You're probably thinking: "Tag-a-log... hmmm. This must be a new version of the playground standard, except everyone tries to avoid "It" while running with an armload of firewood logs."

I'd have to say, "Good guess." But you're wrong. Way wrong.

Tagalog ("tuh-GAH-lug") is the official language of the Philippines.

Now you may be thinking: "What does this have to do with JUBILEE?" Good question, and I assure you there is a point.

In fact, two members of JUBILEE, Curtis and Grace Romjue, will be traveling to the Philippines at the end of this month (along with their nearly two-year-old daughter, Harper) as part of a team representing Arts Aftercare.

Even more worthy of the Jubilog, all members of JUBILEE will be performing on Saturday, February 18 at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center as part of a Philippines Send-Off Party, and you are invited!

If you've ever wanted to learn more about Arts Aftercare, or wished you could join forces with us in some capacity, this is your night! Our volunteers will have some truly inspirational stories to share, and we'll give you the opportunity to get plugged in. Or you can just hang out, drink beer, and listen to music. (Plus, JUBILEE's own Steven Wilbur will represent with spoken word! Reason enough to attend.)

Here are the details for the night:

Philippines Send-Off Party!
hosted by Arts Aftercare

Fremont Abbey Arts Center
4272 Fremont Avenue North
Seattle 98103

Musical performances:
Brent Egbert
Nick Bishop
JUBILEE (+ Steven Wilbur, spoken word)
Proto Evangelion

Stories from staff and volunteers.
Opportunities to join the team.

Saturday, February 18
7:00-9:30pm

ALL AGES WELCOME.
Doors open at 6:30.
Appetizers, dessert, beer.
$5-10 suggested donation.

Looking forward to seeing you there, and...
Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyong napakalaking tulong sa amin. (translate.google.com)

Happy New Year! We are so grateful for your friendship, love and partnership. Lift your cup with us to a new year of music, and bringing the beauty and healing of the arts to those in need.

Be well, JUBILEE

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." -- Abraham Lincoln

"...The National Association of Attorneys General... put the fight against human trafficking at the top of its agenda this year. The president of NAAG, Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna, says there's a lot of work to be done:

'In our understanding of human trafficking, we are today about where we were with the problem of domestic violence about 40 years ago," he says — "low levels of awareness, low levels of law enforcement response, almost no services for victims.'"

Read the NPR article here.

Curtis & Grace produced a new Christmas album with the help of some great friends (including Jonas G, and Jonny Haglund and Steven Wilbur of JUBILEE). It's a great Christmas gift, as you can give music to someone you love, and "beauty and healing through the arts" to survivors of modern slavery through Arts Aftercare. 100% of album sales go to Arts Aftercare.

Listen and buy the album here.

Probably the best overview of modern slavery I've ever seen. This is Kevin Bales of Free The Slaves who has given us some of the most helpful statistics we have on human trafficking.

"In October 2008, Kutty and his family were rescued from slavery in a rice mill. This week, he was elected as a local government official who will oversee several villages.

Kutty has thrived since his family was rescued from forced labor slavery in a rice mill where his four children were forced to work instead of going to school. When International Justice Mission staff first met him, he had tears in his eyes as he shared about the abusive conditions he endured and fear he had of the owner.

After rescue, Kutty completed IJM’s comprehensive two-year aftercare program. His kids are back in school, and both he and his wife have good jobs to support their family. After choosing to participate in a special Leadership Training sponsored by IJM, he stepped up as a leader among his peers.

Kutty decided to run for office, and this week he won in a landslide victory. “I want to do good for my people and my village,” Kutty proclaimed to IJM staff who gathered to congratulate him." - (from International Justice Mission)

This incredible story illustrates the power and importance of aftercare. We are working hard to bring the beauty and healing of the arts to help in this process through our program Arts Aftercare.

We're slated to participate and perform at the 2012 Justice Conference in Portland. We'll be joining some amazing musicians and speakers (Shane Claiborne, John Perkins, Francis Chan, Miroslav Volf, & Walter Brueggemann just to name a few!). Check it out: www.thejusticeconference.com

Our friend and hero John Escher with Tmber.com ("We hike and make videos to help you find your way") traveled with us to Mt. Rainier for our camping/hiking/skillet-cookin'/video shoot at Grove of the Patriarchs. Check out his blog for some great pics, and soon he'll have up a video of the hike we journeyed together. We had perfect weather for our camp fire on Friday night, and awoke to gentle rain showers and 1,000 year old trees... I can't remember smelling fresher, more delicious air in all my life. And being rain-kissed makes the distance between you and that raw mountain just a little thinner. We'll have the new music video up soon, so stay tuned! Thanks to John for his great video and hiking expertise, and also to our friend Jonas G for his excellent audio support. Thanks for reading.