Please pray for this woman and her family. She is a professing Christian in a dominately Muslim country. They have condemned her to die because of her faith in Jesus. May God deliver her to safety and may she have strength, faith, and patience to endure this horrific trial. I know you don't know me, Asia, but Jesus is with you and will continue to be with you through all things.
Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan 'for blasphemy'
A Christian woman has been sentenced to hang in Pakistan after being convicted of defaming the Prophet Mohammed.
By Rob Crilly in Islamabad and Aoun Sahi in Lahore 5:36PM GMT 09 Nov 2010
Asia Bibi, a 45-year-old mother-of-five, denies blasphemy and told investigators that she was being persecuted for her faith in a country where Christians face routine harassment and discrimination.
Asia Bibi has been sentenced to death 'for blasphemy' Christian groups and human rights campaigners condemned the verdict and called for the blasphemy laws to be repealed.
Her supporters say she will now appeal against the sentence handed down in a local court in the town of Sheikhupura, near Lahore, Pakistan.
Post found at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/8120142/Christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-in-Pakistan-for-blasphemy.html
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Monday, November 08, 2010
Issue of Concern
My church is very active in working to fight human traffiking. We often think of this as something that happens overseas. However, this story shows just how close to home this may occur. Pray for these young girls!!!
Indictment: Somali gangs trafficked girls for sex
By AMY FORLITI, Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS – Twenty-nine people have been indicted in a sex trafficking ring in which Somali gangs in Minneapolis and St. Paul allegedly forced girls under age 14 into prostitution in Minnesota, Tennessee and Ohio, according to an indictment unsealed Monday.
The 24-count indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee, said one of the gangs' goals was recruiting females under age 18, including some under age 14, and forcing them into prostitution so the defendants could get money, marijuana or liquor.
The indictment details several instances in which young Somali or African American girls were taken from place to place and forced to engage in sex acts with multiple people. One girl was under 13 when she was first prostituted. Another girl was 18 when she was raped by multiple men in a hotel room, the indictment said.
John Morton, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the case is significant because the girls were repeatedly victimized over several years and transported to many places. The indictment lists incidents involving four victims.
"Human traffickers abuse innocent people, undermine our public safety, and often use their illicit proceeds to fund sophisticated criminal organizations," Morton said. "ICE is committed to bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing their victims from a life in the shadows."
Van Vincent, the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, wouldn't comment on the status of the girls, other than to say they were safe.
The indictment claims the ring involved three Minneapolis-based gangs — the Somali Outlaws, the Somali Mafia and the Lady Outlaws — and that all three gangs are connected. The men and women charged were either gang members or associates of the gangs, the indictment said. They range in age from 19 to 38.
The indictment says the sex trafficking ring operated for 10 years, with the defendants recruiting young girls to engage in sex acts.
One girl was just 13 when, in 2005, she was taken from the Minneapolis area to an apartment in Nashville to engage in prostitution, it said. The girl was also taken to Columbus, Ohio, and other locations for prostitution.
In another case, a girl was under age 13 when she was first forced to engage in sex acts in November 2006. Two defendants had sex with her the next month at an apartment in St. Paul, and then other males arrived and were charged money to do the same, the indictment said. That scenario happened on many occasions.
The indictment refers to the girl as Jane Doe Two. The Associated Press does not identify victims of sex crimes.
"Jane Doe Two was informed ... that selling Jane Doe Two for sex would be called a 'Mission.' It was a rule that members of the (gangs) would not be charged for sex with Jane Doe Two as they were fellow gang members," the indictment said.
One defendant, Haji Osman Salad, nicknamed "Hollywood," later made Jane Doe Two "his girl," picking her up from school, engaging in sex acts with her, and then instructing her to engage in sex acts with other men, the indictment said.
Over the course of two-day period in April 2009, the girl was forced to engage in sex acts at least 10 times with nine different men, it said. Then, she was driven to Nashville. On the way there, Salad made a cell phone video of her engaging in sex acts with some of the occupants of the vehicle, the indictment said.
Seventeen people were arrested in Minnesota, nine were arrested in Tennessee and three were at large Monday evening, St. Paul Police Chief Tom Smith said.
Elders in St. Paul's Somali community began approaching law enforcement officers in 2007 and 2008 with concerns that young girls were being trafficked, Smith said.
Those eventually charged traveled easily between Nashville and St. Paul, and some may have been related, said Jerry Martin, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Both cities, as well as Columbus, have large Somali refugee populations.
Along with sex trafficking, the indictment charges some of the defendants with conspiring to obstruct the investigation by lying to a federal grand jury. It also alleges some stole a motor vehicle, committed burglaries, and engaged in credit card fraud — causing one credit card company to lose $231,000 over a one-year period.
Omar Jamal, an advocate for Somalis in Minnesota, said the allegations shocked the Somali community, whose members pointed out Islam forbids such activity.
"Collectively, they might have been in denial that such grave sex minor trade could ever be going on in the community," he said. "It's a kind of crime that a community can never think of their kids as being capable of doing this. ... People are saying, 'How could this be? How could such a thing happen?'"
Actual Post may be found at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101108/ap_on_re_us/us_somali_sex_trafficking
Indictment: Somali gangs trafficked girls for sex
By AMY FORLITI, Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS – Twenty-nine people have been indicted in a sex trafficking ring in which Somali gangs in Minneapolis and St. Paul allegedly forced girls under age 14 into prostitution in Minnesota, Tennessee and Ohio, according to an indictment unsealed Monday.
The 24-count indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee, said one of the gangs' goals was recruiting females under age 18, including some under age 14, and forcing them into prostitution so the defendants could get money, marijuana or liquor.
The indictment details several instances in which young Somali or African American girls were taken from place to place and forced to engage in sex acts with multiple people. One girl was under 13 when she was first prostituted. Another girl was 18 when she was raped by multiple men in a hotel room, the indictment said.
John Morton, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the case is significant because the girls were repeatedly victimized over several years and transported to many places. The indictment lists incidents involving four victims.
"Human traffickers abuse innocent people, undermine our public safety, and often use their illicit proceeds to fund sophisticated criminal organizations," Morton said. "ICE is committed to bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing their victims from a life in the shadows."
Van Vincent, the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, wouldn't comment on the status of the girls, other than to say they were safe.
The indictment claims the ring involved three Minneapolis-based gangs — the Somali Outlaws, the Somali Mafia and the Lady Outlaws — and that all three gangs are connected. The men and women charged were either gang members or associates of the gangs, the indictment said. They range in age from 19 to 38.
The indictment says the sex trafficking ring operated for 10 years, with the defendants recruiting young girls to engage in sex acts.
One girl was just 13 when, in 2005, she was taken from the Minneapolis area to an apartment in Nashville to engage in prostitution, it said. The girl was also taken to Columbus, Ohio, and other locations for prostitution.
In another case, a girl was under age 13 when she was first forced to engage in sex acts in November 2006. Two defendants had sex with her the next month at an apartment in St. Paul, and then other males arrived and were charged money to do the same, the indictment said. That scenario happened on many occasions.
The indictment refers to the girl as Jane Doe Two. The Associated Press does not identify victims of sex crimes.
"Jane Doe Two was informed ... that selling Jane Doe Two for sex would be called a 'Mission.' It was a rule that members of the (gangs) would not be charged for sex with Jane Doe Two as they were fellow gang members," the indictment said.
One defendant, Haji Osman Salad, nicknamed "Hollywood," later made Jane Doe Two "his girl," picking her up from school, engaging in sex acts with her, and then instructing her to engage in sex acts with other men, the indictment said.
Over the course of two-day period in April 2009, the girl was forced to engage in sex acts at least 10 times with nine different men, it said. Then, she was driven to Nashville. On the way there, Salad made a cell phone video of her engaging in sex acts with some of the occupants of the vehicle, the indictment said.
Seventeen people were arrested in Minnesota, nine were arrested in Tennessee and three were at large Monday evening, St. Paul Police Chief Tom Smith said.
Elders in St. Paul's Somali community began approaching law enforcement officers in 2007 and 2008 with concerns that young girls were being trafficked, Smith said.
Those eventually charged traveled easily between Nashville and St. Paul, and some may have been related, said Jerry Martin, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Both cities, as well as Columbus, have large Somali refugee populations.
Along with sex trafficking, the indictment charges some of the defendants with conspiring to obstruct the investigation by lying to a federal grand jury. It also alleges some stole a motor vehicle, committed burglaries, and engaged in credit card fraud — causing one credit card company to lose $231,000 over a one-year period.
Omar Jamal, an advocate for Somalis in Minnesota, said the allegations shocked the Somali community, whose members pointed out Islam forbids such activity.
"Collectively, they might have been in denial that such grave sex minor trade could ever be going on in the community," he said. "It's a kind of crime that a community can never think of their kids as being capable of doing this. ... People are saying, 'How could this be? How could such a thing happen?'"
Actual Post may be found at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101108/ap_on_re_us/us_somali_sex_trafficking
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
BarlowGirl
BarlowGirl
Hooray! Barlow Girl has a new album coming out on 9/14. It's a collection album. They also have some new clothing merch that is very cool. These ladies ROCK! Click the Link above to see their new album.
Hooray! Barlow Girl has a new album coming out on 9/14. It's a collection album. They also have some new clothing merch that is very cool. These ladies ROCK! Click the Link above to see their new album.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Norman
I just listened to an incredibly beautiful story. It is also a convicting one. If you get a chance, listen to "A Man Called Norman". You may find it on Focus on the Family's daily broadcast for July 22nd and July 23rd. It is a story of God leading one man to look beyond his prejudices and love what the rest of the world calls unlovable. This story is in two parts. You may go to www.listen.family.org/daily and then look for a box on the right hand side labeled "learn more about" and click on recent daily broadcast. Scroll down a bit and you will see the story. Part 1 is on the 22nd and part 2 on the 23rd.
Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those the world calls strange, weird, and untouchable? Am I?
Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those the world calls strange, weird, and untouchable? Am I?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Waiting
Here I am at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland awaiting the birth of my best friend's second baby. I am very excited to meet this new addition to her family and am honored to be included in this day.
In the meantime, I am also waiting for news on my one of my sister's back in Kansas. She was rushed to the hospital last night and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. She has swelling in the brain and spinal areas. The currently have her in isolation and on 3 antibiotics.
Two major waiting periods, hopefully with two positive outcomes. Obviously, the baby will be a positive one and I will pray my sister will recover fully.
Ultimately, it is all in God's hands. I wonder if I should feel more stressed out over my sister. I think I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do to change the circumstance. Only God has ultimate control and I must pray to him for all to turn out well. It has taken me a long time to reach this point in my life. Worrying doesn't solve anything, it only expends energy and causes me to focus on things other than Christ.
In the meantime, I am also waiting for news on my one of my sister's back in Kansas. She was rushed to the hospital last night and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. She has swelling in the brain and spinal areas. The currently have her in isolation and on 3 antibiotics.
Two major waiting periods, hopefully with two positive outcomes. Obviously, the baby will be a positive one and I will pray my sister will recover fully.
Ultimately, it is all in God's hands. I wonder if I should feel more stressed out over my sister. I think I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do to change the circumstance. Only God has ultimate control and I must pray to him for all to turn out well. It has taken me a long time to reach this point in my life. Worrying doesn't solve anything, it only expends energy and causes me to focus on things other than Christ.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Making Fun
Well, I wanted something to write about and I got it. My heart is breaking! Yesterday, I heard a clip of a man running for political office in another state. He did not come off as brushed, polished, or articulate. In fact, in listening to his comments, he came off as slightly crazy. I didn't think much of it and even laughed at some of the commentary given about this man. Then tonight, I was watching one of my shows and it showed a video clip of him saying the same things. My heart was pierced. I was not watching some "crazy" man who thought drastic times called for drastic measures. He wasn't a militant, radical, or power hungry person. I was watching a man who truly loved his country and wanted to do what was right. I also saw a man who was broken. We live in a fallen world and it destroys us all. Here was a man who served in our military. Here was a man who loves the Constitution. And here was a man, who, by my experience (and I am guessing) has suffered either psychologically (he would have be around draft age for Vietnam) or cognitively. I saw a victim of the fall and then I saw a victim of mockers. It wasn't just that he seemed genuine (albeit slower then others), it was the knowledge that others were making fun of him. Even a Christian radio host mocked him! Does that not make God grieve? We have been extended such grace from a holy God for the sins we have committed. And yet, we are comfortable mocking a man because he can't speak well and has some strange ideas (they weren't scary or threatening, just odd). He said he served in the Marines. Do we mock our soldiers even if their service cost them and makes is harder for them to reintegrate back into "our world"? Do we mock people with good intentions, even if they seem a little crazy? Perhaps, someone wise and caring needs to take this man aside and gently tell him his strengths may best be used other than running for political office. Since he is running, as Christians, how do we mock him and feel no shame? Something tells me, Jesus would grieve, not for him, but for our sinfulness in treating this man with such disrespect. If the man is sinning, being corrupt, or being a deceiver, I can see openly condemning such things. But this man was simple and seems genuine. WHO ARE WE to judge that which is not a detriment to the church nor an abomination to God?
Please, before you make fun of someone, stop and think.
Please, before you make fun of someone, stop and think.
A Long Long Time
It has been an extremely long time since I last blogged. Typically, I am at a loss regarding what to write. Other times, there is so much going on in my head it is difficult for me to organize it and articulate it.
So, what do I write about? I could write about my feelings on politics today. There is certainly enough information out there to fill up my blog. I could talk about faith and theology. I could talk about relationships and psychology. Perhaps, I could talk about justice, injustice, morality, and ethics. There really is a lot to talk about. It's a matter of choosing something.
If anyone reads this, perhaps, they have suggestions.
So, what do I write about? I could write about my feelings on politics today. There is certainly enough information out there to fill up my blog. I could talk about faith and theology. I could talk about relationships and psychology. Perhaps, I could talk about justice, injustice, morality, and ethics. There really is a lot to talk about. It's a matter of choosing something.
If anyone reads this, perhaps, they have suggestions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)