Thank you for making a difference.

Everyday we are humbled by the gifts of people who give in order to bless the millions around the world who still hunger for food, freedom, families, and the love of Christ.  We think that there is no better expression of God's love than this, and we could not be more thankful for your support and for using your gifts and resources to show compassion to God's people around the world.  A huge thank you to Lauren and to many others who support such valuable work, we could not do it without you!  

Should we legalize the sex trade?

One question that we are occasionally asked to answer is whether or not we think it would be best to legalize the sex industry in order for ‘prostitutes’ to become ‘sex workers’ who have the “ability, social supports, and freedom to put themselves through school and/or turn to more lucrative careers?” 

When stated objectively this is a question which appears to be harmless enough...right?  However, when this question is actually fleshed out it becomes about as ironic as using the words ‘prostitute’ and ‘freedom’ in the same sentence... 

 Let’s start by asking a few questions: 

1.  If a man knocked on your door and offered you $20 to rape your 12-year-old daughter, would you find that to be a “normal” request that was no different than the solicitations of the vacuum cleaner salesmen or the Schwann’s man?   
2. If I were to offer you a career that had [on the low end] a 26% chance and [on the high end] a 73% chance of infecting you with the HIV/AIDS virus within a year, would you willingly agree to take it?1 
3. If I told you that this same career would offer you a 68% chance of contracting PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder], nearly DOUBLE that of the returning Iraqi war veterans would it increase your chances of “willing participation?2 
4. Would you find it “normal” if you witnessed a person approaching a poverty-stricken mother of three in order to demand sex from her on the street?  

If you answered “no” to any of these questions than you see the horrible inconsistency in a belief that legalizing an oppressive industry might be a “benefit” to anyone involved other than perhaps those who wish to prey upon the weak and profit at the expense of the oppressed.  

To sum up our response.  While we appreciate your concern for these women’s access to social supports, and medical benefits we would ask that you force yourself to think through the irony of such a question.  At one moment, it acknowledges the humanity and dignity of these women in its assertion that they should have access to healthcare, benefits, education.  Then, it turns immediately around and totally objectifies women and children as “things which might be had by the highest bidder.”  This is an issue that we speak strongly about because it is our belief at International Crisis Aid that the answer to the problem of the sex industry is not to legalize it, but rather combat it holistically. 

True Thanksgiving!

"I will give thanks with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds."

This Thanksgiving the staff of International Crisis Aid would like to join you in saying to thanks to God for the beauty of each and every life that has known the pleasure of His steadfast love and kindness through the acts and generosity of His people this year.  Your efforts, prayers, and willingness to extend love have made a huge difference in lives like the one below:

ICA President Pat Bradley holds a child prior to her being enrolled in our feeding program. 

Two months after entering ICA's feeding program.  

We cannot possibly express to you the depth of our gratitude for all that you do to make miracles like this possible everyday, so THANK YOU and Happy Thanksgiving from the the entire family here at International Crisis Aid!

A THANK YOU FROM ETHIOPIA

As the "Thanksgiving season" rolls around we want to keep the gratitude flowing and tell YOU thank you for all that you do to make thank you letters like this one from the Ethiopian churches possible:  

Below is a picture of the church leaders gathered to pray on the land that will soon house International Crisis Aid's hospital for Ethiopian residents.  Your partnership and prayers join with the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Angatcha to make healthcare an available option for many!  

Thank you for your generosity, your partnership makes it possible for International Crisis Aid to extend hope and mercy to millions each year.  Truly, we could not do it without you thank you for choosing to be a blessing!  

Sex Trafficking Music Video

Thank you to all those who have worked to produce this beautiful music video about human trafficking and child slavery. Take No Glory wrote "Beautiful Slave" after reading a true story of a little girl that was trafficked and forced to be a child sex slave. We hope and pray this song will bring awareness about the issue of trafficking so that we can unite to do something about it.  

Interested in partnering with International Crisis Aid's efforts to end trafficking?  Consider hosting a fundraiser, or emailing us to see how you can be involved!  

You can download the song from their site for free at:  http://www.TakeNoGlory.com

Welcome Back from Ethiopia!

ICA's team returned this past weekend from an incredible trip to Ethiopia and want to express their gratitude to all the people who supported their trips and made the work possible!  You are an invaluable part of the work that God is doing in Ethiopia and we are thankful for your generosity in making this trip a possibility.  

Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and has an incredibly interesting history of development.  We won't bore you with that for now, but if you are interested in expanding your horizons a bit, the US State Department provides a thorough, but brief breakdown of Ethiopian history and culture HERE.

The trip consisted of constructing a playground at the orphanage, building a fence around the facility to keep the girls who are permanent residents safe, visiting the Red Light District where thousands of women and children are forced into the sex trafficking industry in Ethiopia, and spending time with the women whom ICA has successfully rescued from a life of trafficking with the SAFE program.  Here are a few brief reports and a video from Jennifer Jones, Program Director for International Crisis Aid:

"We spent most of the time Wednesday and Thursday working at our Orphanage. ICA currently has 17 little girls ages 5 to 12 that are all total orphans, meaning they have lost both mom and dad to HIV-AIDS.The team built a playground for the girls. They now have two slides and four swings. What was amazing was many of them had to be taught how to “play” as they had never seen these things before coming to ICA’s orphanage. 

The team also started building the fence that will protect these little girls. Until now, we have had a temporary fence, but now, we have begun constructing the metal fence which will have sharp points on the top. The team worked great with the local Ethiopians. Some passersby saw us working and stopped to help."  

"On Tuesday night, after the long drive back from Angacha, we took the team to visit the girls in one of our SAFE Homes. I was able to share with the team about sex trafficking and ICA’s SAFE Program. They met the girls, toured the home and vocational training rooms, and gave gifts to the girls. The girls also set up a table and sold some of the items they had been learning to make through vocational training. They were so proud!

We wanted the team to see the Red Light District, but didn’t feel it was safe enough to take them inside. Instead, we just drove along the perimeter of one of the outer streets late Wednesday night. That alone was enough for them to see more than they could handle. We spent maybe 10-15 minutes driving and in that time saw hundreds of young girls forced into the sex slave industry. It was a cold night and these girls were half naked, standing in doorways and all along the streets—just waiting for their next “client”. The “red lights” shone down on their faces, revealing the reflection of brokenness." 

Thank you for taking the time to support the work of International Crisis Aid!  

International Crisis Aid in the News.

Here at International Crisis Aid we are constantly aware that we have been blessed with an extraordinary staff, but it is always nice to know that you think so too!  Some of you probably remember our earlier post about Ethiopian medical director, Dr. Henok.  Dr. Henok recently visited the United States for a special presentation at Life Christian Church.  [To read that post, click HERE.] 

Dr. Henok serves as the medical director for International Crisis Aid's medical programs, and his wife Betty serves as our Ethiopian country director. Together, the two have proven to be an invaluable resource to the work of that International Crisis Aid is doing to bring clean water, medical assistance, homes, and restoration to the residents of Ethiopia.

During his recent visit to the United States, journalist John Grap of the Battle Creek Enquirer was able to interview Dr. Henok about his ongoing work in Ethiopia and hear a little bit more about what his work means to him.  The article is below, so please give it a read and then give a big shout out to John for taking the time to brag about the work that Dr. Henok and International Crisis Aid are doing in Ethiopia!

Snapshots: Ethiopian doctor has faith to face severe problems

John Grap
The Enquirer

Two years ago. when I chronicled the work of two International Crisis Aid mission teams in Ethiopia. I had the privilege of meeting many great people. Among them was Dr. Henok Gebre Hiwot.

An OB-GYN physician by training, in Ethiopia and Germany, the 46-year old directs ICA's medical operations in his native country. Prior to this he directed a project whose aim of which was to prevent the spread of the HIV-AIDS virus from mothers to children.

Dr. Henok lived and worked in Israel for 14 years, where he also met his wife Betty. They were married in Haifa on Mount Carmel in Israel, and they have four children: Hila, Chenniel, Sasson and Yael.

Recently I had an opportunity to visit with Dr. Henok during only his second visit ever to the United States. He provided me with an update on ICA's operations in Ethiopia.

The non-profit has opened an orphanage in Sebeta, a town just outside the capital city of Addis Abeba, for children who've lost their parents due to HIV-AIDS. Currently there are 20 children in the orphanage.

In the capital city, the organization continues to work with orphans and with women who have been rescued from prostitution. Forty-one girls and women are living in five homes that the organization supports. When they are rescued they need a lot of pastoral care and other help. "What we can't do for the girls the Holy Spirit takes care of the rest," he says.

In Angacha, a city the size of Kalamazoo, the government turned over a part-time clinic in the area to ICA last year. The clinic has been transformed to a full-time operation, staffed by a doctor, nurses, a midwife, and other staff. Where the clinic used to see treat five people a day the staff can now treat almost 120.

The clinic, the only medical facility in the area, provides service to almost 200,000.

Last year the rains failed in Angacha and Dr. Henok says he found approximately 4,000 malnourished children and families. This year the situation is better.

However, in the neighboring area of Katchabira, workers this year have found 1,900 severely malnourished children.

"I've seen severely malnourished kids in Angacha, but when I saw the ones in Katchabira this year I was really shocked. I know the problem as a doctor. This time it shocked me to the core of my existence," he said.

I asked my friend why Americans, with all the problems we have, should care about people in Ethiopia.

"I will say two things. First of all, there are enough problems here (in the United States), beyond the capacity. But when you come to Ethiopia, or countries like it, the problems are more severe. They are questions of life and death," he said.

Sitting outside a small shopping center in suburban St. Louis, Dr. Henok closed out a meeting with a prayer.

"Thank you, Lord. My feet are set here, in this nation, this big and great nation. I would like to thank you, oh God. You've reminded us, the last few years, about America, something we haven't realized before. You have brought and set up this nation not only for Americans, but for the greater world.

"I can't imagine, Lord, this world without America. We've gone through communism in Ethiopia and other parts of the world. Thank you for bringing America into the picture and for making it a blessing for many. Keep watch on this nation and what's going on. I thank you for all that you've done."

John Grap can be reached at jgrap@battlecr.gannett.com.

As always...we'd love your partnership in our work.  You can donate to International Crisis Aid by using the "DONATE NOW" button on the right side of your screen, or by clicking HERE. 

Is Anything Too Hard For God?

And, the answer remains..."nothing is too hard for God."  It has always been true, and this morning as International Crisis Aid had the pleasure of attending Life Christian Church, it continues to be true!  As ICA has committed to bringing hope to the hopeless they have been blessed with many opportunities to see the provision of God for His people in some very tangible, miraculous ways!  This morning, God provided very powerfully through the congregation of Life Christian Church.  

ICA's Ethiopia Medical Director, Dr. Henok.

Life Christian Church is a congregation of faith-filled individuals in Saint Louis whose love for God and desire to extend the love of Christ to a broken world is evident.  After a time of worship and prayer, Pastor Rick Shelton took the stage and shared stories and vision from his recent trip to Ethiopia with International Crisis Aid President, Pat Bradley.  After   he shared with the congregation, Pastor Rick introduced special guests Pat Bradley and ICA's Ethiopian Medical Director Dr. Henok to the congregation.  The remainder of the morning was spent in conversation with these two men about the work that God is doing in Ethiopia through ICA.  Life Christian then committed to partnering with the work that ICA is doing in Ethiopia in some very miraculous ways.  

ICA President Pat Bradley displays a bottle of drinking water from Ethiopia.

The first commitment that they made was to support the ICA's commitment to bring fresh drinking water to the more than 200,000 residents of Angatcha, Ethiopia who currently lack access to it.  By committing to a project entitled "Legacy Well" they will donate wells in honor of lost loved ones in order to see 85 wells added to International Crisis Aid's existing 15 well project. The first well will be given in memory of Pastor Rick's father, and upon completion of the 85th well, the region will be among the first in the region to be declared as having 100% access to clean water by the United Nations.

Watching a video about ICA's rescue work in the Red Light District of Ethiopia.

The next opportunity was announced as the congregation watched a video which highlighted International Crisis Aid's commitment to rescuing and rehabilitating young women and girls who have fallen into s*xual slavery in the red light district of Ethiopia.  In partnership with the homes that International Crisis Aid currently operates, Life Christian Church has agreed to fund an additional home for women who have been rescued -- an incredible blessing considering an estimated 150,000 women await rescue from s*x trafficking in this region of Ethiopia alone!

Pat Bradley and Dr. Henok rejoice in the announcement of Life Christian's partnership to a hospital that will serve 2 MILLION Ethiopians who currently lack access to advanced medical care.And finally Life Christian Church committed to partnership in a multi-million dollar hospital, surgical ward, and medical training center that the Ethiopian government approached ICA about constructing after witnessing their commitment to excellence at a local clinic. Ethiopia has already granted the land to ICA and progress on what will be the ONLY hospital and surgical ward for more than 2 MILLION people in the region will soon begin. ICA is extremely thankful to the generosity and faith of the congregation at Life Christian Church for believing that God will indeed build His house if we commit our resources to building His!

Truly, a wonderful morning and we are grateful for the generosity of the body of Christ as we work together in partnership to bring encouragement and relief to those who need it most! 

If you would like to contribute to the work, you can also donate by clicking HERE. 

You can listen to the service here: 

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Ethiopia

Ethiopia has the poorest human development indicators in the world with more than three-quarters of the population living on less than $1 per day!  

Check out this video to get an idea of the work that International Crisis Aid is doing to end famine and sex trafficking in Ethiopia.  We are excited for you to join the work that ICA is doing as we seek to bring relief to those who are suffering in Ethiopia and around the world. 

For more information on where ICA works, click on COUNTRY PROFILES.

Click HERE to donate to the work that ICA is doing in Ethiopia!