We are thrilled to see artists using their gifts to free and empower enslaved women and girls. Miriam Sarzotti is an artist and writer who learned about SIS and decided to dedicate 50% of the income from her sales to the work.
We were deeply impressed by her decision, and we are big fans of her work, so we asked her if she’d be willing to do an online interview to tell us a little more about her work, how she connected with SIS, and where she sees it all going. Read on to learn more about this gifted artist and her advocacy work for SIS:
"Pink Potted Tulips" by Miriam Sarzotti
When did you begin painting, and what role does it play in your life today?
I began painting at the tender age of 3! There is a picture of me at the easel in nursery school, with my paint-spattered apron on, painting away.
I painted through college then stopped for a long absence, starting my art ministry Gifts of His Glory, which features Scripture, two years ago. I feel the Lord has given me back my gift of painting after all these years and I now use it to give Him glory. I paint often today, and enjoy being inspired by the Holy Spirit in my artwork, believing each painting is an evangelistic tool expressing God’s beauty and His Word which “will not return to Him void.”
How did you connect with She Is Safe?
I met Kay Marshall Strom at a Christian Writers Conference in northern California when I took her “Write with Sizzle” class. I saw her books, Daughters of Hope and Forgotten Girls in the author’s bookstore, co-written with SIS President Michele Rickett. It intrigued me to read about other women in ministry around the world who were being persecuted. I had served as a Christian missionary in Israel and knew persecution as a messianic Jew in Israel, as well as the persecution of Arab Christians in Israel. When I returned home, I read Forgotten Girls, and my heart was broken for the girls and women trapped in sexual slavery.
We love your idea of creating and selling artwork to help SIS work around the globe. Where did this idea come from?
After reading Forgotten Girls, I had such a burden for your work. I prayed and asked the Lord what I could do to help. I was praying for a new vision and purpose for my artwork at the same time. His answer was for me to dedicate the art ministry to Christian ministries dealing with human trafficking through donation of paintings for their auctions and fundraising venues. In particular He directed me to give 50% of my sales to SIS and your work around the globe and to become an advocate for you here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Do you think that working for this cause will motivate you or influence your art?
Yes it will motivate me! I have a particular heart for the orphaned child victims, and as I paint, I imagine how the money from the painting will go to help rescue them. I know I am doing my small part to end this horror of human trafficking. I am also motivated to attract a Christian art merchandiser to turn my art into posters, greeting cards and such, bringing donations to SIS.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the SIS family?
"Cross with Petals" by Miriam Sarzotti
YES! I am currently writing my first book on my life experiences including the trauma I experienced, both in my childhood from sexual abuse and on the mission field in Israel, and how the love of Jesus Christ healed and restored my life. I am blogging on my writing and art journey’s on my blog www.giftsofhisglory.com/
I am working to start an advocacy group on the San Francisco Peninsula for SIS work. We will study Forgotten Girls and then raise funds for selected SIS work. We will begin meeting in early fall, so anyone who lives in the area and has interest can e-mail me at miriam@giftsofhisglory.com.
To look at or purchase Miriam’s artwork, learn more about her story, and follow her writing, you can visit giftsofhisglory.com. If you have ideas for how you can put your gifts to work t0 help free and empower women and girls, leave a comment or drop us a note at info@SheIsSafe.org.