Hope. If I had to describe this fictional account which helped me to understand human trafficking, the word 'hope' would be the very best word to describe Barbed-Wire Butterflies.
Elani Benjamin's (main character) journey into a hellish existence helped me to become more passionate about praying for those who have lost their freedom - whether due to sexual trafficking or an existence in a sweat shop. I was educated and introduced in a gentle but riveting manner into the very real tragedy called human trafficking. The author described this atrocity through the eyes of one girl who was taken captive. Her will to survive was splayed with hope. Hope was what inspired her to create beautiful butterflies made with the most visible symbol of her captivity - barbed-wire.
Without being a spoiler, I was cheering, crying for her and touched by her willingness to be brave despite the the odds of her escape. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing her risk her own safety by befriending her cell mates and "den mom" and then the hero. Her friendships and faith in God are what kept her from losing her mind. She was blessed. Oh that many, many more would manipulate barbed-wire!!!
The author is clearly a faith-filled woman of God, but this book I believe is for secular as well as the Christian market. The faith message was subtle yet so powerful. I thought of the little girl in the red coat in Schindler's List whose red coat danced in front of a sepia toned background. Elani had hope. She clung to that hope.
I reflected often and wondered if I had ever been placed in that position, would I have the will to survive, the hope, the strength to endure? Personal reflection and conviction for taking my own freedom for granted at times were two other takeaways (besides the reminder of our choosing to have hope in all situations).
Halfway through reading Barbed-Wire Butterflies, I joined a human trafficking prayer group at Calvary Chapel Boca Raton. We meet Sunday morning at 8:00 am before service. I am moved to tears as we lift up men and women we do not know and may never meet. We pray not just for their freedom and their safety, but their salvation. We realize that someone somewhere may just be waking up from a hellish nite only to relive it all over again - and again - and again. Praying is what I can do. And hopefully more people will read Jessica Kristie's Barbed-Wire Butterflies and be inspired to get angry about the injustices and begin praying.
I was so inspired. I will never be the same after reading Barbed-Wire Butterflies. There is so much work to be done.
Author Of:
Jessica's Advocacy blog: http://jessicakristie.com/advocacy/
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Jessica Kristie for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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I followed the directions on the canister to make hot and cold tea. Holy yum! I preferred the cold tea. Living in South Florida, I am always looking for a refreshing way to hydrate without plain old boring agua by itself. Yes, I also drink plenty of lemon water, but I often have a craving for a sweeter, tastier drink- a change from the same old same old.
What I really appreciated about Republic of Tea's Superflower Watermelon Tea was the subtle flavor of sweet blackberry leaves. I do not like my refresher beverages to be too sweet. This tea had the perfect balance of tart, citrus and slightly sweet.
I also appreciated the inclusion of Stevia, which is a wonderfully healthy sweetener. The taste of watermelon was not as present as I had anticipated, but I viewed this as an opportunity to add a chunk or two to my cold tea instead of my usual slice of lemon.
I know this is kinda silly, but I was surprised to find round tea bags in the canister. Fun! Since this product is only made with sustainable ingredients, I know I can reuse the tea - paper and all, in my worm factory for vermiculture. Thanks Republic of Tea, for not using staples or a string. Less work for me to prepare the red wiggly worm daily meal. Less waste too.
There are 36 tea bags in the canister. The canister is reusable. It is so pretty. The canister has already become a fixture in my kitchen on a bookcase. It sits amongst the seed packets from my garden. I celebrate this product for so many reasons! This is a new product and $1 of each tin purchased will be donated to Action Against Hunger..
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Republic of Tea. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it!
Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product.
You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent.
Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.
The good folks at The Republic of Tea have graciously provided a comprehensive list of recipes we can test drive with tea! Tea is so wonderful for us to drink - - - so why not make a recipe with tea? Recipes.
Check out their fabulous gift shoppe and consider ordering tea today. $1.00 from every order goes to a wonderful charity. Also, their tea is Non-GMO, Fair-Trade Certification, Gluten-Free Certified, USDA Certified Organic, and Kosher Certified.
A Freebie For You.....
Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it!
Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product.
You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent.
Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.
