Sold. Dedicated. Unjust.

Yes, dedicated to a goddess.  Sold to the temple.  Complete dedication, chosen for them.
It's called the Devadasi System.  It's a long, old Indian religious tradition.
Little girls are dedicated to the goddess for a few reasons.  Most often, it is to make money for their family. Because they are dedicated to the temple/goddess, they are never allowed to get married.  One of their duties is to perform sexual favors for the local men.  This is their life.  Even worse, they are told that it is their duty - their calling.  They are married to the religion.  They never have a husband.  They may have children, but never stability.  And they must exploit themselves.

Some are also sold straight into prostitution.  They are either unwanted or uncared for.  They are just slaves, and they must do what they are told to survive.


I read about this at 15.  This broke my heart.  It planted a seed in my core, and it's grown into a passion for not only the girls in India, but internationally.


However, the seed is still there, and I still have a heart for girls in India.  That is why, eventually, we hope to adopt a little girl from India, specifically, if God provides.  

They are in danger, not only because of this religious cult, but because girls are seen as a burden to parents.  Sometimes they are abandoned at orphanages, sometimes they are blatantly sold straight into prostitution.  Some families even bury their little girls alive. 

Again, if you have read my blog, you know that this breaks my heart into a million pieces.  Especially the prostitution.  Especially the fact that they have no rights.  Especially because God calls us to care for those that cannot care for themselves, and not enough people are taking action.

Mary Ellen Mark is a photographer that took pictures of young Indian prostitutes in brothels.  Just a warning, if you go look at them, some are explicit (only because they're realistic).

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway with a Heart, especially if this breaks your heart...

Giveaway with a Heart

This giveaway is very close to my heart.  If you have read some of my posts, especially What's Your Beef?, you know that human trafficking and child prostitution are really huge issues for me that I would stop if I could!  

Well, I have found an amazing organization called NightLight International that rescues girls in and at risk of trafficking and prostitution in Thailand.  They also give them jobs to help them earn money and learn a different lifestyle.  And, guess what they do?  Make jewelry!  Actually, they have a business and teach the girls all different aspects.  Some learn to design jewelry, and some make it, and some learn the business side of it.  I love this idea, because they are not only doing something to help the girls get out of terrible situations, but they help them stay out, which is so effective!

I wanted to share this with all of you, because the jewelry is so great and the cause is so worthy.  I thought, what better way than to give away something to spread the word?

I'll be sending the winner some....

Beautiful Earrings

The winner can choose between these two:

Black and Jewel Toned Pearl Earrings

or

Multi-Tonal Pink and Cream Pearl Earrings

How to Enter:

Follow my blog, and tell me which earrings you would like.  (1 entry)

Check out NightLight's Store and let me know your favorite piece (1 entry)

Twitter about it and include @sarahannrogers so I know! (1 entry)

 Blog about this giveaway and the organization (3 entries)

Please spread the word!  What a great opportunity to support these girls!

Leave me comments letting me know what you have done so I can make sure to count all of your entries!  Also, if you don't have a blog I can contact you through, please leave your email address!  Thanks!

I will choose a winner:

Monday, March 29 at 7:00 pm (EST)

What's Your Beef?

This month, our 18-20something ministry (Genesis) is doing a series called "Beyond" that focuses on outreach.  We're super excited because Billy (my hubby) is interning there as the Outreach Coordinator.  Needless to say, this is our heart.  If you read my blog, you'll find many posts about it because it is a passion that just overwhelms our lives.
I believe that many passions stem from things that we want to see changed - things that we have a "beef" with.  For example, I have one big issue (with smaller issues that fall underneath) that I hate:

Bondage.  I hate oppression - spiritual and physical.  Since I was young, I have connected with this verse as if Jesus had spoken it right into my heart instead of Isaiah's:

This is the kind of fasting I want: free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you.  Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. (Isa. 58:6)

Underneath this, however, there are some specific things that I feel a burning passion to change:

Child Prostitution.  Even now, I feel my blood boiling.  Can you believe this little girl has been sold for unmentionable abuse?  I have researched lots of types of this, and it is just terrible.  I want to do everything I can to spread the word and to make a change.  International Justice Mission is my favorite organization so far because they work on the political side to help make a lasting difference.

Girls who believe lies.  This is something I didn't know until the past couple of years that does fall under bondage.  Lies are told to girls and women by their parents, fathers especially, boyfriends, friends, and themselves.  I hate to see a girl that is oppressed because she believes lies about herself.  One of my passions in writing, communicating, and specific personal relationships is to boldly help girls and women find God and learn that he can give them freedom and love that they won't find anywhere else.  I believe this with all my heart, and it comes from the hate I have inside for Satan's lies and oppression and bondage in the hearts and minds of women.

Religions that teach lies.  This is at the Basilica in Mexico City.  There is a large courtyard before you reach the very elaborate cathedral.  And if you look in the background of this picture, you'll find people on their knees.  Nope, they're not thanking God for his forgiveness through Christ, they're paying for their own.  They drag their knees, sometimes until they bleed, in penance for their own sins, totally taking away the freedom Christ already paid for.  This is not the only religion that requires followers to work hard for rightness with God; there are so many.  I want badly for them to know God's true freedom.

What's your beef?  

Where's your passion?