Has it been 11 months already?? When yesterday feels like last week, and last month seems like last year. It’s hard to believe that I’ve only been gone just shy of a year.
This year I’ve seen so many things, things that most people won’t ever see in this lifetime. Living on a volcano in the clouds of Costa Rica. Going to the largest garbage dump in Honduras. Talking to prostitutes trapped in the sex industry in Thailand. Riding an elephant. Living on an island in Malaysia. Touching African soil in three different countries. Petting a camel in Kenya. Flying over Mt. Everest in Nepal. Living in India, and so much more. Some may consider this lucky, I would too if I believed in luck. Luck implies that something happens by chance, and I know that nothing is coincidence in God’s eyes.
The purpose of the World Race is more than taking a year to travel the world, the main purpose is to grow in intimacy with God, serve others, and along the way to learn more about yourself and how you relate to others. I signed up with the intention of taking a year to help people in different “less fortunate” circumstances and I actually realized along the way that sometimes I needed the most help of all. While there were plenty of people we met who were in extreme poverty there were also some who were making out just fine. God isn’t just the provider for me and you, He provides for all of his children, all over the world. Just because people don’t have 3 cars to their family and they eat rice and potatoes everyday doesn’t mean that they are helpless, it just means their lives are different. And most people don’t know any differently because that is what they’re accustomed to.
That speaks for us too. Being raised in America with the family I was born into, with the schools I attended, the friends I’ve made, and experiences I’ve had over the last 23 years, a lot of things I did, thought, and experienced were shaped by our American culture. Nothing is wrong with that either. I won’t be coming back to America hating everyone and everything now that I’ve seen poverty. In fact I’m excited to come back to America and minister to Americans because now I have an outside perspective.
With that, some of you may be wondering what is next for me.
Well.
After living and serving at a home for abused women and children in Nepal, I realized that I really have a heart for loving women. Young or old. During college I helped lead women in bible studies and discipleship, and then became involved in the Women’s Prison Ministry at Riverview, but if you were to ask me…I would never..ever…say that I’m a “women’s ministry” kind of girl. In fact, a lot of my closest friends over the years have been guys and sometimes I feel like I can relate to dudes better. So while I was certain on moving to Seattle upon my return… I believe that it’s actually time for me to move to California instead.
SAN FRANCISCO
to be exact..
I am hoping to get an internship with an organization called Because Justice Matters (BJM). If I get accepted then I would love to work there for a year, being apart of their mission to reach broken women of the Tenderloin neighborhood.
“In 2008 we started working towards raising awareness of issues of trafficking and domestic violence, presenting to churches, youth groups, local schools and colleges. Towards the end of that year we launched our first Monday manicure outreach on a small table on the sidewalk and began developing our outreach to women and their families. We started as a small team, taking small steps and have gradually gathered momentum. Since then our services have grown to include street outreach, case management, ESL, parenting classes, mother’s breakfast and much more. We are currently working towards opening our first women’s center in order to better reach the community of women in the Tenderloin. We believe in genuine relationships that are built over time, with a commitment to help women make choices that build a better life for them and their families. We want to see hope and dignity restored to every victim.”
–Because Justice Matters
My hope is to move there toward the end of January. Fortunate for me, it will be another job that requires me to raise financial support, so if you are interested then I can use support now to help with rent ($610/mo) my first few months and will have more information on tax-deductible giving upon my acceptance to BJM
I can’t wait for this next chapter in my life and believe that while this year seemed like the best year yet, that God has something just as big and special next year.
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
For the all of the prayers, encouragement, financial support, and love you all have shown me over this year. I look forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful faces at some point over the next month!
With much love and appreciation,
Kristy
I can’t wait to see my family I can’t wait to take a HOT. SHOWER. WITHOUT THE USE OF A BUCKET. I can’t wait to go to Riverview I can’t wait to make coffee however I want! I can’t wait to eat fruits and vegetables I can’t wait to wear whatever I want..with no cultural restrictions I can’t wait to get a haircut I can’t wait to lay on a couch I can’t wait to eat Reeses I can’t wait to watch MSU kick butt in football and basketball I can’t wait to sleep in! & so much more…
