One Ripple Blog

Homeless Resource Day Slides

The HometownAnnapolis.com had a slide show from the Ann Arundel County Homeless Resource Day some of us went. Here is the actual link in case you can't watch it properly... [ http://www.hometownannapolis.com/slideshow/1238330129Homelessresourceday ]

Why We Can�t End Poverty

Tim Glenn from Compassion International had a blog article on the Compassion site talking about why Christians are NOT called to end poverty.... very well written so if you would like to read the rest, please follow the link [Why We Can�t End Poverty]

I realize that what I�m about to post isn�t going to be very popular. But I�m willing to post it because I hope it will start a healthy discussion.

Here it is: Over the past few years, I�ve heard this phrase come up literally dozens of times at missions conferences, ministry events, churches, on blogs, etc. The dicussion turns to poverty and inevitably someone says "this is the generation that can end poverty."

I don�t know if I believe that. In fact, I�m not totally sure Christians are called to end poverty. Before you go looking for handy throwing stones, allow me to explain:

[Continue Reading Why We Can�t End Poverty]

Amazing Grace

I used this clip as the opener for our community service discussion meeting... the movie has so many wonderful quotes I don't know which one to showcase... this is a must watch if you are a person of faith who are passionate about social change. Forget those institutions that think staying away from our civic duty is a good idea!

The best 'short end' of the stick

Last year the Anne Arundel county hosted an event called 'Homeless Resource Day'. This came out from the office of county executive John Leopold to offer medical resources, personal hygiene assistance, job resources, and housing information to the people experiencing homelessness in the AA county. Last year I was in Thailand when this happened, but I was fortunate this time to be around to participate in the 2nd Homeless Resource Day.

They changed the venue to a middle school, more local and national organizations were involved and everything seemed fairly well planned. Majority of the volunteers served as a 'guide'. You are assigned one client at a time, and you are his/her advocate. Your job is to figure out this person's need, then take him/her to the right location for the service they needed.

I was assigned to an elderly lady, who as she got assigned to me goes 'WHO are you and WHAT do you want'... excellent. Let's just say she was a fire cracker; constantly lit, constantly going. At some point, people who were there last year came up to me and apologized to me for 'getting me the short end of the stick'... so you get the picture.

However as the day went by, I noticed that her attitude started to change (not towards others, mind you) She seemed to have accepted that I was there for her just simply to help... nothing more, nothing less. The biggest turn around came when we started to talk about prayers. As soon as I asked if she prayed, her face lit up and her eyes widen. It was like a little ray of light cutting through the dark clouds. Do you go to church, she asked, and went on to telling me that her greatest possession is this Christmas ornament that she got that she takes with her where-ever she goes, and reminds her to pray.

This day I saw something to remind me why I believe I believe. I saw the same smile that I saw when I talked to Christians in Thailand. We share a faith that can change life and give hope to the hopeless. We have a faith that can re-deem a broken soul. perhaps the person that I got was indeed the short end of the stick... but it was the best, God given short end of the stick I had ever seen.

A Short Message from the Future Nurses of America... (and Doctors and pharmacists and...)

There is about 7 more days left to be heard. This is far beyond pro-life or pro-choice issue, but rather about government telling you to do something you morally oppose.

Be Heard Project - A Special Message from Future Nurses of America from beheard on Vimeo.

Upcoming Activities

Dear partners, please find attached the link to the list of church-neutral (but Christ centered) community activities that we are planning for the next four weeks. [ http://www.meetup.com/OneRipple/calendar/list/ ]

Mar 24: Let's meet up @ Chick-Fil-A (Totally social with a twist)
Mar 26: Resist the Darkness meeting (Human Trafficking)
Mar 28: AA county Homeless Resource Day (Homelessness)
Mar 28: Assisted Living Home Visit (Worship)
April 1: Serving Meals (Hunger)
April 9: Easter fun at Assisted Living Home (Elderly care)
April 16: Washington DC Stop Modern Slavery (Human Trafficking)

As we grow in leaders and partners, we are looking forward in adding more opportunities which may be closer to your area. If you would like to know more about what we do, please feel free to contact us at info@oneripple.org

P.S. To follow Sergio's blog, please visit [http://just1stepatatime.blogspot.com/]

One Ripple Blog continues.. but Sergio's blog has moved.

Hello everyone! We made a decision to use this 'blog space' exclusively to blog about the ministries activities and future events. We wanted to make sure that my personal opinions would not be reflected as one of the ministries... but yet, there are few things that I'm compelled to write.. about social justice issues and well, some personal issues if anyone would care to read it. So my blog has now been moved to [http://just1stepatatime.blogspot.com/]

Thank you for your continued support for my family and for One Ripple Ministries!

Cheers!

Sergio

[Update] You mean you can't have a slave in Virginia anymore!?

We received this communication from the Stop Modern Slavery group in Washington D.C.. This is the original post.

The Virginia Anti-Trafficking Bill (HB 2016), in a modified form, just passed the VA House of Delegates yesterday!! The bill's sponsor, Delegate Adam Ebbin, said that members of the Courts of Justice Committee, Criminal Subcommittee, definitely heard from their constituents! Next, the Bill goes to the Senate.

Thanks again to those of you who called your Delegates and forwarded the email to friends and family.

Getting a bill to this point is a major achievement. However, we have more work to do to make important improvements to the final law. Once these improvements are made, we will need your help to make sure the Virginia Senate and the full General Assembly support a strong, final anti-trafficking law in Virginia.

In its current form, this bill:

* Adds to the definition of kidnapping and abduction to prohibit other deprivations of personal liberty achieved through force, intimidation or deception;
* Further adds to the definition of kidnapping and abduction to also prohibit forced labor or services obtained through threats of physical force or restraint; and
* Creates stiff penalties for certain crimes, including certain pimping crimes and the new kidnapping and abduction statute, when they are committed in the context of organized criminal ("racketeering") activity

We will keep you posted on important developments and opportunities to get involved.
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How to buy a slave in 10 hours

Fortunately or unfortunately, we are designed to believe what we see much easier than what we learn intellectually. Even if I had known the severity of modern day slavery, I probably would not have believed it (as much) if it wasn't for us meeting the victims of human trading in Thailand.

As I wrote on my previous blog, ABC did a documentary segment called "How to Buy a Child in 10 Hours". Seeing is believing, so I am posting the link. I hope you find some time to watch, at least the part 1 of the series. Please feel free to contact us at info@oneripple.org if you want to do & learn more about this issue in the Washington D.C. area.

Part 1 - http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5336644
Part 2 - http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5336634
Part 3 - http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5336628

You mean you can't have a slave in Virginia anymore!?

Did you know that Virginia is one of handful of states (ok, commonwealth) with NO criminal provision against human trafficking & trading? Passing a bill against slavery has been an uphill battle in Virginia, where human trafficking bills have been rejected for the past three years. In fact, there is no definition of human trafficking in Virginia!

For example, right now,
a) No definition of human trafficking is defined in VA.
b) There is little to no defense for human trafficking victims who are accused of prostitution or other crimes committed while in a trafficking situation.
c) People who made profit through exploiting victims do not have to forfeit their profits.
d) Light penalties when human trafficking is committed by an organized criminal operation.

But I'm so happy to hear that Virginia took a great step towards combating human trafficking by passing the house bill 2016 through the criminal subcommittee! There is still many many steps to go, but I'm happy to know that it is moving forward!

Remember: Slavery Still Exists!

More info on : http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB2016