I am officially back in America! After several cancelled flights, myself and 15 classmates were finally able to be bussed from Mijas to Madrid, then take a direct flight into Dallas on May 30. I spent a few days at home before hitting the road and making the 14 hour drive to Knoxville, Tennessee, where I will work with Raising a Voice through the beginning of September. It’s been a while since I have posted a blog, so here are some long overdue updates!
First, let’s backtrack to the last three months at G42 Leadership Academy in Mijas, Spain. Two weeks after arriving in Spain, the entire country went into 10 weeks of complete lockdown. Our classes moved to Google Hangout, and I spent my days in a house with 14 other people. We had the most incredible view of the Mediterranean out our front door, and were nestled in the mountains, but couldn’t actually go out and enjoy any of it. Initially, it felt like the worst case scenario for our first semester in Spain. But looking back, this semester and quarantine was an absolute blessing and one of the sweetest seasons of my life.
Each week we focused on a different topic with a different teacher. So many of the lessons I learned this semester are still sinking into my spirit, and I know I will continue to process through them and see their fruit in His timing. But there are a few things that made a big impression on me immediately. I learned how to get out of my head and into my heart. I didn’t realize that I had been living from behind a hidden heart for most of my life; in a state of self preservation, and in an attempt to control how I was perceived by others. Some major walls came down this semester, and I am starting to truly trust who God has created me to be and am learning to take ownership of them and walk in that authority. Another huge lesson from this semester was learning to rest and abide in the Father, instead of striving to become or do (thank you quarantine). God so lovingly reminded me that he wrote my story and he knew exactly where I’d be in my walk with him. He equips us with exactly what we need right where we are. Sheesh, talk about a relief!
Prior to Covid-19 spreading around the world, I was slated to split my practicum between Rwanda and the Philippines. It was my hope to lay some groundwork in Kigali, Rwanda for the nonprofit Saylah Leu and I are starting in partnership with Pastor Moise Bukenya. The second half of practicum I was going to be working with a missionally focused coffee shop in Angeles City, Philippines. With so much uncertainty, all practicums were moved stateside and that is how I ended up in Knoxville. To be honest, I wasn’t sure why this was where God was sending me. Each day that I am in Tennessee and learn more about the mission and work of Raising a Voice, it’s incredibly apparent why I am here.
Raising a Voice (RAV) was started 5 years ago by Katie & Will Boggs. Three weeks after getting married, they left America to travel the world for a year visiting over 150 anti trafficking organizations to learn, volunteer and establish relationships with others already working in the space. Today, Raising a Voice is based in East Knoxville and it’s their mission to end human trafficking through gospel-centered community transformation and global outreach. They are doing this by working with women in sexually abusive situations, building relationships with them and meeting tangible needs by providing resources. In addition to working in Knoxville, RAV has partnered and established bases with Ubani Trust in Kenya, Africa and Vos Tambien in Argentina.
While in Knoxville, I will be living with the founders, Katie and Will, in the community we are serving. They recently purchased a new house to serve as a drop in center. This will be a safe place for women to come in and receive resources to meet any of their needs – hygiene products, health resources, food, clothing, GED training, obtaining an id, legal services, etc. We will also be doing weekly outreaches to foster relationships with the women in the community and spread the word about our new location. The first few weeks here have been spent painting and organizing the new drop in center, doing prayer walks around the neighborhood, and doing various outreach activities.
It’s been almost two weeks since arriving in Knoxville and to say my eyes and heart have been opened in new ways would be an absolute understatement. East Knoxville is a predominantly black, low income community with the average annual income being around $9,000. In this community, there isn’t a single grocery store within walking distance, no hospital and very few restaurants. The only businesses are predominately motels, pawn shops, laundromats, and bail bondsmen. Witnessing the lack of resources this community has access to has been absolutely heartbreaking. We are getting a first hand look at the realities of systemic injustice and how it can leave entire communities in a cycle of oppression and poverty.
Needless to say, I am incredibly expectant about what this summer holds. It has already been incredibly eye opening and I know it will have a lasting impact on my life in so many ways. Being able to work with RAV, live and serve in this community, and to glean from RAV’s founders is going to be an invaluable experience both personally and in growing our ministry in Rwanda.
Heritage Christian School Update:
Prior to leaving for Spain in March, Saylah and I were steadily taking steps toward becoming an official 5013c nonprofit. We were able to file and become a legal corporation, open bank accounts, were strategizing for the future and beginning our final paperwork. Then Covid-19 hit. This global pandemic has reframed all our plans for the future. These last few months have actually been a blessing in many ways. It has allowed us to slow down, reflect, and start to think more strategically about the future of Heritage Christian School (HCS). Currently, HCS is closed until September. Thankfully, because of your generosity, we have been able to continue paying our teachers their full salaries during this hard time. In Rwanda, no work typically means no pay. The Rwandan government is offering some support but it’s often not enough. Being able to pay our teachers is a tremendous blessing and one we are unbelievably thankful for!
Thank you for always loving and supporting me. It is because of you that I am able to be here today, and for that I am eternally grateful!
All my love from Knoxville,
Sara
