Slavery

It's not a word that our society is comfortable with.  And yet, there are more slaves today than ever due to the incredible influx of the flesh trade, also known as the human trafficking trade.  My friends Niki, Chris and I went to an awareness night at a local church in St. Catharines to watch a video called Call + Response.  Here are some facts and thoughts that were shared:

* In one year, one person can make as much as 240, 000 with only three slaves.

* There are more than 27, 000, 000 men and women who are slaves in the human trafficking trade - more than ever before and most of them are children.  It is the fastest growing crime in the world worth hundreds of billions of dollars ($32 billion last year alone).

* One girl had never been to school and related that she had been a slave for more than 6 years, averaging about 1000 sexual encounters per year.  She asked us to do the math for her for how often that would mean she's had intercourse.

* The fact that corruption has spread to high ranking officials and police officers who are often given free services for turning a blind eye makes trafficked girls realize that they can't trust even those who had sworn an oath by whom to be protected.

* The visual images of where these brothels are and what their living situation looks like were devastating.

* There were girls about 6-8 from Cambodia who were using terms like "boom boom" for intercourse and "yum yum" for oral sex.  They were referring to that, "Yes.  Is good.  Can do boom boom" and were seemingly excited to be able to claim that as they propositioned the man holding the camera.

* There are recruits who lie to women about job opportunities (maids, education, travel, etc.) and then those that accept those positions are actually trafficked.

* Slaves are sold for $4-$1000.  Most are in the $200-400 range.  In the past, you could buy a slave on US soil for the equivalent of $40, 000.  You can buy the same slave today for $300.  Oral sex can cost as low as 10 cents.

* Virgins are sewed back up because they garner more money.

* There was one man who was in a stand at a local market in Cambodia. He said that the only joy he got from his life as a slave was that other people were finding joy in the beautiful things he made for a local market.

* Most women who enter the trade unwillingly can not go back home either because the shame is so great on their family, or the traffickers threaten them that their families will be endangered.

* This trade extends to child soldiers and any person who is forced to work with no pay and is not free to leave.  This occurs in the rice fields, in the chocolate industry, in the cotton industry, in the coffee industry.

* The theme of abolition is evident in so many genres of music - voices who will not let this social justice movement be silenced.

* "Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."

* "It is easy to be caught in either apathy or the paralysis of despair.  To be so overwhelmed by the pain of the world that you shut it out."

WHAT TO DO??

* It is important to pray for those who are being trafficked but also for the traffickers.

* Bring awareness - don't let this topic become taboo.

* Write your MP and ask them to support Joy Smith, a strong advocate.

* Sign petitions - there's a bill to legalize prostitution in Canada (C310) - let your voice be heard!

* Host an awareness night.

* Get a group together to pay for the freeing of a slave through IJM (International Justice Mission).  Cost: $1000 per slave.

* Invite people to dessert parties! :)

This just in ...

A new adjective has been directed my way three times this weekend which I never once anticipated would ever be the case.  It's an adjective that makes me feel pretty darn stinking good about myself considering the 10 month journey I've had since making the decision to lose weight.  60 pounds lighter and the trifold complimentary adjective is : SKINNY!  I'm smiling.  I know this adjective would not be applied my way if complete strangers were to look at my physical form, but to you I say - give me time! :)  I'm on my way!  Skinny ...  yep ... still smiling!

East Coast Memories - Day 2

The Mitchauds provided a wonderful breakfast the next morning - a wider assortment of breads and croissants and their accompanying condiments.  Marsha even got an espresso!  We left at 7 am so that we could make it to Hartland, New Brunswick for a late lunch at the longest covered bridge in the world.

From here we drove to St. John and had dinner while we waited for the ferry departure time. 

 We also visited the reversing falls.  These falls change direction depending on whether the tide is going out or coming in.  Pretty cool!  

After waiting for the terminal attendant to print off our tickets (30 minutes!!), we boarded the ferry.

Poor Em!  She felt so sick!  The trip took 3 hours.  We took turns going on the internet, napping and watching an inhouse movie - Rando.  We got off the fairy and arrived in Kejimkujik National Park at 12:30.  An hour later, our camp was set up and we were fast asleep.  Sweet dreams until the next trip down memory lane!

East Coast Trip Memories - Day 1

So, this past summer I went out East with two lovely ladies - Emily, a friend from Campfire! and Kentucky 2011 and Marsha, a new friend yet to be befriended.

On the Sunday before the trip, I had dinner at my parent's place and then drove to Guelph.  We unpacked my car and repacked hers with all of the camping gear.  When Marsha arrived a few hours later we did the same thing.  That evening we went to bed on time and then left at 4:30 the next morning.

We arrived in Brockville midmorning and our first impressions were that it was very picturesque and historic.  We visited the first underground tunnel for the railroad.

Um ... Em - read the sign! :) Does "Circle of Peace" mean nothing to you?  Sheesh ... some people! :)

After some time of walking around the city, we decided to treat ourselves at a local nail salon.  Em and Marsha got pedicures and I got a manicure - first (professional) one in my life!

Now feeling very beautified, we headed to go for a cruise around the 1000 islands.  Apparently the city was started by wealthy cottage folk and was then partitioned by millionaires.  In fact, the area has the highest percentage of millionaires in North America.

 We almost didn't make it on this cruise as they had  a 15 person minimum, but at the last minute enough people showed.  Eleven dollars well spent!

 This island was inhabited by hundreds of seagulls.  They sent raccoons to eat their eggs, but all the raccoons died.

 Fulfert Place

 A common sight on our trip.

 Aren't these homes incredible? 

 Someone really needed this! :)

 A potential camping trip for the future?

This makes me smile.  Could you possibly fit a bigger house on a smaller island???

After our cruise, we had a picnic lunch on the waterfront and then drove (Montreal gave us a 2 hour traffic delay) to where we would be staying for our first night: Quebec City.  We went out for pretentiously-priced supper, not altogether unexpected considering our location in the Basse-Ville midway up the Breakneck Stairs.  We ended up staying at Patrice and Suzanne Mitchaud's who were so hospitable.  I'll start the next day for another blog post.

My new purchase

is a bit of a splurge.

Check it out:

I think I'm in love and might be drooling just a bit.

My last camera died a quick but painful death.  I guess you could our relationship went down the crapper.  Yes.  That means it fell down the toilet.  Before you ask the inevitable question, "WHAT were you taking pictures of in the bathroom?!?!?"  No.  I did not have a substantial bowel movement that I was so proud of that I needed to capture the special moment to later scrapbook.  I have a Y chromosome.  I put my purse on the back of the toilet seat because I didn't see a hook and when I turned around all I heard was a SPLOOSH.  I went out to get some rice to soak the camera, but it simply could not be salvaged.  So, merry belated Christmas to me.  I'm going to have fun being artistic with this.  And beware - when you think you're out of my range ... check out this zoom!!!

Yeah.  I know.

So be prepared for some great shots on future blogs! 

How can we praise God in French class?

This was a question I posed my grade 9 students and I had them each come up with 5 ways in which they could praise God in this class.  They wrote their answers on construction paper and then I posted them at the front of the room to remind them of these personal goals.

Here is a list of what they came up with:

1. Do not curse.  Obey the rules.
2. Read the Bible.
3. Mingle with the other students.
4. Keep the classroom clean.
5. Don’t cheat

1. Do work efficiently
2. No name calling
3. Repecting teachers and classmates
4. No tearing others down
5. Don’t get disgusted by learning French 

1. Don’t laugh at other’s mistakes.
2. Obey the teacher
3. Don’t plagiarize
4. Don’t use inappropriate language
5. Enjoy your class and don’t be grumpy

1. Teacher rules us not us over the teacher.
2. Do not use vulgar language.
3. Go God’s work.
4. Don’t pass notes.
5. Don’t break teacher’s stuff.

1. Do your best
2. Don’t be late for class.
3. Don’t cheat on tests/assignments
4. Respect people’s property
5. Do all to glorify God

1. Bring all books you need to class.
2. Participate in class activities
3. Respect the teacher and classmates
4. Finish homework on time

1. Be joyful
2. Be efficient
3. Be patient
4. Don’t antagonize
5. Have a colorful personality

1. Obey teacher
2. Don’t plagiarize
3. Tell the truth
4. Obey class rules
5. No vulgar language (English + French)

1. Have fun (don’t be a grump)
2. Don’t be late for class
3. Respect others and property
4. Do your best
5. Be nice to teacher
6. Be nice to classmates

1. If someone is struggling, offer to help after school or at lunch
2. Be supportive of others succeses and abilities
3. Share the materials needed to complete the tasks needed
4. Do not tempt your peers to cheat or support them in it, also do not cheat yourself
5. Try to the best of our ability to speak French, using our skills God gave us to speak, write French

1. Help others be kind
2. Do your best in your work
3. Be efficient in your work
4. Be joyful
5. When in doubt, ask the teacher

1. No plagiarism
2. Respect people’s property
3. Do work to the glory of God
4. Be kind to others

1. Help your peers understand the lessons
2. Don’t talk loudly so as to be a distraction
3. SMILE! Attitudes are contagious
4. Don’t call each other names! Show you care!
5. Don’t mock your peer’s work, marks, and projects

1. Obey Bible above everything.
2. Respect other’s property to the best of ability
3. Attend all possible classes
4. Don’t use washroom in first 15 minutes
5. (Do) Try your best

Classroom art

At the end of almost every day I receive visits from some of the kids of faculty members here.  They finish their day and then walk over to find their parent(s).  One little girl, Moeanna, always makes it about 3/4 of the way down the hallway before she breaks into a run to give me a bear hug.  She certainly holds a special place in my heart.  Sometimes she will come to have snack or eat one she didn't finish from earlier in the day.  Sometimes she will colour pictures. And others she will sit on my lap and just tell me about her day.  Today she drew me a picture.  This is what it looks like:

Can you guess what it represents?

A bed.  Good.  I got that far.

A pillow on the bed?  Yep!  Got that too! :)

Now, can you see the invisible groundhog that's on the pillow on the bed?  Yeah. Me neither.  I had to guess a lot of animals before I got to that one.  The hole with the line on the left is the groundhog's entrance into his cave, and the line above marks the fact that the bed is under the ground.  On the top we have a small wisp of cloud and just peeking in the top right hand corner is the sun.

I love the imagination of children!

Some of the other art that can be found in my classroom:

Moeanna learned how to draw faces.

1) Draw a U.

2) Take the same distance as the U using your fingers to measure.  Duplicate that distance in the middle and top of the U and then draw a dot.

3)  Draw lines to the dot.

4) Draw two ovals for eyes.

5) Draw an 8 for the nose.

6) Add embellishments (mouth, chin, freckles, wrinkles, hair). 

 Another Moeanna creation

 The next two are from Ellyanna

 Hehehe.

 This one is double-sided.  When I am feeling calm I put it on the blue side, and when I am feeling stressed out it's on the orange side.

 From a grade 7 student.  I guess she just likes cows?

 From a grade 8 student

 From a grade 9 student

 This one and the next one are from grade 10 students

Nicknames

I just realized that I have many nicknames.

At home, I am Kim, Kimber, Kimberly (when I got in trouble), Kimberly Grace (when I got into serious trouble), AngeKimKarenNickMeg - when Mom couldn't decide which one I was! :)

At school, I am Kim, Miss Hultink, Mademoiselle, Mrs. Hultink, #22, Hey!, Hultink, Madame, Miss K. Hultink (to differentiate myself from my sister), Elementary, the French teacher, the French Department, Frenchie, mon petit gateau, ma cherie, mon amour (a new one from this year!) :), Miss Hontek (as per one grade 1 student who coloured a picture for me which now decorates my classroom), Miss Kralt, Miss teBokkel, Miss Holltink

With friends, I am Kim, Kimmer, Kimmy, Key-im, Miss Kim, buddy, friend, "Hey you!", Kimifer, Kimothy.

At camp, I am Yahmi or B-Diddie.  Yes, B-Diddie.  That before my Campfire! time.

And with my nieces (real or adopted), I am Tante Kim, Tante, Bababoobody (according to Sarah when she is in a joking mood), and a new one as of tonight: Tonka Kim. :)

That brings the total to 38.  Hokes bedokes!

Can you think of any that I might be missing?

My niece Sarah

Sarah is my youngest niece and lives in Rock Valley, Iowa half of the time and in Sanford's Castle of Care for the other half.  Sarah was born with a number of health complications due to a syndrome called VACTERL.  Each letter represents something that was formed incorrectly in her development

Vertebrae - extra tissue at the bottom of her spine which was removed and ongoing supervision of potential scoliosis.
Anus - her anus was relocated to prevent further urinary tract infections and constipation
Cardiac - three holes in her heart were repaired and a stint inserted
Trachea - was fused with her esophagus
Esophagus - fused with the trachea, was not connected in the middle and had to be stretched and then reattached, and a hole at the top near the larynx
Renal - ongoing observation of the kidneys
Limbs - one leg is longer than another so she wears inserts

Last October, on top of all of these corrective measures and invasive surgeries, doctors discovered a malignant tumour on the base of her spine resembling a  bunny tail.  The tumour was given a cancer number of 80, 000 indicating the severity and size of the cancer.  Sarah was treated with four rounds of 5 days of chemo treatments followed by about a week of recovery at the hospital and home.

We have been waiting for Sarah to feel well enough to have an MRI to determine when surgery could take place, but today we got news that Sarah took a turn for the worse.  Sarah contracted pneumonia, but with her immune system deficient and her lungs weakened, it became increasingly difficult for her to intake enough oxygen.  In fact, as of this morning, Sarah was so weak that she wouldn't have been able to breathe on her own had she not been given a mask.  This afternoon, Sarah was intubated successfully but it will take a day or two to determine how successful and a full week to discover other results.

I know that Sarah's journey has been long and those of you who are reading this have upheld her in your prayers before and maybe already do on a daily basis, but I hope you will continue to lift her and her family up in your daily prayers.  This girl and her family are very special to me and to her family and to her whole community.  I've included a few pictures of little Princess Sarah.

I love popsicles in the summer

Aunt Karen painting my toes.

I'm so cool!

Mmm ... pancakes!

Wow!  Look at all these hats!  Most of them were given to other patients in the oncology ward in the Castle.

 This one was taken with Photo Booth :)

Surprise!  We're clowns! :)

Watching everyone open their gifts on Christmas with Uncle Nick

Doing Aunt Megan's hair

Finger painting in the Castle

Sanford's Castle of Care - Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

"Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings."  Psalm 61:1-4