Our Little House of Love, The Lighthouse.

When someone has only known prostitution and sexual exploitation their whole life, basic needs suffer. Reading, writing, and essential life skills are just a few of the areas that victim’s of exploitation need in order to find the confidence to walk in freedom.
LightForce’s Lighthouses are a place of hope and resource. At these houses, victims of sexual exploitation, women and men, have the opportunity to learn how to read and write while learning necessary life skills to further their pursuit of freedom, hope and future dreams. Two to three days a week tutors and volunteers teach basic reading and writing, while one day is set aside for cooking and other trade classes.
In addition to teaching, Lighthouses function as a safe place for children to come and receive a good meal, get necessary tutoring, play and just be a kid for one day a week. In many rural, impoverished areas, young children are at risk of forced prostitution. Our vision is to give children the opportunity to receive the love they may be missing out on. 

We have been so so blessed to begin this project with our house in Nicaragua. This house is the first of many that we hope to open. We are slowly getting some furniture and we hope to be able to purchase the table and chairs next week for the children to sit at during tutoring.

My heart melts at all the little faces that fill this house. At times it can be so loud and chaotic but somehow this chaos is beautiful. Many of the women and children have stories that break your heart and often I will choose not to share their stories with you. I can tell you though that this house has become a sweet place for many children to come and play inside. If the walls could speak, they would tell you about all of the laughter, hugs, games and even at times tears that transpire here in, Lighthouse.

Friday is our grand opening to a particular community where there is extreme poverty and many children at risk. One of our kids we work with, Olga, is from this community. Up until now, we have been selective in allowing people from this community into the program. However, Anita has worked hard to screen and decide how many other people we will allow to come and learn. Many times I wish I had all the money in the world to let every kid in, however, we have narrowed it down to 30 something children to feed and work with one on one.  We are trusting God.

Olga was our trial and I hope to one day share her entire story. I will say that Olga needs your prayers. Sexual exploitation is a degrading weapon used to rob children of a childhood. She is twelve years old but only in the second grade. When we first met Olga, she never smiled and was not even attending school. Her eyes haunted me, more so than any other little girl I have ever met. I remember not sleeping well after I first met her and Anita took me first thing the next morning to see Olga. I asked her if she was interested in going to school and what she wanted to be when she grew up. Her reply was an emphatic yes and that she wanted to be a lawyer. She smiled. Finally, a smile!
We placed her in a good school and she reports to us everyday before and after school. It is my favorite time of the day, helping her with her homework and loving on her. We all do. Olga is part of our family and on Saturday, we will add many others like her to our home.

Please continue to pray for our safety, the women and children, and our ability to sustain the Saturday feeding programs.

 Olga, ready for school with her new supplies!

Olga.

Laura, helping Olga with her homework.

United We Stand......

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Phil. 2:1-4 

 

 

  There is a unique beauty to unity in the body of Christ. Unity is also a very powerful weapon. It is amazing all the you can accomplish when you put the above passages to action. Working together, we can more effectively love on people.

All of us here in LightForce have really come to love and appreciate the importance of team work and partnerships with other organizations. While I was working and partnering alongside Jesus Said Love-Dallas and Village Church, our Costa Rica team was working with A Street Named Freedom and Rahab Foundation. We have met, prayed and served with so many amazing people this year and it's only February!

I have returned to Costa Rica just this week after much travel and it feels amazing to be "home"!

 

I will tell our updates through photos! 

 

Lori Warren and I survived the planning of the outreaches in Dallas, leading up to the Superbowl. I spent a total of three weeks there and it was great! I made a lot of new friends. I feel beyond blessed to have been there and look forward to going back.

 

Unfortunately we are unable to post any of the Dallas photos! However, our Costa Rican team had a very successful outreach for Valentine's Day and here are the photos of the preparation that went into the event! 

 

A Bucket Full of Hope

Flowers were given to all the women who work the streets at night in prostitution along with a verse.

Laura writing out verses

 

The guys taking a break to eat!

 

Some of our awesome outreach team members hard at work!

We are gearing up for a big weekend of outreach and then heading to Nicaragua for our grand opening of the Rivas House followed by our launching of a feeding program for children at risk. I am so excited at all God has made possible. We will keep you updated! Please keep our team in your prayers these coming weeks.

REUNITED!!!

 

Faith and Sacrifice

Although I have been tremendously blessed by all the amazing people God has brought across my path this past week in Texas, I am homesick for my Latin home and the team that have become my family.  The season has shifted for me and I find that I will travel more this year to raise awareness of trafficking and to raise funds. My heart hurts a little at the thought of being separated from my team, the women and children there and missing out on some of the amazing things God is doing in Central America. David says in Psalms, "teach me your way, Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart...." This passage brought so much comfort, I need an undivided heart as I focus on the tasks ahead rather than what I am missing. Faith and sacrifice are the anthems for a life lived poured out for Jesus and the evidence of both should be seen in our lives daily.  I have to continually challenge my heart to check that I am willing to do the hard things God asks of me even when I don't understand the reasons. He is so faithful, my God never fails me. 1 John 4:16 tells us we know and rely on the love God has for us. Do I do truly know and believe this truth? I find today as I pray and spend time with Jesus that this principle John was laying out was optionless. I have but only to know and rely on His love. This is how I survive weeks of unknown. Thank you to all of you who pray for us.

I wanted to update everyone on our teams that are scattered. I am posting a few paragraphs I received from two of our short-term team members who are currently serving in Costa Rica. Here are their thoughts:

"As I entered Costa Rica, I felt a familiar presence—much like an old friend.  I have been to Costa Rica twice before and I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while.  And God must have been too because His grace definitely comes down here with us.  The pace of life here is much slower compared to normal life in the States, but it is a good change.  It gives us the time needed to reexamine greater things and priorities, but also allows for us to further press into the Kingdom of God through prayer, fasting, and intercession—something that is much needed on the mission field.  Since I arrived one week ago, I have gone on several events put on by YWAM that outreach to the local prostitute population, and I have been rocked by seeing the love in the eyes of my fellow Christians in YWAM and the need of love in the eyes of those in bondage on the streets—God is doing big things down here with these people and with Lightforce.  This is the greatest time of our lives, and how could it not be?"
 

-Matt

"One week? I feel as though I have been in Costa Rica for twice if not three times as long, which in this case is a great thing. I am here to soak up every aspect that Lightforce is involved in as well as the beauty of Costa Rica. The first week has included busy time as well as time to just sit back and think; which as an American I can say doesn’t happen very often. I have really enjoyed immersing myself in the Latin American culture and their ability to enjoy the day for every minute given to them. Twice this week as a group in addition to YWAM(youth with a mission) we have gone into downtown San Jose and ministered to the prostitutes and transvestites. Feeling the darkness in the streets and realizing that the light inside of us is greater than that darkness has been the driving force behind my compassion for these people. God is greater than the darkness here. Ultimately I have enjoyed learning about God, Costa Rica, and myself but know there is much more to learn."


-Chris

For updates from Laura go here and find out what God is doing on the streets of Costa Rica!

Driven by Love

I recently had the incredible, challenging privilege to educate a couple of classes at a local high school on human trafficking and its effect on the Superbowl. I loved every second of the day! They asked such great questions and had a desire to help find solutions. As we discussed real problems and possible solutions, I could tell they were all still trying to process the hard truth about what goes on during famous events such as the Superbowl. For many, the Superbowl will never look the same. 

LightForce is teaming up with the Dallas chapter of Jesus Said Love run by Lori Warren to raise awareness of the sexual exploitation that will take place around the Superbowl. I have the sweet honor of representing LightForce at a big event this coming weekend.

I am looking forward to all God has in store and I will keep everyone posted as the next few weeks progress.

Laura is heading up our side of ministry and outreach on the streets of San Jose's red light districts in my absence. There are many exciting plans in the works for the opening of a coffee house. We are praying for God's direction and provision.

Anita is back and getting the newly owned house called, "Lighthouse" in Nicaragua ready for our grand opening. 

I sit in a hotel typing this and catching up on much needed rest and prayer in preparation for the next few weeks in Dallas. One of my friends teased me that she would like to switch places because my life was so much more fascinating than hers. I looked around my hotel room and thought of how things must look through her perspective. While she thinks her life is too boring and quiet, I at times envy that life. I think how crazy I must seem to the average person I meet.

 Bayard Taylor wrote, "The bravest are the most tender; the loving are the daring."

I think people often think I am really brave and live my life as Tomb Raider's, Laura Croft. I smile at the thought of how in a very tiny way, there are similarities to Laura Croft's missions and mine. However the similarities may be, one thing for sure is not, my life and look is definitely nothing close to as glamorous as Croft's!

Bayard Taylor's statement rang so true to my heart.
I have watched the pattern in my own life; as I derive my bravery from loving God, my heart becomes more tender. As my heart becomes more tender, I feel my compassion for others increase. As the cycle spins over and over the choices we dare to make become seemingly "crazy".

The world's standard would tell me my life is abnormal, adventurous, extreme and cutting edge. Jesus takes me to the foot of the cross where the stage was set for life lived by abnormal, adventurous, extreme and cutting edge. Jesus was and always has been CUTTING EDGE. What the world calls abnormal, God calls normal. My life and what I do in LightForce is totally and completely normal! Yep, life is like a movie when Jesus is Lord. Read enough stories of life for the disciples through the scope of normality and you will agree.

Made Aware

27 Million, a number that haunts me. 27 million, a number that has become a passion of mine to change. 

In September of 2009, I was made aware of the number 27 million.

To some of you reading this post, 27 million might seem random or insignificant. However, it is important you be made aware of the significance of the number, 27 million.

It is estimated that there are 27 million people enslaved in trafficking rings worldwide. Out of this 27 million, 80 percent are women and children and out of all female victims, 70 percent are trafficked for the commercial sex industry. The largest portion of victims trafficked in the world are trafficked for sex.

Slavery? Trafficking? Victims? Children? 

Yes, is the answer to all of these above questions. Yes, it does happen. You and I live in the largest slavery movement in all of history. 

LightForce International Ministries along with many other organizations, exists to fight against eslavement and exploitation of women and children in the commercial sex industry. 

Perhaps you are feeling like I first did upon learning of the devestating business of sex trafficking. Shocked. Horrified. Sad. Helpless. Imagine how much more devestating it would feel to meet one of 27 million face to face and learn she was only seven years old when she was sold to a brothel. Hard to believe but I met her and hugged her tiny, scared little body. 

If you were to google or research 27 million, statistics would hit you from everywhere. The fact is, 27 million is a number of a statistic in the studies done of trafficking victims. To many people 27 million is just a statistic. To others, perhaps it is still just a random number. However, to me, 27 million is so much more.

27 million has a face, name, age and a dream.

What Can I do?

1.) Educate yourself, become aware. Research and learn. There a few good resources out there such as: humantrafficking.org
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/faqs.html
childtrafficking.com 
There are so many but these will at least help you get started.

2.) Spread the word. Once you become educated, pass the information along to others who are not aware. Traffickers have built their horrible empires and bank on the foundation of ignorance to the problem world wide. The average person knows very little or nothing of Human Trafficking. 

3.) Get involved! 
All of us have different roles in fighting against modern day slavery. Pray and ask God what role he would have you step into.
Help us out! Use your voice!
Fundraisers or Signing up to host a "MADE AWARE-27 million isn't just a number" Campaign in your local area is a great help!
By helping us spread the word and educate people, you personally assist in the rescue process of victims world wide.
You can:
-Plan an event to raise awareness or fundraise for LightForce or another existing organization in your city.
(Many organizations are underfunded and helping them fundraise is a huge help!)
-Create media that answers common questions about trafficking
-Volunteer for an organization that works to prevent trafficking
Whatever role you step into is of great importance.

If you would like information on how to help LightForce out, please contact us here  and let us know how you are specifically interested.

LightForce had an amazing and productive year in 2010 of fighting against sexual exploitation of women and children. We received an incredible batch of interns this year! LightForce was also blessed to partner with some amazing organizations as well.

Our staff thanks all of you who prayed, supported and served alongside us this year. We are humbled and blessed by our amazing partners.

Happy New Year!

More Than Enough-Fiesta Update

Out of any event I have ever done, out of any outreach and out of any of the dangerous places I have been, this past weekend was the first time I have never felt any kind of fear.

I had an amazing team with me this week. A huge THANK YOU goes out to my staff; Laura, Anita and Viviana! You girls rock and are simply amazing. It is a beautiful privilege to serve with you. Secondly, two awesome girls from our home church, Brittany and Erin! Thank you girls, I was blessed by how you jumped in and did not let the language barrier discourage you. Thirdly, Michele (who drove) and Elizabeth (who filmed) joined us on our journey up to the border. You ladies were such a huge help and sincere source of encouragement. It was a privilege to know you and work with you this past weekend, I look forward to more adventures. Lastly, a thank you to Helen and Xiomara from New Image in Managua, Nicaragua. These girls joined us for the whole weekend and completed the LightForce team. I am so grateful!

The fiesta was amazing and I am so thrilled at how easy God made the whole thing feel. Saturday, I felt an incredible amount of peace. We committed the day to God and so whatever happened our hearts trusted. Between the women, children, our team and a local pastor with his youth group there were SO MANY PEOPLE at our event. However we somehow had food left over! I was amazed. The games were a hit, of course the pinata and the dramas performed by the youth group were some of the best I have ever seen. Everything that encompassed the night was above and beyond my expectations. One women told us that she never had a childhood and so that was the most fun she had ever had in her whole life. You see it is our belief and heart that you go out for the one. It is not about numbers that mark a success rate. It is easy to feel that pressure but yet I refuse to feel that expectation. Jesus said He leaves the 99 for the one and so that is the example set before us. Although, we do get a lot of women and young girls at our events sometimes, it never matters. One heart that changes is always enough. In a year and a half of this ministry I have never encountered the amount of favor as we did this weekend. God is the God of above and beyond. Every single facet held so much favor, joy and peace and yet we were in some of the most dangerous areas. Only God can make the scariest, darkest place be a place of fun and light. I know these principles about His kingdom and yet I am always so amazed when He does it.

Tomorrow Brittany, Laura and I will head out on the bus, once again, to Nicaragua. Thursday is our fiesta for the children near the brothel areas and whose mothers are drug addicts and often they are left all alone at home all day. Many of these children do not go to school. These are the little ones who are at great risk for tragic situations if they are not already in one. So we will have games, candy and a pinata! The most exciting thing about this day is that the event will be held in our new house we are now proud to have close to a rural area. A person pledged to pay the rent for our house, the lawyer waived the fees when we signed for the house and women from the border are already calling to sign up for classes. God is amazing!

Friday we will host our final fiesta in Managua. This is our biggest one for children, so far we have 225 of some of the poorest kids signed up and I have to admit anything with kids is my favorite! Whew, it will be wild for sure! LightForce is hosting the events and paying for the food but a wonderful family in the States personally paid for all the toys and gifts! These are some children that are at risk for prostitution, so please pray that God will give us wisdom and that they will know that God loves them.

We are all a little weary so pray God strengthens us for the final events!

There are still so many stories and situations that for security purposes I am unable to blog about. However, please continue to pray for us here in Central America. God has been opening up such amazing opportunities. The danger has increased some but also favor and protection has as well. People like you who read this and pray, make it all possible. I saw the evidence of your prayers for us this past week. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Check back soon for more updates from this week's events!

God of the nations, God of the peoples and God of the Fiesta

One of my prayers everyday for the last eights months has been that Jesus would be Lord of my day, Lord of my moments and Lord of my choices. One thing I have learned in the last year and a half was to depend on God for absolutely everything. Everything is His and everything He holds in his hands. His is God. I wish I had learned this prinicple before I was sent to work in such dark areas. However God has used this ministry and situations we encounter to teach me utter and total dependance on Him.

Thursday night a team of us went out into the red light districts of San Jose passing out coffee and cookies. The night was unusually chilly for Costa Rica and so the hot coffee was a welcomed treat by many of the women out working. We were such dangerous places and yet somehow I felt at home talking with the women, hugging them, praying for them and just being with them. Strange how I could be comfortable I know but yet it's true.

Friday morning six of us loaded up in Michele's van and headed out onto the open road to the border. The weather everyday for the last two weeks has been unusually cool and rainy but not this day. We had and have had amazing clear skies and warm weather. It has been beautiful. We arrived in time to freshen up, check into a hotel and then head back out to the border. We all met up with Anita who brought a small team to help. We stood inside the area where the fiesta was to be held and prayed. I can't tell you the depth my heart was blessed by the sound of 9 women praying and worshiping in the dark. Darkness all around us spiritually and physically and yet we were full of joy and anticipation. We then divided into two teams and passed out invitations all around the border.
We were given incredible amount of favor with all the police and government officials. Several of the women and children remembered us from last year and were looking forward to the Fiesta. God is so good. We came back to our hotel that night tired, dusty, sweating and so elated and what God had done with just 9 women inside a border.

Today is the big day and one I have been looking forward to all year. Today is our annual Fiesta! We have been wrapping gifts and preparing for this event all afternoon. So much work goes into this fiesta and I could not have done it without the amazing team of people God has placed around me for the event. Thank you to all of you who continue to lift us up in prayer.

Please pray, pray, pray for tonight's event. It is dangerous and we ask for protection and continued favor. We know our light will shine as it already has thus far.

God Bless,
Anna