Laurelin
The Heartland
I grew up appreciating the simplicity of a country life. My childhood was cocooned by the tip of the Hoosier National Forest and amber waves of Southern Indiana corn. I loved the romance of riding my horse bare-back through the countryside. I was instilled with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to see and experience the world. When the time came, I obtained a double degree in international relations and history from a university that believes deeply in the notion that the world can be changed one Indiana Wesleyan graduate at a time. In fact, this belief is so much apart of its educational philosophy that in-coming freshmen are required to take UNV-180 - World Changers. Sounds cheesy, right? Guess what? I bought it. But before you write me off as idealistic and naive, hear me out.
My life is apologetically Christ-centered. In the midst of a period of history in which humans were setting the standard for cruelty and hatred, Jesus came to provide forgiveness and grace. He set the bar for compassion and mercy, and He requires one thing in return. "Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1:17) There is no darkness so dark that it cannot be penetrated by the smallest light. It is our duty to take God's grace to those who are suffocating in darkness and despair.
In an age of globalization and continually advancing technology, I believe it is reasonable to expect that injustices like modern slavery can be eradicated. It is my hope that Living in the Shadows will be a grassroots-level link in the anti-trafficking network. My goal is to raise awareness to this issue and provide resources for those who want to join the fight.
Still think I'm overly idealistic? I'm okay with that.
