As some of you know I’ve been involved in youth work for some time now in a variety of capacities: Youth pastor/Leader, working with inner city kids and incarcerated youth. My ministry involvement over the past few years has allowed me the opportunity to witness an ever increasing world issue commonly referred to as “social Justice.” This umbrella covers issues like Sex and human trafficking, Child Soldiers, and a host of victimized people used as prostitutes, drug peddlers, and unpaid labor forces all around the world. The specific issues vary, based on the Geographic and political situations. To give you an idea, human Traffickers alone grossed an estimated 3.2 billion dollars in 2010, that’s more than Nike, Google, and Starbucks COMBINED!

This coming June I’m on the first of three teams going to Mexico City with the Colorado based organization “IEmpathize.” Mexico is currently on virtually every top ten list for countries with human trafficking violations. While there, I’ll be from one side of the city to the other; spending time in some of the worst slums and meeting with members of the Mexican senate who are battling social injustices within Mexico. With great respect my team will be spending some time with residents of safe houses in Mexico City. However a large part of my time there will be spent on awareness education in Government, Educational and also public venues; using art, media and other exhibits to boost awareness to the issue within Mexico. These are key strategic efforts to confront the issue with lasting effect, as one of the main reasons human trafficking is able to thrive is its limited awareness.

For more information on Social Justice, my expedition to Mexico City or “IEmpathize” please visit IEmpathize.org or feel free to E-mail/facebook me directly. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for myself and the rest of the team going, as you can imagine this will be both a stressful and emotionally exhausting experience. I would greatly appreciate those of you who would like to be a part of the work by donating to help cover the expenses of making this trip happen. All Financial donations are Tax deductable through IEmpathize. I’m still in need of nearly $1,800, with our leave date steadily approaching. (The $1,800 will help cover air fare, hotel, and transportation costs; projects and advocacy events; gifts/items for the girls and safe home. And over 25% of the cost directly funds our Mexican child protection and restoration partnerships in Mexico.) Checks can be sent to IEmpathize directly (4845 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101, Boulder, CO 80301) payable to” IEmpathize,” Please make sure to write “Chris Cook Expedition” in the memo line. Pre/post trip updates will be here on my Blog with obvious omission of certain details to help protect the people on the ground in Mexico City.