Happy New Years + Christmas Recap
Ministry events, Christmas, time with family, and looking at my future in Latin America!
ESE Christmas Parties
On December 10 and 12 we had our annual Christmas parties for our women. This is easily our biggest event, and we spend a large part of the year preparing for it! We were able to connect with over 330 women during this time! Every year we evaluate our goals for our Christmas parties. This year, we wanted to make sure we connected with the women, made them feel seen and valued, provided them with aid, and ensured they know about our organization and the services we provide. This year we accomplished that through our stations.
The women began at the prayer and encouragement tables where we had team members and volunteers who sat with the women one-on-one, asking how they were, things they may need help with, and intentionally praying over them. After this, they proceeded to the craft table where the women were able to make Christmas ornaments together. When they finished their ornament, they had the option to take a picture with Santa. Many of the women who brought their children loved this opportunity! Next we had a station with small bags for them to take home. Each bag contained Tupperware, a notebook, a snack and juice, and a small bag of candies! On their way out they stopped by one final table where our director was handing out gift certificates to help provide Christmas dinner for our women and their families. We don’t know the situations of every woman who was able to come, but we do know that these dinner certificates were the only way that many of these women would be able to provide a nice Christmas dinner for their families, and many women talked about what a blessing it was to them and their children.
Overall, the Christmas parties are meant to be a blessing to the women and as a way for us to connect with them and build trust! It was really amazing to get to be a part of it this year and to see how the Lord uses these parties for his glory.
Year End at Work
After our Christmas parties, we had a week to catch up on any work we needed to complete as well as a time to reflect on the year. It was an incredibly hard year for the team and ministry as well as for me personally. There was a lot of unexpected change and seasons of confusion. But I am so grateful for this year, for what it has taught me personally as well as for how our team has grown and adjusted to everything. As we go into 2025, please pray for our team, that we would seek to do God’s will with humility and meekness and honor him with everything we do.
Christmas in the States
Wow, this was a busy trip home! I was in Upstate, Charleston, Florida Keys, Orlando, and more all in 2 weeks! It was definitely exhausting but it was such a sweet time. I was able to meet my best friend’s new baby, see and work on my brother’s new house (so proud of him!) visit many of my friends, traveled to visit my extended family, and even took a short trip to Disney with my family! This time was such a blessing. I’m so grateful for air travel and the ability to make it home quickly, I am grateful for my parents financial help to make this happen, and I’m grateful for everyone who took time out of their holiday schedules to see me! After spending Thanksgiving alone, it was really sweet to be able to spend this time in the presence of the people I know and love dearly.
Praying about My Future Here
I am 2 weeks from completing my first year in Ecuador! I can hardly believe it. It’s unbelievable how quickly the time has passed! I am absolutely in love with this country and the people I have met here. As I am going into the “last” year of my commitment, I have started praying about and inquiring with my organization about staying longer. The process to stay isn’t terribly difficult, just some paperwork to fill out, but this is something I really want to pray about before initiating the process. As I told many people during the fundraising process, when I initially accepted the position I felt like God was telling me that I would be here for 5 years, so I already feel some peace about going forward. But more than anything, I wanted to communicate it with you – those who are supporting me both in prayer and financially. This isn’t a decision I want to make alone, and it has the potential to affect others, so I wanted to communicate early (and hopefully clearly). Please join me in praying about this decision, that the Lord would lead me and speak clearly to me in the coming months as I make decisions about my future!
Answered Prayers
• We have seen many women exit prostitution this year and are in the process of helping others!
• The Christmas parties were a big success without any major surprises
• We are back to having power 24/7 (at least for now)
• My travel to and from the States were really smooth and I received several upgrades (and somehow had an empty row on two completely full flights?! Praise God for the little miracles)
• Our relationships with the Amadas women is continuing to improve
Prayer Requests
• That the Lord would use the team at ESE to do his will this year
• For me as I am starting to evaluate officially extending my time here
• For the economic and political situation in Ecuador (their election will begin in February – the process is still kind of confusing to me)
• For opportunities for the Amadas women, that the Lord would bless them and help them leave prostitution permanently