Securing a friend's safety

This campaign was successful and is now closed. The new campaign, to reunite Sophia with her daughter, can be found here . Thanks!

This is a 50-hour "crisis" campaign.

In 2013 I traveled to Uganda on behalf of my church's LGBT ministry, Wingspan. I met many LGBT leaders and a number of courageous Allies. My experiences there changed me forever ... largely because of the friendships formed. Faces, names, lives that I carry in my heart each day.

This campaign is to secure the safety of one person whose kindness touched me deeply while there.

Since my return, I've helped Wingspan raise $25,000 in aid that we've wired to groups on the ground in Uganda. Through these grassroots organizations we have helped provide education, empowerment, health care, spiritual care, and immediate needs like food, and safe housing and transportation to LGBT Ugandans.

This campaign is more personal. For her own safety, I am not naming her or giving many specific details. Let's call her "Sophia" -- because several times during my stay in Uganda she was a presence of holy hospitality to me. On one occasion my safety rested entirely in her care. 

Now it's my turn to insure her safety. Like me, "Sophia" is an Ally. But unlike me, her standing as an Ally has now placed her in danger. 

There are countless persons in Uganda in danger each day. But "Sophia" I know. I trusted her with my life. Tonight she trusts me with hers.

She has obtained a visa that will allow her to travel to Europe next week -- if she can buy a ticket.

This campaign is to secure funds to cover her travel expenses. If you would give $25 to keep ME safe, then please give $25 (or more) to insure "Sophia's" safety.

And please do it now. Her window of opprtunity just opened and it is short. We need to buy a ticket this weekend. I am counting on you, my friends, to save "Sophia," my friend.

Your gift will be tax deductible. So long as you provide your e-mail and/or mailing address during the donation process, once I have retrieved the funds and deposited them into Wingpan's account, and I can provide you with a donation receipt. 

TIME IS SHORT. "SOPHIA," WHO SHOWED SUCH GENEROUS HOSPITALITY TO ME, NOW NEEDS THE HOSPITALITY OF OTHERS. THANK YOU.

David