Pray4Guam
Prayers of agreement are even more effective, so here is a place to share insights and revelation to increase our impact.Archive for trafficking
Overcoming Poverty in Practical Ways
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- While the Governor is working on ways to cut 43 million from the budget, I would like to see specific money raise to cover essential services that will contribute powerfully to the quality of Life on Guam.
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I am shocked to discover that there are 166 massage parlors operating on Guam and about 10 adult entertainment night clubs. Each of the strippers and workers in these businesses generate a significant amount of money each day. Because they are each considered independent contractors, there is no official reporting of income. It is not unusual for a woman to earn $500 each night in tips from stripping. If a mere 400 women work in this line of work on Guam, each earning an average of $150,000 annually, conservatively $60 million is unreported from this small workforce on Guam.
If there was a methodology to collect taxes from these workers, and if a 20% tax rate was assessed and collected, an additional $12 million dollars would be available to support drug treatment and prevention activities on Guam.
The fact remains, that these workers are not paying taxes but most are spending their earnings in Game Rooms, Bars,Karaoke Lounges and Dance Clubs or worse, funding a drug addiction. A minimal amount of these dollars are actually supporting legitimate business on Guam and used to help power this island.
I would like to see some changes. not just to get the government’s budget cut back and people laid off, but to see that the funds are secured to fund the essential services we need on Guam.
If you were to ask some of the ladies we serve at Oasis how much money they were able to save during those years, you would hear absolutely nothing. In fact usually by morning they were bumming a cigarette off one of their friends because fast money disappears as fast as it comes.
Hopes and Dreams
Many of us have fresh hopes and dreams as we press into a new year. It is as if the slate is wiped clean and we feel we can move ahead with greater focus and purpose. At Zion, we had a baptism for 4 of our people to start the New Year by making a memorial together. At this time of New Beginnings, we pray that Guam will be baptized afresh with the fire of God, love for His presence and desire for His Kingdom to come and His will to be accomplished.
We believe that our prayer is powerful and effective. Together we make up the people of Guahan and can therefore dedicate this land to the Lord and His Kingdom. We have bought into this community, invested in it, and own some of the land. Therefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we commit this land afresh at this first day of 2009 to Open Wide these Gates that You the King of Glory will come in! Come Lord Jesus, Come and Visit Guam! Have your Way among Us! Cleanse us from our sins. Break the power of bondage to sexual promiscuity, sensuality, homosexuality and perversions. This year we pray that the Guam will no longer be a gateway for drugs and human trafficking. We pray that the strongholds of poverty and religion will be displaced by new strongholds of Prosperity and Righteousness. Lord, may Righteousness exalt this island. In the Name of the Father, The Son and Holy Spirit we say, AMEN!
