Though I travel about 70% of my time, this month I'm staying in Prague, and enjoying my cozy apartment while it rains, snows, sleets and fogs up outdoors!After living in the tropics for nearly 20 years, and having been born and raised in California, I am crazy about this great cold weather, and love wearing sweaters, lighting lots of candles, serving hot drinks---and not sweating all the time!

But don't think that I'm not at work...quite the contrary.I'm using this indoor time to work on the last-two months preparations for the "International Christian Conference on Prostitution" (ICCP), which will be held at the Green Lake Conference Center, April 22-26, 2006. More than "just a conference", the last one, held in August, 2004, spawned new projects, inspired people to participate in ministries with women in prostitution, and is leading to the development of regional networks of those working with people in prostitution. There were 200 people there from 26 different countries, representing 30 projects!

Truly, it is "God's Conference."It seems that in the past 2 decades, there has been a movement of God's spirit, calling people into ministry with "the least of these," the most disparaged people in the world, those trapped in prostitution.And most often, these ministers are working in isolation, with few places to go for resources and encouragement.But God calls us into community, and provides opportunities for us to share our mutual woes....and triumphs.And hence, God has provided this conference.At the beginning of the first conference, it was evident that not only were we together to learn from and support each other, but this place also provided "Healing for the Healers."

The conference coming up in April will not only provide the same kind of support and encouragement as the last one, but will also look seriously at "business as mission" and what that means to providing economic alternatives for people coming out of prostitution. Developing and expanding the regional and international networks will also be a priority.But the biggest priority of all will be giving thanks to God in worship and praise, for the wild and wonderful ways that God is moving in this world, calling us to do new and quite "out of the box" things!!

What can you do?

1)Join us at the conference, and learn about how God's light is shining into the darkness!

2)Covenant to pray for us---from now, for the preparation, and through the time of the conference.

3)Help us to sponsor those who very much want to come, but cannot afford it.To bring someone from overseas costs about $1500.If you would like donate a free ticket with your air-miles, that is also appreciated!(Tickets for international as well as domestic travel are needed.)

You can contact me for further information through International Ministries.

Blessings on the journey,

Lauran