USA (OMI/MNN) ― Remember The Freedom Climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania?
What began as a dream became something tangible for advocacy. In January 11, 2012, 48 women from seven different countries gathered in Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro -- the world's tallest free-standing mountain.
Their voices spoke for those who could not speak for themselves: the oppressed, enslaved women and children trapped in human trafficking.
This first group raised global awareness about the issues, as well as prayers and funds. The goal for the climb, and for 2012, is to affect the lives of 10,000 women through projects that break the cycles of poverty, shame, slavery, and despair.
The Freedom Climb is a ministry of Operation Mobilization (OM). It supports OM projects focused on at-risk women and children, specifically those who are exploited, enslaved, oppressed, and trafficked. OM works among the most marginalized and least-reached people in the world and has 6,100 workers from 100 nations, serving in 118 countries.
However, OM also wants you to know that you do not have to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to be a voice for these destitute women and children. You can be an advocate whether you are a student, soccer mom, grandmother, working woman, or anything in between.
They're holding a conference on September 20-23 to introduce the initial group of 48 climbers. The conference will help tell the story of how ordinary women are helping to bring extraordinary hope to oppressed, exploited, and trafficked women.
Keynote speakers Stasi Eldredge--co-author of Captivating, and Carolyn Custis James--author of Half the Church, and other speakers will be hosting workshops to provide tools to become an advocate and engage your community, church and local media in the cause.
This year, the Freedom Climb is being opened to families. On September 22, participants can join the hike in the Colorado Springs area, or prayer walks. Others climbs, like summiting Pikes Peak, are more challenging. Each climb is symbolic for those who cannot declare freedom in their lives and climb out of their circumstances. Men, women, and children are welcome to participate in a climb.
Like the initial group, climbers should be passionate about the Gospel. Any funds raised will go to OM projects that share and proclaim the ultimate freedom in Jesus Christ.
