Wear a Dress – Dress for Dunamis – Dress for Dignity
NOTE: Although the wearing a dress for a month to advocate against “human trafficking” has ended for this year, we continue to fundraise for the shelter in Ecuador. A mission team is leaving in February 2017.
Building a shelter in Ecuador. #humantrafficking #dressfordunamis Find out how you can help – https://t.co/K7wtttgJOb #mission pic.twitter.com/K2dVLbikJi
— Janis Cox (@AuthorJanisCox) January 21, 2017
It’s been an interesting week to say the least. My heart this week heads to compassion – compassion for the hurting, the lost, and the lonely. It hurts for those abused – and particularly those abused by human trafficking. My goal is to get the word out – to tell the world to stop this travesty. We want to dress for Dunamis (or men can wear a bow tie). A symbol of the dignity of women.
By the way I can be a woman in a pair of pants or a house coat. But a dress starts a conversation and that’s what we need – conversations about human trafficking. It’s an evil that is hidden.
In the New Testament dumanis is used 120 times. It is mostly used for God’s power.
And it will be God’s power (dunamis) that can bring about change. (tweet this)
So prayer is the most important thing that I ask of you. Pray and pray some more. (Tweet this)
The Dunamis Foundation in Quito, Ecuador, founded by Boris Salinas and his wife Fernanda has become the object of my heart this year. Check out their website here. My friend, Sandy Stevens, has met these two national missionaries and they came to the Lighthouse Church in our little town of Haliburton this fall. Knowing what I do about the sex trade and trafficking from my research last year, I knew God had called me this year to reach out and help this group.
In Ecuador 25 000 women are involved in prostitution, of which 5200 are girls and teenagers. (tweet this)
That statement hurts. It really hurts. My soul cries out to God – Stop this!!!
I am happy that God put it on the hearts of these Ecuadorian missionaries to start this foundation.
Mission Statement for the Dunamis Foundation
Vision for the Dunamis Foundation
Will you join me? Start a group in your town or city. Wear a dress. Talk about human trafficking. Make people aware. Email me for further information. Janis Cox (tweet this)
The missionaries work with the girls to build their self-esteem. One way is to create bracelets and sell them. The girls get to keep the money.
The Toronto Star last year wrote an excellent article about local Canadian girls in Toronto snared into the sex trade. You can find it here – Beaten, Bought and Sold.
Canadians:
For our grass roots organization. Please make cheque payable to The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Haliburton. Send your cheques to:
The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church
12 Dysart Street
PO Box 287
Haliburton, ON, Canada K0M 1S0
Please mark your cheque in the memo line as The Dunamis Foundation. Tax Receipts will be given for over $10.00.
Americans:
You can find a donation page here. We welcome your support.
Please find us at Dress for Dunamis Page on Facebook and the Dress for Dunamis Facebook Event page.
Even if you can’t wear a dress – please join us in support and prayer. Enjoy the pictures on our pages that others give and be our cheerleaders.
Other Articles to Read
Man posed as talent agent to lure girls into prostitution.
Escorts met by police.
Fighting Human Trafficking in Ecuador
Join Sandy at her Facebook page Freedom Call to let her go.
A few pictures from last year – my wearing a dress. Any activity – no problem in a dress. Last year I fundraised for Ratanak International. Thanks to those who helped me.
Let us remember to keep our hearts warm and listen to God’s Word so we can act when He calls.
Psalm 82:2-4 in The Message
“Enough! You’ve corrupted justice long enough,
you’ve let the wicked get away with murder.
You’re here to defend the defenseless,
to make sure that underdogs get a fair break;
Your job is to stand up for the powerless,
and prosecute all those who exploit them.”
Let’s join to together and read God’s Word –
Today is Word of God Speak Linkup
Janis,
I host a Bible study group for women and while we’re a small group of only 6 women, God is training us up as prayer warriors. I’m so interested in this and like another women stated I hardly own a dress & certainly nothing suitable for Canadian winters.
I’d like further info on this and how one actually puts it into practise as well as what to say when asked about Dress for Dunamis.
God bless you,
Wendy
You look gorgeous.
And wow, that’s awesome. Dressing up for a cause. What a selfless thing to do. Bless your heart.
I support a ministry like this in Nicaragua, Villa Esperanza by Forward Edge. It’s a home for endangered girls.
Elizabeth,
Would you be interesting in joining us wearing a dress. We welcome you to join us and tell us of your ministry as well. This is not exclusive. We want to get the word out –
Blessings,
Janis
Thank-you for sharing this important work. A young woman from our church is serving at a mission that is rescuing girls in Mexico City.
Carol,
That’s great. Would you be interested in wearing a dress and promoting the mission of your church member? We would welcome you and your interest on our site.
Blessings,
Janis
I don’t own one dress! But I appreciate your passionate plea. Thanks for sharing this important work.
Janis, this is great. Thank you for sharing your heart. Blessings to you!
Stacey,
Thank you. My heart is definitely in this.
Blessings,
Janis
Several ladies at our church dug into the human trafficking issue. What they learned was definitely eye opening. You don’t realize how much of it is going on around you. Thanks for sharing and hosting, Janis.
Donna,
Yes it is a hidden evil and until it is uncovered, discussed and prayed about it will stay uncover. Thanks for commenting.
Blessings,
Janis
I just love when your heart of compassion is expressed here. Back in 2014 I reviewed a book that dealt with human trafficking. I’ll try to find the review on the blog and link it up here at some point today — when I did that review, I still didn’t know how to put pictures on the blog, so it’s very basis, but the book was eye-opening.
Michele,
I guess you are getting an earful of compassion these past few weeks. I believe the abuse of women is one of the worse things that has been happening. I have seen it in young girls and their boy friends, (hence our helping single moms because that is usually what happens when they realize that the guy isn’t going to stay around or be of any help in child raising), in women who feel unable to move forward in their lives because of past abuses (sexual, mental and physical), of the guilt women feel when they have had abortions without knowing the other choices, and now human trafficking. Awareness is important. We have to keep our eyes fixed on where God is leading us.
Blessings my friend,
Janis