Changing Lives

October 2010

It's my favorite time of the year, Autumn. I love watching the leaves changing colors and the cool weather. Jeans and sweater or sweatshirt and you’re set. I found myself taking it all in as I walked the trail at the local wetland reserve yesterday.

It made me stop and think about all the changes that are going on in Tanzania.
Pastor Charles has informed me about the many changes there. It’s exciting to hear about the mighty work that God is doing in the lives of so many people. The church continues to grow and is up to about 300 people. Praise God! The last few Sundays they have done overflow services via internet and have been having success with it. Continue to pray for no more technical delays or problems.

Though, with the move of God.. The enemy has come to attack. The Porters three adorable children have been battling sickness after sickness since they arrived. I would ask that you would join me and others in continual prayer for healing and protection over
these precious children.

Change has also been occurring in my own life. Some of you may have been aware that I was working three jobs and close to 60 hours a week the past four months. All of that has come to a halt, with me being down to one part-time job. Partially because I want the next months to focus on preparation for Tanzania and the people I will be serving there.

I recently attended the introduction meeting to a new ministry in the area, 5-Stones. The ministry’s goal is to bring awareness, response, networking, support and restoration. Learning practical ways of how to response when you cross paths with someone who has become the victim of sex trafficking. I learned a lot that evening about sex trafficking in the US, Wisconsin and the Fox Valley. It’s a great ministry and I would encourage you to check it out and consider getting involved. You can check out 5-Stones at http://www.5-stones.org/

In addition, I recently read a section of the USA today paper from Media Plant that was dedicated to Investing in Women and Girls. Throughout the article, time and time again, it stated how investing in women and girls will not only change a life, but will effect and change the whole community. “Dedicating resources to a single woman has a ripple effect on her entire
community.”

In the section entitled, Working to end violence against women. It stated that one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. That is too often. You can read more at http://www.mediaplanet.com/.

As a woman and child of God, I refuse to just sit on the sidelines and do nothing to stop it. It’s my heart’s desire to bring hope to these beautiful daughters of our Heavenly Father. As the book, Captivating states:
“Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most
precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable
role in a great adventure, to be the Beauty of the Story. Those desires are far more
than child’s play. They are the secret to the feminine heart.
The message of Captivating is this:
Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a
little girl and the longings you feel as a woman--they are telling you of the life God
created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your
heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is
truly captivating

This is my heart’s cry for everyone woman and girl.. That they would know God’s love in their life like no other. The beautiful girls and women of Tanzania desire for this love too. Would you consider partnering with me and the rest of the team as we bring hope, restoration, God’s truth and love to the women and girls of Tanzania.

$25.00 per month x 50 people x 12 months = Tanzania women embracing the Captivating dream God has for her.

Your Sister in Christ,
Natalie Green
Missionary to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Who's walking thru the doors of your church?

It's been something I have been spending a lot of time thinking about after hearing a recent story.. Recently, I have been attending some informational and awareness mtgs in the area about human/sex trafficking within Wisconsin and more specifically within the Fox Valley area. I have to admit that I was shocked by what I found out and how much of it is going on in our own backyard. It's not just happening in the big cities like we think, but it's happening all around us.. and you are not aware of it.. and that's the reason its here.. the traffickers think no one is paying attention, so they won't be caught.... I want them to know that I'm watching and paying attention and it's time that we all become watchers within our own communities..

God has called me to a voice to the voiceless.. this is one way of getting the word out about what is going on and that as Christians I refuse to just watch it happen and not do or say nothing about it..

So back to my story.. at one of the events, we were told the story about a young lady in PA who noticed a lady that came to her church every Sunday. She was a greeter at the church and took the time getting to know the newcomer. After weeks of talking with her, she found out that she was only allowed to leave where she lived to attend church on Sundays. The greeter contacted the authorities and explained the situation.. they started their investigation and watching the house the lady was living in..Finally, they decided to head in and rescue her.. when they went in, they not only found her, but 17 other women who were held aganist their will.

The truth is this.. victims of human trafficking may be in our resturants, working in our fields, walking down the street and entering our church doors.. Educate yourself and know who to call.. National Human Trafficking Resource Center.. 1-888-3737-888.. They can answer your questions, or send someone to do some investigating.

Here's some questions that may help you identify a trafficking victim..
What type of work do you do?
Are you being paid?
Can you leave your job if you want to?
Can you come and go as you please?
Have you or your family been threatened?
What are your working and living conditions like?
Where do you eat and sleep?
Do you have to ask permission to eat/sleep/go to the bathroom?
Are there locks on the doors/windows so you cannot get out?
Has your identification or documentation been taken from you?
of course you'll be sensitive and creative in asking the questions.. while being God's heart to them.

So join me and others in standing in the gap for them.. by letting the traffickers know we are watching and paying attention

For more information and helpful tools.. refer to www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking