It started in Swaziland, when I met teen girls taking care of their siblings because their parents had died. Twelve, thirteen, fourteen years old, and they were responsible for feeding, clothing, and providing for their brothers and sisters. When there was a knock on the door late at night and a man stood there with a bag of oranges…. they felt like they had no where else to turn.
Then, in India, I met precious little ones whose families
couldn’t afford to feed them and instead, sent them to an orphanage. If they hadn’t
been in a safe place, some of these children would have been sold into
prostitution.
fall, when I spent a night in Atlanta working with a location ministry
dedicated to ministering to prostitutes, strippers, and those who pay for their
services. Walking the streets of the city, meeting and praying for those who
live their lives in the dark, I began to pray to be able to do more, both for
those here in the States and those overseas.
it is a common request for missions trips here at AIM. This year we added an
Ambassador trip for junior and senior females to Thailand. Students are filling
that trip almost as quickly as the ones to Africa (they always go first). Most
of the female leaders I’ve interviewed in the past few weeks have asked about
that trip before any of the others. We have an STM trip to Thailand as well,
and other programs within AIM have trips solely decided to ministry in the
world of sex trafficking.
I have friends living in Southeast Asia working with thosetrapped in the sex trade. For them it isn’t a story, something happening far
away. It’s the little boys, little girls, and teenagers they see every day.
Their stories break my heart. Their stories make me want to drop everything and
go myself.
And now, and opportunity has come! Feb 25-March 5, 2011,
Connie Rock and I are going to Cambodia! For the short time we are there, we
will stay with Alli Mellon, the Executive Director of the Hard Places
Community, who lives in Cambodia with her team and two daughters. She asked us
to come, see her life, share in her ministry, and pour into the team there.
Missionary love… it’s so needed.
AIM also has a two year team living in the same city, four
women being mentored by Alli and are committed to working in this heartbreaking
ministry. We’ve been asked to debrief these girls as well, to love on them,
encourage them, pray for them, and give them whatever they need.
I’m excited. So excited. One, to see some close friends I’ve
missed for a long time. Two, to go out and do what I love to do most- love on
people and share the hope of Christ. Three- to see the powerful impact of the
Lord through His people in a dark world. And four, to encourage the Body of believers
in a small corner of Southeast Asia, to hold their hands, pray over them, and
help carry their burdens to the Father.
Please pray for me as I go! The cost of this trip is $1700
and it’s coming fast! To all of you who gave one time gifts or above your
regular contributions these past few months, that support will go towards my trip
there. Half of the amount I need has come in so far, which is awesome. THANK YOU! I still need around $700 to completely pay for this trip, so I would appreciate any prayers concerning giving specifically for this trip.
Most of all, I need your prayers as I board a plane once
again and travel to the other side of the world. I’m asking specifically for 20 prayer partners for this trip. If you are willing to commit to pray for me while I prepare and go overseas, please either reply to this email/blog or message me in some way. Thank you!
on in Cambodia:
