Hello from Texas! You probably thought you wouldn’t hear from me through this platform again, but I reckoned I would send one last update. So as you know, the World Race is an 11 month mission trip and I was originally supposed to be returning to the United States this month (I would be leaving Morocco). But alas, life did not go according to plan and we were called off the field in March. While it was nice to return to my bed and drink tap water without a care in the world, I spent a long time wrestling with God about why on earth I was home and not on the other side of the world. I had a hard time processing and coping with the loss of dreams and expectations for this year, something I never even dared to imagine coming home early. While I still miss my squad and I think about what could have been, I see very clearly how God was using the World Race and even the coronavirus to get me where He wants me to be. Although my time overseas was much shorter than anticipated, the time I did have changed my life forever. Through this journey, God showed me His love and mercy for people all over the world. He showed me how to love people well and understand who He has created me to be. For that, I’m forever grateful.
Last year, God made it very clear that He is calling me to work in the fight against human trafficking. Since being back home, He has continued to fan the flame of my dreams and passions to fight against this billion dollar industry. This summer, He opened all the right doors for me and led me to an opportunity that I had only dreamed about. After noticing my passion for those affected by trafficking, a mentor introduced me to the organization Raising a Voice. The Lord made it clear that He was directing my path and leading me to join the fellowship program with this incredible organization.
The RAV Fellowship is a nine month missionary training program that is designed to give passionate people the ability to experience anti-human trafficking efforts in diverse settings. It was also created to help develop each fellow’s vision for how God is calling them to work in the anti-trafficking industry. The RAV Fellowship is broken up into three sections. The first three months are based at the Raising a Voice headquarters in Knoxville, TN where I will receive training and discipleship while living in community and working in local ministry. After that, I will spend six months overseas working to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation through prevention, rescue and recovery. I will spend three months in Nairobi, Kenya and three months in Buenos Aires, Argentina working with anti-trafficking ministries and getting field experience of what it looks like working in anti-trafficking overseas and sharing the gospel in some of the darkest places.
I will face many challenges during my time in RAV Fellowship and I will learn so much to propel me forward in my desire to work in anti-trafficking long term. With such an exciting and challenging journey ahead, I know that I can’t do this alone. I am seeking a team of people to come alongside me both through prayer and financially. Like other missions organizations, RAV Fellows are required to raise financial support. If you are interested in joining my support team, please email me at [email protected], I would love to contact you and tell you more about my vision for the future and the role you can play in that.
Also, I will be sending out a monthly newsletter to update you on what I’m doing, what God is doing, and specific ways you can be praying for me and my team. Comment if you would like to be on this new journey with me and I will add you to my mailing list!
I can’t wait to see how God uses this next year for my life and I can’t wait to share it with you.
