changed for his family in Indonesia. Living in a simple board house, Syaweli’s family was supported by his mother selling food on their front porch and his father driving a motorcycle taxi. In many ways, they were marginalized within their community. After Syaweli’s acceptance, his parents became respected The Rubles have facilitated educational opportunities for students at local schools and for young people such as members of the community. Septiani, who lost her family in a 2009 earthquake (far right in red). Syaweli returned from his year abroad and was able to gain entry to On a recent vacation, the Rubles met new passport, retrieving a portion of her the University of Indonesia, the most presan Indonesian girl they believed had been back pay from her employer and getting tigious university in the country, where he trafficked. When Cindy approached her, her safely back to her home country. is now studying public health. she learned the girl had been working in The Rubles say that without the CBF slave-like conditions. She had been passed Offering for Global Missions their ministry Advocating for victims from one employer to another, her wages would be impossible. of human trafficking withheld and her boss refused to return “Partnerships with churches is essential For Cindy, being the presence of Christ her passport to her. She had no freedom of to everything we do here,” Eddy said. “We also includes partnering with education movement, which is one of the hallmarks of are the hands and feet in these countries, and advocacy initiatives to eliminate modern day slavery. And the girl thought but the body which supports us is a netviolence against women and children. that without her passport she would never work of stateside church partners and orgaShe gives community talks in schools, be able to return home. nizations. Without their support, we cannot factories, churches and other venues, “After talking to a local non-profit do what we do.” helping individuals and families recognize working on the forefront of helping the signs of abuse, identify the perpetrators trafficking victims, I told her that even By contributing writer Melissa Browning and create safer communities for women without her passport we and children. could help her get back “Human trafficking is a global issue,” to Indonesia,” Cindy Cindy said. “When we look statistically said. “She became so at how many slaves there are in the world emotional that she threw today — it’s estimated that there are over her arms around me and 27,000,000 — that’s more than at the height just began sobbing, and in of the transatlantic slave trade.” Indonesian, saying, ‘I can For Cindy, this advocacy work is deeply go home, I can go home.’” linked to her calling as a Christ follower. With the help of a loShe feels compelled to serve among some of cal non-profit, the Rubles the world’s most neglected people. assisted in processing a
Learn &Give
The CBF Offering for Global Missions provides funding for the lifechanging ministries of more than 135 CBF field personnel. This year, the Rubles are part of the CBF Offering’s international focus. You can go online to www.thefellowship/ogm to download and order free resources for your church. As you learn more about the Rubles’ ministry, consider how you can be a part of their work by giving. Go to www.thefellowship.info/givenow. fellowship!
October/NOvember 2012
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