One of the reasons that I came on the World Race was to find out what the Lord had in store for my life. Having just graduated college with degree in finance before I left, I knew that I shouldn’t immediately enter the corporate world. It was too tempting for me. I could have too easily fallen into the trap of climbing the ladder and working for my own selfish desires, always trying to accumulate more and more. I knew in my heart that would not satisfy me. It would seem satisfying initially, but the longer the process occurred, I knew I would find myself completely unsatisfied. I knew all of this, but honestly, it was still tempting though. Joining the World Race was how the Lord called me out of that. He didn’t even let me start the process. Don’t get me wrong, I love business and have a passion for it, but I knew the timing just wasn’t right for me.
From almost the first week of the Race, the Lord began to reveal little bits of his vision for my life. I heard one of our mentors speak about micro enterprise at our training in Swaziland, which immediately caught my attention. Somehow it never dawned on me that I could use two passions for His glory: business and ministry. With that little spark, I enrolled in an online course on business development and micro finance in Third World countries. It has been a tough balancing act this year, but one that I know will be beneficial in the long run.
We then started our Asia leg of the Race. In Thailand, we worked with S.H.E. Ministries, an organization that takes a holistic approach to allowing women to escape from lives of prostitution. In addition to biblical discipleship, S.H.E. provides a salaried job making beautiful jewelry to any woman who wants to start a new life. While we were there in September, S.H.E. was only in its 2nd month of operation, yet we saw 4 additional women make the decision to leave a life of prostitution and join the staff. But because it is such a new ministry, they lack manpower in marketing and selling the jewelry that the women produce. Part of my work while I was there was to set up an eBay store for them, but even with that they still aren’t generating the necessary sales needed to allow S.H.E. to be self-sustaining.
At the end of our time with S.H.E., the Lord began to give me a specific vision for how he could use me to help ministries around the world. One of the biggest challenges that I have seen ministries with livelihood programs face is a lack of available markets to sell their products. Because most of the ministries aim to help the lower poor, production sites are often located in poorer areas and thus non-marketable to the local population. There is a disconnect between the sellers and the buyers mainly because of geography. I want to come alongside ministries and provide a venue for selling their products to their target market. At the onset, this will be accomplished through an online store with the possibility of developing into a retail location in the future. The store will be a collective of products from ministries around the world, selling handmade products made by the outcasts of their society.
Since the Lord opened my eyes to this need at the end of last year, I have since encountered many organizations throughout our travels that face similar challenges. I’m sure there are countless more that I have yet to come in contact with.
I will be personally selling some jewelry from several organizations that I have built relationships with this summer in order to support myself while I build up the website. If you would be interested in purchasing some or even hosting a jewelry party in your home this summer (I’m willing to travel!), please email me ([email protected]). Also, if you know of anyone who has a background in web design, please let me know as I am on the lookout for a designer.
I’m claiming his vision for my life as my own vision. I am continually transforming my desires and my agendas into what He has in store for me. I’m waiting on his timing. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
