Love & Scissors

Last night I met Megan Hawkins, one of the co-founders of Love and Scissors. She is an amazing girl with a passion for sex-trafficked victims and seeing them restored through the love of Jesus.  She and Karlie Johnson are on their way to San Jose, Costa Rica in March to begin a 10 week cosmetology program for women who are trapped in prostitution.  Their desire is to empower women with skills that will provide income for their families and give them the courage to get off the streets.  It will also give Megan and Karlie the chance to build relationships and walk with them down this path of change with encouragement and prayer, giving them hope with the love of Jesus Christ.

I am so encouraged by these ladies who are stepping out in faith, even in the face of uncertain circumstances, to fulfill the calling that God has placed on their hearts.  For more information you can visit their website at loveandscissors.com.

The girls are leaving in 3 weeks and still have a big chunk of money to raise for their living expenses while in Costa Rica and for hair supplies for the program.  Megan is cutting hair at Rudy & Kelly in the Greenbrier mall on Fridays and Saturdays in an effort to raise the necessary funds.  If it's time for a haircut (or even if it's not) give her a call!

Virginia Beach Justice Initiative

Tonight I went to the Virginia Beach Justice Initiative monthly meeting.  They have some pretty awesome plans and ideas brewing.  Right now we are in the process of splitting all the volunteers into teams so that everyone's talents and interests can be utilized - and there really is something for everyone! Some of the plans that are in the works right now include: 

- A team for prep and planning for a safe house in VA Beach 

- Teams to do outreach to the homeless, at strip clubs, prisons, inner-city, international students

- A team for survivor advocacy 

- A team for speaking and raising awareness 

- A team for marketing needs 

- A bunch more teams...but I can't hold this one in any longer... 

A TEAM FOR COUNSELING AND RESTORATION OF SURVIVORS!! 

I think my heart exploded when I saw that. 

I am so pumped for all that is going to come out of VBJI and am so excited to be a part of it. Sometimes it is so hard to be patient in the planning, preparing, meeting, talking, stages. I just want to GET OUT THERE.  But, it will happen.  

I learned an important lesson tonight too.  In the movement against sex-trafficking we are fighting to protect.  We aim to protect the young ones from harm, to protect the ones who have survived from further harm, and to protect those who are yet to be found. However, we can't protect others if we don't protect ourselves.  It's not a cause to be taken lightly.  If our God is for us, then who can be against us, right? BUT, we need to be carefully tuned into the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We should walk when Christ says walk, but stop when He says stop. He will protect us, but let's be smart about it. 

This is more or less a reminder to myself, but I thought I'd share anyway.(I may or may not believe that I'm partners with Olivia Benson from Law & Order: SVU and think that I can beat up bad guys with my bare hands and put criminals in jail. But, as much as I hate to admit it, that is a TV show.) Hey...a girl can dream, right?