January First Saturday Prayer

State of Washington Anti-trafficking Engagement Day

January 13, 2011

Because of the importance of this day, we are again praying for the State of Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement Day this month.  In preparation for that day, there is a training in Olympia on Sunday, January 9, 2011.  On the 13th a luncheon  at the United Church directly across the street from the Capitol from noon-1:00 p.m. will be presented by the South Puget Sound Chapter with Bradley Myles of Polaris Project in Washington D.C. as the speaker to grassroots leaders of organizations committed to anti-human trafficking.

Information:  Presidential Proclamation--National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
On December 22, 2010, President Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and stated in part, "We cannot strengthen global efforts to end modern slavery without first accepting the responsibility to prevent, identify, and aggressively combat this crime at home. No country can claim immunity from the scourge of human rights abuses, or from the responsibility to confront them. As evidence of our dedication to a universal struggle against this heinous practice, the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" included America in its rankings for the first time, measuring our efforts by the same standards to which we hold other nations. Looking ahead, we must continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases within our own borders.

Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working every day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities."

Information: Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement Day Legislative Proposals and Request
I. (Top Priority) A Victim-Centered Approach to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Police Investigation
We seek to provide an exemption to the current two-party consent privacy act for CSEC police investigation in WA State so as to further protect and prevent re-victimization of CSEC victims.

Reason for this exemption request:
When a police officer finds an alleged CSEC victim, the priority is to protect the victim. The second priority is to obtain incriminating evidence of the trafficker (her pimp), but there is only a window of about 30 minutes to accomplish this goal. The best incriminating evidence against the trafficker is to record the phone conversation or the text message between the victim and the trafficker after an alleged act of prostitution. Currently this recording is prohibited by the state’s privacy law under RCW 9.73.

Due to current limitations from the State, then, the police officer has to re-victimize the child by sending her back to the trafficker to obtain incriminating evidence, or risks letting the trafficker go to prey on another victim. Therefore, we propose an exemption similar to what the current law permits for drug trafficking under RCW 9.73.230 for CSEC investigation under RCW 9.68A.100-103.)

Benefits of this exemption
• Immediate protection to the victim.
• Provide incriminating evidence against the trafficker (sex trafficking does not have objective evidence to support a conviction like finding cocaine for drug trafficking charges, so recording a CSEC victim’s conversation with a trafficker provides evidence acceptable in a court of law.
• Provide justice to the victim.
• Prevent further victimization of other children.
• Enable implementation of a standardized victim-centered approach to CSEC investigation.
• Relief to victims because the recording minimizes the need for prosecutors to question victims multiple times even before trials.
• Increase in conviction of traffickers because recording provides hard evidence against traffickers.

Questions or potential objections to this exemption request:
• Does the exemption violate the Constitution?
No. Only 12 out of the 50 states have similar two-party consent recording requirements, and our State is one of them. In fact, federal law enforcement in our State can record such this type of evidence upon approval while a local police is completely prohibited to do so under our current law. (CA, CT, FL, IL, MD, MA, MI, MT, NV, NH, PA) http://www.rcfp.org/taping/states.html

• Is the exemption unprecedented?
No. Our Privacy Act under RCW 9.73 provides exemptions under four circumstances.
o For national security. RCW 9.73.050.
o Common carrier (telephone services) and emergency personnel exemptions. RCW 9.73.090-095.
o Drug trafficking investigation for the sole purpose of law enforcement’s safety, but it cannot be used as evidence in court. RCW 9.73.200-210.
o Drug trafficking investigation with the authorization of the jurisdiction’s chief law enforcement officer or the designee. Judicial review of the authorization is required, and the recording can be used in judicial proceedings. RCW 9.73.230.

• Will the exemption deprive us further of our liberty?
No. The exemption requires stringent review of an independent magistrate that is similar to the warrant issuing process. Besides, the benefits for trafficking victims far outweigh this concern.

• What if the victim claims to be underage or the police make a mistake that the victim is underage, but is actually over 18 when the police apply the exemption to do the recording?
o The Legislature will have to decide the standard to apply if a mistake occurs, but the standard should be similar to the reasonable belief standard used in RCW 9.68A.100-103. Police’s good faith mistake is usually not a bar to using the recording as evidence.

II. Utilizing the HT hotline poster further in WA State?
Pass a resolution that all govt agencies, especially school and public facilities are encouraged to post the Human Trafficking Hotline poster at places of employment and/or public notice boards. (The poster is a joint effort of various government entities and non-governmental organizations.)

III. Host a Work Committee with business representatives in the Labor and Commerce Committee to explore the beginning of a business coalition against trafficking here in our State.
Reason - Establishing common understanding of the benefits of a slave-free Washington State and to be a launch pad of further cooperation and agreements of a win-win strategy. For example, “fair trade” labeling is already used by Starbucks and some other companies. The meeting will discuss how implementing anti-trafficking measures in employment policies and to promote a ‘slave-free’ environment will be rewarded by consumers because of the growing awareness.

Potential groups to invite: restaurant association, massage business groups, hotel industry, farming, tavern business, Microsoft, Alaska airline, Nordstrom, etc.

IV. Add Human Trafficking into the definition of the Criminal Profiteering Act (RCW 9A.82.010)
When the human trafficking criminal statute was passed, the Legislature intended to grant human trafficking victims a private right of action to claim damage from traffickers even when the conviction is pending. (Bill Report of SB 1175 in 2003) This intent, however, was omitted in the session law of SB 1175 and is still not in the current RCW. The Legislature needs to add this back and permit retroactivity for human trafficking victims as it permits victims claim damage from traffickers. It should also be referenced in the Human Trafficking statute in RCW 9A.40.100.

Information: 16 Organizations Represented
•Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking
•The Genesis Project
•UW Against Slavery
•University Presbyterian Church Human Trafficking Task Force
•Seattle Against Slavery
•Soroptomist Northwest
•Shared Hope International
•New Horizons Ministries
•Ballarmine Preparatory School
•Women of Vision South Puget Sound Chapter
•International Justice Mission
•Zonta of South Sound
•Zonta of Olympia
•Seattle Prayer Against Slavery Movement
•Not For Sale Campaign
•Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you in the Name of Jesus with grateful hearts for what You are doing in America on behalf of the victims of human trafficking and ask that the proclamation of the President would move on the hearts of our local legislators in the State of Washington to respond to our Anti-Human Trafficking Engagement Day proposals and requests.  Lord, please prompt these legislators and convict them to move quickly and surely on behalf of human trafficking victims.

We lift the January 9, 2011 training day before You and ask that all materials would be readied, that a suitable venue would be available and that you would send many workers to this advocacy training day.  We ask that the word would go out and inspire and motivate people to respond by attending the Engagement Day in Olympia on the 13th and thereafter to advocate for human trafficking victims in our State.  Give Deana Berg and Rose Gunderson wisdom as they prepare the materials for this training and bless them for their efforts.

We ask that the Engagement Day would bring about amazing results that show Your Hand has been extended to give favor to our pleas on behalf of the trafficked victims.  We ask for the funding, for the man power and for the power of Your Holy Spirit to be released to bring freedom to victims of human trafficking in Washington.  Thank you for unity among the many organizations participating in this movement.  We ask that you would give luncheon speaker Bradley Myles of Polaris Project in Washington D.C. the perfect information to draw the legislators into accepting our future bill.  Give him the words to inspire passion for HT victims as he speaks during the open sessions.  Bless him and Attorney General, Rob McKenna as they plan, travel and present on this significant day.

Our hearts are broken by the heinous practice of human trafficking and we praise You that You give us a way to act and a means to advocate to bring about change in our State against this evil through this movement.  Use us Lord to be a "unified voice that speaks up for victims and speaks out against perpetrators" .  We will give you all the glory and all the praise for what You will do.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

December First Saturday Prayer

 State of Washington Anti-trafficking Engagement Day

Training and Advocacy Day Monday, December 6, 2010

The South Puget Sound Chapter is participating in the State of Washington Anti-trafficking Engagement Day on January 13,2011.  In preparation for that day, there is a gathering in Olympia on Monday, December 6, 2010 of a delegation of representatives from 16 organizations who will be presenting the anti-trafficking legislative proposals and request to legislators and advocating for their support. 

Information: Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement Day Legislative Proposals and Request
I. (Top Priority) A Victim-Centered Approach to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Police Investigation

We seek to provide an exemption to the current two-party consent privacy act for CSEC police investigation in WA State so as to further protect and prevent re-victimization of CSEC victims.

Reason for this exemption request:
When a police officer finds an alleged CSEC victim, the priority is to protect the victim. The second priority is to obtain incriminating evidence of the trafficker (her pimp), but there is only a window of about 30 minutes to accomplish this goal. The best incriminating evidence against the trafficker is to record the phone conversation or the text message between the victim and the trafficker after an alleged act of prostitution. Currently this recording is prohibited by the state’s privacy law under RCW 9.73.

Due to current limitations from the State, then, the police officer has to re-victimize the child by sending her back to the trafficker to obtain incriminating evidence, or risks letting the trafficker go to prey on another victim. Therefore, we propose an exemption similar to what the current law permits for drug trafficking under RCW 9.73.230 for CSEC investigation under RCW 9.68A.100-103.)

Benefits of this exemption
• Immediate protection to the victim.
• Provide incriminating evidence against the trafficker (sex trafficking does not have objective evidence to support a conviction like finding cocaine for drug trafficking charges, so recording a CSEC victim’s conversation with a trafficker provides evidence acceptable in a court of law.
• Provide justice to the victim.
• Prevent further victimization of other children.
• Enable implementation of a standardized victim-centered approach to CSEC investigation.
• Relief to victims because the recording minimizes the need for prosecutors to question victims multiple times even before trials.
• Increase in conviction of traffickers because recording provides hard evidence against traffickers.

Questions or potential objections to this exemption request:
• Does the exemption violate the Constitution?
No. Only 12 out of the 50 states have similar two-party consent recording requirements, and our State is one of them. In fact, federal law enforcement in our State can record such this type of evidence upon approval while a local police is completely prohibited to do so under our current law. (CA, CT, FL, IL, MD, MA, MI, MT, NV, NH, PA) http://www.rcfp.org/taping/states.html
• Is the exemption unprecedented?
No. Our Privacy Act under RCW 9.73 provides exemptions under four circumstances.
o For national security. RCW 9.73.050.
o Common carrier (telephone services) and emergency personnel exemptions. RCW 9.73.090-095.
o Drug trafficking investigation for the sole purpose of law enforcement’s safety, but it cannot be used as evidence in court. RCW 9.73.200-210.
o Drug trafficking investigation with the authorization of the jurisdiction’s chief law enforcement officer or the designee. Judicial review of the authorization is required, and the recording can be used in judicial proceedings. RCW 9.73.230.
• Will the exemption deprive us further of our liberty?
No. The exemption requires stringent review of an independent magistrate that is similar to the warrant issuing process. Besides, the benefits for trafficking victims far outweigh this concern.
• What if the victim claims to be underage or the police make a mistake that the victim is underage, but is actually over 18 when the police apply the exemption to do the recording?
o The Legislature will have to decide the standard to apply if a mistake occurs, but the standard should be similar to the reasonable belief standard used in RCW 9.68A.100-103. Police’s good faith mistake is usually not a bar to using the recording as evidence.

II. Utilizing the HT hotline poster further in WA State?
Pass a resolution that all govt agencies, especially school and public facilities are encouraged to post the Human Trafficking Hotline poster at places of employment and/or public notice boards. (The poster is a joint effort of various government entities and non-governmental organizations.)

III. Host a Work Committee with business representatives in the Labor and Commerce Committee to explore the beginning of a business coalition against trafficking here in our State.

Reason - Establishing common understanding of the benefits of a slave-free Washington State and to be a launch pad of further cooperation and agreements of a win-win strategy. For example, “fair trade” labeling is already used by Starbucks and some other companies. The meeting will discuss how implementing anti-trafficking measures in employment policies and to promote a ‘slave-free’ environment will be rewarded by consumers because of the growing awareness.

Potential groups to invite: restaurant association, massage business groups, hotel industry, farming, tavern business, Microsoft, Alaska airline, Nordstrom, etc.

IV. Add Human Trafficking into the definition of the Criminal Profiteering Act (RCW 9A.82.010)
When the human trafficking criminal statute was passed, the Legislature intended to grant human trafficking victims a private right of action to claim damage from traffickers even when the conviction is pending. (Bill Report of SB 1175 in 2003) This intent, however, was omitted in the session law of SB 1175 and is still not in the current RCW. The Legislature needs to add this back and permit retroactivity for human trafficking victims as it permits victims claim damage from traffickers. It should also be referenced in the Human Trafficking statute in RCW 9A.40.100.

Information: Legislators:
The delegation have meetings scheduled with five senators on Monday, December 6, 2010. Senator Adam Kline is extremely influential in regard to this proposed bill because he could be the bill's main opposition.  He's a former ACLU attorney and sits as the chair of the Judiciary Committee, this means if he kills the bill, it won't go any further. The other senators that the delegation will meet with include Kohl-Welles (D), Stevens (R), Hargroves (D) and Delvin (R).

Information: 16 Organizations Represented

• Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking
• The Genesis Project
• UW Against Slavery
• University Presbyterian Church Human Trafficking Task Force
• Seattle Against Slavery
• Soroptomist Northwest
• Shared Hope International
• New Horizons Ministries
• Ballarmine Preparatory School
• Women of Vision South Puget Sound Chapter
• International Justice Mission
• Zonta of South Sound
• Zonta of Olympia
• Seattle Prayer Against Slavery Movement
• Not For Sale Campaign
• Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the Name of Jesus and ask that you would be honored and glorified next Monday at the Capitol as this delegation arrives to advocate on behalf of the victims of human trafficking in our State.  We pray that as they meet with the legislators that You would give them wisdom, boldness and peace as they present these proposals.  Help them to speak clearly and articulate the essence of the proposals and requests in a way that the hearers would receive them.  Open doors that only You can open and close doors that You want closed surrounding these proposals and requests.  We cast down anything that sets itself up against You and your will in these proposals.

We pray that each of the senators would listen carefully to the plea of the delegates and that they would see the wisdom in making our State an unwelcome place for predators.  We ask specifically for Senator Adam Kline that You would open his eyes to the severity of the problem and make him amenable to this bill.  Thank You that he will not resist it, but rather that he will present it and encourage others to pass it.  Thank You that the other senators will receive these proposals and request with the willingness to present them as a bill.  Thank you that they will see that this is an opportunity to do right to those who have been so wronged.

Lord we pray for the victims of human trafficking in our State.  We ask that You would set them free.  That they would see a hotline poster and call the number given and that they would be rescued from the horrific inhumane circumstances that they are enslaved to never to return to them.  That these proposals and this request would become a bill and that the bill would be passed into law to protect them and rescue them.  Give them hope even now as we pray, Lord, in their darkness.  Bring them your Light, Jesus.  Soothe their souls with the healing balm of your love and mercy.  

We ask that your Holy Spirit would hover around all of the proceedings of the day and that your will and your way would be done.  In Jesus Name we pray. Amen

World Vision Hope Prayer Chain

 News-December 2010
The world that Jesus was born into could only be described as brutal. Life expectancies were low, the gap between the rich and the poor was massive, slavery was widespread, and human life had little value. Unfortunately, this is still the reality for millions of children around the world:

• 500 million to 1.5 billion children have been affected by violence.
• 15 million children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS.
• 4 million newborns die within the first month of life.
• More than a million children every year are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.
• One-third of infants in Sierra Leone don't receive routine immunizations.
• Almost 55 million children are underweight for their age in India.
• Approximately 1.1 million Mexican children under the age of 14 — the legal working age — are engaged in child labor.
• An estimated 1.5 million of Mozambique's 11 million children were orphans in 2008. (Source: World Vision and UNICEF'S "The State of the World's Children 2010.")

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this month, let us remember Christ's deep love for children — and act as His hands and feet on their behalf.

Suggested prayer points
First week of December:
Pray for Aaron, 11, and his little sister, Marguerite, 9, who live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. They should be spending their days in school, learning history, math, and language. But since their father died two years ago, they must work beside their mother, Sylvie, digging gravel in a quarry to find rocks to sell. Sylvie also brings her 3-year-old daughter, Songa Songa, because there is no one at home to watch her. On a good day, the family earns the equivalent of about $2.20.

Ask God to open doors for Sylvie to obtain a microloan so that she can start a fish-selling business, which, if successful, would pay for the children's school fees. Pray that Aaron and Marguerite will one day achieve their dreams — Aaron to be a doctor, and Marguerite, a dressmaker.

Second week of December:
Pray for Mehak, 4, who lives in Pakistan. When floods surged toward her village in August, her father, Niaz, rushed the family to his mother-in-law's house — and then went back to try to save their belongings. Niaz hasn't been seen since. Mehak, living in a tent with her mother and siblings, doesn't understand where her father went or why she can't go home. She refused to eat and grew weaker by the day. "Mehak has lost her smile," says her mother. Then, World Vision opened a Child-Friendly Space in their camp. World Vision worker Afshan Mehtab managed to cheer up Mehak with a cartoon movie on his mobile phone, and now she enjoys painting, dramas, games, and playing with new friends.

Lift up Mehak and other children affected by the Pakistan floods who are mourning the loss of family members, and pray for their comfort and healing. Pray that children in other disaster zones around the world, like Haiti and Chile, would also receive the emotional support they need to recover.

Third week of December:
Pray for Rachida, 6, who is among the 7.8 million people in Niger, West Africa, to suffer from the food crisis. Rachida's family helplessly watched their food supply dwindle until they had nothing left to eat and nothing left to sell to buy food. Rachida was so hungry, she cried herself to sleep. She would flee from school and hide because she couldn't concentrate on her lessons. But recently, Rachida and her family received maize and beans from the World Food Programme and World Vision, and the girl is beginning to recover from malnutrition.

Ask God to continue to heal and strengthen Rachida, and pray for the end of drought and renewal of her family's farmland. Ask God to bless the efforts of the World Vision Niger staff members as they work to save millions of lives threatened by famine.

Fourth week of December:
Pray for 8-year-old Robert, a bright, happy second-grader living in Romania who has cerebral palsy. With the help of World Vision's program providing education access for children with disabilities, he is one of 35 children integrated into a regular public school. His teacher says, "It is not easy to be different from other children, but Robert compensates through his attitude and will. Because of his disability, he cannot write by himself, but he is very good at reading and adding numbers." Robert also participates in twice-weekly occupational therapy activities provided through World Vision's program, which have helped him overcome his shyness to become a sociable, active boy.

Praise God for Robert, who, like the Apostle Paul, has learned to be content, no matter what. Thank God for guiding you through the difficulties in your own life, and ask Him to give you faith, strength, and joy like Robert's.

CHILD PROTECTION COMPACT ACT

Your Prayers are needed Today!

From Beth Yeager, Women of Vision Headquarters
In the midst of our Thanksgiving, would you be willing to pray on behalf of the millions of children, women and men trapped in modern day slavery? Will you advocate for them?

We are at the 11th hour to bring the CPCA bill to a Senate vote. It is currently being held up by Senators Jim DeMint (SC)and Dr. Tom Coburn (OK) over issues of funding. They are respectively Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Steering Committee. Until the recent election, there was no opposition.

The Congressional Budget Office report says the CPCA will only cost $1 million to implement in FY11 with more than enough funding to carry out the first year of the CPCA provisions and possibly enough to cover 3-5 years. It should be budget neutral.

World Vision volunteers and staff are working behind the scenes to relay the importance of passing this bill. Please pray that these senators, who are rightfully concerned about budget deficits, will not stand in the way of good work to end end modern day slavery.

Lord hear our prayers!

Child Protection Compact Act FAQ
Rebuttals to Arguments (Possible concerns of Sen. DeMint)
1. Is this bill duplicative of other laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act?
*No. This bill is directly complementary to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008. The CPCA adds a crucial tool to U.S. policies against slavery and will allow the TIP office the flexibility to engage these countries in the manner deemed most effective by the TIP office.

2. Can't we just wait next year and include this bill in the next Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act that is set to be introduced in the next Congress?
*Passing the bill now is the easiest and best course of action. It is an easy win in the fight against slavery and the "fight" can be further strengthened by the TVPA reauthorization process next year.

3. Doesn't this bill cost too much?
*No. This is a very modest measure that has a high rate of return. The State Department Trafficking in Persons office (TIP) has been an excellent steward of its U.S. foreign assistance funds over the past seven years. However, the TIP office's modest resources are no match for the growth in child exploitation - a crime that brought in $32 billion for human traffickers last year.

About the CPCA Bill
Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA) Senate Bill (S3184)
This bill will provide targeted resources to countries that have shown the political will to combat human trafficking but lack the resources and capacity to enforce that will. The CPCA expresses a Sense of Congress that $30 million be appropriated over three years for the State Department Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Office to support targeted investments in eligible "focus countries" that have demonstrated a commitment to tackle the problem but lack necessary resources and technical skill.

An important feature of the bill is the requirement that focus countries enter into a "Child Protection Compact" with the United States that sets quantifiable goals for protecting children and deterring crime. The US is considered the international leader in the fight against slavery and this legislation adds a crucial tool to US policies in that fight.

SPS Chapter Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you in the Name of Jesus asking that you would move on the hearts of Senators Jim DeMint (SC)and Dr. Tom Coburn (OK) and that they would have compassion on the victims of human trafficking which would override their logic and concern for funding.  Give them a glimpse of the atrocities that surround this degrading practice somewhere in their day today.  Let them encounter first had evidence of the need for prevention of this crime against humanity.  Give them a visual imagine in their minds of their own children and grandchildren and what they would do to prevent this from happening to one of them.  Let this visual image be a way into their hearts that would turn them away from their current questioning to a definitive "Yes!" for the passage of this bill.  Let them have clear answers to any of their questions that would prove to them that this bill is necessary and imperative.  Thank you for opening the doors for the passage of the Child Protection Compact Act.

In Jesus Name we pray. Amen

Urgent Prayer for Leadership Member

Please pray for Jamie, our Partnership Chair, as her in-laws were both in a serious car accident on Friday evening and are both in intensive care at a local hospital. All that we know at this time is that her father-in-law was in surgery for a neck injury and may have had a seizure while driving which caused the multiple-car accident. Her mother-in-law has broken ribs and other injuries. Jamie emailed that as of today, this situation is a "story of miracles".

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father
We come before you in the Name of Jesus on behalf of Jamie and her family praising you for the miracles in this accident.  We praise You that You are the God if miracles and thank you for your mercy in the lives of these loved ones. We ask that You would continue to give the doctors and nursing staff wisdom as they care for them and that they would bring a gentle and caring touch and be Your Hands extending to them bathed in love.  Please take away fear and uncertainty and replace it with boldness and courage in knowing that You have not forgotten nor forsaken them.  May they feel Your presence even now and continue to know that You are with them.

We pray for their family members and ask that You would comfort them, give them wisdom and grant them peace during these stressful and overwhelming circumstances. May they too find comfort in You and may they trust You during these unsteady times. May the grandchildren especially not be worried or scared, but see You in the miracles around their grandparents.

Lord, we know that this comes as no surprise to You and that even before the accident that You had a plan for these injured for good and not for calamity that gives them a future and a  hope. We trust that this circumstance like all of life's circumstances, were sifted through Your Hands before they befell them.  We do not presume to understand how this situation is working for the good in the tapestry of these lives but we trust You. Be their all-in-all dear Lord and we will give You all of the praise and all of the glory for the miracles to come.

In Jesus Name we pray. Amen

Prayer for Leadership Gathering

Leadership Gathering

November 12-13, 2010

Leaders from the various Women of Vision national chapters will be arriving within the next few days to gather together. This will be a valuable meeting for both our established and emerging WOV leaders.  The leaders will be able to connect with each other, receive training, and become inspired.

Possible Prayer Points

• Pray that God would be glorified in all that is said and done at the gathering
• Pray that what happens in this 48 hour window will result in making a didfference in the lives of marginalized and poor women and children locally, nationally and globally.
• Pray for the National Team as they tend to last minute details for strength, stamina, and  encouragement
• Pray for all the details at the Clarion Hotel to be taken care of so that WOV guests have a blessed stay 
• Pray for safe travels for everyone without delays and that luggage arrives on time. 

First Saturday Prayer

             

World Vision Hope Prayer Chain

News — November 2010

In New Testament times, when people heard that Jesus was coming to town, they did everything they could to get their sick loved ones to Him. They knew He had compassion and the ability to heal. More than 2,000 years later, children and families living in poverty still suffer from diseases:

The estimated number of people living with AIDS and HIV is nearly 40 million, more than the entire population of Canada.

Around the world, 8.8 million children die each year before their fifth birthday. The majority of these deaths are from preventable conditions such as birth complications, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and measles.

Worldwide, malaria kills more than 2,000 children every day.

Jesus' compassion is still with the sick and suffering. And as Christ's followers, we can pray for healing and fullness of life.

Suggested prayer points
This month, prepare for World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) by joining us in prayer about some of the most critical issues of global health—specifically HIV and AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child health.

Pray that we would see those who suffer the way God does-as His precious children. The number of those affected by HIV and AIDS is so big that it can be mind—numbing. But Scripture tells us that God knows every hair on the head of every one of those people. Thank God for His boundless love, and ask Him to give you a heart that prompts action for the sick.

Pray for angels of protection. The number of children orphaned by AIDS is soon expected to pass 20 million, according to the United Nations. Without their parents to protect them, these children are at extreme risk for malnutrition, exploitation, and physical and sexual abuse. Ask God to surround them with angels of protection and guide them to loving caregivers they can trust.

Praise God for medical researchers. Thank Him for their knowledge, their commitment of resources, and their tireless dedication to develop inexpensive antiretroviral therapies for those living with HIV. Ask God to guide and sustain the dedicated healthcare workers who get these life—saving drugs to people in remote villages.

Ask God to end the injustice of malaria. Malaria was eradicated in the United States 60 years ago, but it is still one of the leading causes of death for children under 5 in the developing world. It primarily affects the poorest people, who tend to live in malaria—prone areas and lack access to prevention and treatment tools. Ask God to ease their suffering as they battle the disease. Thank Him for the 77,000 World Vision—trained volunteer caregivers who assist with malaria interventions in 62 malaria—endemic countries.

Thank God for the miracle of birth. The psalmists tell us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by our loving God, who knows us even when we're in our mother's womb. Ask Him to give wisdom to the midwives and childbirth attendants in developing nations who bring babies into the world every day, usually without the medications and technology that save mothers' and infants' lives every day in the developed world.

Learn more:
Child health: Visit ChildHealthNow.org to learn more about World Vision's global efforts to end preventable child deaths. While there, add your name to the Child Health Now petition and tell President Obama that 24,000 preventable child deaths a day is unacceptable.

AIDS: Take a virtual journey into the lives of real people affected by the pandemic in Africa through the interactive site, World Vision Experience: AIDS. Or get involved in assembling Caregiver Kits, a hands—on way to show the unconditional love of Christ by providing a year's worth of materials to equip a volunteer AIDS caregiver.

Malaria: Watch a video, Africa's Deadliest Predator, about the heartbreaking experiences of children in Mozambique suffering from malaria. Learn more about malaria and find many ways to mobilize others to action through World Vision's ACT:S to End Malaria site.