Hi friends!!! I have the most exciting news. Another country has been added to my route. I’M GOING TO NEPAL! Yes, NEPAL!!! This is totally a God thing.
Before applying to the World Race, I prayed and prayed and asked the Lord for a route that included both India and Nepal. But when routes were announced and Nepal was nowhere to be found, I thought it was God saying “Madeline, Nepal isn’t where I want you to go.” BUT I was so wrong. You can imagine the tears of joy that were shed yesterday – when I read an email from my trip advisor saying that , indeed, Nepal is where He wants me to go. I just know He is going to do the biggest things there. Yahweh is so faithful; He is continuously showing me that.
Nepal is home to Mount Everest and is one of the poorest countries in South Asia. The majority of Nepali people practice Hinduism or Buddhism. BUT Christianity is growing rapidly, even though Evangelism has been banned! I’m sure you all know that you cannot fit God into a box – this ban has no hold on what He is and will be doing.
I haven’t had much of a chance to go into detail about ministry, so here is what I might get to do while in Swaziland, Nepal, India, and Guatemala:
Anti-trafficking ministry – this is working with at-risk women and children and helping them to heal and find restoration in Christ. The Lord has burdened my heart so heavily for those who are trapped in human trafficking. You and I are free. But there are 27 million men, women, and children who are trapped in slavery. I think so often the topic of sex trafficking/human trafficking isn’t talked about because it makes people uncomfortable. But that is just it, it should make us uncomfortable. Because in that “uncomfortableness” is where change happens! It should make us squirm in our seats and burn with righteous passion to bring these precious souls out of their hurt. It is so unjust. You and I get to live lives so freely, but 27 MILLION people do not. They are abused physically and emotionally. They are without hope. It’s up to you and I to take a stand and show them – that at the cross is where hope can be found!
Village ministry – this might look like partnering with local churches through evangelism or hiking through the mountains to unreached villages and getting to share the gospel! It might look like talking to people outside of their homes and praying over them. It might look like playing with the village children and getting to share the love of the Father with them that way.
Sports ministry – this is exactly what it sounds like. Gathering with street kids and playing pick up games, like soccer! Or going into schools and orphanages and showing these precious little ones that they matter through activities like sports, art, or just playing!
School ministry – what if I told you that I might be teaching people English? Yeah, I know that totally sounds like a dream! But it just might happen and I am so stoked!!!
Work projects – this is manual labor! I might help build a playground or paint a school!!! Think construction and getting to love on the locals at the same time!
Hopefully all of that gives you a little bit more insight!
Here is my updated route, in order :
Swaziland ( 3 months )
Nepal ( 1 month )
India ( 2 months )
Guatemala ( 3 months )
Fundraising
WOW!!! Thank you to everyone who bought a t-shirt!!!! I was able to raise $500 from that alone 🙂 That will put me at above $2,000! Thank you so much to those who have given so generously. I still have quite a way to go, but I know the Lord will provide in His timing.
Can I be super real for a second, asking people for money is hard. It’s hard and it feels so selfish. I often find myself wondering why on earth would people want to fund my mission trip when there are so many other things going on in the world. But the truth is, fundraising is more than asking for money. I’m learning that fundraising is a mission field within itself. It is sharing how the Lord has changed my life and my heart, and inviting people to be apart of my story and the work that the Father has called me to. In turn, I pray that when I share my story and my heart, it stirs something in those listening. I pray that people do not see my support letters as a plea for cash, but a way to become involved and make a change.
so much love,
Madeline
