Stephie Birthday Fundraiser

Hello my lovely friends and family :)

My birthday (26!) is quickly approaching and I wanted to share with you my big birthday wish!

What kind of self-involved person sends out a reminder that her birthday is coming? This one! The reason is because I would love if you would direct any love that you were planning to send my way to this birthday fundraiser. I know some of you are planners, so I'm trying to give you some advance notice and hoping that the longer the fundraiser is up, the more money we can raise :)

"OK - what's your birthday fundraiser?" My hope is to raise $1000 for Hope Be Restored. Hope Be Restored (http://www.hopeberestored.org/what-we-do.html) is a Seoul-based non-profit that seeks to raise awareness, mobilize workers, provide aftercare for victims and eventually eradicate sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is real; and it's everywhere.

More than any other type of ministry, the fight against sex trafficking is the one that grips my soul. This modern-day slavery takes away the very humanity of the ones who are the most vulnerable; young girls in financial trouble who get caught in an endless spiral of enslavement. It's heartbreaking and makes me want to turn my face away from what looks like a hopeless situation.

But, I believe that this work is very near to the heart of God and He can offer true healing. Sex trafficking doesn't have to exist; it's not a necessary evil. Specifically, I was convicted to create this fundraiser when I stumbled upon this passage in Jeremiah:

This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the Lord.

I don't need any more cedar; God has blessed me with more than enough to meet all my physical needs. I want to draw closer to the heart of God, to know what it means to know Him. How can I turn a blind eye when the orphans and widows of this world, the most vulnerable are subject to the deepest oppression?

"You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know." William Wilberforce, abolitionist

"Girl, I'm just gonna get you a piece of cake and a hug. Ain't nobody got money for birthday fundraisers." Even if it's only one dollar, no amount is too small! I know that sometimes I get embarrassed by donating really tiny amounts to charity or missionaries, but I really believe that God can use all of those intentions and prayers and dollars to do amazing things.

Also, if you're a local Minnesotan and were planning on throwing some kind of dinner/party/cake festival - I will be out of town the weekend before, during, and after my birthday specifically to avoid this situation. Please give instead :) :) :)

"SMH, asking other people for money for your pet cause when you're not even willing to give any money yourself." Duly noted! I should also be putting my money where my mouth (and heart! is) so first $100 on me. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:21

And for any of you who have whined to me "you never let me buy you anything" this is your golden opportunity!!

"Yo, I'm all for giving money to good causes; but I'm a little hesitant to give money to a faith-based organization." I totally understand if you're uncomfortable with giving money to something that you don't believe in. But, in a shameless appeal -- would you consider giving anyway, because it's important to me? :)

"Enough, Steph. Just shut up and take my money." If you have made it all the way to this section of the post - wow! Thanks for caring and reading all of that :) If you would like to give to the birthday cause -- here's the link.

Any and all amounts are appreciated, but please don't give anonymously. I would love to say thank you! Any amount over $10 and I'll write you a hand-written thank you note with a bunch of nice things about you.

Love and Hugs,
Stephanie

HOPE Be Restored is working to end human trafficking and modern-day slavery in South Korea and in other parts of the world.

We educate, equip, and mobilize churches to get involved in our communities to combat slavery happening in our streets. Through prayer, worship, outreaches, and discipleship, we believe every church can play a role in being light in the darkness.

We provide aftercare for victims of sex trafficking in South Korea which includes: counseling, legal help, education, job training, job placement, friendship building, and discipleship.

We help young children, women, and foreigners in Korea to experience freedom, hope, and a new future.

Please join us in our efforts to bring slavery to end in our lifetime.