{"id":1687,"date":"2017-11-06T20:12:03","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T20:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=1687"},"modified":"2017-11-13T17:18:38","modified_gmt":"2017-11-13T17:18:38","slug":"alabaster-jar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/alabaster-jar\/","title":{"rendered":"Alabaster Jar"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Madeline Raglin<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is the definition of <\/span>love<\/span><\/i>? <\/span><\/p>\n

Some say <\/span>love <\/span><\/i>is an affection, chosen and unconditional. Others say it is an emotional drawing toward an individual. However, in the minds of millions around the world, the definition of <\/span>love <\/span><\/i>encompasses brainwashing and manipulation. <\/span><\/p>\n

My eyes were opened and heart broken for those who fall victim to sexual exploitation, after visiting a safe house two years ago in Pennsylvania. I had a heaviness on my soul for those victimized by sex trafficking prior to visiting this safe house. However, the things that I learned during my stay there broke my heart in an unmendable way.<\/p>\n

I always had a preconceived notion that prostitution and sex trafficking were two separate matters. However, when I arrived to this place, I quickly learned that they are generally one in the same. After speaking with the women living in the safe house, I found that those who prostitute themselves in red light districts are reporting to someone.<\/p>\n

While I vaguely understood, what I did not understand was the reason why these women did not simply pick themselves up and leave the environment. I quickly learned the answers. First, there are dangers that can follow escape. Second, these women are often manipulated into believing that the person that they report to loves them, and regardless of the painful circumstances is taking care of them with their best interest at heart.<\/p>\n

Human trafficking is not only a business of kidnapping and sexual exploitation; it is intense manipulation. Ministries, such as Alabaster Jar, help these women out of human trafficking. Often, the results are the sad return to the scene because of the manipulation that occurred prior to their rescue.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Alabaster Jar <\/span><\/b>is a ministry in Berlin, Germany, with a mission to rescue women enslaved in the sex-trade industry. This ministry seeks to help women in the red light district of Berlin who have fallen victim to trafficking and sexual exploitation. The Alabaster Jar ministry helps these women find freedom and new life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. <\/span><\/p>\n

“\u2026 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” <\/i><\/span>Luke 7:38 <\/span><\/p>\n

Here, scripture illustrates a perfect picture of a sinful woman, broken, sitting at the feet of Jesus. If there is one thing that each of us can relate to, it is this: seeing our dirtiness, and realizing that the only true and permanent rescue is nearness to Christ.<\/p>\n

It is easy to drive down the road in the dark, and cast judgement on those who we don\u2019t know or understand, without thinking about our own dirtiness. In fact, that\u2019s what the <\/span>holy <\/span><\/i>people did to the sinful woman with her alabaster jar. They saw her sin, and then they called her by her sin. <\/span><\/p>\n

I am thankful to know a Savior who knows me by name and not by my sin. What if we, as the body of Christ, saw prostituted women in this light? What if we sought to be a reflection of Jesus in their lives, rather than that of a Pharisee?<\/p>\n

Alabaster Jar is a living reflection of Jesus. In the end, the ministry desires to look at every woman that they have rescued with the grace and words of Jesus: <\/span>“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” <\/span><\/i>Luke 7:50 <\/span><\/p>\n

The business of sex trafficking is a matter in existence worldwide. In many corners of the world, this industry is legally tolerated. However, even in places such as the United States of America, this horrific industry thrives.<\/p>\n

One of the most crucial things that all Christians can contribute to Alabaster Jar, as well, to similar ministries around the world is prayer. Pray that the rescued women will find a softness in their souls that allows their hearts to open up to Jesus and His love, to break the bondages that are holding them captive. Pray that opportunities become available at the perfect time for these women, in order to be able to survive financially. Pray for the volunteer teams that work for these ministries globally. Alabaster Jar, specifically is in need of additional volunteers to work in various areas of their ministry. The pursuit of these rescues are dangerous for everyone involved. Recently, an older German woman in the Berlin area was beaten beyond recognition, and 3 weeks later died. Therefore, safety is a prayer that is desperately coveted. Pray that God would open the appropriate doors for all of Alabaster Jar\u2019s areas of ministry. Finally, pray against the bondage of human trafficking and against organized crime in the area of sexual exploitation.<\/p>\n

Another need that Christians can take part in, is going. Ask the Lord to search your heart. Is He tugging on you to go to Berlin to help with Alabaster Jar? Is He tugging on you to go into your immediate community or a nearby community to become a part of efforts to end sexual exploitation near you? If the answer is <\/span>yes<\/span><\/i>, then I challenge you to obey. There is someone out there waiting to see a reflection of Jesus in your tenderness. <\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, as a Christian, you can support Alabaster Jar. Your finances can go toward enhancing the efforts of seeing victims of sex trafficking find the hope of Jesus Christ. This support can also be a source of equipping someone to be Jesus with skin on toward these women who lack hope.<\/p>\n

What will you do to take part in showing the world what the definition of <\/span>love <\/span><\/i>should be? <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Madeline Raglin What is the definition of love? Some say love is an affection, chosen and unconditional. Others say it is an emotional drawing toward an individual. However, in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":1689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[256,157,258,257],"class_list":{"0":"post-1687","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-alabaster-jar","9":"tag-germany","10":"tag-human-trafficking","11":"tag-trafficking","12":"entry"},"title_es":"Jarra de alabastro","content_es":"\u00bfCu\u00e1l es la definici\u00f3n de<\/span> amor<\/span><\/i> ?<\/span> Algunos dicen que el<\/span> amor<\/span><\/i> es un afecto, elegido e incondicional. Otros dicen que es un dibujo emocional hacia un individuo. Sin embargo, en la mente de millones de personas alrededor del mundo, la definici\u00f3n de<\/span> amor<\/span><\/i> abarca el lavado de cerebro y la manipulaci\u00f3n.<\/span> Mis ojos se abrieron y se rompi\u00f3 el coraz\u00f3n de aquellos que son v\u00edctimas de la explotaci\u00f3n sexual, despu\u00e9s de visitar una casa segura hace dos a\u00f1os en Pensilvania. Tuve una pesadez en mi alma por los que fueron v\u00edctimas del tr\u00e1fico sexual antes de visitar esta casa segura. Sin embargo, las cosas que aprend\u00ed durante mi estancia all\u00ed rompieron mi coraz\u00f3n de una manera indestructible. Siempre tuve una idea preconcebida de que la prostituci\u00f3n y el tr\u00e1fico sexual eran dos asuntos separados. Sin embargo, cuando llegu\u00e9 a este lugar, r\u00e1pidamente aprend\u00ed que generalmente son uno en lo mismo. Despu\u00e9s de hablar con las mujeres que viven en la casa de seguridad, descubr\u00ed que quienes se prostituyen en los distritos de luz roja le informan a alguien. Si bien entend\u00ed vagamente, lo que no entend\u00ed fue la raz\u00f3n por la cual estas mujeres no se levantaron y dejaron el ambiente. Aprend\u00ed r\u00e1pidamente las respuestas. Primero, hay peligros que pueden seguir al escape. En segundo lugar, estas mujeres a menudo son manipuladas para creer que la persona a la que denuncian las ama, y \u200b\u200bsin importar las circunstancias dolorosas, las est\u00e1 cuidando con su mejor inter\u00e9s en el coraz\u00f3n. La trata de personas no es solo un negocio de secuestro y explotaci\u00f3n sexual; es una manipulaci\u00f3n intensa. Los ministerios, como Alabaster Jar, ayudan a estas mujeres a salir del tr\u00e1fico humano. A menudo, los resultados son el triste regreso a la escena debido a la manipulaci\u00f3n que ocurri\u00f3 antes de su rescate. \"\"<\/a> Alabaster Jar<\/span><\/b> es un ministerio en Berl\u00edn, Alemania, con la misi\u00f3n de rescatar a las mujeres esclavizadas en la industria del comercio sexual. Este ministerio busca ayudar a las mujeres en el barrio rojo de Berl\u00edn que han sido v\u00edctimas de la trata y la explotaci\u00f3n sexual. El ministerio Alabaster Jar ayuda a estas mujeres a encontrar la libertad y la nueva vida a trav\u00e9s de una relaci\u00f3n con Jesucristo.<\/span> \"... y parado detr\u00e1s de \u00e9l a sus pies, llorando, ella comenz\u00f3 a mojar sus pies con sus l\u00e1grimas y los enjug\u00f3 con el pelo de su cabeza, bes\u00f3 sus pies y los ungi\u00f3 con la pomada\".<\/i><\/span> Lucas 7:38<\/span> Aqu\u00ed, las Escrituras ilustran la imagen perfecta de una mujer pecaminosa, quebrantada, sentada a los pies de Jes\u00fas. Si hay algo con lo que cada uno de nosotros puede identificarse, es esto: ver nuestra suciedad y darse cuenta de que el \u00fanico rescate verdadero y permanente es la cercan\u00eda a Cristo. Es f\u00e1cil conducir por el camino en la oscuridad y juzgar a aquellos que no conocemos o no entendemos, sin pensar en nuestra propia suciedad. De hecho, eso es lo que las<\/span> personas<\/span> santas le<\/span><\/i> hicieron a la mujer pecaminosa con su jarro de alabastro. La vieron pecar, y luego la llamaron por su pecado.<\/span> Estoy agradecido de conocer a un Salvador que me conoce por mi nombre y no por mi pecado. \u00bfQu\u00e9 pasa si nosotros, como el cuerpo de Cristo, vimos a las mujeres prostituidas en esta luz? \u00bfQu\u00e9 pasa si buscamos ser un reflejo de Jes\u00fas en sus vidas, en lugar de un fariseo? El jarro de alabastro es un reflejo viviente de Jes\u00fas. Al final, el ministerio desea mirar a cada mujer que han rescatado con la gracia y las palabras de Jes\u00fas:<\/span> \"Tu fe te ha salvado, vete en paz\".<\/span><\/i> Lucas 7:50<\/span> El negocio del tr\u00e1fico sexual es un asunto que existe en todo el mundo. En muchos rincones del mundo, esta industria es legalmente tolerada. Sin embargo, incluso en lugares como los Estados Unidos de Am\u00e9rica, esta horrible industria prospera. Una de las cosas m\u00e1s importantes que todos los cristianos pueden contribuir a Alabaster Jar, tambi\u00e9n, a ministerios similares en todo el mundo es la oraci\u00f3n. Ore para que las mujeres rescatadas encuentren una suavidad en sus almas que permita que sus corazones se abran a Jes\u00fas y a su amor, para romper las ataduras que los mantienen cautivos. Ore para que las oportunidades est\u00e9n disponibles en el momento perfecto para estas mujeres, a fin de poder sobrevivir econ\u00f3micamente. Ore por los equipos de voluntarios que trabajan para estos ministerios en todo el mundo. Alabaster Jar, espec\u00edficamente necesita voluntarios adicionales para trabajar en diversas \u00e1reas de su ministerio. La b\u00fasqueda de estos rescates es peligrosa para todos los involucrados. Recientemente, una mujer alemana mayor en el \u00e1rea de Berl\u00edn fue golpeada sin posibilidad de reconocimiento, y 3 semanas m\u00e1s tarde muri\u00f3. Por lo tanto, la seguridad es una oraci\u00f3n que es codiciada desesperadamente. Ore para que Dios abra las puertas apropiadas para todas las \u00e1reas del ministerio del Tarro de Alabastro. Finalmente, ore contra la esclavitud de la trata de personas y contra el crimen organizado en el \u00e1rea de la explotaci\u00f3n sexual. Otra necesidad en la que los cristianos pueden participar es irse. P\u00eddale al Se\u00f1or que escudri\u00f1e su coraz\u00f3n. \u00bfEst\u00e1 tirando de usted para ir a Berl\u00edn a ayudar con el Tarro de Alabastro? \u00bfEst\u00e1 tirando de ti para ir a tu comunidad inmediata o a una comunidad cercana para formar parte de los esfuerzos para poner fin a la explotaci\u00f3n sexual cerca de ti? Si la respuesta es<\/span> s\u00ed<\/span><\/i> , entonces te desaf\u00edo a obedecer. Hay alguien esperando ver un reflejo de Jes\u00fas en tu ternura.<\/span> Finalmente, como cristiano, puedes apoyar a Alabaster Jar. Sus finanzas pueden destinarse a aumentar los esfuerzos para que las v\u00edctimas del tr\u00e1fico sexual encuentren la esperanza de Jesucristo. Este apoyo tambi\u00e9n puede ser una fuente de equipar a alguien para que sea Jes\u00fas con la piel hacia estas mujeres que carecen de esperanza. \u00bfQu\u00e9 har\u00e1s para participar mostrando al mundo lo que<\/span> deber\u00eda ser<\/span> la definici\u00f3n de<\/span> amor<\/span><\/i> ?<\/span>","author_name":"","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/11\/ajcafe4-e1509999064309.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-rd","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1687"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1687\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}