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The following are the contents of 3 communications that some have recently received about the work in Costa Rica.
Go to: Paying Attention | Glad to Be Back
by Mylinda Baits
I just received good news from friends in Costa Rica about a colleague in ministry who works with victims of commercial sexual exploitation. It has been my honor to work alongside of and learn from Mariliana Morales. The ABW Tour this summer was privileged to visit the Rahab Foundation and meet both Mariliana and the women she serves. Here is what LAM missionary friend, Shelly Rice wrote:
"Last Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica invited Mariliana Morales, the Rahab Foundation founder and Director, to go to the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. to receive an award as a "Trafficking in Persons Heroine" or "Heroine against Modern Slavery", which she received today from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
This prize was given as part of the presentation of the ninth annual Global Trafficking in Persons Report (GTIP). Mariliana is one of nine persons distinguished worldwide for their commitment and fight against this type of organized crime. She was chosen among hundreds of candidates for this prize.
Just last week Costa Rica was shaken by news that two Costa Rican women were trafficked to Mexico for sexual slavery. At a time when this news confirms the existence in our country of organized crime networks which recruit Costa Ricans to be exploited as sexual slaves, this prize calls attention to the need to strengthen the national conscience, as well as to improve actions for the prevention of this kind of crime and to develop effective services for these victims, such as those offered by the Rahab Foundation over the last eleven years.
For more information about this prize, you can see the video and text of the presentation on the State Department web site, http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/06/124872.htm. In the last few minutes of the presentation, Mariliana shared a few words of appreciation. In addition, some people have told us that news of this prize can be seen on CNN news, probably in Spanish."
Thank you for making it possible to be involved in such groundbreaking and grace-filled work.
Blessings, Mylinda
Learn more about this ministry
by Mylinda Baits
 
I've often said that if I ever write a book the title would be "Paying Attention". This phrase has been a bit of a mantra for me in life and ministry. I've found that when I actually pay attention to what God is doing in and around me, life unfolds in rich and amazing ways. When I pay attention to others and hear their stories, they are built up and encouraged and I am transformed. I'd like to share two stories of recent events that have convinced me even more of the importance of paying attention.
Pam Davies, ABW State President of Montana wrote me about an experience she had back home in Billings after spending a week in Feb. of this year with me and my Costa Rican colleagues working to prevent sexual exploitation. The following are excerpts from her note:
The coolest thing happened at the club where I work today.
Last week while our fitness manager was out on surgery leave, a gal came into the club and offered her services to teach a class on exotic dancing. One of the owners hired her on the spot without consulting either the other owner, the fitness manager,or the other instructors. This class would teach pole dancing, lap dancing, exotic dancing and strip! Our Sr. citizen specialist, a christian who uses this job as a venue for personal ministry, as I do, got wind of it and immediately went into the other owner. After much conversation he decided to call a meeting between both owners, the fitness manager, the dancer and my co-worker.
When she (my co-worker) came into the club today she grabbed me and said we need to meet in the shower! (the only place in the club where "for sure privacy" is guaranteed). We headed for the sauna instead to pray for the Lord to cover this situation, to be present in the meeting, to give her boldness, to cover the meeting with peace, etc.. as she headed to the meeting, I called my prayer team and we went to work!
The exotic dancer never showed up for the meeting. The first owner walked out, and my friend's offer to resign was refused outright. The co-owner would not accept it or lose her over this. Praise God for these results. The class will not happen and my co-worker will continue her job and her ministry! She took a stand pointing out the degradation to women and young girls and how it would affect our "family" oriented club.
It strikes me how God is using His people in different ways to do His ministry in some very interesting ways!
I continue to see Him using even me as women approach me concerning these issues. "who would've thought what a simple trip to Central America would bring?" Praises to Him!!
As Pam paid attention to the stories of how God was moving to bring justice and liberation to those exploited and taken advantage of in Central America, she began to pay even more attention to how God was moving in her own neighborhood. Her friend was built up and encouraged and they were all transformed.
A week after Pam left Costa Rica, I joined with 90 other leaders from all over Latin America to learn, listen and create new ways to reach out in ministry to victims of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking at the ICAP Conference focused on Making Connections in order to Break the Chains of Human Slavery. 10 of those leaders came from the Baptist churches of Costa Rica, women in ministry that I've been privileged to mentor, encourage and learn from over the last eight years of serving as an IM missionary. My friend and IM colleague, Lauran Bethell, who began paying attention to these issues years ago, was one of the keynote speakers. Though the issues of exploitation have been affecting Costa Rican life for many years, some churches are just now starting to pay attention to the needs of those victimized by them. The road is long and we often do not know where it will take us, but we do know that God is moving and if we pay attention, we'll see God working in amazing and life-giving ways in our churches and communities.
Whether you live in Latin America, Asia, Africa or Montana, God is moving in your midst, you'll see it if you pay attention. Thank you for paying attention to God's call on your life to live generously and thoughtfully. We are encouraged and built up because of you.
Your prayers and financial gifts to our ongoing support make these ministries possible.
Trying to pay attention,
Mylinda
by Mylinda Baits and Gary Baits
After a hectic, but blessed year in the United States we are now back in Costa Rica. Before leaving the United States we were able to see California family once more and reconnect with our American Baptist family at the Biennial gathering in Pasadena. It was great to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. We also got to say "thanks" face to face to so many of our supporters.
We have been welcomed back to Costa Rica by our friends and ministry partners. Between unpacking boxes we've managed to check in with work groups from Indiana, California, and Puerto Rico.
We hope to give a fuller update soon, but wanted to let you all know that we arrived safely and are getting back to life here. Also, our U.S. phones have been discontinued and our snail mail address is as follows:Gary and Mylinda BaitsApartado 436-2100San Jose, COSTA RICA
Thanks especially to all of you who have donated and continue to donate to our support. Without you we couldn't be a part of God's transforming work here. Come and visit us. We'd love to introduce you to some of our friends.Blessings,Gary and Mylinda
Mylinda and Gary Baits' Journal
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