The Tunic in the Night: A Short Story

by Elisa | Jul 30, 2014 | Uncategorized

The Tunic in the Night She traced her fingers over the darkest patch of midnight surrounding the bright fuchsia flowers patterned on her tunic. She wondered how the artists printed them on the swarthy cloth, if by ink, or brush or some other means, as the colors...

If You Use Your Options, Misery Is Optional

by Elisa | Jul 27, 2014 | Children-in-Need, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Have you ever had one of those not-going-as-planned weeks? The week before last, I did. The Bad Ticket and Everything Else "Mommy, why did the police officer give you a bad ticket?" the kids asked. "Well, he gave it to me because he is an evil bastard trying to up his...

Don’t Be Digital Sex Trafficking Prey: Ten-Steps for How Not to Sext (Or Worse) with Random Strangers

by Elisa | Jun 22, 2014 | Art of Advocacy, Children-in-Need, Create Awareness, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, United States

Have you ever gotten random texts from a stranger? This happened to me the other day, and not for the first time! Even so, this was my first extended conversation with a person I didn't know (I will let you read it below). I wasn't sure it was a stranger at first....

How I Became An Accidental Expert And Then I Resigned

by Elisa | May 31, 2014 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Create Awareness, Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, Sex Trafficking, Stuff of the Heart, Ways to Make a Difference

Last Day of the Rest of My Life Although I have phased out of acting like a director of this almost-non-profit, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (NoVA HTI), in the span of time between my third baby being born and now, today is technically the last...

Ten Ways to End Human Trafficking in NoVA

by Elisa | May 25, 2014 | Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Want to make a difference locally? Here are some easy ideas! Ten Ways to End Human Trafficking in NoVA 1.) "Like" NoVA HTI on Facebook. 2.) Currently we are looking for 5 people to donate $100 per month for a year to help a sex trafficking survior have a place to live...

Considerations From A White Man

by Elisa | May 21, 2014 | Art of Advocacy, Community, Create Awareness, Human Rights, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, United States, Your Stories, Your Voice on Racism

This is part of the series, Your Voice on Racism. Do you have a story to share? We need to hear it! Consider submitting it here! I grew up with this great guy. I'd come home and find him and my brother blowing bubbles in their drinks for, like, an hour (trying...

5 Ways You Can Help #BringBackOurGirls

by Elisa | May 3, 2014 | Children-in-Need, Create Awareness, Human Rights, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, Ways to Make a Difference

There has been a social media storm about the two-hundred or so girls of varying ethnic and religious backgrounds, mostly ages 16-18, who were kidnapped last week from boarding school in Nigeria. Some are supposedly being sold as child brides in Cameroon for $12. The...

LBD Project 2014

by Elisa | Apr 29, 2014 | Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, Ways to Make a Difference

(For those receiving this via feedburner subscription, please ignore this, as it automatically sends out posts even if we "publish" them in the past. Just a little snafu to deal with today as we remodel a few things. Apologies! But, stay tuned for LBD Project 2016!)...

Poetry and Song: Too Noisy Busy (Clock-in)

by Elisa | Apr 27, 2014 | Stuff of the Heart

Too Noisy Busy (Clock-in) I’ll tell you a secret That everyone knows My heart beats too fast Infinity slows When We Clock-in to Stop. Shhhhhhhh I might hear a secret That I don’t yet know My heart...

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Storm Chaser; Change Chaser: On Saying Goodbye

How Can Anyone Say Goodbye? I’m starting to feel all panicky that I am leaving all my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

Understanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations

Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

Everyday People Doing Something About Human Trafficking And Refugees

Can an everyday person make a difference for refugees? Yep. They can! Just as I’ve seen it...

Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States

How To Not Be a Bad Advocate for Social Change

Occasionally, the best way to learn how to do something well is by learning what not to do. I empower people to be good advocates for social change, but these days I am seeing a lot of bad activism. Here are things not to say if you want your advocacy and activism to be better-received.