What Does “Human Trafficking” Even Mean?

by Elisa | Mar 15, 2011 | Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, United States

For years I've heard the term human trafficking thrown around but I didn't really understand why we use that phrase. I just thought it was cool that it used the letter "k" in it because I am the type of person to appreciate something meaningless like that. ...

Action: Drinking Only Water Pt.2 & the Cost of Drinks

by Elisa | Mar 12, 2011 | Clean Water, Fair Trade Products, Ways to Make a Difference

So guess what? I did not drink coffee, soda, juice, wine, etc... for two whole weeks! I had a little box marked "Water Fund" in which I threw paper slips declaring what drink I would otherwise be drinking so I could estimate the cost of drinks to donate. I am proud to...

Action: Only Drinking Water (No Coffee!)

by Elisa | Feb 21, 2011 | Clean Water, Poverty, Ways to Make a Difference

But there are people out there, people like me, who HAVE to have their coffee or ____ (insert drink of choice here) every morning. For some people it is sweet tea, for others it is jasmine green herbal goodness tea. Orange Juice, V8 Juice, or, yes, I am serious- morning shot of Mountain Dew. I know, right!? Mountain Dew?! That is disgusting! Yet a vice is a vice, no matter what it may be . . . It comes down to challenging yourself to give up everything but water, to give up something you love, even something you think you need.

Islam Vs. Americanism: French Halal Food Feeding Terrorism and Fears?

by Elisa | Jan 7, 2011 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Community, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship

I guess what it comes down to, is that I really believe loving Muslims, showing Jesus to them, is more sustainable than getting worked about about halal.

Kefilwe’s Story: A Girl With HIV (For World AIDS Day)

by Elisa | Dec 5, 2010 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Global Health, Poverty

“My momma’s got AIDS” the little girl whispered. It was one of those whispers that is so quiet that it knocks your breath away, like a sonic boom. Her skin was like copper, hardened, darkened, but smoother than silk. She had a pock-mark on the corner of her forehead, near where her coarse, black hair began to embrace her head. I couldn’t help but think that she looked beautiful.

Soundtracks: Changing the World in Humility

by Elisa | Oct 18, 2010 | Art of Advocacy, Spiritual Discipleship

Sometimes I am pretty sure the only reason our lives are so dull is because we don’t have the appropriate music playing in the background constantly. I am convinced my life would be amazing as any Oscar-winning movie if some D.J. in the sky always had a perfect soundtrack going for me.

Blog Action Day: Delicious Water

by Elisa | Oct 15, 2010 | Art of Advocacy, Clean Water, Good Charities, Poverty, Ways to Make a Difference

I remedy this by walking over to my refrigerator, overflowing my glass with ice-cold water as I am distracted, making a puddlely mess on the floor for my toddling son to slip on. Or if I am not home, I can stick a crisp George Washington in a machine, which then pops out a fresh bottle of water. I pull of the top, twist, snap, and drink deeply from the bliss of agua deliciosa. It’s somewhat sad then, that a good part of the world experiences thirst and water shortages pretty regularly.

Delicious Water: Charities

by Elisa | Oct 14, 2010 | Art of Advocacy, Clean Water, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt

These charities have very effective, considerate, and sustainable practices. Which means giving to them does not just throw money down a bottomless well by building these wells. These wells actually transform communities and save lives. They are magic wells.

Label Me: A Housewife, A World Changer, and the Organization L2F Needs Network

by Elisa | Sep 17, 2010 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Spiritual Discipleship, United States

I am part of an organization, L2F Needs Network. Actually, a best friend (the director of L2F) and I spend the majority of our non-essential-household-taking-care-of-time (there has got to be a better way to say that) running L2F. . . It’s like we are Robin Hood, but we don’t have to steal from the rich. Which is good, because I would probably have some moral qualms about that.

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

Identity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful

The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in 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...