Chennai and The Exciting Past

1. In a recent partnership of IJM with local authorities, over 500 men, women, and children have been rescued from a brick kiln where they had been held in a form of slavery called bonded labor.

Bonded labor refers to a system where an individual advances a family the US equivalent of a couple hundred dollars (frequently the amount is much less than this). That owner then holds the family in their bonded service until they are able to 'pay off' the debt. Oftentimes, even after decades, they will never declare the debt paid, keeping the family in their service - slavery under the guise of good business.

Here's the article: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/chennai/29486830_1_revenue-officials-kiln-labourers

We're ecstatic to celebrate one of the largest rescue operations in IJM's history.

2. Also, you may remember from our recent West Coast tour that we had the privilege of taking part in the Freedom Summit this year. Well, friends, THE AUDIO RECORDINGS ARE ONLINE FOR FREE, with even some video! Check out the link here: http://freedom-summit.org/2011/watch/ . Fifty points to the first person who spots Curtis' breakout session.

Spilling Hope Release

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Fremont Abbey and supported us with Karin Stevens Dance last weekend in a creative push to raise awareness and funds to end human trafficking. We left encouraged and thankful for the community effort.

Hey all. What's cooler than your water bill? Don't worry, I'll tell you. Digging wells so people in other parts of the world don't have to walk miles a day to acquire water that isn't even that great! And you know who's doing that?

This radical group from Bethany Church has done just that for the last two years, raising over $330,000 to build new wells with Living Water. Well friends, this year, they've set their sights on going even further to bless people all across Uganda.

As if the 75% water of you wasn't already a wave of excitement, they've invited us to contribute to a compilation album (!!!) as part of their challenge to live simply for the benefit of others. It all begins tomorrow on Easter Sunday.

As you might imagine, we are deeply honored to be included. Also on the album are Doug Burr and some of my ridiculously talented friends, Seryn, who I was blessed to know in my Denton, TX college days.

Here's their challenge: can you change your lifestyle to live on $1 less per day? $2? What can you share from your resources to give someone else a gift like clean water? Check this group out. Spilling Hope has done great things to care for others in our world and want to do more.

Hey Seattle! Dance Concert on April 15-16th!

We've been collaborating with the lovely Karin Stevens and Seattle Against Slavery to present Seattle with a couple beautiful evenings! If you're in the area or know of anyone who might be the least bit interested in dance, point them in our direction!

From the SAS website: "On April 15 & 16, 2011, 7:30 pm, with a press-preview mini performance April 8, 5:30pm, karin stevens dance (ksd), will present a concert of contemporary dance and live music with the Seattle band, JUBILEE, at the ksd resident space, The Fremont Abbey Arts Center, 4272 Fremont Avenue North.   Performances will take place in the Great Hall of this beautifully restored historic building. The concert will raise awareness of the local fight against human trafficking with the help of partnering organization Seattle Against Slavery. This ksd season concert will present a body of new work to two classic JUBILEE songs and five from their recently released album, To See you Well.  Spoken word artists Laura Wright, Nikkita Oliver, Christian St. Jaques, and Tony Rivisto are also performing.  A cocktail hour will follow the performance with all the artists and volunteers from Seattle Against Slavery available for a meet and greet."

April 15th & 16th // 7:30pm // Fremont Abbey //

$18 pre-sale // Purchase tickets here

Four Easy Ways To Know You're Wearing Makeup

Yesterday JUBILEE was privileged to dance, sit, holler, and skateboard in front of the generous lenses of Andi Dean. She's helping us with a photo campaign that puts an image to the justice restoration we hope to see in our day (as a gift to us, ya'll). Our time with her this weekend was one piece of that delicious pie.

It had been a while since I was a satyr in my high school's production of Midsummer Night's Dream and worn any kind of makeup (thanks Pacquiao!). For anyone like me who doesn't go under the brush often, here's a few ways to know you've got some extra help in the mug department.

1. You look well rested. Hey, where did those shiners go? It's amazing what a little makeup will do for lack of sleep. Coffee might give your brain a boost, but you won't hide it without a little base (did I say that right?).
2. You feel guilty scratching your face. Someone else offers their time and expertise smoothing out those edges. That's their art. Would you go make your own version of your friend's painting? What if that painting is on your face?
3. You want to throw a party with cake and hummus and all your friends, especially that one girl you think is awesome. "Are you wearing base?" "Yeah, only 'cause we had this photo shoot." Who knows when you'll have professional make up done again? Gotta make it count.
4. It hurts to wash your face. In the eyes. Any tips on that?

"What is that thing in the sky?!" says the Seattle-ite.

Advance!

Hi all. Today is a really big day. While it contains the same number of hours as yesterday, today is the 2nd day of JUBILEE's meeting to advance. We're toasting in thankfulness to the good things that have happened. We're looking down the road at where this justice-tron could go. AND. We're playing bocce.

If you think to pray for us today, we'd appreciate it. We love playing music and fighting slavery and want to see this thing work. Mostly though, we want to stay as physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy as possible along the way. Thanks friends.

Lastly, for some sunny afternoon reading (this day looks like it's gonna be gorgeous) check out KEXP's Review of our CD Release.

Wear JUBILEE Tie to Work Day

In addition to Be Electrific Day, Pro Sports Wives Day, National Shut-In Visitation Day, Satisfied Staying Single Day, and White Shirt Day...

Tim promotes February 11 as "Wear Your JUBILEE Tie to Work Day." Now, you may look me in the internet eyes and retort, "but Steven, I thought that was every day," and frankly, I thank you, but Tim knows sometimes we need one day a year to kick our necks back in to shape. Let it be known! There's still seven hours and ten minutes left. Go get your ties! If you need to get one still, we'll be having a make-up day later this spring.

And also, smile at someone you pass on the street, but only in a way that maintains your safety.

Tim, we salute you!