To all those who have supported me both prayerfully and financially-
Thank you. When I first signed up for this trip, I really had no idea where the next year of my life would lead. All that I knew was that the Lord had big plans for me, and He was asking me to leap with faith and follow Him around the world. Who am I to argue when the Father speaks right?! Yet, as I prepared to embark on one of the greatest adventures of my life to date, I found a reason or two (or more) to argue…
How would I raise the over $16,000 price tag for this journey (let me just go ahead and tell you now.. spoiler alert… money was the least of the costs I would pay over this last year)
How will I face all the spiritual, emotional, and mental battles I am about to willingly enter?
The most sovereign, gracious, loving, and faithful God answered those questions and more through each one of you. He is SO faithful- and every day I am grateful for His unwavering attention to every detail of my life. And I want to take a moment to let you know I am especially grateful for YOUR faithfulness and YOUR attention to the details of my life! It was in partnership with YOUR love and support that I was able to cuddle orphans in Honduras, minister to women seemingly stuck in sex trafficking in Thailand, love the “outsiders” in South Africa, and so much more. Yet, maybe most importantly, without your willingness to join alongside of me, I may have remained unchanged for another year.
My eyes have seen unreal poverty and despair over the last 11 months. I have met so many hurting people. My heart has been broken on so many occasions that I lost count. And friends, I have seen hope light up hearts that were once dark. I have seen the unmistakable joy returned from an unexpected stranger’s smile. I have witnessed the power and unrelenting presence of the most high Holy Spirit! He is waking hearts to life every.single.day, and He continues to stir mine regularly 🙂 Take heart, for you have been a part of fighting the good fight… and let me encourage you to keep fighting. We may not have Christians being killed daily in the streets, but we sure do face persecution. Our world is SO hungry for faithful supports and lovers of the gospel, just like you.
There is no amount of words I could share that would express my gratitude for all you have sacrificed and given so freely to me over the past 11 months. I am still so humbled to have been allowed this opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ out in the nations, and I want to let you know I will continue to make good on your investment! The journey does not end here, this is just the jumping off point to the next glory. Even more so, I hope your own journey has taken flight (the best kind of investment is one that provides such a return!) I pray blessings, strength, and endurance over each of you. I urgently pray that He would continue to reveal Himself to you, that He would wreck you for what wrecks Him. Please, Father, don’t leave them unchanged. . I ask that He would continue to shower you with blessings for your generosity and obedience, and may He continue to empower you to stay in the fight.
Your fellow servant in Christ,
Anna
I will be continuing to post thoughts and stories as I debrief the past 11 months. It is an ongoing process that I hope you all will share with me. I welcome – no encourage – your thoughts and feedback throughout! I would love to hear from your perspective and walk with you in what this last year did for YOU!
