Pirate Princess Party - Part 3

And now for the finale!

 Let us take a moment and remember how we've come this far.  Two years ago, I asked my friends to bring with them to dinner an assortment of toiletries and gift items that could be assembled into bags for Redeemed Ministries.  I brought home a few shopping bags full of things.  Last year, I asked my friends to go shopping with me for items to put in similar gift bags for the same organization.  I'm glad I had help getting the trunk load of goodies home that night!  This year, I asked my friends to collect change to make a change.  Oh my goodness!  The result was amazing!

I have to share something, and I'm not just being all English teacher symbolic about this.  Maybe I am.  It is part of me.  As I was going through the change, I was amazed at the pieces.

First, the pennies were amazing!  My friends collected $30 in pennies!  A few pennies from a Sonic run for a happy hour cherry limeade doesn't seem like much until you add it together with everyone else's change.  Likewise, individually we can only do so much.  Together, we can do amazing and big things!  My friends amaze me every year that they indulge me in this adventure.

Next, the condition of the coins varied tremendously.  There was one coin that was so beat up that I'm not really sure it was a penny or even if it was from this country.  My hands were dirty from sifting through the coins because most of them had been through circulation a few times.  There were also some of the shiniest coins I've ever seen.  Did my friends just go to the bank and request a few rolls of coins just so they could fill up a bottle?  I have no idea.  Do you know people who are beat up?  Dirty?  Strangers to this country? Or still clean and brand new?  Redeemed Ministries takes care of those beat up and dirty women and some strangers too.  I'm working on the brand new people to let them know about human trafficking.  People need to know about it because it is often hidden.  People need to know so they can help stop it.  Young girls need to know so they don't get mixed up in it.

Finally, some of the coins were foreign.  I found one coin that is from the Philippines.  I will be honest and say that I kept that one because a dear friend just moved there with her husband to work at a seminary.  The problem of human trafficking is not just in the United States.  It is everywhere around the world.  I can't help them all, but I can help some.

When I asked the abolitionists at Redeemed Ministries what they need this year, I was told that they need help with their operating costs.  My friends came through with $800 for the ministry.  I couldn't have donated that much by myself.  I had the help of about 20 friends.  20 people more who are fighting against human trafficking than before.  $800 more than there was before to help the lives of women in the area
.

Those women are all valuable.  I am so thankful and amazed at the generosity of my friends.  Yes, I am claiming them with a zealous nature.  They are a powerful group of women!  I only wish we could have done more.  I can dream of next year and adding to the 20 to do more and be more!