Friends,
Here is a peek into all that is going on with me right now and in the months to come. This is a “support letter” of sorts. I will try to keep this brief (yeah right) and to the point.
Well, I am still living in Colorado and truly love where God has me. This year, I am finishing up my degree through International Seminary and continue to wait tables to keep the dough rolling. I love Colorado Springs the longer I am here. The Father’s majesty is shouted from the splendor of the mountains. I doubt I will ever tire of soaking it in. However, this coming September, I have decided to depart the Springs for Asia to go on a four-month mission trip through The World Race.
Sex Trafficking. Have you heard of it? It first sprung to my attention about two years ago. It’s true that people do choose to be prostitutes, but many…even most do not have a choice. Friends, it is forced upon millions. Boys and girls as young as four years old are being exploited for commercial sex. There are so many different scenarios of how this begins. Sometimes their own parents sell them to put food on the table. Other times, they are deceived by a good “job offer” in another country. While it is most predominant in the places I will be going (India, Thailand, and Cambodia), know that it also runs ramped in the United States. Not too far from where I live in Denver is one of the biggest hand-off points for trafficking victims. I could give you stats of the crime. The numbers are preposterous. You may already know. If you feel you are unaware, I encourage you to research a bit. Personally, I know that I have a responsibility. I can’t have knowledge about this horror and do nothing.
What exactly will I be doing? I asked my interviewer this question about two months ago. She said to be ready for anything. I will be going into bars in the red light districts to talk to girls and build relationships, working to get them connected with ministries. I could be at safe houses, administering peace and restoration through Love. I could also be working in the prevention arena at orphanages. Whatever I will be doing, I am ready.
I will be in the darkest of places. I whole-heartedly believe in the power of prayer. And I want to ask for your prayers. I John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-what ever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.” Well, of course I would love prayer for safety. But, I am least concerned for my safety. Please pray that my team would be united for His purpose. Please pray that I will be open and willing to do whatever He has for me to do…even in the most uncomfortable situations. Please pray that I will be praying in the Spirit on all occasions. Pray that there would be lives rescued out of slavery in the physical and spiritual. Pray for deliverance from the vicious cycle of the trade and for their souls. Pray for salvation. Pray for the salvation of the victims, brothel owners, pimps, children, and communities in which I will be in contact. There a million things that you could pray for. Ask the Father what you should pray. I thank you in advance for lifting me up, for I will need it more than anything.
Of course, I need money for this trip. It is a fact. God is already providing and making it increasingly evident that he does in fact want me to go. I do not expect any of you to give, for I know that God will provide regardless. In the chance that you feel this is something you would like to give toward, you can log onto: marissadale.theworldrace.org and click “Support Me” on the left hand side. I will also be blogging on this site while I am overseas, so please check back for updates and additional prayer points.
I am so grateful for every one of you.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” -Ephesians 3:16-19
~Marissa
Want to know more about sex trafficking? Want to know what you can do? Here are some organizations that are playing a crucial role in this fight against modern day slavery:
-callandresponse.com
-notforsalecampaign.org
-love146.org
