Category Archives: Florida

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)

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.

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!

 

Feb16

Do Something Epic

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Teri

You know the street.  You know the neighborhood.

It’s that neighborhood.  The one in your city inhabited by the prostitutes and drug dealers and the homeless people.  There might be a few neighborhoods like that where you live.

The people are nameless.  They live as if they are faceless.

They are broken.  They are lonely.  They are hopeless.

You know that street I’m talking about.

No one should be without hope.

We met a woman who is doing something about it.  Her name is Melissa and her heart has been broken for the women in that neighborhood in West Palm Beach, Florida.  She wants to give them hope.

She started simply by walking down the street and looking into the faces, asking for their names, and telling them that there is hope.  She told them that Jesus loves them.  Then she started showing them just how much.

She began a ministry called, Epic Beauty, whose purpose is to show the brokenhearted women that they are loved and they are beautiful.  Epic Beauty is a coalition of women committed to addressing the unique needs of women in crisis.  Their goal is to inspire, educate and counsel women so they can reach their full potential in life.

They reach out to hurting women, offering a better way of life by providing an environment where they can be restored to Christ and made whole. The ministry helps women by responding to their desire for help, participation in small groups, mentorship programs and training classes.

Then Melissa went even further.  She opened up a flower shop.

Epic Arrangements is a for-profit business designed to employ the women from the neighborhood who are choosing to take a second chance.  These are women who are choosing to walk away from their lifestyle and begin hoping for a better future with Christ.

Start something beautiful.  Do something epic.

Here is more about what Melissa is doing.

The lovely young lady in the video arranging the flowers is a dynamic dynamo.  Leah’s a dreamer.  Her passion is also to help the brokenhearted women stuck in homelessness, addiction, and prostitution.  Not only that, she also has a passion for flowers.  It was a match made in the Kingdom of God.  She stepped up and is helping serve Melissa’s dream.

Together they are going to welcoming in the first woman to the Epic Arrangement staff who is making her way back from the streets.  Melissa’s dream to see restoration in women’s lives is beginning to bloom.

You didn’t know flowers were so powerful, did you?

What’s your dream?

Feb6

The 11th Hour God

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Pei Yee

A week ago Friday we didn’t know where we would be going the next day.  All we knew was we were supposed to leave Sarasota on Saturday.

Saturday morning, Tiffany, at whose house we were staying, tells us that she got a place for us to stay for the next few days.  Woohoo!

So we drove to Brandon, FL that afternoon, not quite sure who were the people we were going to meet there.

Brandon turned out to be such a huge blessing for us.

We were tremendously blessed by the love, hospitality, and generosity of the people we were staying with and the church.  We received words of encouragement and when the pastor asked the church to pray over us yesterday, this is what he said, “Imagine them as your child. Now pray for them as if you are praying for your child, with that same fervency.”

Another pastor said, “You are servants of God. When you come, we treat you like kings and queens.”

WOW.  I have to say, I felt so blessed, honored, and loved.

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Thursday last week, once again, we were not sure where we were heading on Friday.  We tried all week to figure it out but no doors were opening.  We decided as a team that God was asking us to jump in the van and ask him what direction to go.

Friday morning, Sarah comes back from running and exclaims, “We have a place to stay for the next two days!”

Yup, God showed up again…at the 11th hour.

We went to Daytona Beach and stayed with a World Race alumni, Jedidiah and had the most incredible time with him and his family and friends.  Again, we had no idea where we were going but God lead us to a group of like-minded people who have passions and dreams to be ignited.

Sometimes God puts us through these seemingly impossible situations to show us that He does have everything under control, that we really do not have to worry about tomorrow.

The question is, do we put ourselves out there so that God can show up?

Luke 12:22-31

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith!   And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.   For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

And this precious verse that I’ve always overlooked until today:
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Our Father is please to give us the kingdom…

Feb3

Finding The Lost Sheep

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Teri

We drove through the beautiful city of Winter Garden, Florida and marveled at how lovely it was.

Then we turned down a couple of streets that weren’t so lovely.

Then we drove down a street that really wasn’t lovely at all.  At least to us.

We drove parked in a lot filled with a lot of people who were watching us as closely as we were watching them.

The Dream Tour was there to help clean a building for a dreamer who was starting a small church in his neighborhood.

That’s when we met Anthony.

He’s a dreamer.  And he has a beautiful dream.

He used to hang out in this area doing stuff that wasn’t what you’d call, “Kingdom work”.

Then Anthony met Jesus.  In jail.   And God had a plan for him.

God asked Anthony to go back to his neighborhood and love on the lost sheep.  He sent Anthony to be a light to the people he used to drink, used to do crack with, and deal drugs with…  To be salt and light to them and to show them God’s love is real.

Here’s his story…

Please check out Anthony’s website at http://www.findingthelostsheep.com.

Feb2

His Name is Eloi

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Pei Yee

About two ago, we were in our prayer time the morning of the OneThing conference.  God gave me a vision of a rather stout looking Hispanic man with a mustache and hair combed back.  And He gave me the verses Matt 11:28-29 to give to him.  I hadn’t had a vision like that before.

I told my team what I saw and we kept a lookout for that man.

Not only did God provide tickets for the OneThing conference, but I also ran into a squad-mate of mine and got to hang out with her.  It was a great night.

Halfway through the next day Sarah said that she had seen the man in my vision in the hall earlier. There were about 1,500 people.  I had no idea if we would find him.

Not long after that I saw him too.

It’s really hard to describe it, and I wasn’t even looking for him, but then suddenly I just saw him in the crowd, like God highlighted him among the people. I told Sarah and she confirmed that it was the same man that she saw, which is CRAZY.

I went up to him, really scared (ok, he’s a big security dude and I’m this petite asian) and I’ve never done this before to someone I don’t know.  I told him that I had this vision of him yesterday and that God told me to give him Matt 11:28-29 and if there’s anything that we can pray for him.  He said, “No. I’m good. Thank you. I appreciate that.” Ok.

So…that was it…I guess.

The last message of the night rolls around and as Mike Bickle was speaking, this man suddenly comes around to our side of the hall and made some hand motions to us.  We all thought we were in trouble. “Oh, no, it’s your drink!”  “Oh no, maybe he’s saying that we’re not supposed to eat in here!”

We went to meet him after the service, still scared and wondering what’s going on.  He told us that when I approached him earlier, he was in a meeting and so was only half listening.  But then later he knew that he had to find us and talk to us again.  But how was he supposed to find us in this big hall of 1,500 people?  As soon as he finished praying for God to help him, he looked up and saw us.  He quickly got out of his seat, didn’t care that Mike Bickle was still speaking, came over and hand motioned us to meet him after the meeting.

His name is Eloi.  He’s a dreamer. 

He and his friend Elliot will be going to Panama to start prayer houses.  And he had asked God for confirmation that random people would come up to him.  CRAZY!  As we shared and prayed over them, I could just feel the Holy Spirit so strongly among us.

It was just such a divine appointment.

So who says God is not real today? Dude, He is SO REAL!

Jan27

Lessons From Donna

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Teri

We spent some time at Matthew’s Hope this week.

They serve the homeless of the Winter Garden community in Florida.

They provide clothes, hair cuts, food, showers, and among other things.  They’ll even provide a bicycle if you work enough in their garden.

MH partners with churches in the community.  They’re even busing in people from other communities who are in need.  They are serving hope and dignity to those who don’t usually have those things in abundance.

I got to serve hot grilled cheese sandwiches and a smile to a bunch of people that day. I even offered up a side of prayer to a few.

Lily and Sarah helping in the garden

I also got to meet three pretty wonderful dreamers.

There’s Netta.  It was her first day volunteering.   Her dream is to love and serve people with dementia.   She is a retired nurse who still looks for opportunities to teach other nurses and administrators the best patient care.  She shared several stories of how she helped change lives and how others helped change her life.

I also met Darlene.  She is a widow who comes to Florida from Jan through March.   When she’s here – she volunteers at Matthew’s Hope.  I asked her about her passion.  “I just want to serve people.”  She longs to serve people in tangible ways – like dishing out chili to people who don’t often get a hot meal.

Then there was Donna.   Donna was busy from the moment I got there until the moment I left.  Her eyes were always looking for what needed to be done.  I stood around talking to people about dreams, praying for others, laughing and chatting with others.  She worked.

I finally got her to stand still for a moment and I asked her about her passion.  She said, “It’s all around us.  There is so much to be done.  These people need help.  I can give help.”  She went on to tell me of two other places she volunteers because there is so much to be done.

Donna is not the type to stand around and dream.  She is the kind to roll-up her sleeves and DO.

We could all learn a lot from Donna. 

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,you did it to me.’”

Matthew 25:35-40

Jan24

A Story to Tell

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Day 9 of the Tour and already we have many stories to tell.

There are so many that we edited it and gave you some excepts…

From Pei Yee:

Sunday (Jan 15)
Whirlwind of a day. Got up early to speak at a women’s group in church, sharing about Kingdom Dreams, then rushed off to a 7th graders Sunday School class where we did a 5 minutes spiel, then rushed off again to a small Spanish congregation where we had the opportunity to share more in depth and later on prayed with some people.  Then it’s back home for lunch, rest for a few hours, then out again to their night service and then to a college group.

 

Honestly, I was exhausted. My introvert personality crying out to just “Let me be alone and rest!”  But I pushed through, knowing that God had work for us to do.  And sure enough He did, for the session at the college group was really good.  Intimate setting, amazing worship and good sharing that just led to good 1-on-1 conversations later.  I couldn’t have asked for more.
Teri giving her ‘spiel’ to the women’s group.
Intimate setting, amazing worship, good fellowship at the college group.
Wednesday (Jan 18)
Pretty much spent the whole day at home until a high school service in the evening. I was given the privilege to speak for 10-15 minutes and God put on my heart to challenge the youth to seek out and run after His given dream in each one of us through the stories of Katie Davis and Austin Gutwein.

 

Honestly this is probably the first time that I’m speaking to such a large crowd (there were probably about 150 students there) and I was a bit nervous. Don’t think it went too well but oh well, training in progress.

 
 

I then went on and attended the college meeting and then hung out with them until midnight at Applebees. Boy was I tired the next day!

More from Pei Yee’s post…

Here are excerpts from Katherine’s story:

I am HOME!  As soon I as hit the border of Florida, I felt right at home with my warm weather and palm trees. I have such peace being here in Florida and my heart burns to light Florida on fire for God.  I want to see the Kingdom come here.  This first week of the tour has been a world wind.

And then off we went to St. Augustine to see my friend Jen.

We talked to Jen about her Kingdom Dream.  She shared about how she is teaching deaf education.  She also shared how she got to become a teacher and how she wanted to do deaf education.  I was able to see how God has put that passion in her heart before she even realized it was there.  God guided her through all the trials she went through to realize that she wanted to become a teacher for the deaf community.  She is very open to having God guide her into what He wants for her.

Right now she is getting ready to go back to school to get her PHD.  She knows that this is what God has planned for her to do and she is open to it.  She is scared about getting her PHD but she knows that God is with her and He will help her in this next season.

Our Kingdom Dreams doesn’t have to look like a missionary or in the ministry.  Jen’s Kingdom Dream is to serve the deaf community in the school system.  It is people like her that can impact the workplace because she is allowing God to lead her where He wants her to be.  She is able to be in the workplace and do life with others and they can see how she has peace because God is with her.

Sarah prayed for the owner of the coffee shop as we walked out.  It was a good day.

Read more of Katherine’s story here…