Dear Family and Friends,
“How do I put it all in a letter?” That’s what came to mind when I set
out to start this note. Over the past two years, I’ve come to realize a portion
of the narrative that God has been writing into my life all along. You see,
I’ve always liked the left-out ones: The
runts of the litter of kittens, the kids no one liked at school, and the
situations that normal people run from. I don’t know why, but I’m drawn to
them.
I like to tackle big problems. But big problems, as I’ve
learned, begin to be solved with small steps of obedience.
On January 5th, 2010, when I was in Romania for
the first time, I met a woman named Nicoletta. She was definitely an outcast.
She grew up as a Romanian orphan, and, like most orphans, she didn’t have
anyone looking out for her. As a teenager, Nicoletta was tricked by an older
man and sold into a life of prostitution. She didn’t choose it, and she knew
how shameful her life was. She was in a pretty horrible place. I was college sophomore
then, just a regular 20-year-old from the Midwest, and I got to be the one to
share God’s love with this precious daughter of His! I got to tell her about
Jesus, about His rich, unselfish love for her, about His sacrifice, and then, I
got to see the hope in her eyes.
I was changed by this encounter with despair and hope. I knew
that slavery still existed in the world, but I had never come face to face with
it before. Later, I learned that in today’s world, there are 27 million people
living in slavery, many of them with situations similar to Nicoletta’s.
I’m at the stage in life where everyone is making big life
decisions, and I’ve realized something recently: Everyone, everyday, is giving their lives to
something or someone. Sixteen years ago, I chose to give my life
to Someone, and today, I know a bit more about where we’re going. In the Bible,
Jesus talks a lot about the new life that’s possible inside of His rescuing
love, and I want to be a part of that, of not only physical freedom from
destructive circumstances, but of spiritual freedom that’s eternal.
The problem of human trafficking is seemingly insurmountable.
27 million is a number I can’t quite wrap my mind around. But it all starts with just one, just one step
of obedience on my part and hope in the heart and eyes of just one woman, like
Nicoletta. That’s what I want to be about.
I have the great privilege to begin this crazy journey with
people who have already walked the path. On January 4th, I’ll fly to
a six-month training with Generation 42 Leadership Academy in Mijas, Spain to
learn the practical steps of managing a non-profit organization and working in
the restoration of women who have been trafficked. I’m very excited to be able
to learn from people who have the practical experience of doing what I would
like to do. My eventual goal is to run my own restoration house: a place where
women can come to be healed and equipped to live full lives in Jesus and the
community. I’m excited, nervous, and certain that I have no idea what I’m
getting myself into. (Thankfully, He does.)
I fully realize that I cannot, and should not, do this alone.
I need your help. I need your encouragement (daily), your
financial support (to tune of $6300), and most of all, your prayer (fervently!).
I believe that prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have, so even if you’re
not a praying person, I would love it if you would pray for me.
The problem is enormous; there is so much darkness and pain
in the world, but I believe that there is incredible reason to hope and work passionately
towards the end of problems like human trafficking. The reason for my hope is
Jesus. The world is in turmoil; we all know that. A battle rages each and every
day, but He wins, my friends, Jesus wins. I’ve seen it in my own life, and I’ve
seen it in Nicoletta’s.
The Bible describes this life as a race, and I firmly believe
that this is the track He’s chosen for me to run in. I don’t know all that lies ahead, but I do
know that Jesus is trustworthy, and that anywhere He leads me is right where I
need to be. I’m running towards Him. Will you join me?
Much love, prayer, and thanks,
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