May 2019 Newsletter

Hands & Feet in Action

“My name is Sheila Foster and I have been retired from Lexington School District One for 8 years. After being retired for a while I asked God to point
me to something worthwhile that I could put my time, talents, energy, and resources into. Well, it seemed that at every turn He was bringing up the
phrase “Get involved”. He also sent me a dream in which I was making presentation after presentation to gymnasiums full of students (first time this
had happened, and it really got me excited). And in conversations with various individuals the name of Jen Thompson kept recurring. I had never met
this person, so I attended a trafficking panel discussion event in which she was participating. When I introduced myself to her and shook her hand,
my arm actually tingled! Now, I know Jen has quite an electric personality, but I am totally convinced that at that moment the Holy Spirit was giving
me confirmation that Lighthouse for Life had been chosen for me. That was about a year and a half ago, and I now travel the state as a presenter for
Lighthouse for Life. Sex trafficking is a horrible reality of our society, but if I can help citizens of South Carolina realize that knowledge is power,
and that we can’t fight something we are not informed about, then I know I am fulfilling the mission set before me.”

Karis Home Update

Last Sunday I was enjoying the porch swing at Karis Home, watching hummingbirds drink from the newly filled feeder, and was reminded that as much as God
created the intricate details of those hummingbirds and provides for them, He cares SO MUCH MORE for the precious girls that are going to come live
at Karis Home! He can even take care of them without our help, but He has chosen to allow us to be a part of the blessing. Wow!

Many of you have joined us in this blessing…from donating furniture, food, and other items to Karis Home, to surrounding that part of our ministry in
specific prayer, to joining our team as staff who will work directly with the girls. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

At this point, we are still interviewing to fill the final staff positions needed at Karis Home. The most needed opening is for a Night Monitor.

This role would cover Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights on alternating weekends…that’s about six nights a month to invest in the rest and recovery of survivors of sex trafficking.

We would provide all necessary training an individual would need before working with the girls.

If you or someone you know is intersted in knowing more about how to join our team, please contact Elizabeth, our Resident Care Coordinator, at elizabeth@lighthouseforlife.org as soon as possible.

Help us reach our goal of opening the Karis Home doors THIS SUMMER!

Sincerely,

Lisa

Financial Update

• Monthly Income: April Income: $43,982
• Monthly Expenses: April Expenses: $43,139
• Monthly Operating Budget: $50,000
• Regular Monthly Support: $23,385

Breakdown of Monthly Support

• From 8 businesses - $4,150
• From 13 church groups - $13,578
• From 105 individuals - $5,657

Next Event

SAVE THE DATE:

Come out and join Lighthouse for Life for 1 of these 2 upcoming
community awareness events.

First Opportunity – May 19 – Irmo SC

When: Sunday, May 19 @ 5 pm

Where: Salem UMC (1321 Salem Church Rd, Irmo, SC 29063)

Second Opportunity – May 22 – Camden SC

When: Wednesday, May 22 @ 6:30 pm

Where: Hermitage Baptist Church (814 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Camden, SC 29020)

These are great events for adults and children in 5th grade and above.  

Topics covered will include:

• Understand the Realities of Human Trafficking as it occurs in South Carolina
• Define human trafficking
• Describe basic terminology
• Identify types of human trafficking
• Differentiate between myths and reality
• Recognize risk factors and indicators related to human trafficking
• Understand the Dangers of Social Media
• Know what to do if you suspect a student is involved in human trafficking

We will also update you on the status of the Lighthouse for Life safe home and answer any questions you may have. See you there!!

News

Lighthouse for Life News

Dear Lighthouse for Life Family,

This year’s Midlands Gives Campaign was full of miracles!!! We made it past our goal!!! The grand total of prizes and donations
from this year’s Midlands Gives Campaign is $32,217.00

God is amazing! Our community is resilient and generous and we just can’t thank you enough!!!

The funds raised will cover right at 13 months worth of expenses for the safe house security system, electric bill and groceries!!!!

To God be the glory for doing such great work in this community for survivors of sex trafficking through YOU!!!!

Sincerely,

Columbia News

This is a friendly reminder to inform you of the next Richland County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force meeting . We look forward to seeing you on this Friday, May 17, 2019 at 10:00 AM in the Community Room of the Decker Center, 2500 Decker Blvd, Columbia, SC
. 

South Carolina News

Update on S194:

Unfortunately, S194 did not get read on the House floor yesterday. This is for a few reasons, but not for our lack of work:)! Because of ALL of your proactive
support for this, the bill is further in the process than it has ever gone and we are in a very ripe place for passage in January when the session
resumes!

So THANK YOU so much for your incredible work and support; we will wait 7 months if we must. During that time, we will focus on bringing awareness to magistrates
and those of the criminal justice system regarding the strong nexus between solicitation and human trafficking.

Again, S194 raises the penalties on buyers of sex; the current first offense fine is “up to $200” – this ranks South Carolina 47 out of 50 states. S194
will increase the fine to “250 up to $1,000.”

For more info on the bill, check out the S194 podcast by Palmetto Famiy Council featuring Senator Shealy.

Tremendous thank you to Rep. Peter McCoy, Sen. Sandy Senn, and Rep. Chris Murphy who all were decision-makers (from the Tri-County area)
in passing the bill. Thank you to Bob Healy of Lighthouse for Life, Clara Heinsohn of the Charleston County School District, Karen Walto and Maraide
Sullivan and the Sea Island Reublican Women’s Club, Mary Ann Taylor and the East Cooper Republican Women’s Club, Casey Austin and Kat Wehunt for leadership
in drafting the Survivor Leader Letter, the Wando Youth Advocacy Club, and ALL of you who made calls and signed petitions! 

New Partner Highlight

This month we’d like to recognize our oldest and newest partners; Grace Life Church and Faith Presbyterian Church.

Grace Life Church helped to plant the seed in our founder, Andrea Wind’s, heart 6 years ago that has grown into what you all now know as Lighthouse
for Life! They have been faithful partners with us ever since!

Grace Life has the vision to ‘be a people who Know God, Love People, and Reach Our World.’ 

You can learn more about Grace Life Church here.

Faith Presbyterian Church joined Lighthouse for Life this month and was part of our success during the Midlands Gives campaign on May 7! However, they
have invested in us several times over the past few years by organizing awareness events and helping us meet individual needs.

Faith Presbyterian Church desires to glorify God, enjoy Him forever, and be a place where individual relationships with Jesus can grow.

You can learn more about Faith Presbyterian Church here.