Dear Friends and Family,
I hope all is well with you during this season. I wanted to write and tell you all that has been happening in my life lately. As you may know, I am currently on The World Race, an 11 month mission trip. The last 7 months have been quite an adventure and God is busy changing lives!
If I had to choose one word as a theme for my World Race, it would indeed be, “change.”
Our route has changed 6 times so far. We have been to Albania, Serbia, Romania, India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, and we have just arrived in Cambodia! Our next countries should be: The Philippines, Swaziland, and South Africa, but these are subject to change as well!
Since being on the race, ten people have left for various reasons, and two people have returned! (Ask me some time about these two who have returned–it’s an amazing story!!!)
To save on time, I will only tell you just a few things my team and I have been up to.
Our first month, we had the privilege of partnering with World Vision at a summer camp in Albania for underprivileged and impoverished children. Despite the language barrier, we were able to show them the love of Christ as we worked alongside the Albanian camp counselors. Each day was filled with many activities such as: craft time, archery, and football (American soccer). At the end of each week, the children were told about Jesus and given children’s bibles in their language.
We spent our fourth month in India volunteering at an orphanage for disabled children. These precious, precious children have been abandoned, abused, and rejected because of their varying disabilities. My heart has been broken a million times over as I think about everything they have had to endure, but I love them with all of my heart and would do anything to see them again. My heart swells just thinking about them. I have been prayerfully considering returning at some point and being a foster parent. (I’ll keep you updated!)
Our sixth month, we were in Thailand volunteering with SHE ministries which is an anti-trafficking ministry that helps at risk women by giving them a job at their fair trade factory. We helped cut fabric and did yard work/jungle work by day and bar ministry by night where we would minister to the women at the bars. We witnessed a great deal of darkness and injustice, but it ignited a fire within me, a passion to help end human and sex-trafficking in whatever way I can.
As I’ve said, God is doing so much, and I know He has so much more in store for this year, but without help, I will not be able to stay on The Race. I am still in need of $2,286.86 to be fully funded. That means I only need 50 people to give $45.74! Please prayerfully consider supporting me through your donations. I also covet your prayers, they are greatly appreciated and needed!
Thank you so much for those who have supported me so far. You have blessed me more than I can say. With your help, I have already raised $13, 213.14!!! And thank you in advance for those who will give!
