Wow…I can’t believe it’s already been one year.
One year ago…I left the Sunshine State and made my way up to Seattle. Two days later 33 of us would be flying half way around the world for the start of our 4 month Journey.
Most of you know my journey…but would you reminisce with me for a bit?
The first stop on our trip was Cambodia, me and my team worked at a prevention home with girls 15 and younger. The precious beauties had been placed here by a mother or grandmother in fear that they would be sold into sex trafficking by a possible family member. I left a piece of my heart in Cambodia and one day I would love to go back to visit. I still keep in contact with a couple of people from that ministry, I am so thankful for the friendships me and my team made.
Second stop, Thailand. Wow just as I began typing that my eyes started to tear up. I can’t explain what God did that month in me. But I felt so alive in that country…Every night when we would ride our bikes up to Bar Street, I would have a thought like “I could literally do this for the rest of my life.” Loving and sharing Jesus with those girls/women in the bars was such a blessing. I loved our ministry…but I also really loved the people and the culture as a whole. Lord willing…I will be back in Thailand one day, I pray it is longer than a month… I would love to be there long-term.
Oh India, my hardest, yet possibly most impactful month of the four. Our ministry was an aftercare facility, where we worked with woman who had been rescued from the sex trade. The aftercare facility helped the woman spiritually, as they were restored and learned of the man Jesus who would never hurt them, as well as, having a good paying job making bags/scarves etc. out of old Saris. I can admit it now, but I had a very hard heart towards the people there. (Not at our ministry) I really can’t explain it, and Slumdog Millionaire wont give you the explanation either…for you to understand you would have to go and see and smell and experience it for yourself. But after coming back from the trip the Lord softened my heart for that country and for the people there. And I plan on going back one day, with a new heart and mindset towards that country.
The trip ended in Atlanta, GA. Our month consisted of calling girls who had placed ads in the adult section of Craigslist/Backpage. We were able to call them and give them a resource if they ever needed someone to talk to/needed help/ wanted a way out. Most of the girls we talked with were open and shared their stories of childhood sexual abuse/poverty and how that led them to where they are now. Sometimes we were able to pray with them over the phone and give them encouragement. We also were able to go into some of the strip clubs in Atlanta. As we worked along side our ministry contact Kasey who started 4sarah…we were able to walk into these clubs and go into the back dressing room and give the girls gift bags. I am so glad the trip ended in Atlanta, and we were all able to make a difference in our own country and learn how we can be just as impactful here.
It seems so crazy for me to try to “sum up” all the things we saw God do, we learn, we experienced in a little paragraph. It’s just not possible….
On May 18, 2011 we returned home from our 4 month journey. For me this was process time. I remember early July…I had a couple nights of major breakdown sessions. I was a mess! It took me that long just to recap and grab hold of some of the things we saw both good and bad. But it’s a process and i’m pretty sure i’m still walking through it.
Ok so to go back several months. October 2010. We had a 5 day training camp for this trip. In those 5 days I met him. The man I knew I wanted to marry. I knew in the first 24hrs. of meeting him. My thoughts “Lord are you kidding me!” Number one I really was planning on being single for several more years, while I traveled the world doing missions. Number 2 everyone had to make a commitment with the mission organization that you wouldn’t date anyone till the End of the trip which was at that point 7 months away.
As I left that October knowing I wouldn’t see Jason till that coming January…I knew I was about to experience the biggest lesson in patience. January came and how amazing it was to see each other again. But now started the 4 next waiting stage 4 months of our trip. On different teams, living in different places, serving at different ministries. Sure enough…4 months passed and on May 18th 2011, we were able to officially start dating. Even though my patience always wanting to run out through that process, I really can’t think of anything more I would have like to have had. We will forever get to share this same adventure and rejoice in how the Lord brought us together.
Me and Jason said from the beginning “When you know..you know” Which is exactly what happened on Sept. 12th 2011 we were engaged and on October 29th 2011 we were married! I knew I would always have a short engagement. haha
Some other happenings of this year…I started back at school online through Liberty University for a degree in Psychology, with a focus in Christian Counseling. This is something I really felt laid on my heart, returning from the trip. I will graduate in Dec. 2012 and I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do with it!
I have also been recently connected to a new ministry called StreetLight here in Winston-Salem. It is a ministry that will be going into the strip clubs and giving the woman gift bags and works at building a genuine relationship and trust with the woman in the clubs. From that hopefully bible studies and new job placements will flourish! We actually go into the clubs for the first time Jan. 19th 2012. Keep us in your prayers!
So here I am on January 13, 2012, one year later. And I was blessed to be able to travel the world spreading the Light and Love of Jesus into some of the darkest places. I have been swept off my feet by a man that not even I could have put together…and now am 2 1/2 month happily married! And for the first time me and my husband get to do ministry together. Jason will be apart of streetlight through prayer and going with us to the clubs. (Not inside of course) but he will be there to build relationships with the valets etc. We both have a huge heart for missions and returning overseas…possibly Thailand. But we will just have to wait and see what the Lord has in store this year!
