God give me the strength to be an example to this generation. To keep the flame within me illuminating. Teach me understanding, patience, and compassion. Gird me with courage, and to be an inspiration. Help my ears to listen, my eyes to see, my heart open. Pour into me Your love that I might share it. Help me to comfort those who are broken. Help me to stand up for those forgotten. Help me be the voice for the voiceless.

I had a dream

I saw the face of Jesus.

It was dark outside, and cold. Snow swept across the fogging windshield and piled around the already buried tires. No doubt, like last year, I had never gotten around to putting on winter tires. To add to my frustration the engine was sputtering out as well.

There was a glow from a house close by, and a stream of thick smoking lifting into the night sky. My sister and I hesitated, but finally we decided to trudge through the knee high snow and knock on the door. A woman appeared in the doorway. I don't recall for sure, but I believe she wore an apron and had something cooking on the stove. To say the least it was a warm, cozy place, and with open arms they welcomed us in.

They were a sweet couple. They offered us a cup of hot something, and a place to sleep. The next morning we awoke, and from there it blurred for a bit. We must have stayed for a couple days because we got to know them fairly well. It was through one of our conversations around the fireplace when they brought up the rumors of the traveling train.

There had been several accounts of a man, many whom claimed was Jesus, passing through from town to town along the railroad. The accounts all said children accompanied Him, and that wherever He visited many had believed on the Lord, giving their life to Jesus. It was then they told us that He would be passing through that town in just a few short days. Obviously there was no exact schedule, but the rumors claimed His next destination was there.

A few mornings later news spread that He would be arriving in a few short hours. Alina and I were skeptical, yet curious. Bundled up in borrowed boots, jackets, hats and scarves, we made our way to the train station. There was a small crowd gathering, whispering to one another in anticipation. We all had the same question in mind. Who was this man whom touched the hearts and inspired so many people? Who was this man whom they called Jesus?

It first came as a small light, flickering off in the distance. As it grew closer, the light brightened and lit up the sky. The engine rumbled, smoke bellowed high, and the rhythmic grind of the gears. What surprised us all was the sound of laughter. Child laughter, starting out faint and barely audible and growing louder.

Before we knew it, the train was hauling in right beside us. Odd as it may sound, the cars had no roofs, and thus were exposed to the weather. Yet no one appeared cold. There were children everywhere, and suddenly just being in there midst made one bubble up in laughter and joy.

We ran along with the train until it came to a complete stop. When it did, I climbed up the side of one car and found myself looking right into the face of the man whom everyone called Jesus. In an instant I knew that all the rumors were true. I was looking right into the eyes of the Son of God. I saw His love. I saw Him looking at me, and I crumbled from the intensity of His love for me, and I cried. My whole body shook. In that moment I was overwhelmed in His presence.

He was surrounded by little children of all ages. He wore no fancy robes. He wore no crown of jewels. He was dressed quite simple. He was clean shaven save something of a three day stubble. His hair was brown, curly locks. His eyes I cannot put into words. Imagine a light hue, almost the color of blue and like glass. When He looked at you He looked into your soul. All knowing, yet entirely and altogether loving. I cannot explain this love that I felt, but when He set His gaze on me I felt so comforted, so rejuvenated, so full of hope, and so loved. I didn't want to let Him go. I understood in that moment what true unconditional love was. And his smile. He smiled at me. After seeing beyond the walls I had built up over the years, after seeing and acknowledging every hidden secret within my heart, after beholding my dirty and blemished soul, He smiled at me.

What is in a smile? I tell you, I cannot know save the smile of Jesus Christ. He did not condemn me. He loved me. He greeted me like I meant everything to Him. That was how He greeted everyone. It reminded me of that verse,

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17 KJV

He didn't say much, but this one thing I remember well. I don't recall the exact words, but one thing He kept repeating over and over was, “Trace my image and share it with the world.”

I told Him I did not understand. I told Him I had a sore hand for art, and that I could never do His glory justice. He only replied with the same request. I understand now that He did not mean literally draw His face, but rather share to the world the image of who He was and what He had done. I finally told Him I would. (This is me trying.)

The train had to pull out not long after that, and I begged Him to stay. I clung to Him, and nigh willed Him to remain, but He said He must continue. I begged to follow Him. I did not want to ever leave His side again. He was suddenly all I cared to live for. But in a still, small voice He told me to stay and pursue the calling He had given me. It reminded me of the man whom Jesus delivered from the demons when He crossed the sea of Galilee. The man begged to follow Jesus, but Christ commanded him to stay and go and share with the town what the Lord had done.

"And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 

"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

^"And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel."

Mark 5:18-20

I was not on that train when it pulled out. I remained behind. This truly applies to me in real life because for a long time I have been restless to go and do God's work in other countries right now. There have been nights where I could not sleep and would do anything to leave everything behind and just go. I have had really no patience to wait on the Lord's timing. But in that dream, when He told me to stay behind, I know that He was referring to me remaining here in the Flathead Valley and continuing school, being a witness here for Him.

When the engine began to rumble and smoke bellow out, I asked Jesus in my dream to let me look at His face once more. To gaze into His beautiful countenance, and behold His pure, innocent yet powerful glory. Pure love. Unconditional. Pure joy. I have never felt anything like it before.

I had cried when I looked into his face. Tears not of sadness, but an overwhelming of peace. I cried when I later rejoined the crowds and tried to tell them what I saw. I cried when I awoke this morning and discovered this all a dream. I cried when I realized that God did indeed care enough to visit me in a dream, JUST to tell me that He loved me, that He knew all I had and was currently going through, and to tell me He heard every prayer. He had been just as excited and anxious to meet me as I was to see Him. To show Himself unto me after all these years. He had seen my blind faith, and He at last manifested a small portion of Himself. I will forever remember that night.

Too often we think that because God does not come storming through and presenting His full majesty for us to behold, performing astounding miracles in our lives, that He must not see us or care for us. We think that God must not love us because He does not manifest himself to us. We think He doesn't care because He allows tragedies to befall us. We tend to think that we are too blemished for Him to care to love us or forgive us. We are so quick to condemn ourselves. But let me tell you this. To everyone who desires a relationship and reconciliation with Jesus Christ, He does not condemn you, but loves and cherishes you. He rejoices over you, and He is smiling on you right now though you cannot see Him. He hears you. I can vouch for that.

I looked on the internet about images of Jesus. Numerous life accounts poured through Google search, and everyone exclaimed over and over about His eyes and love. They claimed he had light eyes, some thought green and others blue. I personally believe they are a color no man can recognize, yet our mind struggles to tag a color our simple minds know.

I am positive with no doubt that I saw Jesus. I know it, and this I will cherish. I can hardly wait to see Him again in Heaven, and I desperately hope I have the most blessed opportunity to see Him again before then.

 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 

"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Ephesians 3:17-19 KJV

Sharing His love

Sometime ago I shared that I was sponsoring a child over seas. His name was Shishir. Unfortunately, I received an email a couple weeks ago informing me that Shishir had moved away, and was no longer available to be sponsored. I was worried, thinking the worst, but they assured me that he was healthy and in good care. They told me that he had only moved away from their ministry base of Compassion International in that area.

I have been praying on whether or not to adopt another child. Knowing that you are giving hope to a child (or family) in need is so rewarding. No doubt I do want to continue to donate in some way or another. I started reading up on the internet of other ministries. I looked through the EurasiaCommunity website. I went to the MSF Doctors Without Borders website. I started thinking that perhaps instead of giving a huge chunk of money to one organization, maybe I should disperse it among a few.

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways lately. Beyond proving me a place to stay for low rent, He has provided scholastic funds, healed my car, and given me multiple avenues to earn money. The Lord has indeed seen me through every obstacle, meeting my every need.

I had a dream a few weeks ago - I won't go into it now, but it was incredible and I will post it soon - about the Lord telling me to share His testimony to the world, and share His love. I plan to do just that.

If but the world could see His love! His love is more than anyone of us can imagine. When people say that God is love, they have noo idea how true that is! I caught a glimpse of just how big His love is, but it was for only a second. For anyone out there who is struggling and feels all alone, take heart! I have been there, and Someone cares! Someone hears your prayers. His name is Jesus, and He loves you beyond your wildest dreams.

Eurasia

I found an old bookmark in a book buried in a stuffed box in my closet last night. Actually, this "bookmark" was a folded up map that I had entirely forgotten about - a map of Eurasia.

http://eurasiacommunity.org/areas/what-is-eurasia/

Some months ago, a missionary had visited our church and shared with us the ministries going on there. He had provided us all with maps, requesting we pray for those people who had not heard the Gospel yet.

Eurasia consist of averagely 2.3 billion people, with 1.88 billion of them unreached by the Gospel. Christianity is not tolerable in many of these countries, but the Lord has been doing a great work.

I am reminded once again of the calling that the Lord has placed on all of our hearts: to preach the Gospel to the corners of the world. There is no place where it should not be heard. I know one day I will be over there in other countries, but for now I am here burying my nose in books at the college.

How I wish I could join our brothers and sisters across seas! How I wish I didn't have to wait and go to school! I know that God's timing is perfect, and in His will I vow to walk. Yet still I cannot say it is easy. He is teaching me patience.

I hung the map in my room last night, right where I could see it. I have been reading about Eurasia for quite sometime today, and every hour the restlessness within me increases. I am not restless only, but inspired. I am inspired to dare to step into the world unknown, beyond my borders, beyond the safety of home. I am challenged to reach into the darkest places of the world, but until then, I anxiously wait for the Lord to say to me "go".

Suicidal Deer

I can hardly wait for school to start! I just picked up my books today, and am reminded how blessed I am to have received financial aid. The total was over $800! Truly God has helped me through all of this. I could not have done this without Him, and the people He has moved to support me.

I am reminded of my first semester of college and how scary yet exciting it was. One class in particular - public speaking - I was terrified to take. Yet in the end it was truly one of my favorites. Here is just one of the many speeches I had to give.

_________________

   It's 8:00 at night and the moon starts to rise just above the tree line. It's Christmas Eve and anxiously Billy heads home to his family. Over the frozen pavement his headlights beam, showing him the way. Intently he watches for black ice.

   Suddenly out of the middle of nowhere something leaps from the dense woods and onto the highway only several feet from his Dodge. It's a deer and steadfast it remains, its feet planted firmly in the middle of the road. Grabbing the wheel with both hands Billy steadies the vehicle and prepares for the collision. Of all days to hit a deer.

   We all experience a version of this sometime in our driving career. Perhaps we manage to swerve out of the way or break just in time. Perhaps we hit it instead and total our cars, sending us or a friend to the hospital. Living in a rural state such as Montana we are bound to find ourselves in some sort of wildlife accident.

   How can we stop this? How can we solve this ongoing issue? Every year, we spend $1 billion solely to vehicle damage. 10,000 people are seriously injured and 150 killed due to deer collisions in the US. Montana alone ranks #5 in the top states for such accidents.

   We need to put an end to this. The solution is simple. No deer near the highways, no more hits. As one sign posted along a back road, “Suicidal deer. Please drive slowly,” such cautions would no longer exist.

   Imagine how much safer we would feel driving down the roads at night. We wouldn't have to worry about our loved ones tangling with a buck leaping from the shadows. We wouldn't have to pay all those medical bills fixing our broken bodies because we swerved and flipped our car. We wouldn't have to spend $1 billion at the autobody and mechanic shop. We could drive confidently and at ease. Our only problem left would be drunk drivers!

   So let's take care of this! How? We all know deer hate the hunting season. They run at the crack of a shotgun. They hide deep in the forests, watching for the bright color of hunter orange. So send your cars for a paint job and upgrade your horn to the sound of a 30 out 6. Who says we have to stand for this nonsense?

Found this devo this morn on Through the Bible Daily Devotionals. In short I didn't have time for my own study. (The couch which I have been sleeping on for the past few weeks was just far too comfortable. Lol!) Thought I'd share this one with you. Indeed, when we choose to stray from God, He has no choice but to let us. For He is a God who grants us free will. We are not puppets whereby He pulls our strings and we do His bidding. He calls us and lets us choose if we want to follow Him or not.

How gracious and blessed IS our God for restoring us to Himself when we repent and seek His presence. In truth, His well of mercy never dries nor is limited. How great is the love of our Lord toward us!

2 Chronicles 12:1,5 (NIV) 1After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD...

5Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, "This is what the LORD says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.'"

Rehoboam began with greed and immediately lost two-thirds of the nation. That did not humble him. He continued in his pride. After strengthening his army and defenses, he abandoned the law of the LORD. As the leader went, so went the nation. They followed his bad example in forsaking God.

An innumerable army, led by the king of Egypt, came against him and captured all the cities he had fortified and armed. One by one they fell. Then the prophet Shemaiah came and told Rehoboam that since they had abandoned God, God had abandoned them. Since they wanted to proceed without God, God allowed them to. What would our life be like without the protection of the hand of God? When a man or family or nation is walking in the fear of the LORD, they are surrounded by a protecting influence. You will never know all the things the LORD spared you from that the enemy planned against your life. That is why the end of the LORD's prayer says, "Deliver us from the evil one."

When we step outside of a trusting dependent relationship with God, that invisible hand of protection is lifted and the enemy is allowed in to bring us to our senses. It worked for Rehoboam. He and his leaders humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is just." Then God could have mercy on them and allowed Jerusalem to remain, though subjugated. All the treasure amassed in the temple was carried away by the enemy. Sin has consequences, and though we are allowed to continue and are restored relationally, there is a great loss because of our rebellion.

Consider: Draw near to God now so that He does not have to use tragedy to draw you back.

Bias in the News

Bias opinions influence the media and news tremendously in today's society, victimizing minority groups, the elderly, young adult, even whole countries in the name of free will and freedom of speech. Their literal goal is to shepherd their audience into conforming their opinions into agreement with their own. In the news, such bias reporting can negatively influence and distort the actual story, and that is why it is so important for people to be on their guard when listening to the news and media.

According to a Wikipedia article (2014) titled "Media Bias in the Unites States", in the 19th century, “News reporting was expected to be relatively neutral or at least factual, whereas editorial sections openly relayed the opinions of the publisher. Editorials might also have been accompanied by editorial cartoons, which would frequently lampoon the publisher's opponents.”

To this day, editorials continue to take on a more personally biased approach, but the news as well has become similar in reporting their stories. Such forms of persuasion might take that of liberal, conservative, mainstream or corporate bias.

It becomes clear that certain boundaries or limits must be installed in order for the truth to be preserved. Such organizations like FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, Inc.) and Media Matters for America, are just two of these groups focused on protecting the public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints

When strong bias do seem to slip past surveillance it is groups like hispanics, poor African neighborhoods, youth and the elderly that are targeted. Countless stories arise with negative opinions concerning certain races and age groups, like the immigration of Mexicans crossing the border, the all too common unmotivated high school graduate, those dependent on food stamps, and even the tension between the Palestinians and Israelis.

We are surrounded by such controversial reports as these. The task to seek unbiased, unmasked, raw news becomes more difficult with each passing generation. The line becomes blurred as to what is an expression of freedom of speech and what is false reporting. It shouldn't be a chore of the general public's to have to regularly critique the news we hear. As in the 19th century, there should be a difference between an editorial and news report, and the minority groups and those more vulnerable should be protected somehow from the continual cliche criticism they receive.

Imagine a world where bias opinions no longer existed. We could trust news sources full heartedly, knowing that there service was not an attempt to persuade us but inform us. We could actually believe what they said, displacing our skeptical minds for educated and knowledgeable minds. We would have the right to form our own opinions about the world, free from anyone telling us what we should think. A world without bias, or perhaps more obtainable, a news system with neutral views would be the preferable, most beneficial, most American approach to reporting. After all, isn't the golden promise of the United States is that of free will and independent opinion? Such cannot be obtained if we are continually influenced by the professional sources we are told we can trust.

We are faced with a dilemma however, as we do not live in a bias free world. To say that we will not eventually obtain such is unknown to us, but what we can know is what we will do about it. We the people of the United States have a voice. The general public is the United States. If we made an effort to avoid bias in our own lives, on a smaller scale, perhaps we could start to bring about a neutral medium to everyday life in America. It starts with you and me making a difference in the small things. We may not control the big shot news companies, but we can control our tongue. It is not to say one cannot voice their personal opinions, but when doing so make it clear that they are one's own, and never distort the truth. If one truly believes a certain way, one should not have to rely on false representation in order to convince their audience.

Ebola Outbreak

While on Instagram today I saw a post from Doctors Without Borders. There are outbreaks of a virus called Ebola in West Africa. Many have suffered and died. Others have recovered. M.S.F. is fighting to save the infected, and prevent further spread of the disease.

Hearing about such outbreaks makes me want to join Doctors Without Borders even more so. I am stirred to continue to pursue my education in nursing. One day it will be me out there. One day... Until then I keep them in prayers, learning as much as I can about such illnesses.

Is it odd I find plagues and the like so fascinating? It baffles me how such little organisms can end the life of not just one person, but up to thousands and beyond. It makes me want to go out and fight alongside the Doctors Without Borders team.

I copied a link below that explains more about what is going on in Africa. Will you join me in prayer for those inflicted and those who are there serving?

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/field-news/battling-ebola-outbreak-west-africa

Restlessness

I have been growing restless again for minsitry. It's been nigh four years, and I feel I might break. Call me crazy, but I can't stop thinking about Mexico. I remember the life there. We didn't know many times what the next day would hold. We went where the Lord lead. We met people of all walks of life. Some were devout Christians, with the same stirring for ministry as us, others were back slidden, needing motivation and a revival in their hearts. Some had never even heard of the name of Jesus. We slept where they slept, wept when they wept, and rejoiced when they rejoiced. We grew together in Christ. We gained much, and we lost much.

Since Mexico, I have struggled to live a routine life. I am not used to planning months into my future. I am restless. I am reminded of those still suffering, those still hungry. I know I am preparing myself for eventually going across seas, and serving in the medical field, but I grow anxious to help and do something now. I'm afraid to step out on my own, but I am more afraid of doing nothing. I must do something.

The world can't wait for us to be good and ready. Everyday, everyone is one more day closer to death. Everyday, is one day closer to Christ's coming. And though we look forward to that day with exceeding joy, there are still those who have not heard of the Gospel. How can we sit idly by knowing the lost walk among us?

Yes, one can reach out in ministry to the local communities. Yes. There are ministry opportunities left and right, right here in Montana. But what about those beyond our borders? What about those forgotten? They are dismissed too often with the excuse that another will reach out to them. There are the few that do. Why can't I be that person? God has given me this restlessness for a reason.
I vow to go where the Lord leadeth, but I pray He leadeth me to venture beyond my borders.

God's Beautiful Creation

http://instagram.com/p/ndeut7Jfab/

End of the World?

One can't deny the fact that pollution is indeed effecting our environment, just like so many other things. I think this will always be a concern for us as there will always be certain resources we will be unable to replace, like fossil fuels. Whether global warming is indeed the initiation to the end of the world, we do not know. From a Biblical stand point, it is inevitable that there will be a day that will be our last. The earth is bound to come to an end, but whether it is in the near future or a million years from now we don't know. No man can possibly know the day nor hour.

I noticed that on Al Gore's YouTube channel he had made a video called How It All Ends: God's Will. He pointed out a very thoughtful idea when comparing global catastrophe to a small river with a pipe line installed upstream. Indeed it poses many questions that got me wondering. The answer that the Christian lady he had interviewed gave, was that global warming was far too big, and that it was out of our hands. Please understand that God does not literally MAKE these tragedies to happen. He ALLOWS them. Which for many might sound like the same thing if the Lord truly is all powerful, and is always in control.

It comes down to the fact that, putting God aside, we are currently making choices in today's society that WILL have negative consequences. The world is indeed being trashed as harmful chemicals and toxins are being released into the air daily. We take for granted this world that we live in, and its abundance of resources. I mean just think, it's been able to sustain life for thousand of years! Truly such longevity of this earth is a miracle. But we will have to eventually face the consequences of our actions. God doesn't cause such catastrophes to happen, He allows them to happen. He doesn't stop them, or at least not all of them.

Eventually there will come an end to this world. I believe it because that is what the Bible says and, heck call me a Bible thumper but, I would rather put my trust in the God who created this world than the people in it who are still arguing over whether or not pollution is something we should be worrying about.

No man, woman or child can ever know exactly how or when this earth will come to nought. That's why its so important to put our trust in God. People keep thinking they can outwit Him and figure out a solution on there own, but in a sense that lady was right: when it comes to a global sense, it is out of our hands. We can do our best to make small changes, and perhaps slow down the deterioration of the earth, but it is still bound to come to an end. Just as people cannot live forever, neither can the earth.


I wrote this for my sociology class at the local community college. Often what they teach in class is far different than what I believe. It comes to a balance of how to get your point across with love and kindness, just as Christ would have done. To know the time and place to speak up for my Faith is something I am still learning.

Imagine!

"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original." http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity?language=en

I watched this for sociology this week. It talks about how the present education system is effecting the future generations. Very interesting. I recommend watching it. In truth, it is a shame more people are not willing to stand out and be different. The Lord gave us an imagination, to invent, create and portray originality. Why not use it!

God is GOOD

God is so good! How often we hear those words, yet think nothing of it. Yesterday, those words came to life. God has blessed me so much I am losing count of them all. Lol. No I didn't win the lottery, and no I wasn't given a 2014 Jaguar. The Lord has blessed me with opportunities to serve, with a clearer understanding of His word, with a growing passion to be like Him, and love the world as He does.

In addition, I received an award letter from a scholarship. It truly came just in time, for my bills was going to be cutting into the negative. With that scholarship I have less then fifty dollars to pay for tuition this semester. See, God does come through when we take that leap of faith, and choose to follow Him.

It is through the times of testing and trials where we see His power the most. When we choose to let go, it is then He can move mountains in our lives. When we give Him the wheel, like that one song by Carrie Underwood, it is then that He will take control and show us the way. We can rest assured that under His wings we shall never be desolate. Take heart and never give up, for in the footsteps of the Almighty will we find victory. God IS good!

Behind the scenes

So this is pretty long, but this is an assignment for a college paper that I just finished and submitted. I never realized how desperate of a situation it truly was until I started researching it. Let me know what you think.

International Manufacturing of Technology at Foxconn

and the Work Environment

Flathead Valley Community College

Savanah Ontiveros

     When we think of technology we think of the future. We think of the birth of a new global revolution. We enjoy this luxury, reaping its service for work, school and entertainment. We never stop to think from where it came or how it was put together. The factories that built the software, the hands that ever so carefully wired the systems, all to eventually be shipped off to countries like the U.S. and be received to our hands. We are never told about the mistreatment, unsafe environment, or unpaid overtime hours these workers experience. We are often lost to the realities of what truly occurs in these factories.

     They are behind the scenes, these diligent workers. They are never spoken of, never seen, and if ever mentioned they are quickly forgotten. They reside in countries like China, in towns like Chengdu, Shenzhen and Chongqing. The majority of them come from small rural villages, seeking work and a means by which they can support their families.

     In one interview given by Jenny Chan, Ngai Pun and Mark Seldon (2013) a   senior human resources manager said, “over eighty-five percent of Foxconn's employees are rural migrant workers between sixteen and twenty-nine years old.” Most of them do not work with Foxconn by choice. Most of them have no other job openings available.

     Foxconn easily recruits them by telling them about a promising trade with good prospect and competitive wages. They assure fair hours, and installment of safety precautions, as well as proper training. Upon such promises, according the research done by Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior or SACOM (2011), the workforce in Foxconn grew to one million in 2011.

     “I come from a village to sell my labor at Foxconn, all I want is to improve the living conditions of my family," a twenty-four year-old worker expressed in an interview by SACOM (2011). These workers come with high hopes of making a better life. What they don’t realize is what lies beyond the public’s view, and into the heart of their newly acquired occupations.

     One such troublesome issue is the misuse of chemicals without proper protection. The workers are not informed of these hazardous products, nor are trained to safely manage them. They are lucky to be given a mask to wear while they excessively use the chemicals everyday, SACOM claims (2011).

     In addition, the workers are given long hours with few to no breaks in between. They are offered overtime, and eagerly accept it as the wages paid barely reach legal minimum. Without overtime hours, many claim they could never afford living expenses. Li Hui, a female worker in Chengdu expressed, "It was disheartening when I found that I was only paid less than CNY 1500 [approximately $240]. I had overtime work on several weekends, but the hours were not fully recorded on the payslip" (SACOM, 2011). This is another issue many have to deal with. Overtime is often underpaid if paid at all, not to mention requested even after legal limit.

SACOM’s (2011) study found the following: Article 41 of the Labor Law in China stipulates that overtime should not exceed three hours per day and thirty-six hours per month... In reality, except in low season, the production facilities in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing violated the thirty-six hours overtime work limit provided by law... In Chengdu, workers usually have eighty to a hundred hours overtime work on the top of a hundred and seventy-four regular hours per month.

     If workers do not accept overtime, they are fired. Those who do stay must bare the military management practiced by several of the Foxconn facilities. Foxconn claims they keep to humane ethics and respectable treatment, but there are those who dare to admit otherwise. From humiliation, threats, and unsafe work environments these companies slave their employees to the point of suicide.

     According to reports made by SACOM they claim, "We also revisited Foxconn's flagship plants in two industrial towns, Longhua and Guanlan in the Shenzhen, where employees are still housed in dormitories surrounding with anti-suicide nets”. Apparently, they are not only aware of these tendencies, but are making the efforts to prevent such by setting up "nets". You would think they would stop to wonder the reason for such tendencies in the first place.

     The question for many, is how this has been kept hush hush for so long. As the word is spreading in these recent years, attention is slowly being drawn to how these prized products are manufactured. We in America admire companies like Apple, Dell, and HP, but these are the companies for which Foxconn supplies. "The code of conduct of Apple also states Apple is committed to ensure workers are treated with dignity" (SACOM, 2011). It is in their interest to improve the workplace in these factories, but one must wonder how efficient they are in following through.

     A report made by Michelle Fitzsimmons (2013) states that “Apple posted a claim of $43.6 billion in revenue... and $11.6 billion in profit”. One would think such increase in income would result in better pay, and benefits for the miracle workers who put it all together. One must wonder if it is truly out of ignorance, or the turn of a blind eye, as to explain why Apple hasn't already aided in bettering the environment of the workplace across seas.

     It's not a secret that companies like Apple have achieved an international market. Buyers world wide order their products at every available store, undeterred by the high prices marked on their labels. And as the demand for Apple increases, so do the fortunes of Foxconn. The only participants that do not benefit from this success are the very workers that fashion the electronics. For this reason SACOM is demanding companies like Apple to "raise [their] unit price to make a living wage feasible" for these employees. It is debatable, however, as to whether this will solve the dilemma faced by these workers. If these profitable gains and low wages are driven by greed, one must wonder if there is ever hope for them.

     "We have some really great stuff coming in the fall and across all of 2014." Time Cook explains according to one article (Michelle Fitzsimmons, 2013). With "exciting new product categories" there is no doubt that sales will continue to reach globally into every nation.

     Technology is a phenomenon to many of us, reaching beyond our understanding in how it works. Indeed, such electronic inventions are a masterpiece, as we all have geniuses like Isaac Newton to thank. Companies like Apple, Dell and HP will continue to grow as the competition rises. We will reap the benefits of masterminds as we sit back and wait for their upcoming products every year, improving our lives in ways like time-management, organization, and multitasking. We will continue to live daily forgetting who actually shaped these products within our hands. How much easier that would be than to approach reality, and realize what truly takes place behind the scenes.

     Underpaid wages, excessive overtime, military management, unsafe use of chemicals, and suicide attempts are just a small revelation of the daily life of these workers. Their voice is not heard, and for many they dare not utter a word against their occupations. We will continue to enjoy the comforts of technology in America, and in other rising countries. We will continue to pay the high prices for our education, work and pure entertainment. They will continue to work long hours to put food on their families table.

     Whoever said that life was not fair, was right indeed. For people like Karl Marx, “human societies progress through class struggle: a conflict between an ownership class that controls production and a dispossessed laboring class that provides the labor for production” (as cited by Wikipedia, last updated March 25, 2014). Such an unequal system is thought to be essential for the functioning of our globe. I disagree. I believe all peoples should be treated with the same respect, and with this newly acquired knowledge about Foxconn and its employees, I would hope we would spread the word of this grave mistreatment. Let us be their voice to the world.

Reference Page

Chan, J., Pun, N., & Seldon, M. (2013, August 12). The politics of global production: Apple, Foxconn

        and China's new working class. The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 11, Issue 32, No. 2. Retrieved

        from http://www.japanfocus.org/-Jenny-Chan/3981

Fitzsimmons, M. (2013, April 23). Apple says to look at fall, 2014 for 'amazing' product

  developments. Retrieved from

  http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/apple-sold-37-4m-iphones-19

  5m-ipads-as-mac-numbers-dip-1146484

SACOM (2011, May 6). Foxconn and Apple Fail to Fulfill Promises:  Predicaments of Workers after the             Suicides. Retrieved from http://sacom.hk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-06_foxconn-and- apple-fail-to-fulfill-promises.pdf

Wikipedia (last edited 2014, March 25). Karl Marx. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx

Instagram anyone?

Im not sure how many of you have Instagram, but if so would you be interested in checking out my page? Simplicity720 is my username. Thanks in advance! Let me know that you read this post and I'll follow you too. =) God bless!

To trust

Those who trust in the Lord shall never be moved. Trust. It is what God has been teaching me lately. I guess I am starting to realize that. As much as I do trust in God, there are so many times when I don't. Many times I rely on myself, taking control of my life, and forgetting to seek His will. I believe the lie that I know better than He, and that even if I should follow through with something that I know I shouldn't, I think the consequences won't be so terrible. Well let me tell you, the Lord has been graciously merciful to me.

I want to seek Him more. I want to worship Him more. I want to put Him in the forefront of my daily life. I want to trust Him more. I want to have no fear or worry.

I recall asking Him to teach me patience, and give me more faith. Well, we all know that God does not just GIVE us those things. He puts us in situations that will cause us to exercise those things, and ultimately strengthening us. Thus perhaps my car dilemma - the fact that I always tend to break down right in the middle of the road during rush hour - is but a small way in which He has given me an opportunity to have more faith and patience.

I admit, I have not always been strong, but God is faithful and ever gracious. I know that I can hope in Him even when I cannot see the hope of tomorrow. You would think I would have learned that by now, but alas, I find that I have not. In truth, it is through the tragedies and hardship when I see His face. For He makes Himself known to me in the deepest valleys, when I am at my lowest. When I am the weakest, THAT is when I see He is the strongest.

With this renewed hope, I know I can rejoice in the face of danger and misfortune. I can rejoice because even in the darkest of times God is in control. Gloria a Dios!

His name is Shishir

I adopted a child last month. Well, more accurately, I started sponsoring him. He is four years old, and his name is Shishir. He is from Asia, and comes from a poor family. I realize there are a lot of poverty stricken families out there. I should know, having known many personally. To be perfectly honest, I have always been skeptical about such sponsoring programs. This one, however, I felt God was laying on my heart. He was calling me to help this child and so... I am.
A man came and spoke in our church at the beginning of this year, and seeing those pictures and videos did something to me. In short, I was moved to do something. To make a difference. It is yes but one life, and such a life of but one small child. But it is one child that can be saved from poverty, and from hunger. It is one little boy who can now live and pursue his dreams. His dream is to become a doctor. His name is Shishir, and I think he is changing me more so than I him. Isn't it funny how that seems to work?

In Waiting

After today I am convinced more than ever that the Lord wants me to go across seas. Its odd that even when the Sunday sermons have nothing to do with ministry, I still find myself somehow thinking about it. One day, if only the time was sooner. But in anticipation I wait for the Lord's leading. Until then, may I seek to grow closer to Him, and prepare for that which awaits me.

Let us Love

There is a hurting world at our finger tips. There is a desperate heart about to break. There are many hearts about break, many already shattered. Jesus loved the hurting and broken. He befriended the tax collectors and sinners. He loved the unloved. He comforted the betrayed. Those whom others despised He served. And He showed them hope for tomorrow. He showed them there was a tomorrow.

Let us be like Him... let us help the forgotten, the lonely and lost; love the unloved, the hurting and judged; proclaim the Lord's name to both old and young; be the voice for those who have none. Let us have the heart and mind of God.

Falsley Credited to Evolution

I started school Wednesday. Attending the local community college. In truth I love it, except how much they taught evolution. It's especially emphasized in Biology.
There we sit, a book of wonderous things of our world, so delicate yet complex beyond our comprehension, entirely insync and beautiful, and its polluted by "this is the world a billion years ago". "When we came from animals", thats when we lost our mind. No offense, but I don't see how someone can study or even teach science and truly believe there is no God.
They say by natural selection we were evolved into better creatures. Natural selection? Well let me ask you, who did the selecting? SomeBODY someTHING had to have the brains, the conscious mind, the ability to make a decision, in order for us to be chosen. Also, a cell can reproduce indeed, cloning an exact copy of itself. But it cannot create another cell with a different set of DNA or genomes. If the world was really made from a single living organism, a cell, then the world must really be a clump of pudding. Cuz we would literally have to be the EXACT same thing as our "parents".
We aren't however. That is quite obvious. The universe is a complex creation, each species unique with special abilities and gifts. We are the workmanship of a God. We were - human beings - purposefully made, not the biproduct of a world that struggled to form order. When man was created, it was created. Just like that. We were never evolved. Why then do people insist we are existent by sole chance? Do they truly desire to have no meaning to their lives?

Bound to be Free

Check out this blog! Written by a friend of mine, a sister of mine. Truly uplifting, inspiring, original and beautiful. Love ya Anna! "Set Free to Fly" http://annamangialardo.blogspot.com/2013/12/set-free-to-fly_9149.html

God's Language

What do you think of when you hear people praying in tongues? What do you do? Some find it quite spiritual, and moving. Others seem to hear it only as noisy chaos, the product of a crowd of people pretending to be filled with the Holy Ghost. The Bible talks about speaking in tongues, and indeed one must be careful. I must admit I never cared for it. I was skeptical, and thought only a select few were ever gifted , but the chances of actually meeting such a person was rare and far in between. Hearing someone pray in tongues somehow caused me to build up walls around my heart, preventing me from coming into the presence of the Lord myself. I found myself disturbed. I judged rather than accepted. Even still I am skeptical, but I have come to a revelation that speaking in tongues is not bad. More specifically, praying in tongues is in fact an evolved characteristic trait of a Child of God. I am not saying you are not a Christian if you haven't been given your God language, but that with an open heart you will recieve one. I did recieve mine some time ago. I was not prayed over. I was not annointed or even in a crowd of people like many are. I was alone in my house in a dark room. Everyone was asleep. I was fretful, anxious, afraid and miserable. I had a heavy heart, and it seemed no matter how much I prayed in english my heaviness was not lifted. I was overwhelmed, but couldn't find the words to speak. And then i prayed that God would touch my lips with His Spirit, and give me the words to say. And He did! Since then I have found myself ever drawing closer to the Lord. I feel so alive! The words flow from my mouth. I tell you this not to brag, but becuase I am so overcome in joy in this new discovery i must tell someone. Most of you don't know my name or me personally. Perhaps such gives me a courage I could not else find should I tell those I see every day. I confide in you all in many levels, and I cannot say how grateful I am for your patience to listen. I apologize for not posting often, but how happy I am when I do. May God richly bless you all, as you come into a deeper relationship with Him. May you all find that window into the soul where you can connect with His Spirit. Do not be afraid. Do not hesitate. Wait on the Lord with faith. Do not seek an emotional feeling, and do not force the Spirit to give you a tongue. Let Him lead, and watch as He moves powerfully in you. And please, feel free to share your stories. I would love to hear them =)