Just to clear up some confusion, I thought I’d share some answers to a few questions people have been asking.
1. Are you still going to India? When are you leaving for India?
Yes! I am still moving to India this spring/summer. I’m not sure of the exact date I’ll be leaving, but should be there by the end of May. My teammates are Rachael Hayes, Laura Hamilton, and Laura Meyers, and we’re so excited to be going to India together!
2. Are you going with an organization?
Yes! My team and I are currently talking with an organization that is already on the ground in India, and we are trying to figure out what it would look like to work with them. They’re going to allow us to continue a project that has just recently begun in Mumbai, working in the same red-light districts and with the same contacts we have been praying about since our team was formed.
3. Do you still need to raise money? How much do you need? How can I give?
Yes! To cover my personal costs, administrative fees, and a portion of our ministry expenses, I need approximately $1100/month. I will be receiving the money that has already been sent in to Adventures in Missions, and between what is coming from there and money that has already been pledged, I actually only need to raise another $332 per month! So for my monthly donors, I am still counting on what you have already pledged. And those who haven’t given yet, I’d love for you to partner with me as a monthly donor. Since I am not committed to an organization yet, I don’t have a place to tell you to send funds, but I plan to have that information for you by the end of the week & pass that along to you.
5. What will you be doing in India?
That’s a great question. I don’t have any specific answers yet, but I do have a general idea. Our vision has always been to work with women and children affected by the commercial sex industry that is so prevalent in India, and we plan to do that in a variety of ways: discipling women, hosting life-skills classes and basic education for those living in the brothels, providing a nutrition program and some informal education for the kids in the red-light districts, and partnering with others in order to provide a “way out” for women and girls who have the desire to leave the commercial sex industry.
6. How long will you be living in India? Will you come home at all?
I am planning to make a two-year commitment to live in India. Since we will hopefully be there on a business visa, we will only need to leave every 6 months for about 72 hours each time. Our team is planning to come home around Christmas-time this year, both to spend time with our families and also to make a final push for the support we need.
7. How can I be praying for you?
Great question! As always, I greatly appreciate your prayers. Here are some specific things you can be lifting up this week:
- Pray for our team as we prepare to make a commitment to an organization this week. It’s both a scary and exciting time for us, and we’d really appreciate knowing you’re lifting us up.
- Pray for our visas to be processed smoothly. We will be applying for business visas, which will give us more freedom to come and go as needed.
- Pray for my physical health. I’ve been battling a cold this past week, and am still coughing quite a bit (I’m definitely doing better than I was last week, though – there were a couple days I didn’t even have a voice!).
Remember, I have a new blog I'm writing on! Head on over to Freedom Reigns Here and click on the "follow me" link on the left-hand side of the page. I won't be posting here much anymore, and would love for you all to keep following me in this journey!
