Are you uncomfortable?...

I've realized that the things in life that seemed so big in my small world have now become small in my big world. 

I've always wanted to be one of those people that could be passionate about something and talk about it because they have truly experienced whatever it was they were passionate about.  Over the last few years of my life I am becoming that person.  I have been truly honored to be apart of all the things that have been set before me and the things that I have really worked hard for.

I have a new experience ahead of me that I am so excited about.  I have seen the sex industry happen before my eyes here in the states but I have not yet been able to experience it over seas.  That has always been so important to me because I want a large world view about the issues of sexual slavery because ignorance is not bliss in this case for me.  If I am going to talk about it, raise money for it, donate to it, and ultimately be extremely passionate about it, I need to be uncomfortable because of it.

Being uncomfortable is never fun.  There have been many moments in porn conventions, strip clubs and brothels that I have been uncomfortable.  In those moments, I put myself in a place that those women were every day.  Thats when it hits you.  My small world of being uncomfortable for that moment doesn't even compare to the day after day life that they live.  Those are the moments that change who you are...

It is also the moments that I knew that I wanted to fight for them for the rest of my life.  A commitment that took being extremely uncomfortable and stepping out in a world that felt so much bigger than me.  Knowing that there was a hope that could be attained by continuing to be apart is worth every moment.
Now, it is no longer uncomfortable EVERY time because I have stepped into a world that I now have friends in, and that I would do anything for.

My venture lies in Uganda.  I am so excited to be going over seas to experience these moments where I will be completely out of my comfort zone with people I dont know.  I will be going to learn about human trafficking and the rehabilitation of sex trafficked children and coerced child-soldiers. Wow, even typing that amps me up! Another great thing about this trip is that I will be going with Not For Sale.  Which is who be Lovely donates 10% of sales to.  I am excited to be able to come back and really know what I am giving to, not only here in the states but soon on the front lines of Uganda.  I know this will totally change my life and I am hoping that others that know about, and use be Lovely makeup will feel even more confident about being apart of this movement.

TRIP DETAILS!

trip dates: July 2-July12 this summer!

purpose: to learn about human trafficking and the rehabilitation of sex trafficked children and coerced child-soldiers.

funding: i need to raise $5,000 to go on this trip!

If you would like to be apart of this with me by donating...go  to this link! http://www.belovely.com/uganda/

This link talks about my trip, what I will be doing, and how to donate!

I am humbled to be apart of all that be Lovely is bringing!

What is the most dangerous job in the world?...

At Sex Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world...

One thing about myself...I have a huge sense of urgency for justice in the world.  Sometimes I have to admit that it can also be a weakness of mine when I begin to care more about the justice instead of the person.  So, on to the strength of me being all about justice :)

One thing that I have always struggled with when it came to finding out about prostitution, sex trafficking and porn is how many times the victims in these situations get arrested or hurt instead of the real problem, the johns and the pimps.  One would hope that there would be consequences for people that feel the need to make people slaves of this abuse.  Thankfully there are hard working, justice filled people that do fight for the same things I hope and fight for.  In America 80,000 people are arrested a year for soliciting sex. Sadly this is not always the case and many prostitutes will be the one accused of a crime.

My ignorance showed today when I read this statistic...1 in 10 men in the world have purchased a prostitute. That is a disgustingly high number. That means its the average joe.  To me that is a huge problem.  The average joe is keeping this sex industry alive and growing.  Our men could stop this.  That may sound very dreamy or hopeful of me but if enough people cared and took action, it could happen.

The answer: The murder rate for an American prostitute is 204 for every 100,000. It is the most dangerous job in the world.  Now, this is not including the disease, physical abuse or starvation that happens. This is MURDER alone! Most people know commercial fishing to be the most dangerous job in the world.  It IS dangerous with 129 per 100,000, but not the most dangerous.  Ignorance is bliss isnt it?.....not so much.

At this moment there are over 40 million prostitutes. Thats more than the population of Canada or Australia.  That puts it into perspective.  Many people think that most prostitutes have chosen this life.  Studies show that most women in prostitution have been previously abused in some form.  Getting into this mess is normally due to pimps convincing women that they will be taken care of as a girlfriend, soon to find out that they will be robbed and used as a pimps slave to be sold.  Threatening their lives or those of their family.  Another common way into this mess is from sex trafficking wether taken from their own country here in the US or trafficked over seas to satisfy the disturbing wants of people here.  It is often viewed as women choosing this so called "profession".  Can you imagine what it would take to get out of a situation like that. To them, it is nearly impossible.  How they have been damaged is a reality that only they know and I can only imagine....

makeup=relationships

So, why makeup…

When I decided to become a makeup artist I lived in Vegas.  I didn't wear much of it mostly because I didn't know how to.  When I worked with xxxchurch I would go to strip clubs, brothels and porn conventions just to get to know the girls that worked there.  My goal was to just get to know who they were as individuals and hear their story and do whatever I could do to encourage them.  Going in, I knew that would be hard.  Walls go up as soon as you say who you work with or what you are doing because of other experiences they have had with people that call themselves Christians and do the exact opposite of what Jesus would have done.  Going in and telling them that they need Jesus and that they are doing the wrong thing is not the way to go about doing this in my opinion, nor do I think its appropriate in any situation.  No one will listen to you no matter what they do for a living if there is no relationship built or trust behind what you are doing. I knew that offering something to them such as getting their makeup done was a service to them that they did every day anyways.  So makeup it was...

I ended up going to LA and taking a makeup course to become a certified makeup artist to be "legit" :)  I practiced a lot!  And soon became confident to do makeup on others. Makeup became my passion not because I started off loving what it was but because of where it would take me and who I would meet because of it.  The stories that I would hear when i was "in someones face"  were....wow, i dont think there are words.  Peoples stories became so important to me and its all I wanted to do.  Hear their stories and serve and encourage them in any way I could...THIS was my passion and I was finding that out very quickly.  Soon, I had friends in that industry, not because I thought they needed me but because we grew a relationship that was mutual, that we both enjoyed and grew from.  Those were some of the best times of my life.  And they will forever be apart of my story and passion.  Because of those women I met....I will forever be fighting for them and their humanity. 

One thing that I would like to make very clear that has seemed to be a road block for people to understand what I do.  I dont need everyone to understand but I do need to be clear on the passion in my heart.  I would get a lot of people saying "so you make girls look pretty so that they can go use their body for men?" or "so you encourage them to strip, prostitute themselves or make videos by putting makeup on them?".  If that is what you are getting out of this....it is the complete opposite. Hear is a quick list of reasons why I do what I do.  

-My passion is to be apart of peoples lives and grow with them, not change them. 

-My passion is also to love everyone but hurting women and children because of sexual slavery is my heart.  To love, encourage and protect them as much as I can.  To be apart of their story in a life changing way.

-I have grown to LOVe makeup :)  Its a fun hobby and it has helped me meet some incredible people.  From the brothels to Macys.  Sitting down with someone and having meaningful conversation while I put makeup on them.  Cant get much closer to someone than that :) Thats the relationship....that had nothing to do with how they look. To have them get up from my chair and say, "wow, you made me FEEL beautiful".  Looks mean nothing unless you can feel it in your heart that you are beautiful. And to know that you were created as you are and makeup can only enhance what you already have.

-To share my story and to hear the stories of women that sit in my chair is life changing.  So putting makeup on women had nothing to do with me making them look good for men. Wether I am doing their makeup or not, that is their job.  I got to put makeup on them to talk to them, build a relationship and serve them.

-And now with be Lovely, my makeup line, my passion is to be able to sell this makeup and fight for a cause that is already doing something about human trafficking. Spreading the word that slavery still exists and to encourage people to fight with me. 

I hope that gives a little clarity on my goals, passion and my heart.  I am an open book so if anyone has any questions about be Lovely, my story or would like to share theirs, I would love to hear!  

email: rachel@belovely.com

facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/belovelymakeup

A fire that doesnt burn out...

"Anyone can dabble, but once you've made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it's very hard for people to stop you."

On Friday be Lovely makeup was delivered!  I cant believe it is already here.  The work, dedication, passion and follow through have paid off.  My passion for hurting people is a fire that has lived in me for a long time.  Once I became apart of the stories is when my passion went to the next level....of no escape.  Nothing at that point could stop me from surrounding myself with men, women and children that were hurting...especially because of some sort of sexual slavery.  
There was a point in my journey that I knew for me, it was not enough to just know and be sad about it.  You know its a passion when you talk about it and tears well up in your eyes because of how much it fires you up.  Everyone has a passion....it doesnt matter what it is, if it is YOUR passion.  Its something no one can take from you. Something that you would live and die for.  If you dont think you have one....you do.  Finding it can be a journey. But once you know.....you know.


There have been moments in my journey that have been hard.  Times when I thought the emotions were too much or the effort that I gave forth was too hard.  Not giving up became a fight.  Knowing that if this was truly my passion that I would be changed because of it.  I had moments when I wasnt physically doing something about this fight against sex trafficking, hurting people, and broken hearts...and that bothered me.  Learning what I was capable of doing, was a battle of really knowing and believing that I could make my dreams (that didnt seem real) come true.  That it was going to take courage, heart, people telling me I couldnt, and determination.  


be Lovely is born. :)  This idea was a dream of mine for 3 years.  And I am finally now doing something about it.  It was a lot of growth in my life.  I know now that I wouldnt have been able to do it 3 years ago. The timing has been for a reason, preparing me for the good and the hard that come with creating and having your own business.  If you know me, you know I HATE numbers.  I'm all heart and no business, and that can be hard when you are trying to run your own business.  As some of my business minded friends know. :)  So a key thing for me has been listening and learning from people that have the strengths that I do not have.  And so, be Lovely will survive because of the heart and the business. 


Now, be Lovely is not only a way of life but a makeup line.  And its coming soon! A few more details before the purchasing begins but....website is up, product has been ordered and arrived, people are aware, and now let the fun begin! 


https://www.facebook.com/belovelymakeup


belovely.com

https://twitter.com/#!/belovelymakeup