As I have traveled, I have heard countless people’s stories. To share them all would take novels, so I have chosen one story from each month and attached a way to be praying for the people and their country.
Much love,
Kimmy
Month one, Lesotho, The oldest girl at BDS
She is 16 years old and lives at the Beautiful Dream Society (BDS) house where we volunteered. Her family needed money so they sold her at a young age into marriage. She ran away because of abuse and was put into safety at the BDS home. She longs to be back with her family but she doesn’t understand how the original situation came to be. Please pray for all the orphaned and abandoned children in Lesotho and around the world.
Month two, Swaziland, The 10 year old boy at preschool
He knew all his numbers and letters in English. He was so excited to show me how he could write them by himself because he was ready to move on; he had been ready to move on for 5 years now. His family could not afford school, much less clothes, shoes, or food. Please pray specifically for the opportunity of education in Swaziland as well that their everyday needs would be provided.
Month three, South Africa, Darrell
Darrell was our next door neighbor at the baby home, Hope House. He and his wife, Gill, were so intentional with our team. They invited us into their home to get to know our stories. They also knitted me a small penguin when they heard I was disappointed with not getting to see penguins in Cape Town. Their church and prayer group welcomed us in weekly and made us feel at home. Please pray for their continued gifts of prayer, hospitality, and intentionality as it is making an impact on people locally and globally.
Month four, Vietnam, David
David was one of the most influential people I have ever met. He serves at a local Christian English Club as well as Bible studies in a country where evangelism is illegal. He heard God ask him to learn English (which he speaks a perfect American accent from watching YouTube videos) and Mandarin to be able to spread the gospel to foreigners as well though tour guiding. Please pray for local Christians to be bold in their faith as they share the truth to a communist society.
Month five, Cambodia, Navy
Navy was the shop owner in our small village. I met up with her to study the book of John and talk about faith and Jesus. Through our conversations, she asked questions about the salvation of her Buddhist parents and husband. At the end of my time there, I saw her husband’s heart start to soften towards us as we sought out intentional time to get to know him. Please pray that God would continue to move in their hearts and that people would not feel tied to Budism because of family tradition.
Month six, Thailand, The girl at the brothel
She sat there looking so inferior, over run, and innocent. She told me she were 22 years old but there was no way she was over 15 or 16. Her face was caked in makeup, but I couldn’t get past her beautiful brown eyes. I know God has so much in store for her. We didn’t get to talk very munch, but I will never forget her. And I will never loose the gut punch I got as we were leaving and a man, my dads age, took her by the hand and was leading her upstairs. Please pray for the sex industry in Thailand and across the globe. Pray for the prostatutes, costumers, and pimps. Also be in prayer for the sex industry in the United States. I have fallen victim to pretending it is not happening around me when, in reality, trafficking and porn are unfortunately prevalent all over.
Month seven, Nicaragua, Jesse
Jesse was born in Nicaragua, immigrated to the United States and ended up in Prision for murder. He was deported back to Nicaragua and found an easy job of translating for a few teenage missionaries for money to buy drugs. This is when he heard the Gospel and started following Jesus. He runs a ministry at the city dump where he creates relationships with the families and workers there. He is one of the most humble people I have ever met. Please pray that those who have addictions or have found trouble with the law will still find second chances. Pray that those who seem so far lost would be find hope.
Month eigh, Costa Rica, Jherson
Jherson is originally from Colombia and has the craziest family testimony. Ask me one day, it’s way too long to type. He told me, “Jesus didn’t die on the cross for me to just sit around. I have to serve and tell others. He did so much for me. How could I do nothing?” He is a faith filled, dependent man. Pray for the people of Costa Rica, that in their busy culture, they would find rest and a genuine relationship with God.
Month nine, Jamaica, Shaunda
Shaunda was ready to return home to Canada and never come back to Jamaica when God began to change her heart for the people and the country. (She also fell in love with a Jamaican man.) She now runs a summer camp with her family. Her past is filled with times of little money and a loss of direction. She is a testimony of dependence and trust in the Lord. She believes that living a radical life is just living in obedience to the Lord. Please pray for the lukewarm Christians of Jamaica. As they continue to seek the Lord, may they find Him and true intimacy.
Month ten, Haiti, The triplets
Next door to our house lived two-year-old triplets. They were found by the ministry, Supply and Multiply, when they were very malnourished newborns. Supply and Multiply started blessing the mother with formula to help save the babies. She would show the ministry the empty can to get another. She later confessed she had been selling the formula for food because she got so desperate and thought that would be the better option but her babies started starving again. There is no easy answer to supply the needs for the people in Haiti. Please pray for God’s providence in food, shelter, jobs, education, and health. Sometimes God doesn’t answer how we hope he will, but I am confident he always answers.
Month eleven, Dominican Republic, Ricardo
Ricardo volunteers at the ministry Hope for the DR. He helps maintain the grounds and whatever else needs to be done. He encourages us and is humble in every situation. Ricardo is from Haiti. He felt God call him to do a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) which is where he learned English on top of the six other languages he already knows. He desires to do mission work in South Africa one day. Please pray for those on missions, whether doing work in their home town or in a different country.
