Tim comes to us with much experience and expertise. In addition to his duties as Executive Director, Tim runs a solo-practice law firm in Lynchburg, VA. Prior to starting his own firm, Tim spent three years working for a large corporate law firm in Norfolk, VA. Additionally, he has taught numerous courses at Liberty University including undergraduate courses in Business Law, and doctoral courses in Education Law. From 2009-2012 he served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law teaching courses in Bankruptcy and Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions at Liberty University School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Tim spent three years working for a small liberal arts college in Rochester, NY and one year teaching English in Shizuoka, Japan.

Tim earned his Juris Doctor degree from Regent University and holds an undergraduate degree in Organizational Management. His passion for justice and desire to combat sex trafficking and child prostitution were the primary motivators for attending law school. Tim has extensively researched the issues related to child sex tourism and child prostitution. His work on these issues in Cambodia was published in the Gonzaga Journal of International Law in 2008, and can be read here.

Tim and his wife Cindi, a professor in the School of Education at Liberty University, live in Lynchburg with their three children.

We are confident that Tim’s background, combined with his passion to champion the plight of those who are forgotten and discarded, will enable him to courageously lead Freedom 4/24 and the many individuals who so selflessly donate their time and efforts to this organization. We fully support Tim as he works to continue the mission and further the impact of Freedom 4/24.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of Freedom 4/24

www.freedom424.org

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28

The Christmas parties thrown by Beginnings for the girls of the red light districts always proves my faith to be small. Every year, our teams disperse to the bars to pay the way for the girls there to be able to come to the party in their honor for the night. And every year, the results start out slow–many bars say no or only allow one or two girls to leave. This year, on both nights, my team, comprised of myself, Kathleen, Cristina and one of the girls from Beginnings, heard “no” after “no”–to the point that we began to panic and wonder if all the other teams were having the same results. In total, we were able to take just 12 girls to the party from the 13 bars assigned to us. But that doesn’t mean God wasn’t opening doors elsewhere.

 

On the night of Soi Cowboy’s party, one bar alone let 19 girls go. And on Nana Plaza’s night, a whole bar shut down to send all their girls! By the time we arrived at the party, the ballroom at the hotel was nearly full, with more than 100 girls present each night and ready to play, laugh, eat and listen to the message. And this year proved to be the most moving of the three years I’ve experienced so far. The speaker, Pastor Nijorn, always does a great job at engaging the women, making them laugh, and clearly presenting what Christ did to offer them freedom. But this year, it was the testimony of one of the girls at the house that had everyone weeping.

As tears rolled down her face, and her sweet friend held her close, this girl (I will call her “Bo”) relayed to a room full of women how her mother sold her for sex at the age of 8, and she suffered years of abuse and neglect following that. Her transformation into a beautiful, kind and quick-to-smile young woman is nothing less than remarkable. Read more about Bo’s story here.

Many of the girls present wept openly as Bo told her story–one that so many in the room could identify with. This outpouring of emotion is unlike one I have seen before from these women who are taught to smile through pain, but Bo’s story clearly struck a cord. At Lindsey’s table the first night–Soi Cowboy night–every girl at her table was weeping. In a gentle and sweet moment, Lindsey quietly took the hand of the girl next to her and held it while the girl’s little body shook with tears.

At the end of the night, many hands were raised to accept Christ and many took Bibles as they left. We know this is not the end of the work needed to bring these girls to full freedom–in fact, for many, it will be a long, difficult process and some may never be able to escape the sex industry due to family pressures. But after being present at the parties, each girl there walked out with a knowledge that they were created to be free of their bondage, and they are loved so much.

From the giving of presents to a sweet time of bonding, singing and playing with the amazing women of the red light districts, these parties were not only able to allow them a night off from the horrors of their job, but also allowed them to enjoy each other and life for a moment in time. Most of these girls never get an opportunity to spend time together outside the bars, since they work 28 out of 30 days a month, but for this one night, most smiled and laughed freely and soaked up a rare moment of being cherished, sparkling brighter than the crystal chandeliers above their heads.

(reporting on the Christmas parties taking place this week, which are supported by Freedom 4/24)

Oh Bangkok, I did not miss you at all. Your filth. Your traffic. Your gut-wrenching smells. Your prolific and impossible to miss red light districts. In just the matter of a year, you are altogether the same but different. Tonight, I saw the bars surrounding one of your red light districts, Nana Plaza, packed like I’ve never seen before. We saw men with girls younger than we have ever witnessed before–7 or 8 years old at the most. We saw your new, shiny Lady Boy bars, and heard of your two “Sex on the Spot” bars that didn’t even exist when we were here last year. Your cultural cancer, Bangkok, only seems to be metastasizing.

No Bangkok, to miss you would be laughable. We did not travel 30+ hours, fight through stomach sickness and earthquakes because we missed your constant heartbreak, from your disfigured beggars and barefoot babies on the streets to malnourished dogs and cats at every turn. But I did miss a few things badly that only you hold access to: the rescued girls at Beginnings, their fearless leaders, Roy and Bonita, and most of all, the girls and women that you hold captive to societal and sexual slavery every day. I certainly don’t know the tens of thousands of them in Bangkok alone, but I recognize them no matter where I see them–on street corners, at pool bars, or simply walking down the sidewalk–your oppressed and dismissed beauties. The profitable black mark on your “honor” that you see fit to pretend doesn’t exist yet keep in droves for “tourism’s” sake. Don’t pretend not to know the ones I speak of, Bangkok. They are the reason we came. The ones so precious to the One who created them and yet so ignored and disgraced by their own society.

The visitors you allow inside your borders are but one piece of the problematic puzzle: men that flock here to take advantage of the ladies–and lady boys–you exploit. My stomach turns at not just your raw and filthy fish left baking in the sun but also at your promotion of poverty, which drives the prostitution of these precious women. Bangkok, I didn’t miss your neon lights, your fog and mirrors, your land of smiles that masks a desperate pain. But I did miss the least of your people–your girls in dire need of a new way … a way out.

That is why we have once again returned to your soil. To fight for the weak and oppressed. To honor your disgraced. Our 10 days here are not likely to put a dent in your massive sexual system, but it just might make a difference for a few, or even just one. And that’s reason enough to make the journey to a place I will never like, let alone miss.

Holding degrees in Sports Management  and Theology, Ryan is uniquely qualified to fill this position as he has both the practical and spiritual background to advance the national presence of Freedom 4/24 and Run For Their Lives. Beginning January 1, 2013 Ryan will join the team full-time.

In Ryan’s written acceptance of this position he wrote, “I would like to thank the Board of Freedom 4/24 for the amazing opportunity to lead Run For Their Lives. Since the founding of Freedom 4/24 God has given me a passion for this organization. I’ve been honored to lead the Run For Their Lives Race in Charlottesville. I’m grateful to The Point for supporting the vision of Freedom 4/24 and Pastor Gabe Turner for his friendship and leadership. I look forward to taking the experiences and momentum I’ve gained here in Charlottesville to lead Run For Their Lives to a future of national impact. God has blessed Freedom 4/24 greatly, and as we move forward I know that through our hard work, dedication and, most importantly, prayer, we will see Freedom 4/24 inspire cities, free women and children, and change lives across the world for the Glory of God.”

We look forward to great things as a result of Ryan’s leadership and oversight of Run For Their Lives and its great force of volunteers.

We are proud of Mike how he has represented the mission of Freedom 4/24 in nationally and locally broadcasted interviews.  Mike has forged several new partnerships with organizations in the Lynchburg area and around the world that are doing battle to bring justice and rescue to those who are exploited.

Under Mike’s leadership, a great team of dedicated Freedom 4/24 volunteers has made significant strides forward in the work of making human trafficking an unavoidable issue.

We are very grateful for the sacrifices Mike’s family (his wife Leah and his four children) routinely made on many occasions to allow Mike to lead the work of Freedom 4/24. We are confident that Mike will continue to make a huge impact for the Kingdom of God as he fully devotes himself in that mission, and we look forward with great anticipation to what God will continue to do through Freedom 4/24.

Effective immediately the Board of Directors has named Tim Spaulding as interim president.  Tim is an attorney by profession and has fully devoted himself to the work of serving as a member of the board of directors.  His passion for the mission and work of Freedom 4/24, combined with his leadership abilities and uncompromising integrity, unquestionably qualifies him to lead.

It is with gratitude that we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mike Zealand for his service and to Tim Spaulding for taking over at the helm.

Sincerely,

The Freedom 424 Board of Directors

Christine Gelatt (Founder/Chair of Freedom 4/24)

Stephanie Barrick

Christi-Anna Boyer

Dr. Richard Lane

Sam Patel Esq.

Rev. Steven Pettit

Tim Spaulding Esq.

Dr. Robert Vogel

Today, the last full day that our team would spend in Nicaragua, was full of emotion. After breakfast and a brief team meeting, we travelled to the market to shop for some souvenirs. After spending just a short amount of time there, we travelled to a small neighborhood in Managua in order to spend a few minutes with a local graduate from the House of Hope. Her name is Sara and she warmly invited us into her home to share the awesome story of God’s redemption in and through her life. Sara, since graduating from the House of Hope and coming to terms with her damaging past, has started her own store that she runs in her home where she sells many items such as piñatas and Tupperware. It was a great blessing and encouragement for us to be able to support her business and spend time with her.

After a quick lunch spent with one of the directors of the House of Hope, where we heard yet another amazing story of one of the young women living at the House, we spent a number of hours yet again with the people there. Our team split up and while most of us spent time with the women ages ten and older, some of us took the younger girls and boys to spend time with them.

Those who went with the group of women ten and older spent some time telling the women awesome stories about God’s love through their own personal lives. They also handed out flowers to the women of the House of Hope as a gift to show them how beautiful they are. Some of these women were accepting of the flowers and thankful; however, others were not. The women who would not take the gift so thankfully felt that they did not deserve a gift so nice because they felt dirty from their past. It was in a moment like this that the love of God really shone through because it opened the door for our team to describe to the women that God loves them even through their past. That no matter where they have been, God sees them as beautiful and clean if they trust in Him as their Savior and Lord.

Those of us who spent time with the young girls and boys at this time, spent time playing games, reading to them, and just loving them with Christ-like love. This was an unforgettable experience as well because the children at the House of Hope do not get this kind of love shown to them everyday.

To put into words the type of emotions that ran through my mind during this trip, and especially the last day, is nearly impossible. The emotions that rushed through me upon our arrival into Nicaragua are now flowing out of me for different reasons as we depart. God is reaffirming within me His desires for my life and now that I have experienced this ministry first-hand, I have to remain a part of it. I am so grateful for the time that God gave me in Nicaragua, and although I would have liked to been there longer, I know that He will continue to move there and that He has got me right where He wants me: focused on Him and willing to go where He leads.

Today was full of time well spent at the House of Hope. When we first arrived, the Tuesday program was just beginning: it was awesome! At the Tuesday program, some 500+ women come to the House of Hope each week from all over the country of Nicaragua to spend time worshipping Jesus Christ and to make artisan goods. The House will sell these goods and all of the proceeds will go to the women as a source of income for them and their families. In many cases, just participating in this program once a week can double a woman’s salary. If you would like to take a look at and purchase some of the beautiful hand-made goods that these women make, click here.

After the Tuesday Program was over and most of the women left to go back to their hometowns, our team stayed at the House of Hope for a few hours in order to spend time with the women and children that live there. During this time, many of our team members led and helped to teach sessions for the women, teaching them how to give manicures and giving them haircuts while others of us played games with the children. These sessions will equip the women of the House of Hope to gain skills that they can use in the future to make money and support their families instead of having to resort to prostitution as a source of income. It was an incredible experience to spend time with the women and children. They were all so excited to learn new skills and they are all so determined to do their best in everything- God is so good!

Throughout the day there were so many opportunities to talk with and show love to the women and children. As a man, I personally struggled with where my place would be when I got here. I thought that it would be difficult to find my role at a place that is full of broken-spirited women; however, It’s clear to me now that men can and should carefully and humbly play a key role in the emotional and spiritual healing process that women in these sorts of conditions go through. Having just one more full day here in Nicaragua before our team ventures back to the United States, I am so thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be here and expect great things from Him even beyond what He has already done.

James Tuck

Today started pretty early as our team got ready and set sail from our guest house to the House of Hope where a bus load of about 70 Nicaraguan women and children were patiently awaiting our arrival to escort them to the zoo. Upon arrival we found out that the zoo would not be open all day, so we changed plans and headed to a nearby park. The purpose: to become acquainted, and reacquainted, with the people that we would be spending time with throughout the rest of the week. After multiple hours of playing on children’s jungle gyms, teeter-tottering, and just getting to know the victims that have been brought out of sexual slavery and prostitution, we traveled back to the House of Hope for a tour and a deeper look into what actually takes place there.

Our guide spent a good amount of time telling us about the demographics of the House. Much of what we were told came as news to me. I always knew that the House of Hope, or Casa Esperanza, rescued women out of human trafficking and prostitution; however, some of the things that I did not know about this place before today came as quite a shock. Some of the victims that come into the House of Hope are young girls. I’m talking between the ages of eight and twelve. Within the House, these young girls, many of whom do not have direct families or were even sold into prostitution by their families, are given dormitory-style living arrangements. The House of Hope currently has about 25 of these girls living there. Also, there are a number of homes within the House of Hope, which are there as living arrangements for those older victims who have been rescued and have families with a higher number of children (mostly between four and six kids). About 12 women live in these houses with their children.

This being said, not all of what our guide told us today seemed sad or debilitating. I was very encouraged by much of the information that was given to us. For instance, throughout each week the House of Hope puts on different classes/seminars that help women gain spiritual, physical, and emotional strength from the damages that they have faced. Our team had some opportunities to hear some pretty amazing stories from the victims we have been spending time with. These stories, while heartbreaking and emotional, tell of God’s love for and sovereignty over all of His people. No matter where you are in life or where you have been, God is there with open arms for you to run into.

It is clear to me that God is doing a great work in and through the House of Hope here in Nicaragua. I am honored to be a part of this journey and to experience what is going on here first-hand. Just having the opportunity today to spend time with the victims, young and old, and their families has given me a desire to seek more of Jesus. Now, as we are back at our guesthouse for the night, we prepare our hearts for tomorrow and what God has in store for us as we will experience the Tuesday program where about 500 women will show up at the House of Hope to make artisan goods, which will be sold by the House as direct profit for the women.

James Tuck

Patiently awaiting our team’s departure from Virginia to Central America, I found myself surrounded by faces, many of which I had never seen before. These faces, filling the sidewalk in front of Blue Ridge Community Church, were gleaming with joy to send out a team of people from all walks of life that had been brought together for one purpose- to glorify God through a short-term mission trip. After dozens of prayers had been lifted up on our behalf, we set out on our way to Managua, Nicaragua where we would soon spend time with the people of the House of Hope.

For those that do not know, the House of Hope is a rescue mission for women trapped in sexual slavery. I am honored to have the opportunity to share with you my experience there over the next few days.

Touching down in Managua was a serene experience. I, personally, have travelled quite a bit; however, this trip is different. Just knowing, understanding, and trusting in the fact that my life and the lives of other people will be shaken up in a great way is a feeling that sent a shockwave of conflicting emotions through me. Fear, peace, restlessness, comfort, and humility rushed through me as we made our way off of the plane and were greeted by joyful Nicaraguan people who couldn’t wait for our small “army” of fifteen or so people to arrive.

After leaving the airport and reaching the guesthouse where we will be staying the remainder of the week, we already encountered some trouble with the water supply; however, everything is functioning well now and we can all sleep knowing that no matter what comes our way, God is good and He will see us through to the glory of His name.

James Tuck