My squad has all been together for the last week in Manila, Philippines at Kids International Ministries (KIM) for our “Launch” training. It has been insanely crazy having so many people in such a closed space, but I have truly loved the community!
Some things I have come to realize in this first week on the World Race is that I need to get used to having very swollen ankles/feet all of the time, electricity and running water are very wonderful amenities, I will be drenched in sweat 100% of the time, my clothes are going to start to smell if they don’t already, such close community life is hard but AWESOME, and that my heart is going to break for individuals millions upon millions of times. It is going to be a hard year but it is going to be soo worth it!!
Saying all of that, Team Hephzibah (my team) is partnering up with Team Deep
Roots to do ministry with Threads of Hope over this next month. We are leaving at 4:30am on Monday morning (Side note–It approximately 11:30pm here so I need to get some sleep!) to
take about a 6ish hour trip south to Puerto Galero, Philippines. This little journey supposedly involves bus
and ferry travel. It should be pretty
exciting…my first of many crazy, long distant travel days. 😉
I am super pumped about the ministry site! Especially because I helped sell a lot of their bracelets this summer!…You know, the ones that are on your wrist right now. 😉 I’m not too positive on all that we will be
doing but I do know that it will be a lot of relational type ministry, such as
playing with children, encouraging bracelet makers, counting bracelets,
etc. It is going to be an awesome month
for us I’m sure.
For those of you who do not know what Threads of Hope is… this
ministry was started when the local missionaries realized many families were selling their children into prostitution in
order to provide for their families. They wanted to create an alternative
income for the families so they decided to launch Threads
of Hope, where they buy the bracelets from the families making them and bring them back to the US to sell.
I have no idea about internet access over this next month, but I will try to keep you updated on all the happenings. Thank you so much for your prayers!!!
