Baldemar Vasques grew up in a family of immigrant farmworkers in Southern Texas. At the young age of five he spent his days in the fields alongside his parents working long days in the hot sun. Outside of their control, his family was transferred to Ohio where they did not feel welcomed by the locals. Rather, the perspective of those around them seemed to consist of "stay in the field, do the work, and get out". He watched his parents cower under the abusive hand of those around them. Working as a Mexican immigrant was anything but safe. As a young child, Baldemar witnessed young men mock his mother and steal her hard-earned money. There was no one to protect them. When the Ohio winter blew in, their family did not have enough money to travel back to Texas. They were forced to stay in a cold, small apartment and pay rent that put them in debt. The next several summers were a vicious cycle of hard work, being treated unjustly and having to spend every penny on cheap housing for the winter. Baldemar began to attend the local school although he knew no English. No one was able to translate for him and learning was nearly impossible at first with the langauge barrier. Nonetheless, the school was heated unlike their small makeshift home. Over the years he grew in knowledge and in bitterness for the injustice his family faced every day. This desire for equality propelled him to obtain his degree and work to change our governments policies involving farmworkers in the states. Laws have been put in place to allow freedom of association, or unions, to protect workers in manufacturing, teaching and various other fields. However, this has not been allowed for the farmworker since 1933 due to racism against black workers. Now Baldemar works with an organization called Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in order to allow farmworkers to speak for themselves. He advocates for them to be allowed to organize and create policies of freedom together. These efforts are not strictly helping workers here in America. FLOC works closely with companies who import goods from workers in African countries. Many of these African "employees" are paid next to nothing in dangerous working conditions with no benefits. If a worker is injured on the job they are discarded for the next available person and many of these individuals become ill or even die while on the job but no compensation is provided. The products are then resold for a marked up price though production costed next to nothing thanks to these underpaid workers. FLOC is the voice for these workers who have no one speaking on their behalf. Alongside this approach, FLOC addresses specific companies who currently abuse access to cheap labor and boycott their products. On the positive end some companies partner with them in order to clean up their current system and provide rights for all involved. To figure out how you can use your voice and join the movement visit http://www.floc.com/wordpress/ . Currently FLOC is boycotting VUSE due to their abuse of low wage workers. #testimony #immigrant #work #laws #international
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IGANGA, Uganda—While waiting for a goat to be slaughtered for our dinner, my friends and I decided to avoid the grim sight and take a little adventure. One of our new Ugandan friends took us to a large, natural structure that shockingly resembled pride rock from the Lion King. Naturally we felt the need to climb it and gain the full effect. However, the sight from the top was not what we expected. I soon began to hear a methodically “clank, thud, clank” from the other side of Pride Rock. The sun beat down on my sweaty face as I climbed the rocky ledge toward the sounds. I soon discovered a young man who appeared to be about my age swinging a sledge hammer over and over again to break down chunks of rock into gravel. As my shadow crossed his area of work he looked up suddenly. A huge smile crossed his face as I said hello. Dropping the hammer with a thud he stood up straight and introduced himself as Emmanuel (pictured top left). He told me he had always wanted to meet someone from the states and had been looking for a way to practice his English. It wasn’t long before Emmanuel shared his testimony and with bubbly enthusiam told me that he had been a muslim for most of his life but was now a proud, born again Christian. His smile grew even wider as he spoke of the hope his new faith gave him though life in his village was very difficult. We shared our mutual passion for the gospel and Christian community and he was thrilled to meet a fellow believer from America. As our conversation went on Emmanuel shared with pride that he had just graduated from high school and was now working at this stone quarry in an attempt to pay for college tuition. He had been working for 6 months slowly saving for this dream. His hope was to major in agriculture and better the farming strategies of those in his community. The work at the quarry was slow, exhausting and reaped miniscule pay but he was grateful to have a job. His income was based on the amount of stone he “harvested” and as a 23-year-old he was at the median age of the workers. As I looked over the cliff down to the quarry below I saw young children swinging hammers at rocks alongside middle aged men shoveling it into trucks (pictured below). Every person was working to the best of their ability and had dreams they hoped to achieve. Smaller children ran around the area carrying babies or simply playing together. They were intrigued by the white people who suddenly arrived and it wasn’t long before they were following wherever we went. They kept pointing to my friend’s camera and posing for pictures. Innocent giggles echoed over the valley as the clanking and thudding continued in the background. I could not help but wonder how many of these kids would grow up with dreams and aspirations only to be stuck hammering away at rock. Young adults like Emmanuel are working hard all over the world to pay for their education. I was just told about an organization called Kiva that helps make those dreams a reality. Unlike other nonprofits, Kiva does not pay for education or business start ups, but rather they empower hard working individuals with loans to get them started. You can contribute any amount of money to support one of the various people promoted through kiva. This money will be utilized by the individual and then returned to you once they have achieved their goal. I am super excited about this empowering and ethical organization and I want to encourage all of you to check it out! https://www.kiva.org I also want to hear about any of your experiences meeting young adults in various cultural settings. Comment any stories/testimonies below and share the love!! UGANDA-- The heartbreaking reality in Uganda is, children's health is not held at a high priority. There are a variety of reasons for this including lack of resources and medical understanding, however, in many instances parents simply do not realize the necessity. Many precious lives could easily be saved through preventative measures such as deworming and basic hygiene. Nelson is a father with a different perspective than many around him. He is passionate about saving the lives of these children and giving them a future. As a result of this calling, Nelson decided to build a pediatric hospital right in his community. There are no other pediatric hospitals anywhere near his village and he hopes that taking this step will help prioritize health and medical attention for youth in the community. It breaks his heart that children are daily dying of worms simply because their parents do not take the situation seriously enough. Although he is not a medic himself he has several medical friends who have chosen to partner with him in order to make this dream a reality. His younger sister is currently studying to become a pediatrician and plans to work at this hospital. Nelson is constructing the building on his own land with his hard-earned money and desires all the advice and help he can get. "We need a lot of things to get started, the construction has begun but you still need facilities and machines." It is easy for Americans to get stuck in the mentality of wanting to go to Africa and help the needy. However, we fail to realize the amazing things they are already accomplishing without our help. Rather than swoop in and "save" them we must open our eyes to their amazing passion and capabilities to make a huge impact in their own nation. While in Uganda, I was blown away by the peoples' desire to serve their neighbors and help their country grow and thrive. They are intelligent, kind and hard-working individuals being used by the Lord in amazing ways. It is our responsibility as their brothers and sisters to join them in prayer and partner with them as the Lord leads. Nelson is not currently in partnership with any organization but would love it if one would connect with him or anyone desiring to partner in his initiative to prevent child deaths in Uganda : [email protected] FRISCO, Texas—A beautiful blonde sporting a baby bump and joyful eyes sat down beside me during a session at the CAFO conference this May. At a first glance no one would have imagined the pain this young mom had endured over the past two years. However, something drew me to ask about her story. I was blown away to discover that since January of 2016 she and her husband have fostered ten children, adopted their son and mourned the loss of their daughter Hannah. “For as long as I can remember I said I didn’t want biological children because so many children need a family.” However, after marrying her high school sweetheart she changed her mind and they decided to have biological children first and then adopt. Being his typical self, the Lord decided to throw a wrench in their plans and after two years with no babies they revisited the idea of adoption. After leaning toward on infant adoption, Jennifer and her husband continued to seek the Lord’s guidance and felt called to foster care. This seemed inconceivable to Jennifer at first —the thought of giving away children she had come to love as her own. Nonetheless, after hearing inspirational testimonies and a long process of getting licensed, they were finally ready to welcome children in January of 2016. Life from there was a whirlwind. The next day after being certified Jennifer received a call about a two-year-old boy who needed somewhere to stay with a one-year-old brother in the hospital. Even though they had agreed on only fostering one child, the Lord opened their hearts to accepting both brothers. Jennifer scrambled together her things and the two-year-old was in their care by 2am, his brother followed 4 days later after being released. Due to the fact this was an emergency situation, the children were soon removed and placed with kin. “When they left it was like tearing out a piece of my heart…we had no control over it and missed them.” Jennifer felt like motherhood had finally been placed in her grasp and then cruelly ripped away. She had finally gotten into the routine of toys, snacks and naps and before she knew it the house was empty once again. Despite the pain, two weeks later they brought home a beautiful, little two-year-old girl who they still consider a daughter to this day although they have no way of communicating with her. During this time they also fostered a 2-day-old infant withdrawing from meth. This child was later placed with his grandmother and the family of three fought their way through the trials of fostering a difficult yet beloved little girl. One day, out of the blue, Jennifer received a call from the adoption specialist. “We have a boy here who is 3-years-old and needs a home immediately.” Soon after Bernard entered their home to stay. Their foster daughter and Bernard were close to the same age and fought viciously. As Jennifer was trying to balance motherhood and the adoption process, she discovered another little one was growing inside of her. Excitement and exhaustion filled the home in the following weeks in anticipation for the new member of the family. They never could have imagined the horrible news 11 weeks in. Their precious baby girl would be born with a fatal neural tube defect. Jennifer and her husband decided to carry the baby to term and were able to hold her for a treasured 31 hours before she passed away. The agony of losing a child is incomprehensible and they mourned her loss deeply leaning on the Lord and each other. Soon after their foster daughter returned home and the couple worked on healing and adjusting to their little family of three for the next few months. Eventually, they felt called to bump their license from two children to four. Before they knew it four little pairs of feet were running rampant around the home. “Embrace the crazy had become our family mantra”. This year, after the foster children once again returned to their family, Jennifer discovered she was pregnant with another little girl. Two years, ten foster children, one adopted son and two biological daughters later Jennifer is blown away by what the Lord does when you give him the reigns. “Our children do not belong to us they are the Lord’s, He is in control.” Saying goodbye will forever be painful and Jennifer says that they could not have accomplished any of this without their supportive community and amazing case workers. She said the trauma and care training beforehand was vital and extremely beneficial. However, no matter how much training you receive, “you never know what you’re signing up for fully”. One of the most difficult struggles is not knowing what their foster children are facing while outside of their care. Many of the family members they returned to were not the safest situations but Jennifer had no voice in court to do anything. She continuously reminds herself that the parents need just as much prayer and love as the children. “A lot of times (their bad parenting) is not a love issue, it is a result of brokenness from their own past.” Jennifer realized even in her own parenting how the outbursts from the children’s trauma can trigger issues in her own heart. During these times when she feels like her world is falling to pieces and she wants to scream until the walls fall down Jennifer will slip away into the bathroom. She washes her hands slowly with warm water and fragrant soap that fills her nostrils as she inhales slowly. “A quick prayer to the Lord and a few deep breathes completely changes you.” Jennifer learned the danger of neglecting time with the Lord due to tiredness. Also, She and her husband made the decision that whether a child entered their home for a day or years they would not leave without first hearing the gospel. The Lord is their true source of strength as they run the marathon of parenting. After growing up in a broken family herself Jennifer prioritizes the fact that God must be at the center of the family or it will crumble. “I can’t do this apart from Him.” She now shares inspiration for others on her blog beautyfromashes613.com. CHICAGO—Jalil is an Uber driver thriving in the chaos of Chicago and his story is anything but the norm.
A native of Morocco, Jalil was a journalist in his mother country for twenty years. This career was not chosen because of salary or stability. He claimed journalism was not a job but rather a way of living. His passion for adventure and people drove him to experiences beyond that of a typical citizen. Money in his mind was much less valuable than the wealth of travel and relationship and this led him to eventually quit his job. Against the advice of those around him, Jalil packed up his family and left his home in pursuit of the unknown. Five years ago when he entered the United States he had no job or direction but exhilaration filled him nonetheless. Finding a job he loved was difficult due to the fact that he craved freedom and flexibility in his schedule. After several options that restricted his aspirations, he decided to become an Uber driver. To his surprise, he loved it! Every day he was able to meet new people from all backgrounds and learn more about culture and their stories. He even met a woman who had been in the Peace Corps in Morocco and spoke his dialect. One of his most memorable encounters was with a Brazilian gentleman who he drove from the airport to a nearby hotel. Distraught, the man asked him for relationship advice. He had a girlfriend back in Brazil but didn’t know if she really loved him or simply wanted to marry him to gain access to America. Jalil advised him to return to the woman in dismay saying he had lost his job in America and that he had no other option but to return to Brazil indefinitely. “If she really loved him she would live with him anywhere whether it was Brazil, Nepal or Nigeria!” Jalil said. Jalil also bestows his wisdom on his two sons telling them to make him proud. However, he enforced that he will not be proud from them making money or getting a high-end job. Instead he would be proud when he witnessed them utilizing their opportunities and living life to the fullest. He hopes to one day write a book about his experiences and successes against adversity. In regards to religion, Jalil identifies as a Muslim. He believes this religion is the same as others which believe in God and that rather than arguing over politics we should all unite in our belief in God. With a his thick accent and joyous tone his parting words were, “keep smiling! That translates to everyone” UGANDA- Ajok Kristin was forced to flee her war-torn homeland when she was just 10 years old. Her brother was the only family member who survived with her and although they had escaped war, safety was still far from reach. Once in Uganda, they were refugees with no home or income to live off of. She found a job working long and laborious hours at the local stone quarry breaking stones into gravel which could be sold by the bucket for a miniscule amount of money. This occupation provided barely enough money to feed her brother and herself and they became squatters alongside numerous other refugees. The huts which these people call home are constructed mostly of scrap metal and dirt. If they are lucky enough, a chicken might be found dwelling alongside them in this structure with twine tied to its foot so it does not wander into another’s grasp. Ajok’s eyes filled with tears as she shared her hopeless situation. However, a smile lit up her face as she reached the turning point of her story. An organization called Fashion and Compassion found her in the stone quarry and offered to teach her a trade and help her support her family. That is how I came to meet her. In a small building, surrounded by the makeshift huts, women with Fashion and Compassion had gathered to share their testimonies. They brought with them handmade jewelry and accessories which they had learned to create and sell. Another woman present told of her three beautiful daughters who filled her life with joy. Their names were Sara, Ruth and Gloria and the youngest, Gloria, has very serious asthma. Uganda has extremely poor air quality and in that specific area dust fills the air with a constant cloud. These conditions cause Gloria to suffer numerous, severe asthma attacks and medication is expensive. Her mother works hard but fears for her daughter’s life in their current circumstances. Many of the other women in that building had been raped or abused. One was suffering from AIDs and would die if she could not continue to pay for medication. Nonetheless, through all of their heartache and sorrows, these women praised the Lord for His blessings. They desire to thank God for their lives and His grace in bringing Fashion and Compassion to them. Still, their worries are not over. Currently, the government is wanting to take over and develop the land where they now reside. If this happens, they will have no place to go. Please keep these women and their families in your prayers. That the Lord will provide for their needs and protect their homes. If you would like to support the ministry by purchasing an item or simply learn more, click the link below. https://www.fashionandcompassion.com/collections/the-dignity-collection-uganda UPLAND, Ind—Dropping out of high school, traveling with professional wrestlers and gut-wrenching trials were just a few aspects of Caroline Sutton’s life that she shared during an interview on Thursday. Since her birth in 1937, Caroline Sutton has never traveled outside the Midwest but this did not stop her from experiencing the world in very unique ways. She was born in Hartford City, Indiana but she calls Matthews, Indiana home. Growing up she hated school but survived it with the help of her friends and the good times they shared. Her memories with them were often cruising to drive-in theaters in her blue Chevy or hitting up the skating rink where she met Virgil. She used to love watching him show of his skating skills even though she only knew the basics. Caroline dropped out of high school her senior year and married Virgil soon after. They had a daughter when she was nineteen and later a son. After fifteen years of marriage they were divorced and she described their marriage as a mistake. Caroline remarried Hobart Edwin Sutton who she shared life with until last August when he passed away from a heart-attack. Tears began to stream down her wrinkled face and she clenched her eyes shut at the memory of losing her best friend. She seemed to sink lower into her wheelchair at the mere thought. “I cared more for the second one than the first one. He was better to us, he raised my two kids,” she said. Caroline and Hobart had their own share of adventures largely due to his love of wrestling. He was a referee and they traveled with the wrestlers and helped set up before each competition. Caroline loved getting the crowd riled up when she went and she knew the wrestlers had her back if anything ever got out of hand. She remembers a specific time when a man through beer at her and one of the guys was up in his face right away to defend for her. “I used to get in trouble when I went," she admitted. "The wrestlers were funny, I liked to watch the midgets. Some came and stayed at our house,” she said. After they decided to get out of the wrestling scene Caroline and Hobart began to travel with Elvis impersonators. They got involved simply because they liked Elvis. Her husband helped the impersonators get set up and ready for performances. She personally thought it was much more fun traveling with them than the wrestlers. Caroline specifically remembers one night when the impersonator sang at a prom. A smile lit up her face when she thought back on good times with that group. Sadly, great turmoil was ahead which she never could have prepared herself for. Her beloved son had always been outgoing and friendly. He lived with them and never married but at age thirty-one the unthinkable happened. Caroline’s lip quivered and she looked to the ground as more tears began to stream down her face and land on her red sweater. She never moved her glasses to wipe them away but instead inhaled sharply and stated that her son shot himself over his best friend’s grave. His absence left a gaping hole that has never fully healed. Not only did she have to endure losing a child but on top of that several different times she wrestled with bouts of breast cancer. After getting married she never attended church but she said her family is what gave her the strength to fight when she didn’t know what was going to happen. When describing the experience she said one spends most of her time “just hoping you make it through it”. Today she resides in Upland University Retirement Home with no illness but, to her dismay, also no husband, who used to live there with her. She was happy to report that her granddaughter often brings his son to visit and show of his ABCs skills. Caroline still enjoys watching wrestling on TV and one of her dear friends from childhood lives with her in the home and she is grateful for the company. Overall, her advice to others is to “stay out of trouble” and never start drinking. Through everything she’s experienced Caroline still puts a smile on her face and is willing to share her story with others. Please pray that the Lord will get ahold of her heart and she would see how much she is loved by him. Also, if you get a chance to visit a nursing home and hear the residents' stories you should take advantage of it. You will be blown away by these amazing people. Odile is a young woman with ambition and passion for the gospel. I met her during our peace and reconciliation conference in the rural villages of Rwanda. The room was filled with middle-aged men and older women who represented the churches they led from all denominations. She stood out as a young, 20-year-old woman among an older generation. This did not keep her from participating in the workshops and worship with passion and confidence. Rarely was there not a smile lighting up her face. She works at Blessings School for the Blind (mentioned in a past post) where she teaches the children the local language and various other subjects. We share a love for the lost and desire to empower those who are impoverished. Grabbing my hand, she led me down the dirt streets of the local village and shared the gospel with anyone who would listen. She sang and danced with the swarms of children who flocked around us and brought laughter wherever she went. When I first spoke with her she shook her head and said she didn’t speak English. However, as the day went on we were able to have simple conversations and a translator helped us with more complicated questions. Odile graduated from high school and desires more than anything to obtain a college degree but she cannot afford it. It costs just $1,000 per year for her to attend college and that degree will open up amazing opportunities for her that previously were not possible. She is one of many young adults who I connected with on a very personal level. They are at the same stage of life as me with similar dreams and ambitions. However, poverty is blocking these brilliant young minds from achieving their goals. I have decided to do what I can to put an end to this cycle of impoverishment by starting a campaign entitled Empowerment through Education. I have started a gofundme which will raise money for Odile and my sponsored sister Kirabo so that they can pursue their dreams and obtain a college degree. https://www.gofundme.com/empowermentthrougheducation Join me in making their dreams a reality and equipping these young with the knowledge they need to use their God-given gifts in full capacity. https://www.gofundme.com/empowermentthrougheducation Much love, Bree Hello. My name is Blessing. I am eleven years old and have spent those eleven years in darkness. As the lone survivor of triplets my parents saw my life as a gift to them. They did not care that I was flawed by this world’s standards. When it was discovered that I could not see, they chased after every option possible for healing my disability. Even country borders did not dissuade them.
Finally, a doctor said there was nothing that could be done, even if I was taken to Europe or the U.S. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I live in a small country in the center of Africa called Rwanda. I’ve been told it’s a beautiful country with a dark past. All I know is that this is home and everyone I love and everything familiar is here. My father, Bosco, was determined to give me a great life but there was only one school for the blind in the entire country. Still, this did not dissuade him. Although he had no money, he stepped out in faith and started a small school for the blind. The Lord continued to provide funds and now it has growing into a boarding school for the blind and for albinos. There are currently 15 students residing in this school and receiving 24 hour care. We have learned Braille and been able to obtain an education like any other student. Although equipment for the blind, such as walking sticks and Braille paper, cannot be found in Rwanda, my father has searched and shipped equipment from all over in order to improve our states of living. We even have a ball with bells inside so we can play sports by hearing when the ball is coming close. None of this would have been possible without my father who saw the true value in the children who are viewed as worthless by their own parents. Most albinos are ostracized in the community but at Blessing School they are welcomed and loved. We will take the same tests at the end of our primary school as any other student just in Braille. In this way, we will have hope and purpose for the future beyond begging and poverty. Hey everyone, Bree here. This is the true story of a young girl and her father named Bosco who I met during my time in Rwanda. Bosco is following his calling and doing amazing things for the Lord. If any of you feel a special tug on your heart to pray for/ send support to this ministry please contact me and I will get you connected. Or visit this Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/Blessing-School-for-the-Visually-Impaired-1545036675777363/ Today the Lord answered a 5 year long request in a beautiful way.
Kirabo Ruth is my darling sister who I sponsor through Forgotten Children Worldwide. We have written letters back and forth since my freshman year of high school. She is 17 and lives in a small village in the country of Uganda. Her parents fled Rwanda as refugees of war before she was born and raised 9 children in a small grass-thatched hut where they reside to this day. Life growing up has been difficult to say the least. If surviving on next to nothing everyday was not strenuous enough, she lost her twin brother and several other siblings at a young age. They grow crops on a small plot of land, using a hoe and their hands, which sell for just enough money to survive. Through all of this, the family made the two hour trek to church every Sunday. School was not a possibility for Kirabo when she was young and her future had seemed bleak at best. A sadness crept over her face today when she told me of friends she left behind in the village. Almost all of them have now been married off and are suffering through an impoverished livelihood. Thankfully, now Kirabo has much greater hope for the future. Her uncle Fred informed me that she is extremely bright and has flourished in school despite a late start. Thanks to Fred’s generosity she was able to begin primary school and FCW’s sponsorship program gives her what she needs to continue her education. Kirabo plans to become an engineer and help improve her country in every way she can. She loves the Lord beyond anything and her face lit up when describing opportunities to evangelize in her community. I was so blessed to be able to spend my afternoon with such a lovely young woman, learn about Ugandan culture and even pick up some Lugandan vocabulary. Although there were many ups and downs in the planning process, the Lord worked miracles to allow us to embrace for the first time. She was even staying at a Bible camp the past couple of days which was extremely close to where I am located. Praise Jesus for His blessings and thank you all so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray as Kirabo still has 7 years left of school before becoming an engineer. Also she has two younger siblings at home, Mariam and Shadrack, who have no sponsors. Without someone’s generosity, they may not be able to obtain an education. Decent jobs are nearly unattainable in this country without one. Also, her mother has not been able to see her family since the migration decades ago and misses them terribly. The mere $100 cost to visit them is still outrageously expensive for her. If you are interested in sponsoring a child of your own let me know and I will connect you with the Forgotten Children staff! Through all the heartache, a radiant smile lights up Kirabo’s face when she describes singing in the church choir, laughing with her friends and tasting beloved French fries. Webale malungi Kirabo, for being an inspiration and a dear friend. |
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