What I am passionate about...

Founded in 1997, International Justice Mission began operations after a group of human rights professionals, lawyers and public officials launched an extensive study of the injustices witnessed by overseas missionaries and relief and development workers. This study, surveying more than 65 organizations and representing 40,000 overseas workers, uncovered a nearly unanimous awareness of abuses of power by police and other authorities in the communities where they served. Without the resources or expertise to confront the abuse and to bring rescue to the victims, these overseas workers required the assistance of trained public justice professionals.

When the poor are hungry, homeless or alienated, the Church has come to their aid by providing food, shelter and missionaries to meet the pressing needs. But when the poor have been oppressed, treated unjustly and suffered under the hand of someone more powerful, little was done on their behalf.

Accordingly, IJM was established to help fill this void, acting as an organization that stands in the gap for victims when they are left without an advocate. IJM staff members (human rights experts, attorneys and law enforcement professionals) receive case referrals from, and work in conjunction with, other non-governmental organizations and casework alliances abroad.


I believe that this is part of our mandate as Christians. In Isaiah 1:17 it says, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” This organization is accomplishing just that. I hope to get involved with IJM sometime in the near future. I wish I could just quit school & go right now... but God knows what He's doing, so I must be patient. :)

Sometimes you just need to run away.... to the BEACH. :)

"Oceans will part, Nations come at the whisper of Your call" ~Hillsong

Where Has Summer Gone?

The past few months have just flown by. My summer was amazing. It was spent site-seeing, sipping coffee, eating great food, & studying… oh yeah, did I mention this all took place in OXFORD! : ) Yes, this summer I went out of the U.S. for the first time. This experience truly opened my eyes not only to different cultures, but also to the call that God has on my life (I'll expound in a later blog). If you are thinking about studying abroad with Regent, I would definitely recommend it. It is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture, while also being given the opportunity to meet great people and be challenged academically.

Fall classes have started once again, for some crazy reason I've decided to take extra classes this session. It hasn't been very gracious on my social life, but that's ok. It's going by fast, already 1/4 way through this semester. Life is good and so is God. Until next time…

Alicia

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Here are some pics from this summer...