The Current

Just three short months ago, I experienced one of the happiest days of my life when I married my best friend and husband! It was a beautiful day, filled with laughter, tears of joy and gratefulness for the incredible support and love that our family and friends showered on us. I will never forget the advice that a close family friend gave us, “When times get tough in years to come, never forget that you have found what the entire world is looking for.”

Dan and I often contemplate the special gift that we have found in the unconditional love of one another. Over the couple of years since we met, we have already experienced a variety of trials and have determined that we will never give up - that we will walk through life together, hand in hand. Unfortunately, there are countless people across the globe that have never known and may never know this kind of love - unless we do something about it.

We share a passion to fight the injustices of human trafficking and are active advocates for freedom for our national and global neighbors in captivity. A few months before the wedding, Dan and I reviewed our guest list and realized that we would have the opportunity to share our passion with a captive audience. Instead of providing wedding favors to our guests, we decided to ask our guests to help us make a potentially life-changing difference for others! The IJM Government Relations & Advocacy team gladly assisted us by sending a package in the mail, full of postcards for the latest Congressional Postcard Challenge. The postcards were of no cost to us, yet could make a world of difference in the campaign to encourage our nation’s leadership to stand for freedom!

Following a lovely ceremony, photography, first dance, and special toasts, we borrowed the microphone for a few moments as bride and groom. We expressed gratitude to our guests and went on to describe some of the tragedies that many are facing, as well as the real difference that IJM is making for biblical justice. We emphasized the practical value that each signature would provide and challenged each individual to take part in the cause! The response was overwhelmingly positive. Family, friends, coworkers and so many others were educated on the issue and solution and were immediately given the opportunity to advocate for justice! Simple, yet life-changing!

It may take some “out of the box” imagination, but there are so many opportunities around us to utilize everyday activities as well as special events in order to educate others on the issue of human trafficking and how they can make a real difference, one life at a time! Together, more lives and hearts can be touched by the truth that they are loved and that someone does indeed care. Thank you, IJM, for inspiring us to stand for justice in our world and for providing tools to bring others alongside us in the unwavering cause for freedom.