An invitation
Hey friends
I dare you to come….. On the 16th July in Bracknell.. Book in on the events page above!
Thanks ever so much!
Ben Cooley
YES WE CAN
I have just been having coffee with a new friend. It was an awesome time. We talked about the work of Hope for Justice, how we would love to see this country rid of this evil trade in human lives. I LOVE conversations about the possible!!!
We got on to talking about president Obama and his visit to Ireland this week. In his speech he used his well known catch phrase ….YES WE CAN
I love this, this positive attitude, this statement of hope and life…. YES WE CAN
It stirs my soul to think bigger ,think better, it makes me believe that there is a better world than we are living in now. A world that CAN be created and formed by good people willing to stand in the gap and be agents of Change. YES WE CAN…
So my friends if you were in any doubt… Change is entirely possible. Let’s not be people who are paralysed by statistics but mobilised into action…
YES WE CAN have a world where trafficking doesn’t exist
YES WE CAN have a world where children are protected
YES WE CAN live in a world where freedom prevails and justice is established
YES WE CAN live in a world of hope
YES WE CAN!
Let’s change the world my friends…
B
We’re not alone
On Saturday we saw our first ever gathering of our national ACTFORJUSTICE group leaders. It was an amazing day, people came from virtually every part of the UK. It struck me as we were gathered how great it is that we’re not alone. I looked around the room and saw my fellow abolitionists committed to seeing the end of slavery… I LOVED it, the sense of unity, the togetherness.
Some people say that we can’t achieve the end goal of being free from slavery. Some people even say it’s impossible … Well my friends….As Mohammed Ali once said…
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.
It was highlighted to me again on Saturday that we are so much stronger together, we can achieve immeasurably more when we stand in unity. I challenge you today to join in the fight, to take up the the challenge and be part of the solution.
ACTFORJUSTICE groups are a great way to ensure you are not alone in the fight… Have you thought about being in one? Or leading one… Why not check out the ACTFORJUSTICE website for more info!
Hey we have the power to change this!!
Believe in you
Ben
(little picture of the meal afterwards!!)
One for One
I have been searching for some new shoes for a while. If you know me, you will realise that I have one style of shoe…. Winkle pickers. That’s right I can’t get away from them!!! I LOVE them the pointier the better! I have not bought trainers in YEARS and most of my friends have NEVER seen me in them. They don’t go with my skinny jeans and shirt and jacket look!
Anyway I couldn’t resist buying these shoes, not just because I wanted to show the world that I could do casual, but because for every pair that are sold one pair would be given to some of the most poorest children in the world. Kids that just would never have shoes, ever.
I love this, that shopping can change people lives….why not support businesses that do this ( the shoes I bought were from www.tomsshoes.co.uk ) or if you run a business can you creatively do something with your business to support freedom/ justice projects?!?! If you want any ideas why not call us, we would love to help you!
Here’s our number 0845 519 7402
I love the power of business, when it is used in this manner it is just simply stunning!
B
Ps just to prove that I not only wear winkle pickers here is me sporting the classic in gray….
PPS the next big giant to conquer is wearing T-shirts!!!! Anyone know any good T-shirt companies?
My hero
William Wilberforce is one of my personal heroes. I love his passion to see the end of slavery, he was truly one of the greatest abolitionists to ever have lived. Oh to have known him, to hear him address the crowds…… Imagine hearing him passionately deliver these, now famous quotes.
“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.”
“Men of authority and influence may promote good morals. Let them in their several stations encourage virtue . . . let them favor and take part in any plans which may be formed for the advancement of morality.”
His is and always will be an Impressive man, a man who changed history and brought freedom for many. A man who fought for justice…. who used his influence for others rather than his own personal interest…. Oh to be like that…. I pray I will ALWAYS use whatever influence I have for others. What I found interesting about William Wilberforce’s campaign is that it took 50 years to come to pass…… 50 years!!!!! I have learnt that is it VERY easy to be passionate about the end of slavery, this comes all to easy… However do we have the longevity to actually see it end.
I often quote this at events I speak at… And I pray it will be true of me every day
“what we don’t need is spasms of passion but long obedience in the same direction”
If we are every going to see human trafficking end, we are going to need a long haul attitude, people who are committed to be the solution. William had it. I pray we have it too because we have a big battle ahead, a battle for humanity, a battle for freedom, hope and love.
Keep on going, I know it can be tough, but we have work to do…. People to rescue, girls to restore, families to protect, laws to make….it’s too important not to do it.. My friends we have work to do! let’s use our skills and fight for others and their freedom! It’s time to change statistics to change lives and to change history. Forever!
Love you guys
“Remember God made ALL men equal”
Ben Cooley
( a picture of my hero )
