Beginning the Journey

 

Hope Rising Amidst!

 

In the most unlikely, painful, bleakest of places, Hope Rises Amidst our human struggles, devastating conditions, horrific and terror embedded choices and actions.  Hope rises because Love just comes, so surprisingly, beautifully, powerfully; able to sustain and even transform the human condition of suffering. I believe this.  Love comes in the form of Spirit, in the forms of nature, and love comes through human presence.  Love just comes and brings with it the hope that dignity will be restored to all.

 

For this season of my life, I am drawn to the work of being present with the painful reality that human beings are selling human beings as sexual slaves in a global market. No human community is exempt from the pain and devastation this horrific behavior extends.  I woke up to Oregon Public Radio announcing the conviction of men who had taken women from here and brought them to Hawaii and sold them as if they were "un-souled" bodies ready for mechanical use for the purpose of economic gain.

 

For this season, I am drawn to bringing love and kindness to this suffering along with many many others, that healing and HOPE may RISE unfettered and become transformative of the human race and the earth that holds us.

 

My journey began with the painting above which came as I began to study and listen and learn more deeply about sex slavery and trafficking. Its extensive scope and depth of degradation can only be met if one can identify Hope.  Harambee Arts Nepal is an effort of Hope Rising Amidst women whom have been rescued from sexual enslavement.  I have accepted an invitation to travel to Nepal with a group of 12 women, to bring Expressive Arts Therapy experiences as opportunities of healing for these women and children in Nepal.  Here  is the link for you to learn more about the work of this organization. www.harambeearts.org/   I am so deeply touched by what Gloria, the founder has been doing.  I'm sure you will be as well.  This trip will begin the art making of loving presence and healing for all of us.

 

In committing to this work, I have also committed to raising 4,800.00 by March 30th.  This will cover all training and expenses for this trip. So let the Fundraising Begin!!!

 

Each week, along with keeping this blog, I will be posting ways you can help, ideas for fundraisers you can do, and much gratefulness for all of you my faithful companions for this journey!

 

Sunset Covenant Church in Beaverton Oregon will receive all donations for the cost of this trip.  Therefor donations from individuals will be tax deductible. Please Make all checks out to Sunset Covenant Church with Nepal in the memo!  Thank you all so very much!

The adress is:
Nepal
C/O Sunset Covenant Church
18555 NW Rock Creek Blvd, Portland, OR 97229
 

 

Soooo!

Week 1 of Raising Change!

For any donations of $25 dollars or more that are post marked between now and Valentines Day, I will email you a thank you with the painting above attached that you may use as your screen savor or print and post as a reminder that you have contributed to Hope Rising Amidst!

 

Ideas for you!

 

Cookies, cakes and Roses! If you work with a group of people, large or small, how about making, baking or buying some great confections or roses and leaving them by the tea/coffee pot with a donation jar and a note: Raising Change to bring Change! Wiping out the violent suffering that IS Human trafficking!  and the flier telling about Harambee Arts Nepal?

 

If you love to cook, how about hosting a dinner party, inviting your guests to enjoy a wonderful meal and to bring all their change to contribute to Raising Change to bring Change?

 

For all my musical performance friends, how about choosing a song to play at your events, sharing with your audience that you are committed to Raising Change to bring Change! Wiping out the the violent suffering that IS Human trafficking! Then Pass the Bucket while you Play?!

 

My friends who wait tables and serve coffee, will you consider working with your restaurant and fellow servers to create an evening of Raise Change for Change?  Wiping out the violent suffering that Is Human suffering?

 

So many more ideas to come. 

 

So many links to share with you on this journey, of Hope Rising Amidst the suffering and we can all be helpful beyond raising change.

 

Thank you all, thank you for coming along!

 

Mary