That moment you realize your life just flipped upside down.
That things will never be the same.
That life as you know it, is different.
And even though you’re terrified…you’re okay with it.
After I got home from the World Race (An 11 countries in 11 months Christian Mission Journey) I returned to Georgia for a conference called “Project Searchlight”. This week focused on launching participants into the post-World Race season. During this week I was looking for confirmation…what am I supposed to do post-race? I had some ideas. I even had some desires. But I wasn’t sure.
I heard about this amazing mission opportunity called Kingdom Journey (KJ). Immediately my heart began to stir as I learned about the program. It is a program for World Race alumni who want to walk out what they feel God calling them into. The women’s team focuses on empowering women (basically…keep reading). Participants build relationships with women (mom’s, bar girl’s, vendors, all women), then after a few weeks invite them to a Beauty to Ashes Retreat. I’ll reference the KJ website for this one:
“The mission of the Beauty for Ashes ministry is empowering women to experience God’s restoration and hope through storytelling and community. Our vision is to see restored women of all nations serving as Christ’s ambassadors for change, healing, and freedom in their homes, communities, and cultures.”
I’ll just highlight a few words from this short description that make my heart beat a little faster:
RESTORATION HEALING FREEDOM COMMUNITY
I love working with women and seeing them called into their identity in Christ.
I love seeing people set free!
I love when people have the courage to step out of the hurts they are carrying.
I love freedom…freedom from external and internal oppression.
And I love how powerful a supportive community can be.
Through the ministry of Kingdom Journeys women are given a safe place to express their hurts and begin to heal. They begin to step into who God created them to be. To step out of fear & hurt and into who they are. It’s a beautiful thing, I can’t help but smile as I type that…step out of fear & hurt and into who they are.
After the Beauty to Ashes retreat we continue building relationships with women; supporting and disciplining them. We train women who step into leadership and help them develop the skills needed to continue building this community of support, and to continue helping women step into their Identity in Christ. (Did I mention my testimony is all about Identity? Check out my earlier blogs.) One of our goals is that the women continue to have community with one another and reach out to other women.
AND THEN it doesn’t end when we leave!
We empower women to empower one another!
I love sustainable programs and ministry.
You may have noticed I switched from “they” to “we” about ½ way through this blog. I am excited to announce that I have been accepted into the Kingdom Journeys program, launching in January 2016!!!! (Continent/Country/Location TBA)
I have been overwhelmed at the peace I have felt about participating in this program…even the thought of living out of a backpack for another 6-7 months. And fundraising is yet again staring me down. I don’t have any brilliant fundraisers this time around. I am trusting that God will provide. Let’s be real…I’m believing that as you read this blog, your heart stirred a little bit and you’ll support me.
Please know, I didn’t set out to be a missionary.
I didn’t set out to raise support again.
I set out to pursue God.
I set out to love people.
But God said “Go”…so I said “Yes!”
Will you go with me?
