Hello all of my people! I am writing to you from my VERY cozy (small) D.C. apartment, where I’ve been living for over two weeks now. Time is moving crazy fast, which isn’t very surprising considering the pace this city moves at as a whole. I find myself half running down every escalator with nowhere to be half of the time- its just become second nature! My office overlooks the pentagon & I take the metro 25 minutes every morning with what I am pretty sure are very, VERY important people. Today, a man yelled at my roommate and I on our way home about hiking up taxes. I think he thinks we work for the IRS. I just nodded in return. Turns out wearing suits can make anyone think you’ve got some serious power 🙂
For those of you who didn’t know, I am interning at a Christian non-profit called International Justice Mission, which aims to protect the poor from every day violence around the world. I spent the last week in an intensive orientation, where I learned ALL things IJM. We saw undisclosed film from recent rescue missions, learned all about IJM’s holistic approach to sustainable justice system transformation, and more. My favorite part was learning about the spiritual practices of IJM. Their staff of over 700 people globally spends a half hour a day in personal prayer and reflection and a half hour joined together in corporate prayer. What an incredible environment that makes to work in. Their work is centered around God’s heart for justice and God’s control over some really difficult circumstances.
Most recently, I spent this Monday and Tuesday learning how to effectively lobby in representatives offices and had five meetings with congressmen and senator offices. I even met one of the senators! It was surreal. We are creating relationships with politicians to gain support for the most aggressive anti-trafficking legislation proposed in the last 15 years, titled the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act. The senate bill was unanimously passed out of committee in February, which is a huge success thus far. If passed on the floor in the coming months, a total of 1.5 billion dollars from public, private, and foreign funds will be allocated towards intensive anti-trafficking efforts including rescue & aftercare of victims, prosecution of traffickers, and justice system reform to prevent trafficking from happening in the first place. IJM would be a large part of implementing these reform projects globally should the bill pass. HOW COOL, RIGHT?! PLEASE sign the petition here to tell your representatives you care about freedom for ALL!
I also ask for your prayer. Coming off of the World Race in May left me only three months to support raise and save from my summer job for this current season. This is a three month, unpaid opportunity in a city that is so wildly expensive. Because it is the opportunity of a lifetime, I decided to take a leap of faith and trust that God would supply the necessities to live in Washington D.C. for three months on no income. It costs me over 5 dollars a day just to take the public transit to work! Crazy. I am currently about 30% funded and need $2,600 to continue to serve God at IJM this fall. If you or anyone you now may be compelled to support me and the mission of IJM, please click here. It is because of people like you that I’ve made it this far & I know that because of people like you, I will be able to continue pursuing God’s great plans he has for me and his people. I love you all. Pictures below 🙂
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My fellow interns and me! I am the donor relations intern, hence the “DR”.
This is my roommate, Melanie, and I at our office!
Taken after a long day of lobbying training! Wisconsin pride, of course.
Wisconsin residents taveled to D.C. to meet with representatives in their D.C. offices on behold of the End Modern Slavery Initiative. This is our cheese head group!
Photo credit to IJM! The capital is under construction so its no so picturesque, but this was immediately following our first meeting with Congressman Sensenbrener’s staff!
People have been calling the scaffolding the capital’s “braces”. Once its off, it will be looking good as new! Me in my fancy suit. I feel like a fish out of water but fake it till you make it, right?!
A photo with WI Senator Tammi Baldwin (grey blazer in the center) in her office. It was a very brief meeting but she was very kind and had an office with packers gear in it so we couldn’t complain! We are praying she will agree to co-sponsor the EMSI. I will be following up with her and her staff to put a little friendly pressure on 😉
Last by not least, a classic, All-American SELFIE.
Really, thank you for keeping up with me and my adventures! xox.
