NGO working to provide rescues to children who are being farmed out for the sex trade.  I've personally been to Cambodia to see the recovery houses where young girls are learning basic life skills to be able to re-enter a society that long left them out in the cold.  You can find worldvision on the web at www.worldvision.com.  Or for more information on the specifics, simply click on the logo above, and it will take you to the website addressing this issue.

I also found some other interesting work being done...Check out these signs....

This is from Justice Children International.  I don't know much about what they are doing, or how reliable they are, but the idea that they are calling this an abolition movement began stirring my heart.  It may be worth checking out what's going on here.  Who knows, we might be in the middle of a global movement to free modern slaves. 

Or how about the good ole US Immigration and Customs departments uniting behind a non-profit agency trying to do it's best job to eliminate the horrors of Children being treated like animals.

I don't know if you watched the video from yesterday, but look at how these people see the value of human life.  Not only are they living in substandard basic human needs, like food/shelter/and clothing, but these monsters are FARMING OUT INNOCENCE.

So, back to Action points....

I don't know if you have the ability to join these groups either in physical presence or short term help, but one of the greatest ways to visualize and fuel a passion for these kids is to go and see the atrocities for yourself.  I remember when Jamie and I sat with the girls at the home in Cambodia.  I walked away in deep distress, wanting to stay and help facilitate any way I could.

And, maybe you're not in a position to go physically to the other side of the world, but if you can connect with agencies doing good work, and help support them; it would be a tremendous help.  Being in the non-profit world is not an easy job.  Every dime you need to help the next person is a gift.  Every dollar you use to feed the hungry children rescued from these brothels is representative of someone else's kind donation.  All that said, if you can't go, then be a presence with financial help.  Show Worldvision you care about kids and you want to sacrifice a little of your treasure to help stop the madness.

Please hear me, I am not a Worldvision rep.  I'm don't get anything by putting them on this blog.  I'm not interested in anything other than the absolute abolishment of child sex slavery.  If it's not worldvision, then find another group on the web.  Do your due diligence to find out if they are reputable.  And, let's unite under one banner of Christ to save those who can't save themselves.  It's our obligation.

  Will you help?