Summer is just around the corner for those of us who live in North America.  And while that means longer days, sleeping in and enjoying more time with our friends, there are millions and millions of people for whom it's just another season of slavery.  Children will be oppressed this summer.  Boys, girls, men and women will slave away long hours under someone else's control.  Sex traffickers will buy and sell people to be abused day and night.

So, what can you do about it?  Well, start making plans now to launch Loose Change to Loosen Chains at your school or church this summer or in the fall.  Also, check back in next week when I write about an idea for students to use their purchasing power to help make a difference. 

Seek justice!

Had a great time in Grand Rapids at Mars Hill Bible Church.  Those guys are crazy about justice!  I made some new friends, some new abolitionists got on board and I even got to take in some great Indian food!  I met this great family called the Kremers -- hey Cody -- and got to hang out with some of the students.

Listen to the podcast at www.mhbcmi.org under "listen" and last Sunday's message.  Steve Carter rocks!

There are a couple of things you can do today to help rescue victims of slavery. 

Sign the petition to abolish modern day slavery at www.theamazingchange.com

Send me a comment letting me know that you'd like to start the Loose Change to Loosen Chains campaign in your school or church.  I'll send you all you need to get stared.

Thanks for being a friend of the oppressed! 

What if it were you?

What if it were you, or your best friend, or your brother, or your mom? What if your feet were shackled together all day long as you sit on a dirt floor rolling cigarettes? What if you had to dive down to the bottom of the river to untangle your masters fishing nets, after your best friend had just drowned the day before doing the same thing? What if your father had a drug addiction so he sold you into slavery to get his next high? What if you crushed boulders into gravel with a heavy hammer all day long until you were breathless, sun burnt and bleeding? This is the case for many men, women, and children around the world today. See, many people dont have the freedoms you and I do. They dont own their time, money, food, or water they dont even own themselves! These people cant come and go as they please. They are slaves. Im not just talking about sweatshop labor here, Im talking about slavery that is every bit as sick and ugly as it was in our country two hundred years ago. Some people might say that its not their business just because these slaves are an ocean away, or have a different skin color. But we had better make it our business because: What if it were you?  - Zach Is 1:17

27 million people are still in slavery -- more than 400 years of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade

Children and their parents are held against their will

We need to do something about it.

In a "free world" all should be free.