What does 31Days of Freedom mean to me?

Sugar. Every time we hear the word we instantly think of all things yummy and nice in the world. Chocolate, ice cream, pet names for loved ones, songs using it as a term to describe love, sugar is nothing more than a blissful reminder that all is right in the world. But in truth, sugar is a by-product of slavery.
Back in the 1600’s the Caribbean’s used salves to help start the ever booming sugar industry in their countries as well as South America. Slaves by the hundreds were being shipped over seas from Africa to work the fields and further the crops. Centuries passed, and so did the use of slaves in sugar crops. Or so we thought. Today, in Haiti and the Dominican Republic slaves are being used to once again work a sugar crop that is then being exported into the US for our consumption daily. Where we once thought we had succeeded, we truly have not.
So what is my sacrifice for freedom during these next 31 days? Sugar. No more sweets, sugary drinks, or delicious Starbucks vanilla lattes. I’m going cold turkey. And as I sip on my nice iced glass of unsweet tea, may I be reminded of those whose hands work forcibly without wage or reward. May I be reminded of those who are given water and food fed to them through cage bars and where the idea of a sugary lifestyle is but a myth and fantasy that they sadly may never know. And may we today strive to seek freedom for those without a voice and those who, unlike us, cannot choose.

Heather Owen
Director of Development
The Home Foundation

We are so excited to bring you 31 Days of Freedom.  This initiative is something we have been dreaming about for a while but deciding on how it should come together took us some time.  We hope that it’s the beginning of a campaign we can do annually and that we can develop it to bring meaningful materials that will encourage all of us to think more seriously about freedom and those who are in bondage across the world.

As you know, if you’ve read about the initiative, the main part this year is a twitter campaign where 31 of your favorite Christian artists and leaders will share their idea of freedom and help us re-focus our responsibility as believers to the oppressed.  Leaders like Natalie Grant, Max Lucado, Mac Powell, Bark Millard, Tenth Avenue North and many more will share their hearts on the issue of human trafficking and sexual slavery and justice and freedom.

Now for the hard part!  We are also asking that in celebration of your freedom that you consider giving up some aspect of that liberty and giving back to those without a voice.  I have been thinking and praying about how my family and I can have an impact in some small way to this fight against injustice.  I have a large family and you may be surprised to know that we eat out a lot!  I know many mothers spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals and planning for dinners- well not me. I really can’t stand to cook so we venture out frequently for Mexican (our favorite) and Thai and just about any thing else we come across.  But not for the month of July.  We have decided to stay in, save the money and give to shelters across the US who are dedicated to providing a place of restoration for survivors of sex trafficking.

I am not only excited about giving to this worthy cause but also about what God will show us about freedom and sacrifice—even in this small way.

I have spent countless hours with the members of the CTSA who have been patiently waiting for funding for the homes to open so that they can show these girls the power of restoration.  I am so proud to be on the team with them and know that the wait will be worth it.  I recently visited one of our partners in Georgia who are open and serving girls.  It was inspiring to see their dedication to those who have had little hope and to hear the stories of renewal.  God is doing great things!

We hope you will join us on this 31 day journey to freedom through prayer and your commitment to sacrifice- whatever that may look like for you.  Log on to www.thehomefoundation.net and click the link for 31 days to tell us your freedom story then tell your friends and your churches that they can be part of the change too and get ready for God to do awesome things!

For Freedom!

Stacia Freeman

Executive Director

The Home Foundation