Pearl Alliance

Heart, not actions.

2010-06-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

God showed me something really cool yesterday, and I wanted to share it with you. It is simple, but here is it…

When we are focused on our actions, we will always have ulterior motives.

Isn’t that brilliant? God does not want us to focus on our actions because it leads way to pride, legalism, insecurity, doubt, worry, stress, etc. Instead, we are to focus on our heart! When we believe in God and give him our heart, our actions line up.

Never focus on the fruit. Focus on the seed. One seed produces many fruit. When we try to alter our actions, it is it is like trying to care of all the fruits hanging on a tree. Our heart represents the seed. If we give it to God and let him care for it, we will naturally produce good fruit and only have to care for one thing.

In my own life, I have learned that when I try to focus on my actions, I end up doing way worse than if I would have just given up control to God. Not only that, but I am normally focusing on my actions because I am being driven by pride or fear. When I give control to God, I do amazing because it is God doing good in me.

If you want to learn more about this, read Galatians. And if you want to cliff notes version, read Titus 1 or Romans 7-8.

Food for thought,

Austin Bevere

Tag. You're It!

2010-05-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

God has a way of taking our selfish desires and transforming them into a radical passion, giving Him glory. Our desires, selfishly focused, will only benefit ourselves. But when we surrender to God our plans and ambitions, He is able to multiply our lives in a way that not only blesses us, but those around us.

When I was younger, I used to have a two-month countdown leading up to my birthday. I would notify my family on a continual basis about my birthday and remind them of the list of presents I was expecting. My list consisted of things like clothes, toys, spy gear, a monkey and a baby sister (sadly, the monkey and baby sister never appeared). I was such a birthday fanatic that my family called me the ‘birthday girl’ during the entire month of June. I always wanted to extend the celebration as long as possible. Little did I know that God was about to crash my parties for good!

Last year, my spirit shifted. It started when I took a step of faith: I responded to the cries of the enslaved. I can remember the day so well when I viewed Pearl Alliance’s thirty-second video about child trafficking. My heart was moved and compelled to respond. That day, I laid down my selfish desires and offered them to God, allowing Him to re-create my desire into radical passion for justice all for His glory.

On my 19th birthday, I decided to do something beyond myself. Instead of my usual birthday extravaganza, I created a human trafficking awareness night and rallied my friends and family to take action. In place of gifts, I asked everyone to donate to Pearl Alliance. During the celebration, we wrote letters to the children who live in a rescue home in Thailand. By the end of the night, we all were filled with such a joy, knowing our simple acts were changing the world. (See video)

Almost a year later, God has taken my selfish pursuits and transformed them into a force of hope, life, and rescue. My heart for justice has only grown bigger and as my 20th birthday approaches. I am ready to allow God to increase once again.
A challenge is before me. The Lord has laid it upon my heart to surrender the entire month of June for the purpose of bringing home His children. Across Florida, I am setting out on a mission to awaken the local church in taking strategic action against human trafficking.

I will be touring with the Traveling Art Gallery (a.k.a. the TAG Team) of Studio 31:8, a Gainesville based coalition of artists who are raising funds and awareness through art depicting hope, rescue, and restoration. The TAG Team’s mission is to instill a vision for local outreach while providing an opportunity for global rescue. The proceeds of the tour will benefit the building of a rescue home in the Saang province of Cambodia. (For more info about the tour, visit the Studio 31:8 Facebook page)

In addition to this adventure, I am on a quest to inspire individuals everywhere to join in on the movement. I will be playing a game of tag, so to speak. The game begins on June 1st and ends on the 26th, my birthday, with a finale fundraiser to end the tour.

You have just been tagged. Now it is your turn to jump in the game! Run with me by giving God your desires for Him to multiply into a simple action that will change the world.

Your it!

Esther

A well timed letter

2010-04-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Austin Bevere here. I hope you are enjoying the last few days of April. I actually just finished all my school projects yesterday, and it is great to have those done. Now, all I have to do is finals!

One of our Pearl Alliance supporters, Jackie, wrote to me earlier today. She received a fantastic revelation from God, and I believe what she has to say is quite profound. I would love to share what she said with you:

“I was praying for Pearl Alliance this morning and felt really strong that God was asking a question to everyone who is involved in Pearl Alliance. I do not wish to come across harsh at all, but I really felt God’s heart on this issue.

Here is the question I felt God was asking:

Are you doing this (fighting human trafficking) for me and because it breaks my heart to see my children in bondage? Or are you doing this for yourself, just because you feel bad for the victims?

After hearing this, I felt as if I had to present some questions…

Are we operating out of human compassion or out of Jesus' compassion? Both are important, but if what we do is not as unto the Lord, then our works are empty.

Also, are we so in love with our Maker that we are willing to do anything and everything we can to stop what is constantly hurting Him over and over?

When we learn about these injustices, our hearts fill with compassion for the victims and we feel terrible. Our response is to do something about it that makes us feel better, but there is something deeper than that. There is a love of the Father that we can come to know that compels us to do what we do. Anything that we try to do in our own strength will only fail.

I believe that what Pearl Alliance is doing pleases the heart of God. I pray that everyone else could grasp this reality, for their sakes and for Jesus' sake. I don’t know if I can just confront someone with this, it has to be done in the heart. Does that make sense?

-Jackie”

This is absolutely brilliant. God’s love enables us to live a life of love and compassion that will far surpass any notion of justice we can invoke by ourselves. However, Gods love happens on an individual level. Not only does God love the world as a whole, but also individuals. Pearl Alliance exists to show this to people who have been victimized by human trafficking.

As human beings, our desire for justice often fluctuates on a daily basis, but God’s love is everlasting and unfailing. On whose strength should we lean? Let me say this: I know that if I lean on my own desire to see justice brought to human trafficking, I will fall flat on my face. The ability to understand justice all starts with a revelation of God’s love. From there, we take this unfailing love and show it to the world.

All for love,

Austin

Strategies for the Every Day World-Changer

2010-04-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

When we see a desperate need in the world, our internal reaction is commonly a single-minded response. Our thoughts go directly to the area of finances, and these thoughts sadly dissolve due to a lack of immediate funds. This mindset paralyzes our ability to think beyond our bank accounts, leaving no room for the power of God to expand our capacity to give.

If we are to be used by God to reach into this world and set the captives free, we are going to have to fully rely on the power of God to take us there. God is a creative God who has made us in his likeness and placed His Spirit within us to walk, talk, think and move like Him! I firmly believe, if we want to see change in this world, we must tap into this creative power and apply it to every area of life!

I would like to stir up your creative juices with a few ideas on how you can be an amazing world-changer by using your gifts and talents to meet the needs of others!

Questions to ask yourself:
• What do I have in my house that I can give to God for Him to multiply?
• What do I have in my hand that I can create?
• What do I have in my heart that I can speak out?

Other things to keep in mind:
• Who is in your world of influence/connections that you can team up with?
• What are you willing to sacrifice?

Some creative fundraising ideas:
• Host a yard sale and ask people to donate.
• Have people donate cakes and cookies and host a Cake Walk.
• Have a fashion show and charge admission- educate your guests on sweat shop slavery. See our Pearl Alliance Apparel
• Host a concert with local bands.
• Host a benefit dinner or masquerade with music (preferably from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack :)
• Get your friends together and make jewelry to sell on www.Etsy.com
• Have an art party with your friends and auction off the art at the end.
• Host an outdoor movie night and screen your favorite human trafficking documentaries.
• Host a 5K race for your church or local community.
• Have a change war with your youth group or school.
• Go to your local coffee shop and ask to host an awareness night about fair trade coffee and chocolate.

There are so many ways that we can get creative and lend our strengths to rescue life. Let’s shake off this paralysis of the mind by allowing God to remove all boundaries so that we can live this life passionately for God and loving people!

-Esther

The Significance of Influence

2010-04-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

You have a voice! You can make a difference! You are an answer! These are all valuable truths. But beyond believing this for ourselves, we must allow it to empower us to reach into our sphere of influence and reflect all attention on those in great need- so that together we may bring the solution!

I get excited when I hear about others who have recognized the value in where they have been positioned. These world-changers are rising up to take action with what God has gifted them. It is my heart that we may all come to this understanding and allow the word of truth to remove the veil from our eyes, that we may see the significance of our influence.

People all around the world are awakening to the call to battle against the giant of human trafficking! It is very much a spiritual warfare, but the wounds of this battle are external. We must see the importance of running to the aid of those physically bruised and held captive.

Many times I encounter individuals who inquire about the injustice of human trafficking, and their response is a lingering, “I will keep it in prayer.” I am not downplaying the importance of prayer. It is absolutely imperative. Rather, I am saying that sometimes this is just a polite way of getting out of an uncomfortable conversation and this wimpy response is due to a lack of true compassion.

When the sick came unto Jesus seeking their healing, the Bible tells us that He had compassion on them. This was the motivating factor that caused Him to reach out and touch them, and immediately they received their healing. Notice that Jesus did not respond with a sympathetic, “I will pray for you.” Instead, the compassion He possessed caused Him to align His faith with corresponding action. Truly, faith without deeds is dead.

Someone once told me, “Compassion is not feeling sorry. It is being so moved by a need that you put a demand on the power of God to meet that need!” True compassion dares you to be bold and dangerous; it is the power to love beyond yourself.
I firmly believe that Pearl Alliance is not just another non-profit organization. It is the light of truth shining in the darkness. It is an apparatus, a network of individuals whose hearts are turned toward heaven.

Pearl Alliance was created because we, too, have felt the weight of injustice and compassion would not allow us to remain silent. We exist to provide opportunities for people all over the world to be part of fulfilling this amazing rescue mission by becoming an active part of the alliance.

I challenge you to join your light with ours as we uncover treasure out of darkness. May you see the significance of your voice, your gifts, and your influence; and may your response be one that changes the world and marks eternity!

Be a Voice,

Esther

P.S. For more information about how you can lend your strength email Austin at austin@pearlalliance.org.

A Chance to Dream

2010-03-12T10:28:00.000-08:00

When I recently went with LIFE Outreach to Cambodia, I was able to visit the SHE Rescue home. I spent the afternoon with Leigh Ramsey and the amazing team at SHE. It was beyond exciting to finally meet these precious daughters who have been in our hearts for a while now.

I saw firsthand what your generosity is accomplishing there.

I watched the girls as they came in from school, ready with big smiles and hugs. One little girl- she couldn’t have been more than seven- took me by the hand and led me from room to room, making certain I met each of the girls.

Can I just say? These girls are lovely. The home was immaculate and well organized; the staff was attentive, professional and nurturing.

If I didn’t know these little ones had been rescued from trafficking and high-risk situations, I would never have guessed it. They seemed more like a collection of hopeful, delightful princesses. Each one was so very thankful for the chance to dream rather than continue to live in a nightmare.

They proudly showed me their rooms. Each room had three bunks swathed in pink that slept five girls and one room mother. They smiled openly as I pretended to take pictures of them. I couldn’t actually take their photos because to do so might put them at risk. But you can picture them as I do; smiling and giggling with arms open wide.

I also saw the hairdressing station, which your gifts to Pearl Alliance provided. Here the older girls who are attending beauty school regularly practice their skills. I wonder if any of you have any idea what your gifts have done. You have brought hope and light back to the eyes of daughters who had only known despair…thank you for caring so deeply.

With Love,
Lisa Bevere

City Alive

2010-02-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

Almost three weeks ago, on Sunday, February 7, one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year took place in my hometown, Miami, FL. Yes, that’s right, the great American Super Bowl XLIV graced us with the privilege of hosting the beautiful game and all its glorious fans.

As a resident of this lively city I have become accustomed to the many festivals, season games, and large events that attract an influx of tourism and wild parties on the outskirts of town. Such events are well advertised, in the notorious South Beach area, to bring in the business for hotels, restaurants, retailers and nightclubs.

Beyond this social upper class party scene there is a filthy untold secret that is both revolting and unjustifiably well kept. As prepared as I was for the traffic jams and out-of-towners to invade my city, I was not prepared to discover that sex traffickers would be traveling from out of state with a substantial amount of girls to meet the increased demand of transient men looking for sex.

The day before the big game, I participated in an outreach with local and out of state organizations that executed awareness and rescue missions. The volunteers worked 24/7 in the areas predominantly known for soliciting sex. They talked to hotel and business employees hoping to find possible leads on traffickers.

As I walked the streets of my city, weaving in and out of hotels and gas stations, I held a flyer with the word “missing” bannered above a picture of a girl two years younger than myself. Next to her digitally aged face read a brief description of her body type and the date when she was last seen. My eyes teared up as I realized this girl could be held as a sex slave in my neighborhood and I would have never known. All of a sudden, those staggering numbers of brothels and traffickers in foreign countries, blended with the place that I call home and my city came alive.

The fact of the matter is prostitution is viewed as voluntary not alarming. It’s easy to call her a prostitute; it’s easy to believe human trafficking occurs ‘somewhere over there’; it’s easy to be aware and talk about the statistics and facts- but if we don’t value her as made in the image of God, if we don’t open our eyes and look for injustice on our street corners, if we don’t apply prayer, faith, hope, love and action to all of our worked up emotions, then we are worse off than before we knew she was out there.

This is not a social justice project; this is the call of the body of Christ! We are the hands and feet God chooses to move through. You are valuable and you are needed!

During the weekend of our Super Bowl outreach, six girls were rescued off the streets, five were saved from near recruitment of pimps and nine leads on incriminating traffickers were provided to the FBI for further investigation. Let us be encouraged by this victory and continue to keep fighting for the enslaved both far off and here at home.

-Esther

Merchant of Pearls

2010-01-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely amazed by the strategic hand of our awesome God. There are no mistakes, coincidences or chance happenings when it comes to the Kingdom of heaven. This has become a great reality to me as the Holy Spirit has uncovered the underlying beauty at work within Pearl Alliance. It is easy to overlook the fingerprint of God in the details of our life, but if we fix our eyes on His word, the light of truth, we are able to see His master plan.

After securing the name for Pearl Alliance the team discovered that Cambodia is known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’. This was the first of many confirmations that God is fighting for us. This sparked excitement in me because I knew God was calling us into something great! I began researching the development of pearls and made a remarkable discovery.

I found that Pearls are distinct from other gems in that they are entirely created by a living organism. It takes several years for natural pearls to fully develop in their environment, but manmade pearls have been forced to grow at a rapid pace. Due to the high demand of consumers most pearls on the market are artificially created. Both of these kinds of pearls are beautiful and bedazzling, but only the natural pearl is pure and priceless.

The Holy Spirit has painted a metaphor for us as a visual. Pearls are viewed as a symbol of purity, of high value and rarity. We, as children of God, have been made priceless by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and are much like the natural pearl, being nurtured in the environment of the love of God. The young women and children who are being trafficked are like the artificial pearl, having been devalued and robbed of their priceless worth because of the high demand for money, power and sex.

This revelation is astounding and confirms Gods strategic plan in this ministry. I believe He is calling us to sound the trumpet, rally the army of His people and fight on behalf of those held captive. A great passion for justice is stirring in the hearts of many and this is the hour we are called to arise and take action. It is time for us to seek out cultured pearls and recover treasure out of darkness! We may not be able to take man made pearls and make them priceless. But the healing power of God can take a fallen daughter and make her whole, pure, rare and priceless by the blood.

Upon receiving this amazing revelation God winked at me one last time as He reminded me that my birthstone is a pearl and I smiled in amazement at the detailed hand of my heavenly Father.

God is amazingly strategic and I believe He has divinely placed you in partnership with Pearl Alliance. Let us continue to fight for freedom and allow the Holy Spirit to continue to uncover the pearls hidden in our backyard.

-Esther

For such a time as this

2009-11-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

I thank God for people who know where they are called and who are bold enough to stay rooted where God has planted them. It is because of faithful people like this that God is able to use them to speak life and vision into those around them and also awaken callings in others. No doubt this is true in my own life and it is because of the team behind Pearl Alliance that I have identified with the call God has placed on my life.

It was 10 months ago that God rocked my world and changed my life forever. I came across the Pearl Alliance web page and made the most heartbreaking discovery: every 30 seconds a child is enslaved. Staring at the screen in front of me, my heart so broken, tears running down my cheeks, I was appalled that this was happening in my world and I had no idea. The Spirit of God spoke to me and confirmed that I was called to fight for His children and serve this ministry. A passion in me ignited and I immediately took action and emailed Austin to find out how I could get involved. To show God that I was truly committed I became a monthly partner and invested in a laptop so that I would be able to research and further educate myself.

Now months later as I search my email archives for the very first letter I wrote that day God so clearly spoke to me, I am reminded again of His faithfulness. It has been quite the journey since first emailing Austin. I didn’t have a clue about where to start, but Austin encouraged me to seek God and always told me, “Prayer will give your passion purpose.” He was absolutely right! As I prayed God poured out His creative inspiration and showed me how to reach my community.

Since my involvement with Pearl Alliance I have hosted 5 fundraiser’s, created a 30 second timer with Human Trafficking facts and Pearl Alliance information, shared with a group of university students about my involvement, told all my friends and family about the cause and issue, donated my birthday to expose the injustice and asked my friends to donate to Pearl Alliance, hosted a yard sale and movie night, seized countless opportunities to share my heart with people everywhere, and I am still as fired up as ever to fight on behalf of those whose voice has been silenced.

I am completely overwhelmed with thanksgiving as I look back on these past 10 months. God’s grace has carried me to a level of influence that I never imagined possible. Recently I had the privilege of meeting some of the Pearl Alliance team and founder. The hands and heart behind this organization are beautiful compassionate servants and they each inspire me in every way. I can’t help but smile when I think about how it all began and how far God has brought me.

I have received a few emails from people who are inspired by what I am doing and who are passionate and want to take action too. This brings me such joy because I know how they feel. It was not more than 10 months ago that I sent my first email inquiring about my own call of action. And so I always email back echoing the words of a great person that once told me, “Prayer will give your passion purpose.”
Pearl Alliance Partners be encouraged this day and know that you are a part of a ministry that is changing the world, making a difference locally, and awakening the call of God in hearts and lives around the world. My story is proof that God can truly use any heart that is willing and obedient.

I am reminded of the words of Mordecai in the book of Esther as he stirred up the call of God in her life by reminding her that she had been placed in the palace for that specific moment. Know that you too hold the ability to inspire and awaken the calling in someone else’s life. If you haven’t acted yet, don’t hesitate- you have been called to be a world changer for such a time as this.

Sincerely... Esther

Do we want to go & cry? or pray, send & rescue?

2009-11-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

When I think of my trip to Mumbai, India, I am even now haunted by the image of a far too young mother begging us to take her eight-year-old daughter. The mother was trapped in a brothel after being trafficked from her village in her early teens. She gave birth to her daughter at fourteen. Enslaved for nearly a decade, she’d abandoned all hope for her rescue and yet she cherished one for her daughter.
“Please, please take her! Take her before they take her!”The mother’s heart within me broke. I have four sons and recently became a grandmother. I write today because I want to know the legacy we leave will be truly grand. I want a world where children are not trafficked. I am passionate because I’ve not only heard—I’ve seen—and now, friends for life, I am honored to share this passion with you.

How can we not reach out and rescue rather than simply cry over this issue? All want to go, but who will give? There are God-empowered, strategically placed people in these dark places who need our support if these children are to be rescued.

We are His hands and feet. Let no more children be bought, sold, consumed or demanded; may all living in hopeless shadows be rescued.
I pray this breaks your heart wide and gives you the courage to reach out and rescue by giving generously.

Thank you,

Lisa Bevere

Lisa on Life Today....

2009-10-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Sonia Update

2009-10-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

This month, Lisa Bevere appeared on the television show, Life Today. The particular episode featuring Lisa was completely devoted to the problem of human trafficking. Hidden camera clips were shown of Lisa in the brothels of Mumbai during last July. While in the brothels, Lisa was able to meet an eight year old girl named Sonia. Sonia is the daughter of a prostitute who has been living in the same room for years. This little child would hide under her mom’s bed, while her mom was forced to service many clients each day. Due to limited space, Life Today was not able to rescue Sonia during the time that the footage was taken for the show.

Last week, we received a call informing us Sonia had been rescued from this horrible lifestyle! Currently, Sonia is safe in a children’s orphanage. Praise the Lord!! Please continue to pray for Sonia’s mom, Sema, and that she gets rescued. Over 90% of the children of the prostitutes in Mumbai end up being forced into sex slavery themselves. Thank you for doing your part to reject this statistic!

Click here to watch the video of Sonia on Life Today.

Rescue in Cambodia

2009-10-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

A new girl has been welcomed into the She Rescue Home. The child is only six years old. After combating human trafficking for over a year now, it is still surreal to hear that girls are being trafficked at this young age. Please pray for her healing process and that the impartation of God’s love would come alive in her little heart.

The two eldest girls are training for their beauty and hair salon. These girls will soon be able to provide a steady income for themselves. This is amazing! On top of that, all the older girls are getting plugged in and serving at the local church.

Lisa's Anti-Trafficking Address to America

2009-09-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

SCTNow Stiletto Run & Anti-Trafficking Walk
September 27, 2009
New York City, NY

I’ve heard some talk of promising economic indicators… wouldn’t that be awesome?

Let’s pause a moment…is our economy the best indicator of the nation’s health? Yes, it reflects our ability to buy & sell, consume & demand, possess & release. But, is our nation merely a collection of consumers? Or is our nation something more?

I’m a mother of four sons and Thursday an amazing and astounding title was added to my life…Grandmother. Asher, my first grandson, was born and I’m here today because I want to know the nation he is inheriting will once again be truly grand.

The truth is at my age it is becoming more & more difficult for me to read and see things up close.Yet even so, my vision for things in the distance has become more acute.

I stand before you a grandmother, mother & daughter of this nation to declare I see a danger on our horizon.

More than stocks & bonds, the children of this nation are our greatest wealth! Their present and future safety…our only hope of lasting legacy.

I beg you to be brave and now access both their current and pending threat level.

For there is possibly no greater health indicator of a nation than how it treats its women and children. And I know of what I speak.

I have had the opportunity to walk the streets of the red light districts in Thailand & Cambodia. I watched first hand as businessmen from our great nation walked hand in hand with underage girls as though they were daughters when actually they were on their way back to hotels rooms to sexual exploit them.

Recently I was undercover in the interior of the worst of the worst brothels in the slums of Mumbai. I was stunned as I listened to story after story of women who’d been trafficked at 12, 13 & 14 years of age.

Their only mistake was daring to hope for something more. With a promise in their hearts they were led off, lied to and sold often by the very ones who should have protected them.

I still hear the heartbreaking pleas of Sema as she begged for her eight-year-old daughter to be taken out of the brothel before she fell into the same fate that had overtaken her at age13.

And now I stand before you…to warn you that India, Thailand & Cambodia are not as far away as you may have imagined.

If no man is an island…then no nation is insulated.

The oppression and injustice we tolerate for others will over take us all if we remain silent.

I am passionate because I’ve not only heard…I’ve seen so I speak my passion.

In the name of all that makes us humans created in the image of God how can any of us remain silent when the voices of so many children have been silenced?

How can we not cry out rather than simply cry over this issue and our nation’s role?

It is a gross injustice that strips a child of their innocence and enslaves them to the lust and debauchery of another.

How many times must we hear…all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing…before we will actually not only believe…but act?

We foolishly imagined the problem was isolated and remote…child trafficking was something happening over there…a long way from our safe American world.

But here’s the tragedy…often the perpetrators of what happens over there live, work and shelter within our gates…they traveled overseas to distant shores to act out what they dared not do…here on American soil.

But they dare now…

Don’t imagine you and your children are safe, or insulated.

None of us are if we allow this dark force to grow unchecked against the very children entrusted to our nation’s care.

I pray we have not forgotten the injustices and violations of humanity that we tolerate for others will one day rise and threaten us.

Our nation’s greatness, her power to influence and exercise worldwide authority was not given to showcase our strength but to shelter the captive and hopeless and restore theirs.

You’ve gathered to send a message.

Let each step you take strengthen your resolve. May this be the beginning of an outcry and the hope of rescue, the first sign of light to those trapped in darkness. In this nation may justice visit both victim and violator.

Let no more children be bought, sold, consumed or demanded, may all that were possessions be released.

May our children & grandchildren look back at our moment, our message and our resolve and be proud that we looked ahead, rose to the challenge and brought strategic solution!

Thank you!

7 Team Members + $400 dollars raised...and counting!

2009-08-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

There is only one more month until the earth-wide Walk to Stop Child Trafficking!

It has been a blast going door to door raising awareness to stop human trafficking. On one particular day, in less than two hours, seven of my team members and I were able to visit more than 40 houses, break up a potential dog fight, and raise more than $400 dollars for the Walk. Not only that, it literally opened doors to share how God has moved our hearts to compassion.

We don’t have the power to give spiritual freedom to others. This was only possible through the loving sacrifice of Jesus. However, we have been given the opportunity to show a beautiful analogy to this freedom. By participating in the SCTNow Walks, we are able to give physical freedom to others. This is one of the greatest acts of love we can demonstrate. All love comes from above, but it should not stop there...If you have not signed up for a walk near you, I encourage you to do so right now!

Modern-day Esther

2009-07-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

Thousands of years ago, God used a girl named Esther to save His beloved people. Today, there is an Esther who is following in this worthy cause.

One of my day to day tasks is to converse with those who are interested in awareness and fund raising. I have talked with many like this, and all are passionate about doing all they can to fight trafficking. In light of this, we decided to dedicate this month’s update to talk about the amazing men and women who follow through and are actively doing their part to combat human trafficking. Specifically, a girl named Esther.

Four months ago, I receive an email from Esther, a 19 year old girl in Florida, which started like this:

“Man, tell me what you want me to do!? I want to help in any way possible the vision that God has given you!”

From then forward, Esther has been actively raising awareness to stop trafficking. She has told her family and friends about Pearl Alliance. Esther has created 30 second hour glasses to remind people that every thirty seconds someone is enslaved. She has handed out flyers and did an awareness movie night on a projector in her backyard.

Last month, Esther decided that she wanted to use her birthday party as a way to continue to raise awareness. Also, she asked all of her attendees to not get her gifts, but to use that money they would have spent on her to give to the children in Thailand. When Esther told me her plan, I was blown away. What a story of selflessness, especially on the day when it is so easy to think only of one’s self.

On June 27th, Esther had her birthday party. I am happy to announce that a group of 30 to 40 people ended up raising $985!! Way to go Esther, and thank you God!

Justice is not a whim. It is not just something we should look to every once and a while to make ourselves feel good. It should be the way we live. A people dedicated to God and showing His love to others. May we be this people. There are so many “Esthers” out there. Take the first step and see how much God can do through you.

Keep up the great work!

Austin Bevere

Healing You Can Believe In

2009-05-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

For the past 3 years, I had suffered every spring and summer from extreme allergies. My allergies would be evident by my eyes turning red and then they would start to itch. Due to these symptoms, my vision would become blurred. I would often be forced to retire early in the evenings because my eyes hurt too much to keep them open. I’d tried just about every eye drop out there, but nothing had any lasting remedy.

As allergy season approached this year, I began to think about the love and power God has and has given to me. God saved me from eternal death. So, if God’s grace was great enough to save me from death, wasn’t it strong enough to heal my eye irritations? The answer was yes, and I began to believe. I began to treat my healing as something that is unique.

When I was trying to understand salvation through grace, God told me not to look to other people’s stories for how my salvation was going to come about. He did this because if I could think about how I was going to get saved, then it took away the supernatural power of faith.
We need to work out our own faith for healing and miracles. If we rely on human understanding, our miracle will not come. Healing is not just for some people, it is for everyone. Stop listening to reports of failed healings. Listen to God’s word and the miracle that He has already bought for you.

I am proud to say that I serve a God who heals, makes whole, and restores. I am completely healed from my eye allergies. After praying for and confessing my healing in faith, I rested in what God has already done. Over the past month and a half, I have watched as my eyes have gone from red and itchy, to white and dauntless.

Now, some of you may say, “Austin, that is a fantastic story, but what does it have to do with human trafficking and what you are doing with Pearl Alliance?”

Well my friends, God has called us to freedom. This freedom is not just freedom from death, but also freedom from mental, spiritual, and physical problems. We are the light of the world, how can we shine if we are broken down? God wants us to be healthy and whole, so we can do the great work He has called us to do. Part of this work, is rescuing millions who are in slavery. It even goes beyond this though. By accepting God’s healing, we become a walking testimony of the grace of God.

I hope that this makes sense and I hope you grab on to the free gift of healing God has given. If there is anything wrong with your body, ask God and He will heal you! Then, all you have to do is confess your healing and receive God’s miracle.

Recovered Treasure

2009-04-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

We love this story, and we think you will too! Kay is a precious girl who was rescued and now lives at ZOE’s orphanage in Thailand…

When Kay first came through ZOE’s doors, she was a street-wise young girl with mistrustful eyes. She and her little sister were five and two at the time. Kay started her new life at ZOE accustomed to having to fend for herself; she often hoarded things and demanded her way.

After being lovingly welcomed, Kay retained her stubborn selfishness. No one blamed the little one for this; after all she was still just a child who had seen more than any child ever should. Her father had died and her mother had been arrested for drug trafficking. Kay and her sister were at risk of being killed as revenge for their parent’s crimes.

After a couple of years, Kay began to adjust to her new life and the comfort and love of ZOE’s team began to smooth out her rough edges. When given the opportunity, Kay gave all that she had been given to help another orphan. When asked what makes her happy, she said, “Giving generously without regrets” and she smiled.

What an amazing story. After having so much pain and loss in their lives, these remarkable children are learning to love again. Your prayers and support make this possible.

Keep it up!

Lisa Bevere & Austin Bevere

Wide, Long, High, Deep

2009-04-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Four nights ago I was reading in Ephesians and came across these verses:

May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Eph. 3:18-20 NLT)

There is power in love, and it is seen through the act of compassion. Not only that, understanding God’s love through His Holy Spirit enables us to do infinitely more than we can ask! Now tell me this, what number is greater: A million or infinity? Infinity by a long shot!

Millions are being trafficked worldwide. But our God is infinite! In addition, this same loving power lives within us. If you are still asking how you can help others and start living in this power, I would ask you this, “Do you have money? Do you have time? Do you have talents? Do you have influence?” And most importantly “Do you have love?” If so, use these to help the enslaved! God has given us everything. You are the answer. Through Jesus, you have the power to make the difference.

Defend the cause!

Austin Bevere

Constructive Compassion

2009-03-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Seventeen years ago I was nursing my third son, Alec, while watching TV. I had turned it on as I walked by it, climbed onto the bed, and was not prepared for what I saw. Desolate and starving children in Africa floated across my screen. I was so uncomfortable that I tried to switch the channel. The truth is, what I saw frightened me. I wanted to help others but the needs seemed too overwhelming.

The story became more focused on an emaciated mother who listlessly cradled in her frail arms a severely malnourished child. Though this mother had walked many miles, they had come too late to the feeding station.

While I sat in comfort and watched as this mother in Africa could not sustain the life of her child, the contrast became very clear. My son was satiated even as this child of Africa starved. In an instant the tiny life was gone from this savage land where mothers beat at the wind to sustain the life of their infants. The mother did not even seem immediately to react. She had spent her last hope and it hadn’t been enough.

Witnessing this mother lose her precious child opened up a new portal in my life. It released constructive compassion, which includes follow-through. Hurting humanity has always moved me, but I did not always move beyond the tears and questioning to actually do something. To be quite honest, I am not sure I knew how to move beyond the sadness. When I saw the hopeless…I felt paralyzed and inadequate.

Witnessing people in pain is uncomfortable. But fidgeting and shedding tears are not enough if you don’t actually do something with the pain that has been awakened. You can do far more than you know. Each one of us has a circle of influence in our world and during our short season on this earth, we possess the power to effect change. We live in a world that is hurting, but we steward an answer. The earth is full to overflowing with needs and pain. But there are just as many ways and individuals crafted to meet and heal them. Your giving and serving may start small, but they will always end up with an impact that is big if you are consistent.

But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? John 3:17-18 AMP

If we see needs and do not respond a window in our heart closes. Please understand I know you cannot respond to each and every need that you see in this world in a financial way, nor should you. But there are a lot more needs we can respond to, than we often choose to respond to.

When we commit to move beyond turning away or just feeling saddened we will “see” or take special notice of the needs we have the power to respond to. Some of these needs will be responded to by the giving of this world’s goods. As a portion of what is in our hands or household is transferred into theirs. Understand nothing given is ever lost. It is just relocated. The temporal redistribution releases the human heart to experience a new kind of compassion.

With love,

Lisa Bevere

Passion To Purpose

2009-02-17T08:11:00.000-08:00

Last week, Word of Life Church in Alberta had their annual youth conference “Going Public”. This conference has one goal: To show the world that the church can make a difference outside their walls. Every year, this youth conference sponsors an organization that is making a difference. This year they chose us, Pearl Alliance! So, last week I flew to Canada to speak to their youth. I was a little nervous about speaking to them and wasn’t sure exactly what to say.

The night before I left, I was preparing what to say and became frustrated. I had so much I wanted to tell them about Pearl Alliance. I wanted to convey why we should be doing everything to bring love to the victims of human trafficking, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to fit it all in with the time allotted. After a while, I just knelt down and gave it to God. I realized that He was the one who had me working for Pearl Alliance and He was the one who had the words I needed to say.

The next morning I woke up with complete peace. On the way to the airport, I actually missed the exit and was the last one to board the plane, but this could not put off the peace that God had given me. God was in control and this day, like every day, was destined for significance.

That night when I spoke to the youth, God’s peace was stronger than ever. He gave me the words to say. By the end of the conference, a little over 300 youth raised $4,600. How amazing is that?! With these funds we will support an onsite anti-trafficking organization in Thailand for 3 months!

Through this conference, a simple but important truth has become more evident in my life. If God has put a mission in your heart, He will give you the peace and direction to see it completed. God has called us, through his loving mercy, to be a light to this dark world. I cannot think of a darker evil than human trafficking.

If the injustice of human trafficking has gripped your heart and you feel compelled to help, I would ask you to pray. Prayer has the power to take your passion and turn it into purpose. No matter what part God has called you to play in rescuing the enslaved, look to God. He will give you the vision and He has the power to see it through!

Sincerely, Austin Bevere

P.S. Below is the video of me speaking in Canada. I act a little random in some parts, but just go with it!

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Love - by Austin Bevere

2009-01-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

In my last entry I described how God had revealed to me a glimpse of his master plan. This plan is love. So, let me take a moment and communicate what I believe love is.

All my life I have had a good moral compass and a strong sense of justice. I believed that those who do wrong deserved every bit of the punishment they received. I believed God’s forgiveness didn’t come until after people confessed what they did wrong to others and, in return, had been punished for it. If people managed to slip by without confessing and being punished for their sins, then there was no forgiveness for them. Basically, atonement through confession and punishment was my idea of Christianity.

As can be imagined, I grew to hate this idea of Christianity. Around the age of ten, I began to make decisions that I was so ashamed of. I began to hide things, and in so doing I became condemned to my own standards. Not only did I not want to be punished, I also did not want to be judged by others. Night after night, I would lie in bed thinking of all the things I needed to confess and how if I didn’t, I would go straight to Hell.

Years went by like this. On my own, my decisions became increasingly worse and my life became a massive snowball going nowhere but downhill. Every week I would sit with my parents in church wondering how everyone could be singing love songs to a God who lets people go to Hell. Every sermon I heard was filtered through my ultra condemning mindset. I would block the truth as I continued to bury myself in shame.

Shortly after my eighteenth birthday I had an idea. I decided I would rededicate my life to God. In doing this, I would have a fresh start and I wouldn’t have to confess all the bad things I had done the past eight years. So, in the summer of 2007, I gave my life to Christ once again. Everything went great for a while. I began to believe that God was pleased with me, and the reason he was pleased was because I was so good at keeping all of his commandments. I began to look at others and judge them for their shortcomings, thinking how they could call themselves a Christian.

This theory held me up until I started to drown in my own sin. I became broken and defeated. Every time I sinned I would feel separated from God and unworthy of his forgiveness. I would try reading the Bible but all I saw was words that condemned me. This problem continued for another year, until I finally saw a glimpse of God’s love.

I don’t know how exactly it happened, but God started to reveal to me how much he loved me. I would listen to the words of worship songs, and began to realize that what they were saying might be true. I began to see God not as the condemner, but the loving rescuer. I saw how he wanted to help me even more than I wanted his help.

Now, I am not at all a mushy, emotional type guy. Nevertheless, I would listen to these songs about how much God loved me and would begin to cry. I would cry because his presence would surround me and I didn’t know what else to do. I would cry because I was sorry for all the years I had misjudged God. I would cry because I knew with everything in me that I was unworthy of the love and forgiveness that he was holding me with.

As this revelation began to unfold, I began to not fear death. I knew God loved me and would never let anything happen to me. I began to realize that the Law had been broken and there was nothing that could separate me from God. However, this new revelation of the freedom from the Law did not make me want to go out and sin more. The only thing this revelation did was make me want to show God how much I loved him in return.

Through his word, God began to show me how to love him. He began to show me verses like James 2:26, John 15:12, and Galatians 5:6. These verses, and others like them, say that loving others is the best way to show God your love for him. I use to believe I was a good candidate for this job because of my strong sense of justice and morals. My thoughts were God will use these traits to bring freedom to the enslaved and punishment to the people that are responsible for this evil. This, however, was not what God wanting from me.

God has given me a revelation of his love so that I may take this love and, in return, show it to the victims caught in human trafficking. When God said “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26 NIV), he was specifically talking about our love for one another. The end of human trafficking will not come by punishment of the people who started this evil. The end of human trafficking will come when us Christians rise up and show the enslaved God’s love. Basically, justice will come through love.

I, along with Pearl Alliance, am committed to showing this love to people enslaved and in danger of human trafficking. I ask that you would join us in this fight. I ask that you would do your part in raising awareness in regards to human trafficking. I ask you to pray and seek God for ways you can show his love to these women and children held in captivity.

Pearl Alliance is just that, it is an alliance, an alliance between us and everyone else that is willing to fight against human trafficking. If you are wishing to join in this alliance, I would ask you to visit our How You Can Help page to learn how you can make an impact in stopping human trafficking. Through God’s love, we will make a difference.

Sincerely,

Austin Bevere

Solution

2009-01-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

In our ever-changing world, God wants us to cry out for a release of Heaven into the Earth. We must be awakened to the vast need of people around us …and we must know we are empowered to respond. Each of us can make a difference and collectively the effect will be vast.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17, NLT

Living beyond yourself gives you perspective of what really matters in life, and causes you to be thankful. Albert Einstein said “Nobody is alive until they begin to live outside of themselves.”

There are things you may regret buying but you will never regret giving to the widow, the orphan, or the poor. This is not the season to close your hands, but it is the time to open your heart to those in need.

How would I respond?

2008-12-31T11:25:00.000-08:00

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since I visited Thailand and over a year since the plight of the sons and daughters of this nation touched and broke my heart.

Okay, it wasn’t a pretty or even a profound beginning. I was on the toilette, reading a magazine when this all was set in motion. As I turned the glossy pages of an American woman’s magazine I read the sordid tale of a brave mother who had chosen to take a stand against overwhelming odds and rescue young girls from the degradation, bondage and death sentence of sex trafficking.

For her efforts the traffickers kidnapped her young virgin daughter. They brutalized and raped her then returned her daughter bruised, broken and more than likely HIV positive to her mother. With her return was a promise to do worse if the mother did not stop interfering. But both the mother and daughter remained undeterred. They would not be intimidated while others yet suffered.

I felt slapped in the face! How was this happening in my world and I knew nothing of it!? It is not just an isolated “over there” problem…it is a world-wide cancer.

I wept. My world and the world of human trafficking had collided. How would I respond?

In that moment I found my voice, “Father if there is anything I can do…any strength I can lend. Any voice I can give. I am your girl!”

Within a month there was a phone call and invite to go to Thailand and lend my voice to raise funds and awareness to bring solution to this issue.

It was a beginning.

So it begins…

2008-12-12T12:22:00.000-08:00

Late September saw the naming and establishment of Pearl Alliance. And now, after over six months of meetings, planning, and organizing, we are finally ready to go public with our fight against human trafficking.

Austin Bevere’s Story

In March 2008, Gary Clarke, Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church London, invited me to live at his house for a couple months. At this time I was ten months out of high school and had no idea what I wanted to do in life. Pastor Gary believed that in doing so, I would be able to really seek God on what He wanted me to do in life. I gladly accepted the invitation and a month later was off to London.

During that first month I was able to get alone with God and focus on my purpose in life. I knew God had a plan for me and realized that worrying about it was doing me no good. So, I decided to just focus on seeking God. By doing this, I was able to see God’s direction for me better than I had ever seen it before.

One day I was downstairs doing my laundry when the answer to my question (what is my calling?) finally came to me. The answer was John 13:34... the verse I had read the day before.

John 13:34 says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

This was what God wanted me to do! I had been so focused on myself that God was not able to show me what He wanted me to do for others. In that moment, I realized God had called me to love others in the same way he loved me and that I was going to be a part of an organization that helped and loved people worldwide. I didn’t know how this vision was going to become a reality, but I knew God had revealed to me a glimpse of his plan.

A week later I got a call from my mom (Lisa Bevere). She was in northern England and invited me to come visit her. I agreed and boarded a train to Leeds. After I had settled in, my mom and I talked about my experiences in London over the past month and I shared the vision God had given me the week before. I told my mom that I knew I was supposed to help the poor and the broken but I was unsure how. I expressed to her my desire to create a branch of Messenger International specifically designed to help the widow, the orphan, and the poor.

In amazement, my mom told me about a meeting she had the week before with the board members of Messenger International. In this meeting, my mom expressed her heart for women forced into human trafficking and how she wanted to be a part of their liberation. She knew Messenger International should be part of the solution. We then realized that I could initiate the project. We connected the dots and realized that I had received my vision hours after my mom had finished the board meeting. It was confirmation from God.

On the 23rd of June, I left London and headed back to Colorado Springs. I had received the foundation for the plan God had for me and was ready to get to work. At the time I knew very little about human trafficking, but was determined to learn as much as I could about this vast evil I would be fighting.

Over the next month I researched and collected as much information as I could about human trafficking. My mom and I also met with leaders of other organizations that were already involved in helping stop human trafficking to better understand where our efforts would be needed the most.

I know Pearl Alliance is part of God’s big plan to show this broken world his inexhaustible love and I am committed to whatever He needs me to do. I am looking forward to the future and the role God has called you and me to play in this master plan!