A Summer of Traveling
This summer has been busy to say the least!
This summer I’ve traveled to Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago, and the Florida Keys all while going back and forth from Charleston to the Upstate. While traveling to see friends, family, and training has been fun, it has also been exhausting. I’ve enjoyed being in the same place for the last week.
May
• I graduated college with honors!
• Flew to Los Angeles to visit Michaela P. and see what the Lord was doing in California!
• Got to be a part of one of my best friend’s big day!
• and traveled to Minnesota to do GoCorps’ fundraising training!
June
• June was spent catching up with friends and meeting with potential supporters. Most of my initial fundraising was done during this month!
•I had the privilege to see God working in the hearts of so many people in my life during June!
July
• I spent the first week of July with my family and meeting supporters in the Upstate!
• Then I flew to Chicago to spend two weeks training at One Collective’s headquarters. I learned so much about embracing change, crossing cultures, and learning new ways to connect with God!
• After Chicago, I spent 24 hours in Charleston before driving down to the Florida Keys to visit my family.
• It was great to spend time with my aunts, uncles, and grandma before leaving the country in January!
August
• August was filled with a lot of questions for me. I moved out of my Charleston apartment and spent a long time praying about what the future was to hold.
• August was definitely a season of testing and growth and I’m so grateful to everyone who I walked through this season with!
Big Changes
Originally, I was planning on moving to Ecuador in October. I had desired to move in January, but did not think it was possible, so I had stuck with the October date.
But by the Lord’s grace he made it possible for me to leave in January. Now I get to stay in Charleston for a few more months, spend one more Christmas with my family, take my time fundraising, and prepare to leave well. He even provided a way for me to stay in Charleston without having to pay rent! The Lord has been so kind in how he has provided for me. I can only thank him and praise him for how intentional he is!
This change has not diminished my desire to go at all. While I am excited for a little more time at home, I cannot wait to be in Quito. I am currently living in the tension of loving where I am but also desiring to be in the next season. So while I’m here, I am using these extra months to work on language and preparing to serve women there.
What I’ll Be Doing
For those who I haven’t gotten the chance to meet with personally yet, I wanted to briefly fill you in on what life will look like for me for the next 2 years! I have accepted the communication specialist position at ESE (End Slavery Ecuador), an anti-sex trafficking organization located in Quito, Ecuador. As the communication specialist, my job will be to raise awareness about the issue (what it looks like, knowing the signs, and how to help) as well as working personally with the women in the program.
How You Can Help
Prayer – This is not going to be easy. I am going to miss my friends and family dearly. It’s going to be hard dealing with this while learning a new culture. My two biggest prayer requests are that (1) God will prepare a friend for me, someone who I can instantly connect with and will help me through this transition and (2) that I will learn Spanish quickly. Learning the language will help me connect with the locals and get plugged in, so I’ve been praying that the Lord will bless me by being able to learn quickly so I can feel at home there.
Funds – This is a support raised position, so financial support is necessary for me to be able to serve in Ecuador. First, I want to say a huge thanks to all of my current supporters. I am so grateful to everyone who has already signed up to support me financially. This would not be possible without you! Second, thank you to everyone who has verbally committed to me! You are also super amazing! If you have verbally committed and have the financial flexibility to begin giving, it would be a huge blessing. I cannot go until my organization has the electronic records that I am 100% funded, so it is important to have an accurate idea of where I am if you are able. You can sign up to give here.
Reaching Out – If you know of any opportunities where I could share what I’m doing or anyone else who may be passionate about anti-trafficking or women’s ministry, please let me know! I am so close to being two-thirds funded, and I’m looking for people who can help me finish strong!
I’m currently 24% of my start up goal and 57% of my monthly goal! My one time costs covers language school, flights, security deposit/furnishing for an apartment, etc. and my monthly goal will cover my ongoing needs such as salary, ministry expenses, housing, etc. If you have any questions about my finances/budget feel free to reach out, I would love to talk it over with you.