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Dear Friends and Family, I know it has been a while since you have last heard from me in regards to missions, and perhaps we have not been in touch at all for a while. I hope that you are … Continue reading →

A Penny for your Thoughts?

Yet another important transition.

So as it has been said before, “It is finished.” Or at least the production phase of Sex + Money. The film I’ve been working on the better part of this last year. The film has entered the crucial editing phase, which is projected to be finished sometime early next January. This has been entrusted to hands far more skillful and experienced than mine, which leaves me in a suspended state; more specifically in the state of Pennsylvania.
It’s a blessing to see old friends and family again. We try to catch up on each other’s lives and ask about the future. Mine is perpetually somewhat uncertain. Several possibilities dangle in front of me, none of which are very certain just yet. In January there will begin another Around the World Track through PhotogenX, the ministry I’ve worked with these last 3 years. I’ve been asked about leading said track, an opportunity which I would be honored to take. As enticing as it is, it also is another long commitment to being vagrant. However my love for photography, compassion ministry and teaching may well used in this time.

Until more decisions are made, I am here.

Its a rainy day outside Williamsburg, Virginia. Have a flower.

a taste of what I’m working on

Here is the newest release of Sex+Money. This is the first ‘webisode’ in a series that will be released to further educate you about sex trafficking and the group I travelled with on this trip to find a solution for this terrible injustice.

update

Dear friends,

As you may know, I spent the months from September through December of this past year working on a film documenting the issue of human trafficking in the United States. This trip took me, and the group I’m working with, to 20 different cities in 13 states. We collected about 50 interviews with many different types of people who are battling this injustice. We interviewed a VICE agent, several recovering victims, restoration home workers, psychologists, lawyers, politicians, and many others. Besides just interviews, another part of the film is following the journey that we ourselves (the filmmakers) are on as we begin to engage with this issue of human trafficking.

Now, after filming that journey and those many interviews I will be going back to Kona, HI, where our ministry is based, to work on editing the footage and also collecting information for building a comprehensive online state-by-state anti-trafficking directory. The purpose of the website is to provide an accessible way for people to engage in this issue. Our film is unique in that a large focus is put toward engagement, and what an average American can do about this issue. Through the film and the website we hope to begin to make engagement something that is accessible to everyone with an interest.

Please be praying for the building of unity and strong lines of communication within our group as we are in several different locations during this next three months. Also, please continue to pray for the Lord to open doors for us financially, as this is a large undertaking requiring much financial backing. God has been so faithful to us thus far in providing just as we need.

I left for Kona on January 10, and plan to remain here until April when we will begin the final stages of production, collecting the last interviews and getting the final shots. Though the final dates are not certain, I presume I will again return home in the late spring or early summer of this year.

Thank you so much for continuing to follow the journey that I embarked on now 3 years ago. I pray that as the fruit of this labor truly begins to take shape you will be blessed in seeing what you are a part of.

Sincerely,
Scott J. Martin
www.scottjamesmartin.wordpress.com
scott.photogenx@gmail.com

Blog your heart out

Lady Liberty

Lady Liberty stood tall just outside the city, on my rainy farewell to New York, as she has for the last 123 years. The torch in her hand glowing for world wide welcome. She stands outside our eastern shore as a beacon of hope and specifically a symbol of freedom. However, my trip to New York was focused on an issue which spits boldly in the face of our Mother of Exiles.

Slavery, though called into finish by our 16th President, has reared its ugly head again in the 21st Century, and yes it is right here, in our home and native land.

Since becoming aware of this truth, and realizing my responsibility in communicating the dire situation we find ourselves in as a nation, and a human race and what will happen if we do not respond, I have given myself to being an ambassador of justice.

This is what brought me to New York in the first place. My first trip to the great northeastern city was spent gathering information, interviewing modern-day abolitionists, and seeing firsthand the reach of slavery in this nation.

Stop Child Trafficking Now! Walk

It was encouraging to see how many people came out in support of the first annual Walk to End Child Trafficking, even in the rain.

An event to raise awareness in the city of the issue that we’re facing, and to engage people in a way to practically respond by raising finances for organizations who are at work making a difference.

Tim in Times Square

I have the privilege of rejoining a group of 4 others who I traveled around the world with and together became aware of this injustice.

All together with our film crew, cast, and intercession and prayer crew we are 17 people. We have given 3 months of our lives to God’s call to get involved in this issue. I know I will be amazed at what He will reveal to us in this time, and the vision and calling He will bestow for our futures.

Update from the road of the film tour

Its hard to believe I’ve been on the road already almost 3 weeks. My team and I have been busy everyday and so this is my first formal update from the film tour.

Grand Central Terminal

The first 10 days of the trip were spent in New York City, where we documented the first annual “Freedom Week” held by Stop Child Trafficking Now!, and interviewed several experts on human trafficking, and NY congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who has helped pass several new laws against trafficking. The time was incredibly informative and encouraging. Some amazing people have already opened up to our film, people that never consent to interviews or documentaries. The anointing of the Lord is definitely on this project. After wrapping up the time in NY with the Walk to end slavery, we packed our bags and got in an RV and drove through the night for 2 days straight to get to Seattle, WA. In Seattle we were able to sit down with local abolitionists and discuss the situation in the Northwest, what is being done, and what the challenges and goals are. We then headed to Salem, OR. In Salem we hosted an event which brought out the local artistic community. There was a dance/drama performance focused on the issue, and several very talented musicians played as well. We were able to tell about our project, and show a trailer for our film which we have just finished. The trailer will be posted on our website this week.

Yesterday, October 5th, we spent the day with former congress woman Linda Smith, founder of Shared Hope International, and international expert and investigator of sex trafficking. After interviewing Linda, we spend the afternoon protesting trafficking outside a truck stop in Northern Portland with a group called The Defenders. Basically, they are a group of men who have come together to stand up for trafficked girls. Many of them are fathers and grandfathers, aware that this could be the fate of their own loved ones so they have begun to take action talking with the truckers about this terrible crime, and letting them know that these girls or “lot lizards” as they’re known by are not there by choice, but are trafficked and prostituted by their pimps who keep them enslaved.

It has been really encouraging and confirming to our project that all these amazing people are opening up for interviews and allowing our group to film and stand alongside them.
Please pray that doors continue to open for us as our journey has merely begun on this film tour.

Also, please pray for financial provision for our budget. – we have some meetings set up with potential donors, pray that the Lord impresses upon them what He would have them give. That they would catch the vision of this project and stand behind what we’re doing, and the potential it has to bring change.

Pray for spiritual covering for our group, as we are going after one of our enemy’s greatest strongholds – sexual immorality in this nation, and we will no doubt come under attack in various ways.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of what I am apart of.

Brooklyn Bridge

If you have any questions/insights/comments please feel free to email me.

So very blessed

I have been so very blessed.

Yesterday, Saturday September 12th, I hosted a Chicken Bar-B-Q fundraiser for the work that I will be doing in producing a documentary film exposing the issue of human trafficking.  Even through inclement weather, my friends and family, brothers and sisters in Christ, faithfully came out in support.  Though the evening got off to a slow start, (my apologies) the entire event was a huge success.  I’m so thankful for everyone that came out that I could fellowship and share with you what God has put in my heart and on my plate to do.

I learned a lot of things about fundraiser banquets last night, as this was the first that my family and I have hosted. I hope this is something that I can do again in the future with more precision and excellence, and, Lord permitting, better weather .

Thanks to everyone who picked up my prayer card, and who donated towards my project and to my personal expenses.

I have been extremely humbled and blessed by the amount of money that came in.  Over $4,000.00 was raised in support.

I will strive to be a faithful servant as I put this money to work in producing this film to end human trafficking in America.

Thank you again to everyone who is prayerfully supporting me and the work I am doing. I am truly humbled.

May you be blessed in your giving and partaking in my ministry.

Also, I hope to keep you all as well informed as possible through my blog and emails.  If there is anything that the Lord lays on your heart, or if you have any questions for me, please feel free to email me.  My email address is located on the bottom of my prayer card.

Thanks again, God bless.