Why My Heart Aches
Last January, my eyes were opened to the slavery that still exists right here in our hometowns. Atlanta, Georgia is one of the top three hubs for human trafficking in the United States. I wanted to help take a stand for those caught in this vicious cycle.
As I prepared for the World Race, I continued raising awareness with the End It Movement created by Passion City Church. Articles around my town were being shared online as I realized the immediate need for slavery to be stopped right where I grew up.
Read more about the End It Movement here.
Why was my heart on fire to bring justice to these women I had never met? I was feeling their pain. I was putting myself into their shoes. What if I was trapped? What if I didn’t know a way out? Who would rescue me?
In Thailand, India and Moldova, I was told about the slavery happening right around where we lived. On the Race, I had the opportunity to pray furiously for the women in the bars of Chiang Mai, Thailand selling their bodies. We went on three prayer walks daily and ended the day befriending the women, their managers, and bar owners.
During a three-day temple prostitute conference in India, I saw women set free from the pain caused by a life of prostitution. We washed their feet in Jesus’ name and told them how much He sees them as redeemed daughters.
My Next Step
Though my heart is anguished for the women in other countries, I yearn to be apart of the movement to end modern-day slavery here in America.
In September, I will begin an apprenticeship program Adventures in Missions offers called CGA (Center for Global Action). The track I chose is the justice track, which is partnered with Out of Darkness ministry in Atlanta, Georgia.
Out of Darkness has a mission to “reach, rescue and restore all victims of commercial sexual exploitation, so that the glory of God may be known.”
These are 3 main ways I can be apart of this ministry:
1) I will have the opportunity to be a site leader for their weekly Princess Nights. This is an outreach that involves leading a group of volunteers to pray for women and explain that there is a way out, a God who loves them, and a hotline they can call.
2) The hotline is available 24/7 for women, law enforcement and hospitals to call. I will be trained to answer the calls at any time of day and hopefully set up a potential rescue. I can also train to be on the rescue team.
3) There are three safe homes for the women to come to. I can be apart of the healing process for them through leading devotionals and spending quality time at their side.
Community/Mentorship
I will be living in a house with the other girls in the justice track. Each of us went on the Race and share a passion to abolish modern-day slavery. I’m excited to be back in a close-knit community.
I will be paired with a mentor during my time in the program. I’m encouraged to seek her out weekly to check in, process, and just get to know her personally. It will be an opportunity to have someone pour into my life and help push me to succeed.
How You Can Help
In this new season of fundraising I know I will benefit from having a strong support team. Please let me know if you want to join me as a prayer warrior for this ministry. I will be sending newsletters by e-mail with frequent updates and prayer requests. If God is leading you to support me this way, please e-mail me at [email protected].
I have chosen to apprentice with Out of Darkness for 4 months. The cost will be $3,950. This covers my housing, ministry costs and a $200/month stipend for food.
There are 3 ways you can donate:
1) You can click the “Support CGA” link on the left hand side of my blog. You can either be a one-time donor, or set up to make monthly donations. *Please note there is a 3% processing fee.*
2) You can go to www.adventures.org/dynapay and set up to become a monthly supporter this way. If you use DynaPay there is no processing fee!
3) E-mail me at [email protected] for my home address and you can send your donation to me personally.
I am looking to get a job on the weekends to help cover gas. If you want to help with this and other living expenses, you can do so through my PayPal account.
My first deadline is quickly approaching on September 12 and that is the start-date to begin the apprenticeship. I would love to set up a meeting/phone call/Skype call to chat more about what God is doing in my life. If you would like to do this, please send me an e-mail at [email protected]
Thank you for taking the time to hear about this opportunity and praying into how you can help!
