Valerie grew up in a Christian home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, accepting Christ into her life at a young age. The majority of her childhood and teenage years were spent building her faith and practicing and performing ballet. She spent her teenage summers with major ballet companies, with the intention of turning her talent into a career. After graduating high school, she danced professionally for two companies. But after attending a spring break trip with the UW-Madison Navigators (she was invited by a friend), God called her away from a career in ballet to pursue a degree at UW-Madison. During college, she was heavily involved in the Navigators leadership and her faith grew immensely. After graduating in 2007 with a degree in Psychology, she was married the following summer to Brandon Ryan and they now live in Middleton. Her heart has always been drawn to full time ministry. She enjoys fine arts, dance, the outdoors, and The Office.

In case you missed the Make a Difference Night last night, it was epic. . . but not for the faint of heart.  We spent the evening exploring human trafficking and the global tragedy that it is.  There are many organizations that work with sex trafficking.  The one we chose to use as a resource, and the one that is very well known is the International Justice Mission.  (www.ijm.org for a lot more information).  Maybe you have merely heard about human trafficking and don’t know the magnitude of the tragedy that it is.  Here are some devastating statistics:

–There are more than 27 million slaves being held worldwide.  That is more than slaves than at any other point in history.

–Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons.

–The average age of a trafficked victim is 14 years old.

–Between 14,500 and 17,500 victims are trafficked into the USA each year.

So in light of this globally tragic and overwhelming issue, what do we do with that?  How can we as individuals even begin this fight?  Well, one big way is through legislature.  A large number of students last night signed letters, petitions, and postcards to send to the government to urge them to take a good look at this issue and pass legislature that would allow them to assist nations plagued by slavery.  For more resources about how to do this and who to send your letters to, visit www.ijm.org.

Another way is to support International Justice Mission financially.  The International Justice Mission is a non-profit organization and cannot fulfill justice without the aid of people like you and me.  God calls us all to give.  Maybe this is something you can give to.  If you feel that you don’t have enough money to give, share that burden with people.  A few people who give $10 a month is a substantial donation.

And finally just be aware and pray.  Know what is going on with this issue and tell other people about it.  Don’t forget that sex trafficking is not merely an international issue.  As you read above, people are being trafficked across our borders as well.  There is even evidence of people being trafficked through Wisconsin.  Keep your eyes open.  Also pray for the millions of people who are trapped in the world of slavery every day.  God is our biggest ally in this fight.  He has abolished multiple waves of slavery in our history.  He can do it again.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  – Edmund Burke

And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

-Isaiah 58:10-11

Let us use this opportunity to love and give as Jesus would. . .

. . Talking to people about God is a great thing.  But talking to God about people  is even better. .   EM Bounds.

It was like being hit in the face with a 2×4.  How many times do we need to hear about the significance/effectiveness/power/peacefulness/help of prayer before we do it regularly??  Once I heard that quote in church, I went home and researched tons of other quotes about prayer.  They were astounding!  All of these leaders who professed that they could never even imagine beginning their day without hours of prayer!  How often do we as busy Americans, devoted students, loving parents etc. say “My day is horribly busy.  What can I cut out of it?”  Working out, sleeping, and time with God will inevitably get the axe first.  But if God’s first and GREATEST commandment to us is that we love Him with all of our hearts, all of our soul and all our mind, why does this fall to the way side?  We are all constantly making GREAT strides to follow God’s other commands.  I will drink less.  I will watch my mouth.  I will try harder to think only pure thoughts.  Those things are great and honor God with our lives. . . But are we ignoring his FIRST and GREATEST commandment?

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  Matthew 22:36-38

Be still and know that He is God today. . .    (Psalm 46:10)