Category Archives: The Places

The stories of the places we’ve been.

Oct23

Shadows and Sunshine

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Roberto

 

The third stop on our tour brought us to Tampa, Florida, where we met with Ida Lopez, Project Director for World Relief Tampa.

Ms. Lopez and her team are devoted specifically to anti-trafficking efforts in the Tampa area.  World Relief has been at work in this area since 1980, and since 2006 has been targeting trafficking.  We were surprised at the gravity of the issue there and were pleased to hear that World Relief is a light of hope in the darkness.

THE PROBLEM

  • With 27 million people enslaved in the world today, 2.5 million of those live right here in the United States.
  • Florida is one of the top three destinations for trafficking in the United States.
  • Tampa is the number one destination for trafficking activity in the state of Florida.

A LIGHT OF HOPE
As these issues have recently come to light, a number of government agencies as well as NGOs have been working together to form a task force to help stop trafficking in Tampa.

One of World Relief’s main tasks is to be a first responder to trafficking raids.  They provide a source of support for the victims, beginning with basic care packages that are put together by local volunteers.

World Relief continues to act as an advocate for the victims, providing them with a wide range of services, from taking them to the laundromat to helping them navigate legal proceedings with the police and lawyers.

FUNDING THE WAY
A large portion of World Relief’s funding comes from grants via the Department of Justice and other sources.  They are required to raise about 25% of their funds, most of which come through in-kind donations from local service providers like doctors, dentists, and mental health professionals who donate their time and skills to serve these victims.

INVOLVING OTHERS
World Relief, along with professors from St. Petersburg College, offers training to many in the community to help others identify potential trafficking activity in local neighborhoods.  They even offer training for local police departments to better get involved in their communities.

MUCH TO BE DONE
While World Relief has been active in the Tampa area for quite some time, their staff remains small, and the need remains great.  They rely on volunteers to help with presentations, coordinating services for victims, and rallying local churches to come together and help with housing needs for the girls and preparation of care packages.

To learn more about World Relief in Tampa, or to learn how you can get involved, visit http://worldrelieftampa.org/anti-trafficking.

Oct22

ReThreaded: Jacksonville

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Our Team is finishing up the Dream Tour. WE STILL NEED SPONSORS!  Please consider sponsoring Team Freedom so they finish strongly. (Click here to make an easy, tax deductible donation.)

ToniLyn

The second day of the Dream Tour was spent mostly driving to meet with our generous hosts, Danny & Heather, and attend a college Life Group led by my friend Mac. The group was a great opportunity for good discussion on the topic of freedom. Is there such thing as good or bad? Is there such thing as too much freedom?

Rethreaded: Jacksonville

Two Thursdays ago, we visited with Rethreaded.

Rethreaded is a new non-profit organization working against sex slavery in Jacksonville. Founded by Kristin Keen (who is also the founder of Sari Bari), it is an organization that will provide sustainable training, employment, and mentoring for women who are rescued from the sex industry in the Jacksonville area.

Their plan is to mentor internally, and as the women mature in the program they will mentor the new women who begin working within the organization. It’s an incredible chance for women who are otherwise unable to find employment* to have a sustainable job and truly create a new future.

During their training they will even get to explore their gifts of creativity through an intensive art therapy series. With Florida being in the top three worst states for trafficking, this is an incredible opportunity to begin to erase women’s past horrors in exchange for the beauty of creation and new life.

 

 

 

 

Rethreaded plans to begin by creating a line of children’s clothing from recycled t-shirts. They also sell items from other companies that are involved in eradicating sex slavery around the world.

 

 

Right now they have an ongoing event called 8.25 “Investing in Freedom Campaign”. For $8.25 you can support one of the women for one hour of training. It’s genius, as are their growing ideas and location facilities! To learn more visit their website listed above.

*Typically women who have been involved in sex trafficking and prostitution as a whole have a criminal record that can’t be erased. There has been movement in legislature of some states over the last few years to finally view these women as victims and not criminals, and to instead go after the pimps and johns who are enslaving and supplying the demand.

Please pray for these victims, the perpetrators, and those who are trying to rescue the captives.

Photo cred: Toni-Lyn Keller (aka, me)

Oct19

Rescue For Us All

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The Dream Tour is heading to Chicago today. Please be in prayers for their safe travel.

ToniLyn

Roberto and I met with Jen from Beautiful Feet Ministries to discuss their story of starting up strip club outreach in North Georgia. It is the ministry Jen, Beau, and I actually brainstormed together last Spring and now is a few months old.

Beautiful Feet is an outreach that is about building friendships with women who dance in clubs for a living.

JESUS IN A STRIP CLUB

Club outreach is eye-opening, but not for the reasons that may come to mind. It was eye-opening because it was nothing that we’d always imagined. Before you are aware of what it truly looks like to work there by someone who is sharing their story, it seems that these are only places where darkness resides and fear has its dominion.

However, that is far from the case, and even in the case that it was true, that’s more reason to be present; a voice of hope, life, and freedom for women who may not otherwise hear or experience this. We have found that a steady and positive presence in their lives speaks volumes and begins breaking down walls toward growth and freedom.

It has been my firsthand experience through this ministry that it is a truly humbling thing to go out and realize your mindset is still somewhat stuck in “rescuing” someone who is “least of these” and in that realizing you too are in need of rescue still.

Recognizing my own arrogance and brokenness in my often too dignified independence. To recognize your own brokenness in the midst of it is really challenging. It’s messy to do ministry from scratch, to even call it ministry when the true desire is to honor women who are often dishonored. Beautiful Feet works to bring the knowledge and reminder that these women’s worth is far greater than they’ve been told or imagined.

So our evening was a night of revisiting dear friends at their place of work. We brought bright pink roses in a purple vase. We all laughed and shared the latest stories of life. It was a breath of fresh air.

 

SEX TRAFFICKING IN NORTH GEORGIA

Yes. There is sex trafficking that goes on in rural North Georgia.

As we sat down with Jen and her fiance Beau, they talked openly about the area and what exactly trafficking tends to look like there. House brothels in the burbs, AMPs (Asian Massage Parlors) open 24 hours, and girls as young as 14 being manipulated by traffickers who troll the middle and high schools and malls.

If this sounds shocking, it is. If you are relieved that this isn’t your city, well, it is your city. The look of sex trafficking varies from community to community but those are just some basic facts and you will want to remain educated on your own area.

These sort of facts aren’t a reason to live in fear, or without hope of change.

It is a way to protect your own children and women and kids you know by guarding them with knowledge. These aren’t kidnappings, they are women and children being coerced by people who are trained and skilled at finding their weakness. Clothes, jewelry, food, compliments, etc.

Educate yourself on your area. Find your local police station phone number and call in tips if you spot unusual activity.

Oct15

Workers Needed For the Harvest

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Roberto

Well, I have been a part for the center for Global action Program for about a month so far. Since being down here I have been working in the long term missions department on various projects (more on that later).

Currently I am on the Kingdom Dreams Anti-Trafficking Dream Tour. This is the result of a dream from Toni-Lynn and Teri Frana. The purpose is to travel the states and see what trafficking looks like in the US. This is some that not only I want to learn more about but also many other racers and the Long Term Missions department.

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field Luke 10:2

ToniLyn and Roberto helping with the harvest.

We have visited two ministries in the states so far both of which are relatively new and have been in the works. They are Rethreaded and the other is Beautiful Feet. Beautiful Feet is in the North GA area and Rethreaded is in Jacksonville FL.

A common need expressed by both is that there are just not that many people actively willing to be involved and some who are are not willing to commit to the long term work that is needed before there is progress. The needs are great yet the workers are few; a topic too often preached on. Hopefully many will be able to find places to jump in after we have finished the tour

One thing we have learned is that this is a problem that requires many people to jump in at different points in the process; preventive, intervention, after care and empowerment.

Helping hands are needed.

Please pray for the team as they are a little overwhelmed at the severity of this horrific crime in America. Pray for strength, pray for the harvesters, and pray for rescue and redemption for the victims.

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Check out this 12 minute documentary about what trafficking looks like in Tampa. The team just met with Ida this weekend (she’s in the video) to learn about what’s happening there.

Warning – It’s not an appropriate video to watch with children around.

We must stop turning our heads to this evil that has infiltrated our very backyards.

Jun6

Letting Go of the Itinerary

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I met Chad and Amber on the fall tour last year in Wisconsin. What a powerhouse couple for the Kingdom! They are fully sold-out to do whatever and go wherever God leads. My guess is that they will live a life filled with more and more dreams as they are faithful with what God has given them. Watch out world – Chamber is bringing it! 

Amber

Chad and I are planners. I’m talking type-A, methodical planners.

We were enjoying the comfortable routine of married life we had set up for ourselves; traveling through our days paying close attention to the “itinerary” we had mapped out for our success. You know, “work at X company, volunteer with X, live in X city for X years, save X amount of money to buy a house, travel to X…” and so on.

Well, in August of 2010, God began to lead us down an exit ramp that was not part of our itinerary…

“God, are you CRAZY?! You want me to quit my job?”

This debate took place on a mission trip.

Chad and I felt God making it extremely clear to us that he had plans for our lives that we were ignoring. During a time of worship, God showed me Proverbs 16:9, which says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” As I knelt there feeling like an emotional wreck, God was leaning down and whispering, Let go of your plans, Amber. Just let Me lead. Meanwhile, God was confirming the same thing to Chad.

It was time to throw our itinerary out the window.

Upon returning home, we made some huge changes to our lives. I resigned from my corporate job and started a freelance graphic design and photography business. Since we had no idea how to run a business on our own, we found it imperative to incorporate listening prayer into our new daily routines. God has been wowing us ever since.

For almost two years now, he has taken care of every detail of our business and has granted us opportunities to meet people that otherwise never would have crossed our path.

Because we learned to let go of our own plans, we now find ourselves in a state of joyful transition with God. We’re now open to discovering his purpose in our lives, which—shocker—is WAY better than our original plan anyway. The more he speaks to us and leads us, the more addicted we are to listening for his voice and obeying his call.

Most recently, God has shown us how important community is. He gave us a passion to invest in the lives of people around us and encourage/mentor them to grow in their faith.

We began intentionally building friendships with some young adults in our church. Soon, a dream was realized, and we helped start a ministry there for college students and young adults.

In a handful of short months, God has brought new people to our group, formed deep friendships, and given us a sense of unity as we strive to live like the church described in Acts. This group is truly hungry for the Lord and ready to learn.

Pray with us as we begin a couple of studies with them this summer that will challenge their faith, and in-turn, challenge our church as a whole.

Check us out at www.langhoffdesign.com or follow along at www.langhoffdesign.com/blog.

May24

Igniting Something in Jacksonville

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I met Jeff in Jacksonville, Florida on the Winter 2012 Tour. He invited us over to talk with his young adult group.  Jeff and his wife Sheila are what I call, “igniters” – they not only opened their house to 20-somethings, they opened their hearts and modeled how to live a life of radical faith. The group we met that night were alive and vibrant and filled with hope for all God has planned for them. 

Jeff is the perfect example of how God moves us from dream to dream. Jeff successfully “ignited” a younger generation as the Pastor of Young Adults for several years. Now that he has been faithful with that, God is moving him into a new dream – a church plant in Jacksonville where even more people can be ignited.

Check out his story. Watch out…it might ignited something in you too. 

Jeff

What a mighty God we serve…Alright…Okay…I am very much aware that this phrase sounds a little on the cliche side, but for some reason I feel the need to BOLDLY proclaim this powerful statement of fact!

He is a mighty God!

Over the past 18 months I took some time to do a little soul searching. I believe that this is an exercise that everyone (especially my brothers and sisters in ministry) needs to practice regularly. This process always helps to keep me clean and close to my Creator. This exercise always seems to bring my life a new perspective.

So, as I am sitting here…giving much thought to my life’s path, I cannot help but travel down memory lane. I am such a blessed man and I truly realize this. I have been involved in some of the most amazing ministry endeavors over the years and am totally blessed to have seen so many lives changed for eternity. I have made countless friendships and formed many partnerships as I have delivered God’s glorious gospel around the world.

All of these things are great to think about, but I have to squeeze past them…I must think of the here and now…I must think about the future…I have to force myself to look ahead and to ask of God, what is it that you expect from me next.

We must know the things He has for us to do we are to dream big dreams. We have to seek clear guidance because the job is never complete…there are still so many who have never heard about Jesus. Ministry moves on, concepts change. The Word of God never changes and God’s plan for our lives is concrete.

I have dared to dream.

Scripture teaches that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. Through this process, God has clearly communicated the need to start a new work. The Point Community Church was born from a desire for significance. Even before our first official meeting we have experienced Him working and opening doors and have also experienced a leadership team come together that has a desire to be significant for His Kingdom.

I would very much appreciate your prayers and if you feel led to help in this work that God has called me to lead, I would love to talk with you. Our first official meeting will be held on June 8, and our official launch date is November 11, 2012. We have many financial and mechanical needs, but most of all we covet your prayers. I am truly convinced that God is going to use this church to lead in a spiritual awakening.

You can follow our progress on my blog at www.jeffstockdale.com.

Jeff Stockdale is the Pastor at the Point Community Church, in Jacksonville Florida.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JJStockdale
https://twitter.com/#!/ThePointJAX

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thepointjax

Blog: www.jeffstockdale.com

Our prayers are with you Jeff and Sheila as you dream big for Jacksonville, Florida!

 

Apr25

It Only Takes a Spark

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Teri

We received enough to get us to Oklahoma City last night and we have enough to get us to Kansas City today! We still need 4 more sponsors to get us all the way back to Minneapolis.  Sponsor us and help us finish strong.  Thank you!

Dreams start with a passion.

It’s something God-given and unique to you that longs to be lived out.

Some people have a passion to help others practically, others to see businesses prosper, others to love on the brokenhearted, or see the lost come to know Jesus, to see the believers come to know him more, to see people healed, to see justice, to love and protect children, others to see people thrive in freedom, and still others have a passion to help build stuff.

Our passion isn’t enough.

Something needs to happen to bring those passions alive.

Dreams need to be ignited.

Becca, Jonathan, and us at Fresno Pacific.

At Fresno Pacific this weekend, we saw the spark happening all over campus.

This spark, in particular, looked like people. Jonathan, Becca, Allison, Amberli, Brennan, Riley, Natalie, Mike (x2), and several others. Something was stirring there. Smoldering. Just about ready to catch fire.

These people are hungry to see more Kingdom of God.

Someone said, “I just want to see our faith be deeper and more powerful than what we’re used to. I want more than just a vanilla Christian experience. I want all that Jesus promises us. I’d love to see revival come to the whole campus.”

Did you see it? It was like a flint stone being struck near dry kindling.

They each bring something different; a unique gifting, experience and passion to the mix.Together, they make a formidable ignition force.

So, we coached, prayed, encouraged, challenged, and prayed some more.

Prayer is like fuel to the flame.Encouragement is like wind. Challenge is like throwing larger logs onto the fire.

Please join me in prayer that the passions become like blazing fires that ignites other little fires along it’s path. Some people call it revival. Others call it coming fully alive to all of Jesus.

Whatever it is. I like it.I want to see it happen at Fresno Pacific.

I’d love to see it everywhere for that matter.

Passion is a powerful thing, but it needs to be ignited.

What is the spark you need?

Apr20

Bringing Kingdom

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Teri

They are doing it.

They are living a Kingdom-centered lifestyle.

In just the last 7 days…

We met Eric and Jayne who’ve put on a dinner theater in Las Vegas for years to help others see the beauty of marriage. They take in weary travelers. They mentor and coach others in their relationship with Christ. They serve faithfully at their church. They tell anyone about Jesus. They’ve seen hundreds of people come to know the love of Jesus.

They want to see one million people in Las Vegas come to know Jesus in the next 15 years.

With Jayne in Las Vegas (Eric is taking the pic.)

I think they will see it happen.

We talked over coffee with Lindsey who’s passion is to see college students coming alive to Jesus and being fully equipped into their next steps. She is a Resident Director at Westmont. Her husband Andy works with the homeless and those in the foster care system in his community.

We hung out with Danny, who has the heart of a shepherd. He intentionally creates an environment where community can thrive. He pours into other so that they can pour into others.

We had lunch with Joshua and Deanne. Deanne has a passion to see college students understand their identity especially through the lenses of ethnic and cultural aspects. She calls it, “intersections of identity”. Everything she spoke of related in some amazing way to her passion. She lives it transparently.

Joshua is a steward of platforms. His heart is for higher education, for the traditional church, and for the community. It was wild listening to him explain his vision for how those platforms intersect.

Steve and Lynn and said beautiful garden.

We then met with Austin and Alex, both juniors at Westmont. Both filled with passions and dreams and the courage to live them out for God’s Kingdom. Austin has a heart for justice and political science and missions. His journey now is to see how those “kingdoms” intersect with the Kingdom of God through him.

Alex has a passion to bring restoration and hope to the hard places. They are both world changers at the beginning of their life’s journey.

We stayed with Steve and Lynn. Steve is a financial consultant, a dad, and a husband who has the heart of a steward. His passion is to live out what God has given him with integrity and excellence. You can the fruit of his intentionality in every arena of his life; his work, his family, his garden, his marriage.

Lynn is a Christian Marriage and Family therapist. She wants to see freedom, hope, and love thrive in families. You can see Jesus in everything she does. You feel the peace when you are around her. The Kingdom of God overflows in their house and spills out all around them.

We just left two gloriously restful days with Meleca. She is the epitome of being Christ in her own skin. She is a first generation American from the Philippines.

She cries with you and she laughs with you. She’s a thinker. She has a giant gift of hospitality. She brings joy. She also has this way of “seeing” right into your heart and speaks to your needs. She brings Kingdom to every conversation.

Meleca and Julie.

All of these passions are different. Their lives are different. Their personalities are different.

But, they do have something in common…

They are bringing God’s Kingdom to earth.
They are living Kingdom-centered lives where they are placed, doing what they do, being who they are.

I’m not sure they fully realize that they do.

How is the Kingdom of God present in your life? I’m pretty sure you’re doing it in some ways you don’t even know you are.

Let’s take time this weekend to rejoice over the things that we are doing well!

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There were a lot of people who helped made this past week happen for us.

A HUGE thank you to the following sponsors: Renee, Steve and Wanda, Alissa, Lisa!!
Thank you for helping us reach many dreamers.

Click here to sponsor a day of the tour or want to get involved with supporting the ministry.

Apr17

A Resounding YES

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Teri

Cal and Jan drove an hour to rescue us after Ruby croaked.

The first thing they did was to grab Molly into a huge bear hug as they hadn’t seen her in 20 years. The next thing they did was say, “You can stay with us as long as you need.” Then they said, “Come on, we’re taking you to dinner.”

Ahhhhhh…Those are mighty soothing words for weary travelers who’ve been sitting at the side of the road for over two hours in a broken down minivan.

They graciously welcomed us into their home. We got a quick tour of all the important things like, here’s the kitchen, you’re welcome to any of the food, just help yourself. Here’s the bathroom, if you need anything just let us know. Here’s the laundry room, if you need to wash your clothes. Here’s your bedroom, here are your towels and again, you are welcome to stay as long as you need.

I crawled into a bed and slept like it was my home.

Cal and Jan have been married for nearly 50 years. They’ve been in ministry nearly that long too. Cal’s a pastor and a Director of a Bible Camp for about 35 years and Jan has been at his side every step of the way.
We got a chance to visit Twin Peaks Bible camp and hear some of the stories that have happened over the last 30 years there. Cal and Jan came right before they were about to shut it all down. The owners said, “Well, if you can do something with it, then it will stay open.”

Almost 30 years later and tons of blood, sweat, and tears, the camp is thriving.

Cal said, “It’s hard work and the grace of God.” That’s Cal, short, sweet, and cut to the chase. He’s got work to do.

They’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of kids (as well as parents) come to know the love and grace and goodness of Jesus Christ. They’ve seen dozens of children they poured into grow up and step into ministry or missions. They’ve helped dozens and dozens of families be better together.

They’ve seen their own family grow better and better together.

“I made a commitment I was going to be involved. I wanted my kids to know beyond any doubt that I loved them.” Cal stuck to his commitment and you can tell. With five grown children and many grandchildren, the Sheppard family is a tight knit group.

Jan had us laughing till our sides hurt. She is a spunky. Her love spills out everywhere. She’s the kind of person you just want to be around.

They shared stories of a life of service and missions work. When you depend on support raising as your main source of income, it’s usually pretty slim. But, Cal and Jan are able to show a lifetime of fruit from their labor. The money may have been thin, but the love was full.

I personally needed to spend time with these two. As a missionary raising a family, you often wonder if you’re doing the right thing. You often wonder if all the sacrifices you have to make will be worth it. If all the hard work for very little pay will pay off.

The Sheppards life speaks loudly with a resounding YES.
I thank God for the Sheppards. Please join me in praying for many, many continued blessings for this wonderful family.

Apr16

Grateful

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More in the saga of Ruby…

Last Friday we drove our rental car, Sliver Slick, from a couple days of camping in Moab, Utah to Grand Junction, Colorado in anticipation of picking up Ruby that day.

While on our way,  we got a call from our dear friend who had offered to pay for Ruby’s repairs called. His house was robbed the day he called in to pay for Ruby. The thieves took everything, including credit cards. The credit card company cancelled his cards as of that day. He wouldn’t be able to pay for Ruby after all.

Please pray for Steve! And pray for the thieves who took from him – they all need a little Jesus!

Right after that we got a call from lovely Jackie from Masters Automotive to say the very lovely words, “Ruby is ready!”

We’re now about an hour away from Rifle. One moment Ruby is paid for but not fixed.

Now, Ruby was fixed but not paid for…

Ruby was now all dressed up with no place to go!

And the mechanic shop is closing in about two hours for the whole weekend. If we didn’t find a solution in one hour, we would have to wait in Grand Junction until Monday.

What did we do?

We pulled off in Grand Junction and ate lunch on the Applebee’s gift card someone gave us.

And    counted   our   blessings!

We’re thankful for:

  • Applebee’s spinach and artichoke dip
  • Easter candy on sale
  • The Kingdom Dreams team who loves us
  • Our prayer networks who are so vigilant in their support
  • Social networks that help us stay connected
  • Our parents that help us stay grounded
  • Our friends that help us stay real
  • Laughter that helps us stay sane
  • Mountains that make us dream big
  • Divine appointments that make us humble
  • Air conditioning in dust storms when you are allergic to dust
  • Allergy meds
  • Spiritual breakthroughs to freedom
  • Truth that sets us free
  • Grace that loves us even though we don’t live like we’re free
  • The Body of Christ who is rising up
  • Full authority in Christ
  • Rental cars
  • Tax Refunds
  • The powerful name of Jesus Christ
  • America the incredibly beautiful
  • For hosts who bless our socks off (More on Cal and Jan in another post!)
  • The Arches National Park that inspires us
  • Pandora radio, GPS’s, smart phones, cruise control, and texting that makes our lives much easier
  • Tow trucks

Just then, at the 11th hour, another friend called in to offer to pay for Ruby’s repair.

We are thankful for 11th hour rescues!

We picked up Ruby. I think I hugged Jackie about 10 times. Said our good-byes and got back on the road.

We drove over 900 miles in the last two days and Ruby was purring!

Thanks to all who prayed and gave to help us get back on the road.

We are grateful…