Mica Rogers,

Loves Jesus. Passionate. Anti-Trafficking Advocate. Difference Maker. World Changer.

[micarogers-blog]

Not Today Satan

Satan has definitely been at work this week, but so has God! The past few days have been full of trials for The Justice School staff and students. When weird unexplainable things happen you just have to go with it and have an attitude of “ok God what are you up to” (at least that’s what I think we are all learning.) I really can’t explain it any other way. When God makes impossible things happen I literally feel like He goes out of His way even though he probably doesn’t.

This week a team went out to the red light district and only to return home and have car issues from broken keys to flat tires etc. I mean come on!! Not only that but the lecture power points for class were nowhere to be found so they literally had to scramble to get the one for the next day (Friday) ready for class. And then you bring lost phones, credit cards, and sickness into the mix! And all we have to say to it all is “NOT TODAY SATAN!”

Saturday another team went out to the red light district and ended up having some bizarre things happen. While they were out a few of us decided to just start worshipping in the classroom which just so happened to be around the same time those bizarre things took place. Rain poured down for a while and it was so loud it was literally drowning out our worship so we all had to scoot closer and I remember saying “guys we are just going to have to sing louder.” Little did we all know that while we were worshipping and praying the team that was on the field was experiencing a crazy night on Walking Street and Beach Road.

Today (Sunday) was our self-care day. A few of us decided to go to the mall and hang out for a little while. We were getting ready to check in and potentially leave when one of my fellow classmates realized she didn’t have her phone. We spent a while looking for it until it became hopeless that we would find it. She decided to go ahead and get another phone and a local plan here. In the process of all that happening we ended up staying longer than planned which provided an amazing opportunity. We ended up seeing a girl that looked very familiar. A couple from our group decided to try to catch her and they found out it was the sister of a girl we had met our first night in the red light district which we had only found out about earlier that morning from the team that had went out the night before. They ran into her again and she was telling them about her sister! I mean how amazing is that! They were able to share with her love and hope. I absolutely cannot believe the things that have taken place this week that our class has been able to be a part of and only because of Jesus! God is NOT finished using us in this city yet and no matter how hard Satan tries to defeat us he will never win because the battle has already been won!

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Today in the prayer room, I was listening to "Great Are You Lord" by All Sons and Daughters trying to process everything I saw last night on Walking Street and Beach Road in the Red Light District. In this song it says "All the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry these bones will sing GREAT ARE YOU LORD." While praying and listening to these lyrics I pleaded with God to help me process this, because I'm still soaking it in and trying to figure out why it has affected me to the extent it has. I honestly thought that it would not affect me, but God has this way of breaking you to show you His heart for His people. As I prayed during this song the Lord began to show me this beautiful picture of the girls and boys I saw on Beach Road with chains falling off of them as they lifted their hands to the heavens to praise the one true King who has set them FREE! As soon as that song was over “How He Loves” came on and the timing could not have been more perfect. I saw this image of freedom from bondage and their praises to King Jesus and just knew that they could enter into a place and know how much He loves them. That alone is motivation to continue on, keep going, and never give up. This image helps me process what I saw in the Red Light District. Jesus broke my heart for these people and showed me His heart for the ones selling themselves as well as the Johns buying them. He gave me the very hope I needed to know that He will come for each person on that road in His time. HOPE, LOVE, AND FREEDOM are coming, because Jesus came to SET THE CAPTIVES FREE! So in the moments when I find myself overwhelmed with the very reality of this injustice, I can cling to this image and know that in Isaiah 61 it says that “The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners;” Isaiah‬ ‭61:1‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

[micarogers-blog]

Hundreds Lined Up On a Street Being Sold

In just about four days I never would have imagined that I would grow so close to a group of people that I hardly know or find myself having to trust and rely on these people and learn to be vulnerable in just a short period of time. I’m not the best at expressing hard things and how I am feeling about them but one thing I am learning during this trip is that it is vital in this field of work to have community around you. You need people to build you up. It is also vital to have time with Jesus many times throughout the day.

“Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad, because there is no one to help him. If it is cold, two can sleep together and stay warm, but how can you keep warm by yourself. Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-12‬ ‭GNT‬‬

Tonight all 23 of us loaded up in cars and drove to the red light district in Pattaya, Thailand. We walked down this strip full of bars filled with young women and even some lady boys. I have never in my life seen so many young people prostituting themselves that are definitely not there by their own will power. They did not wake up one day and say “I want to sell my body.” I think that is where things get blurry for a lot of people. Many people think that prostitutes are there by choice, but the reality of it is that there is a story behind every body that is sold as well as every John that is buying.

Tonight I saw hundreds of people on a street that was probably a mile or two long selling their bodies. I can tell you that I will never be able to get their faces out of my head. Some were dressed the part others were dressed like everyday normal people. The look of despair and hopelessness that filled their faces is forever ingrained in my mind.

I’m still processing the things I saw tonight. I literally saw transactions happen before my eyes. Despite all of the heaviness and hopelessness I feel I have hope in the One who is capable of all things. Yes I will never forget the things l saw tonight because they are unseeable, but I will always remember the interactions I had with these people. The light on their faces when I would wai (bow) and say “Sa-wad-dee-ka” (hello) gives me hope that they will one day be free. In that moment Jesus reminded me that He is in the business of setting captives free and despite the invisible chains that are placed around them they are still daughters and sons of God and they are so loved by Him.

[micarogers-blog]

Travel to Thailand was LONG! Jet lag was very real and exhaustion took over, but I think I'm adjusting well. The food is amazing by the way!! We started orientation today and exchanged our U.S money for Baht. It's finally becoming real! I'M IN THAILAND!! It's the most surreal feeling ever. I would have never pictured my life to look like this at this very moment and it is all because of Him that I can. The hearts of the staff members of Thrive and my fellow classmates are incomparable. The passion that lies in each individual is unreal and I am so blessed to be a part of this. God is doing amazing things here already. Thank you to every person that made this possible for me through your support. Nothing has gone unnoticed and it has been a vital part in getting me here! You're continued prayers are appreciated! I can't wait to update you as we get through orientation and get started in our field work. You can follow my blog here as well as the Justice School blog to stay updated. https://thejusticeschool.wordpress.com

[micarogers-blog]

The Beauty in Faith

When I chose to follow Christ I would have never imagined the beauty it would bring into my life but also the trials it would take to get to each destination He has called upon my life. When you first get started they don’t really inform you that the journey isn’t always easy, but I have found it’s always worth it! The last six months have been a whirlwind of emotions. After choosing to say YES and venture out into the world of uncomfortable and uncertainty, I can officially say I AM GOING TO THAILAND!! I have been fully funded for this trip and there is no other explanation for raising $6400 in just a short six months than JESUS!!

When you say yes to something God has called you to do it’s amazing to see the things He does to get you there.  I have been blown away by His faithfulness and provision. It has taken my relationship with Him deeper than it was before! Through this I have learned that it’s okay to not be in control of every aspect of your life and it’s okay to lean in, press in, and trust Him. He is perfectly capable of making what seems impossible come to life!

I know when I started this journey I wasn’t sure how it would all play out. I didn’t know how the funds would come in or what I would do about my job. All I knew is that God told me to go after it and I did because at that time nothing else mattered. I had complete trust that He would make all of the pieces come together and He did.

Shortly after I was accepted into The Justice School through Thrive Rescue, I received a promotion at work. It would have been so easy to lay down my dream in that instant and take that promotion and forget everything else. Little did I know that God had everything all worked out far before I could have even known it was going to happen.

I have been given favor to leave my job (promotion and all) for a total of SEVEN WEEKS and come back from Thailand to a job and not have to worry about looking for work or if my bills will get paid! FAVOR!!! Come on Jesus! I seriously cannot get over how amazing He is. You hear stories of how incredible God is, but to experience those amazing things is a new level of incredible. Until you actually put action to those steps that He is calling you to take, He can not move through you.

I am so grateful to all of you who have believed in me, prayed for me, prayed with me and have had such generous hearts in giving! I am blown away by those that have given from people who I have known for years to people I haven’t even met! WOW! How incredible is our God!!!?? It is because of each and every person that has believed in me and listened to God when He said “give” and “pray” that I am even able to partake in this adventure!

[micarogers-blog]

When Everyone and Everything Says NO He Says YES

I want to back up before The Justice School (TJS) was even a thought in my mind. I am a student at the University of North Texas and a full-time employee at a credit union. At the time, I was a receptionist and I wasn’t thrilled with my position and it wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so when I came across TJS scrolling through my news feed on Facebook out of boredom (yes, some good things come from it) I said “why not!”. I began to look at what it was about and it sounded perfect for me and things I was looking for experience in. I started researching it to make sure it was legit and God provided me with connections to help me know it was, because as an advocate against trafficking I am extra careful with things like this. I began the application process not knowing if I would be accepted nor if I would have to quit my job or how I would pay for it. I stepped out in faith knowing that He would take care of it all. I had to go through two interviews before I found out I was accepted. The process took about a month and a half after applying before I got the news I was accepted. I remember the exact moment that I read the email. I was at a meeting with ladies from my church preparing for the upcoming Lion’s Roar Women’s Brunch I was helping with. I was in complete shock and experienced every kind of emotion you could think of! I was excited, overjoyed, nervous, worried, scared, etc. On my way home I ended up having am accident. It wasn’t really bad at all, but it was kind of like a wake up call and the devil saying “just wait.” About a month later, I was promoted to a new positions that I had been working towards for three years, and it was a struggle to think about possibly losing that to pursue my dream. I was stepping into the calling in my life and he was ready to throw punches. It hasn’t been an easy process and if it weren’t for all the people that have been praying for me and with me I couldn’t do this.

Fast forward to the past month. Fundraising hadn’t been too hard and God’s faithfulness was just showing up and it was unbelievable. There is no other explanation than HIM. However this past month has been quite the struggle. I have experienced some issues with my health and just not really having the energy to do anything.Yesterday I was finally able to talk to my boss more about the trip and I got the approval to go and come back to my job! PRAISE THE LORD! Everything was looking on track. I planned a cookout fundraiser at work and had someone in my building that volunteered to help. Everything was set to be ready for today and then I found out she wasn’t coming. I was super bummed, because I was counting on that fundraiser to bring in the funds to meet my next  deadline. I guess that is where I was wrong. I was counting on a fundraiser to provide something that God already promised. I was relying on that and not on Him. Needless to say I got upset and freaked out, then God began to calm me down and soothe me. I opened my wallet to get cash I needed to deposit and I found a check that a couple had given me that I thought had already been added to my fundraising. I swear I have opened my wallet plenty of times since January and never saw it, so it was such an amazing moment when that happened! He was reminding me that it was going to work out.

I had a pretty long day at work and left late, but when I got home there was a package that had my name on it. I thought, “I didn’t order anything?” I opened it and it was from my best friend @christinabradford who moved to Australia in February. It was some bath salt with pictures of us and a sweet little message! I so needed those two little reminders today to remind me that He has never left me.

The enemy is very real. He doesn’t want to see human trafficking end and laughs at those that stand against it. I’m a walking testimony of it as well as the 25 other people walking out this journey with me. My favorite part of the whole process besides growing closer to God and seeing his faithfulness and provision is getting to know my teammates and being able to share in the journey and be there for each other. It nice to be able to be vulnerable with people you don’t know that are going through similar trials you are because the enemy is attacking us all in different areas. So please pray for me and my team as we continue to raise money and prepare ourselves for the unbelievable journey ahead.

In a little less than four months I WILL BE IN THAILAND! There is nothing the devil can do to take that away from me. He can try his hardest but he won’t take me down because I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE ONE TRUE KING!

If you would like to partner with me in my journey there are different ways you can do so. I could always use the prayers so pray away! I send out emails to my prayer team so if you would like to be a part of that I can add you to the list. I still have deadlines to meet, so if you would like to partner with me financially you can visit my site to learn more about The Justice School and what I will be doing there. https://www.grouprev.com/tjs2016micarogers

If you would just like to follow my journey you can follow my blog where I will be updating as much as I can!

[micarogers-blog]

How Did They Get There

This morning I found myself thinking about how these women and children trapped in the sex industry got there. Over the years I have researched and watched countless documentaries and read many books about this nefarious crime known as human trafficking. As I was thinking about this, I found myself reminded of a scene from Nefarious: Merchant of Souls and Caged No More. These scenes portrayed these young children lining up and walking down a runway, like a fashion show, so that people in the crowd from all over the world could place a bid to purchase that particular child they felt would make them money. How they even got to that specific time and place is a whole other story.

Today I found myself asking why. Why would something like this even exist and why would anyone want to purchase a child to sell them for sex?

You see, we live in a broken world. Families are broken and children are broken. When you have this brokenness, you look for a way to fix it however that may be. Children that feel broken and unloved, no matter what background they come from, will find that love they long for in the wrong places. It's situations like this where trafficking can exist. People in the trafficking industry know how to exploit vulnerabilities. They know exactly what they are looking for and where to find it. Where family isn't present in life regardless of the situation there is a vulnerability. Children that are orphans/runaways typically have a higher chance to be trafficked simply for the fact that they are vulnerable. The potential trafficker sees them as a target because they either don't have a home and won't be missed or they don't want to go home.

I couldn’t find a picture or video to really depict what I was thinking about this morning, but this is a scene from a documentary Nefarious:Merchant of Souls that portrays one way these traffickers choose the young woman or child that they want to perform the service.

How you can help.

Know the signs of trafficking as well as the vulnerabilities of children.

My part.

I have had a passion for ending human trafficking for over four years now. This summer I get to partake in a school that is specifically training students on all things involved in trafficking. Not only will I be able to get up close and personal with trafficking, but I will also learn more effective ways to be involved in helping to end it. Please visit this site for more information on the specifics of the program and what I will be apart of.

http://www.thejusticeschool.com/

If you would like to make a donation to support my endeavors you can do so here:

https://www.grouprev.com/tjs2016micarogers

[micarogers-blog]

He Makes All Things Possible

When I began this journey to Thailand and saw the amount I needed to fundraise, I thought the number was too big and impossible to raise. I had always heard of God providing in miraculous ways through different friends that had done long term missions, but when it becomes a part of your life it doesn’t seem real or possible until it happens.

I could have easily turned away when I saw the cost of The Justice School and my flesh wanted me to. I love to do things on my own and be in control, but this was something I couldn’t do on my own or in my control. I have learned that when God calls you to step out in Faith to do something for His glory that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. It’s never easy to ask for help to get to a place God has called you, but He doesn’t call us to do life alone or without any help. If I have learned anything thus far it is that. He doesn’t call us into something He doesn’t already have a plan for. I have seen his provision every month since I started this journey. There have been times when I thought I wouldn’t make a deadline and I got a random check from someone. There is nothing more nerve racking then that, but I have learned time and time again that I have to trust Him to provide because He will.

My favorite provision story has happened all within a few days. It amazes me to see how you can meet a deadline in just a few days! I hadn’t looked at my site in a while because January for some reason has just been crazy and I hadn’t even had a moment to think about fundraising. I was trying to get the shirt orders organized and placed and collect the money for it and when they arrived I had to go through the order to get them ready to hand out. God totally knew I would need His help this month so I could rest before school started. In just a few days I had a few donations come in that I definitely wasn’t expecting and it was then that I truly saw God’s faithfulness and provision through the impossible circumstances. I saw a guy currently across the world give money while he himself had been fundraising and not working. I saw a couple who just had a baby and is looking for a house give money. And these were not small donations. And if God already didn’t have me emotional enough, He took it to the next level and had someone give a donation that took me to my next deadline and then some! I can’t even begin to describe what it feels like to be on this side of things and to see God move in those around me through their giving. It has definitely stretched my faith and trust in God. I can’t wait to have more provision stories to tell as I continue on this journey. I’m grateful to all of those that have generously given to make this dream of mine a reality and I am so thankful for the many prayers that have been prayed.

If you would like to join my journey and keep up with me please message me about how you can help. I have a prayer team list set up so if you would like to be a part of that I can definitely add you to that. I also have a group where I post updates that I can add you to.

If you would like to be a part of my journey financially you can give here: https://www.grouprev.com/tjs2016micarogers#.VjqLSzL80vQ.facebook

Together we can end human trafficking and change the world! Everyone deserves to be FREE!

[micarogers-blog]

I have had some pretty amazing friends over the years, but never anyone that truly felt like a sister or anyone that understood me or accepted me as is. I have never had more fun or laughed so hard and I am so thankful and blessed by the friendship that has been formed this year. God knew what we both need at exactly the right time. When @christinabradford moves to Australia it will definitely not be an easy goodbye. So here's to the last month of having tons of fun! ❤️❤️❤️ #bestfriends #sisters #changetheworld #adventures #adventureswithmicaandchristina #travelingtheworld #australia #thailand #c3college

[micarogers-blog]

2015 Recap as Another Year Closes

As I reflect over the past year and all of the amazing things that have happened, I can’t help but think of how thankful I am for this season and what a wonderful God I serve. 2014 was definitely a year full of trials and as I left that year going into 2015 I was hopeful for a better year.

I will never forget Pastor John Gray from Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. He spoke at Gateway’s First Conference. He was talking about how 2014 was a tough year for many people but they 2015 was going to be the year of Jubilee which happens every 50 years where slaves are freed, debts are forgiven, and God’s mercies are manifested. When he was speaking on this I felt God’s presence so powerfully. It was so overwhelming that I was taken back. It had been a while since I had felt His presence like I did that night. It was this night that things shifted. He promised me that I would begin to see dreams come to life and it would be a significant year for me. I had no idea what that would look like for me, but I was ready. I left that place full of HOPE!

Today I can stand and say that God’s promises are REAL. He is the real deal. If I ever doubted God’s love or promises or even His existence, this year alone had put that to rest. I have seen many prayers that I prayed answered instantaneously. I have stepped out into what I truly believe He has called me to FaithFULLy (as pastor Brandon would say). I found a church that reminded me of the dreams I had kind of forgotten about. I held an event to raise awareness for human trafficking, and now I’m preparing to go to Thailand!!

In June 2016, I will embark on an incredible journey to be equipped to eradicate injustices all over the globe. I will be learning how to fight for those without a voice. It’s something I’m so passionate about and anyone who knows me can see that. I want so desperately to see Jesus set the captives free!

2015 gave me a church to truly call HOME. It gave me a family away from family. It brought me incredible friendships and lots of laughter! It reminded me of my purpose! It gave me an opportunity to share my heart through an event and it showed me the next big step, THAILAND!! 2015 also brought me a new position and it’s all because of the love and the promises from God!

“His love for us is strong, and his faithfulness is eternal. Praise the Lord!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭117:2‬ ‭GNT‬‬

If you would like more information on how to get involved to help end trafficking or how you could partner with me financially or through prayer please message me! I would love to share more!!

That’s all for now. May 2016 bring you many blessings and so much joy! ❤️❤️

[micarogers-blog]

Slavery Still Exists

Did you know that there are over 30 million people that are living as slaves today? In a world where we could have easily said it ended, it hasn’t. It consists of women and children in which race doesn’t matter. That’s what modern day slavery looks like today. It is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. It is known as human trafficking and it comes in many forms: Sex Trafficking, Forced Labor, and Organ Harvesting.

Many people think trafficking only exists in other countries, but the truth is it happens everywhere. Yes, that means even in the U.S. and even in DFW or small towns like Amarillo, TX. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry. It doesn’t care about race or gender. It doesn’t care about location. The only preference it has is money.

I know some of these statics can be hard to read, but we must open our eyes to make change. We can’t pretend like this doesn’t exist anymore. This could be your daughter, your sister, your son, your brother, your family member. It’s heart breaking to even grasp the fact that their are children even as young as 4 that are stuck in this horrible reality. You can be an advocate and the voice for the voiceless. You can help bring hope to the hopeless.

There are so many ways you can get involved with this fight. You can google anti human trafficking organizations in your area and volunteer your time. You can give financially to an organization or someone helping in the fight. You can talk about it with others to spread awareness. Lastly, you can check out what you are buying to ensure it was not made by child labor.

[ncmec]

“Backpage Made a Huge Mistake Today...”

For the first time in more than 20 years, a key witness failed to appear today before a Senate subcommittee investigating the sale of children for sex on the Internet.  Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said his committee may pursue a criminal contempt charge against the CEO of Backpage.com.

Carl Ferrer, CEO of the online classified website, ignored the subpoena and has refused the subcommittee’s request for documents pertaining to its business practices, citing First Amendment protections.

“Backpage made a huge mistake today by making a mockery of this Senate hearing,” said John Walsh, co-founder of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, who attended today’s hearing on Capitol Hill. “Backpage has made millions of dollars at the expense of children by enabling pimps to sell them for sex on their website.”

The subcommittee, led by Portman and ranking member Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), has been investigating human trafficking on the Internet and has said Backpage is the “most important player” in this market, despite the website’s claim that it is a market leader in combatting the problem.

“We’re here to talk about the online, lucrative sale of America’s children for sex, which in our experience occurs most prominently on the website, Backpage.com,” testified Yiota Souras, NCMEC’s general counsel and one of two witnesses. “Every year in the United States, thousands of children are sold for sex and repeatedly raped.”

Souras testified that a vast majority of suspected child sex trafficking victims reported to NCMEC were advertised on Backpage.  Since 1998, NCMEC’s CyberTipline, the nation’s reporting mechanism for suspected child sexual exploitation, received more than 45,000 reports relating to suspected child sex trafficking, most from ads on Backpage.

“Technology has fundamentally changed how children are trafficked,” said Souras. “Today, an adult can shop from their home, office or hotel room, even on a cellphone, to buy a child for sex.”

The subcommittee released a scathing report today condemning Ferrer and Backpage, saying the company edits out certain content that could distinguish legal ads from those that are selling children for sex.

The subcommittee is recommending enforcement of Ferrer’s subpoena.

“If Backpage thinks they are going to go quietly into the night, they are sadly mistaken,” McCaskill said.

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I can’t wait to see backpage.com go down for allowing traffickers to sell young women and children on their site.

[micarogers-blog]

Resting in His Presence

This semester has taken a lot out of me emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I think my senioritis kicked in before school even started. The fact that I don’t really enjoy the classes I’m taking this semester doesn’t really help. As I’m typing this I should be doing homework and writing a paper, but this sounded way better.

Preparing to leave everything I know and go to another country for longer than a few days to a week hasn’t been the easiest. Let’s just be honest. I’m super excited for this opportunity, but if you have never had to fundraise for something you believe in and you really want to do it can be so discouraging. Sometimes I get overwhelmed when I look at the big picture.

On top of working a full-time job, I take 9 hours a semester (6 in the summer) at UNT and now I am fundraising to go to Thailand! I also make time to spend time with friends and family because I feel that is important. This week I was promoted to a new position at my job, so I am now in training to be a loan officer which is a lot to take in.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

I can stand here and say that even though the journey can be difficult at times, I am so thankful for this journey and the process I am going through. It’s really forcing me to lean on the Lord more than I ever truly have. It’s challenging me and stretching me in ways I have never been stretched. Even though it gets exhausting at times, I have to remind myself that I’m doing all of this so that I can see women and children rescued that are sold daily for reasons that shouldn’t even exist.That alone allows me to have the motivation I need to keep going and to never give up.

I am so thankful to the people that are standing behind me in prayer. Those prayers are so needed. The devil is real and is actively trying to destroy anything that doesn’t benefit him. I am also very thankful to those that have already poured into this financially. Words will never be able to explain my gratitude.

Lastly, I am thankful for God’s unfailing love and perfect provision. No matter what road lies ahead I know my God is going to provide for me His plan for my life in His timing. It’s not about me, but Him.

                                  Without Him I am nothing.

[micarogers-blog]

Trusting in Him

This weekend I took a trip to Austin to spend some time with one of my very best friends as she prepares to become a mommy in the next week. It was so fun getting to shop around for last minute things to finish Hannah Rose’s room. Even though it was nice to get away for the weekend and have some fun, I couldn’t help but feel slightly discouraged. Not because I wasn’t married or about to have a baby, simply for the fact that I have my dream at my fingertips, yet it feels so far away. In seven months I will be in Thailand learning more about human trafficking and how to prevent, raise awareness, and restore these children that have been beaten and broken down. I get to share the love of Christ with them and be a part of God healing their brokenness. I’m so overjoyed by that thought. How cool will it be to get to see lives transformed in the midst of such a horrific scene. Yet I find  myself discouraged. Why....

When I think about my dream big moment it’s me having an organization and teaching people about human trafficking and helping restore the lives of those that are SURVIVORS. Of course there are always obstacles that come with big dreams which can be very discouraging.

I know deep down in my heart that this is my next step to learning how to use what I already have to stop this injustice. The discouraging part for me is knowing that I have to raise $6400 in 6 months. My first deadline of $1500 on December 7th secures my spot, and when you are uncertain of how funds will come in it can be scary. I pride myself in doing things on my own and I absolutely hate asking for help, because then I feel like I have failed. This is something God has been working on in my life over the past ten months. It’s not easy to let go of the reigns of your life and it’s most definitely not easy to ask for help, but God did not intend for us to do things by ourselves. (Not an easy lesson)

On my drive home from Austin, I was praying and listening to worship music and talking to God. I was telling Him about my frustrations and my fears. That alone made me feel less discouraged. I began listening to Natalie Grant and her song “Your Great Name” came on and these lyrics just stayed with me.

                                   Every fear has no place                            At the sound of Your great name                                The enemy, he has to leave                            At the sound of Your great name

He used this song to remind me that He is not a God that discourages or places fear or doubt, that is what the enemy does. He is a FaithFULL God that PROVIDES,  ENCOURAGES,  and BRINGS HOPE and JOY.

I am so thankful for these little reminders that speak volumes. There is NO room for doubt in my life!

If you would like to partner with me through prayer, I would absolutely love that. I feel the enemy so strongly working against me which means I’m supposed to go to Thailand because HUGE things are going to take place.

What to pray for:

1. Finances. Please pray for finances to come through in abundance and that there would be no place for worry.

2. Pray for my spiritual walk in this season that I may grow deeper with the Lord.

3. Pray for my team! I see Satan is already plotting against quite a few of us, so we all need a covering of prayer.

4. Pray for the Staff of The Justice School and Thrive Rescue. Pray for a refreshment of energy and for love that moves mountains. Also pray against all attacks of the enemy.

Lastly, if you would like to donate to me or any of the other team members you can go directly to my fundraising site or The Justice School Website below!

https://www.grouprev.com/tjs2016micarogers

http://www.thejusticeschool.com/#!towards-a-student/c1rvq

[micarogers-blog]

A Calling Rekindled

“The first thing the enemy wants to take is our identity.” ~Ps Brandon Cole~I remember growing up and always feeling like I didn’t belong. I would try to find my identity and satisfaction in my...

This was my very first blog!

[micarogers-blog]

Where Is My Place

When I first started college, I wanted to do something in Forensics, but something changed my 3rd semester and I changed my major to social work. Little did I know that I would be taking a break from school the next semester for financial reasons.

During that time off I was able to really find Jesus and figure out what it was I was called to do. In 2011, I saw a documentary called Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. This is a documentary on human trafficking. I had seen a movie when I was younger regarding the issue, but I didn’t understand it then. This movie literally altered my life. I was not the same after I saw it. This is where my passion to fight human trafficking started.

It was Spring 2012 when I finally went back to school to pursue my degree in social work. I decided I wanted to do counseling for human trafficking in the restoration programs of a ministry or start my own, but I needed the degree first. In May 2013, I graduated with my associates degree and took a year off for financial reasons yet again. (School is expensive) Looking back now I see Satan’s hand in all of it. He was actively trying to keep me from school in every way possible. Finally I started looking at going to UNT. When I started talking with advisors about the Social Work program, I found out I wouldn’t be able to complete the program with my work schedule and I needed that job to pay for my school and living expenses. Disappointment set in. I instantly got discouraged and thought I would never finish my degree. Thankfully I serve a God who is bigger than my obstacles. There was a program they offered almost completely online in rehabilitation studies, which worked out better because I was able to learn the rehab side of things and can still get my Masters in Social Work. I am currently FOUR classes away from completing my Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Studies!! It’s been a long journey and I have faced many trials and discouragement to get to this place! God always has a bigger and better plan.

During those four years, my passion for human trafficking grew. There was a time where I forgot about my dream to work for/start an organization that is actively fighting to end modern day slavery, but Jesus doesn’t let us forget those dreams. He didn’t subtly remind me either. It was Sunday after Sunday after Sunday of sermons that reminded me to not forget and to DREAM BIG.

So dream big is what I did....

[micarogers-blog]

You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.

William Wilberforce