At first, I was a bit amused by the fact that the moment I began a mission to help raise awareness about human trafficking through facebook, twitter, and other social media, I received comments of a sarcastic nature. Actually after trying to ignore these comments, I became sad that in the face of someone trying to actually make a difference, others would make light of it. Can I say I was no longer amused?
Then a few days ago, I received an encouraging word from someone who said they were praying for me and that, through these “awareness” updates, learned that their state was responsible for 25% of trafficking.
It’s worth speaking out…
~~~truly~~~
Hayley 
Hello all!
As some of you may know, I have almost completed my first semester of college! Woohoo! Finals are here….time for some intense studying!
When I started this semester, I was determined to be involved in some way on campus. So, I got a job working for the Athletic Foundation, I became a member of the Campus Activities Board (CAB), and I became a Scout! Now, most people, when I say scout think I am talking about scouting out athletes to play for college sports…either that, or they think I am a girl scout! Even though both of those are very good guesses, neither of them are correct! Scouts is an organization on campus which allows you to work all the different sporting events.
At the football games, I was assigned to work Touchdown Terrace. When I first asked the director of scouts about Touchdown Terrace, I was a little skeptical. You see, it was a giant tent set up at the south end zone with all sorts of fancy tables and chairs where all the wealthy sponsors go to watch the game. I was responsible for serving these sponsors food, beverages, and whatever else they needed….outside…in the heat…or cold…or rain…or whatever the weather decided to do on game day! Now, my first concern was that I didn’t even know where the end zone was located, much less which one was on the south side of the stadium. Secondly, I haven’t had very much experience being a waitress, and I’m VERY particular when it comes to food. But luckily, I found my way around to the giant white tent, and the only thing to serve was hot dogs. So for the most part, I was a happy camper.
Every game day provided different experiences. I loved watching the people in our area get caught up in the intensity of the football games, but my favorite thing of all was seeing how people acted with their little wrist bands. You see, to be able to get in and out of Touchdown Terrace one had to trade in a ticket for a wristband. People would strut through the entrance gate with their arms held high to make sure everyone saw the band on their arm. It was as if they thought it gave them some sort of power; and I suppose it did. Power to enter an otherwise restricted area. Children’s faces would light up every time I put a band on their arm, and they would often tease other children who did not have of the privilege of wearing one. We also had times when people would walk out with their band on and come back trying to sneak someone in by letting them use their old bands. We saw it all. People would stroll by the tent and ask where they could get these bands of power. These bands that gave access cost a lot of money!
From game to game, I watched these people’s behavior. Then I began to think that we as Christians are so blessed to have a power for which we do not have to pay thousands of dollars. It’s a power that comes in the name of Jesus. Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.”
If we not only realize, but also tap into the power of Jesus Christ, we would be unstoppable. We should not be ashamed of what we believe. We should stand firm, and shout it from the rooftops! When we show people how amazing the love, joy, and peace of God is, they are going to be so desperate for it. But the good news is, we do not have to give them something fake, or something that has been used or worn out. In fact, the price for this power has been paid. Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us to have access to the power of God. His power is real, and there is enough for everyone. We do have power to be a witness!
~~~truly~~~
Hayley;)
The other day, I was listening to an old song by The Beatles. “Let It Be” was released in 1970 after the actual breakup of the band. Their 12th and final album, “Let It Be” went through several transitions during production and prior to the release. The title song mentions mother Mary, who supposedly is McCartney’s mother. She died of cancer when he was only 14, thus her “words of wisdom…let it be, let it be”.
As I listened to the song, I realized that most of the lyrics revolve around the three simple words…”let it be”. I noted that a lot of life would be less complicated if we would just learn to “let it be”. The song also says, “there will be an answer…let it be”. From these lyrics, I was reminded that God has an answer for every situation. When it is “my hour of darkness”, wisdom can be spoken, and the answer will come.
Today, I want to just TRUST and “let it be”….there will be an answer to life’s questions.
“And when all the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be…yeah, let it be”