Lately...

Well, it's been forever and a day since I've posted. Here's what I've been up to:

1. Working. I work at the local Christian homeless shelter for women and children and it has been stressful. In the summer our numbers go up and with them go the stress levels. It's nice having co-workers who are fellow believers, it keeps things a so much less dramatic. Last weekend I was involved in the decision to ask someone to leave the shelter, they were very upset and disrespectful on their way out. The biggest thing that stuck to me was "It's like your goal is to kick me out!" Later I went to her partner in crime (who was allowed to stay because she was more respectful and peaceable when she was corrected), and I asked her "You don't really think I WANT to kick you out do you?" It was the perfect doorway to a whole new conversation about her walk with the Lord. I was able to give her scripture verses, to encourage her, listen to her story, tell her some of mine and pray with her. Then, last night... I found out that she asked Jesus to be the Lord of her life again. Just to give him control of her problems, her blessings and her life all over again (which, from what I understand she hasn't done since she was 16). Small victory? Yes. But one that my heart relished in. One that made me want to jump for joy at the sliver of hope that was shining in her eyes! There are extremely bad days at work, days I wish I could walk off site and never come back. But then there are moments like that where the Lord reminds me "For such a time as this, you were meant to be here!" It makes everything seem worth it.

2. Stressing out! It's now only 42 days until I fly to Las Vegas for my Discipleship Training School! Funds are coming slowly and it's wigging me out! I am more than sure that the Lord has ordained that I go on this trip, to go and preach his freedom to the captives. But my human logic says "HOW MUCH MONEY?! HOW LITTLE TIME?!" It's hard to overtake my brain with a simple word like TRUST. I've cried, I've talked to Jesus and friends. Over and over again I've been reassured of my purpose. It's just allot to think about. There's also so much packing, cleaning and prep I need to do in this next month+.

3. Fundraisers. Last weekend and this weekend I ran a garage sale (last weekend with some friends, this weekend just for my trip). Allot of people donated allot of GREAT items for me to sell. I am very thankful for those people. Combining both weekends I was able to make around $300 for my trip. Blessing. Today was the last day of the sale and a "momo party!" Momo is a dumpling like food that is extremely popular in Nepal. So, it will be a common eat for me when I am over there. My mom works with allot refugees from Nepal and I was incredibly blessed by them! They helped buy the food, prepare, cook and serve it and also helped clean up at the end! It was incredible! I would not have made it happen without their eager, blessing and able hands to aid me. I am blown away at the power of community that they have, which, America lacks.


I'm so very excited, terrified and not ready for this whole thing to happen! Yet, I know that i will be in time. God doesn't give us anything that we cannot handle and even though I've had my almost breakdowns, His yoke is light and my burdens are few.

Every time I hear a story about trafficking or I speak with someone who just doesn't know much and is just learning... my heart leaps. My heart breaks. I am reminded.

In Nepal, there is a cast (where you are born into your job type, level of wealth, etc.) where the women are assumed to be prostitutes and men pimps. When I first learned this, my heart shattered. Today I learned that there is someone I know who came from this cast, but now lives a redeemed and prosperous life apart from that label she was born into. Hearing this, knowing this... will possibly give me the strength I need to work through blood, sweat and tears to get to India & Nepal. I will fight for these people. I will love these people. If I have anything to say about it, they will not leave this earth not knowing the unconditional, incandescent love of Jesus Christ through me. I pray only I am used.

Often, when I talk to people about trafficking. It's allot of facts, statistics, what I want to do, how I want to get involved, how common it is, how it can start. It's allot of talk. I often sound disconnected. But I promise you, I am not. I push off the fire that stirs in me because, I'm pretty sure people would be scared. I am so entirely drenched in the passion of Jesus Christ and His heart for each and every of the 27+ million enslaved, that I wouldn't be able to communicate very clearly.

For now, that is all.
Praising the name of the Lord and thanking Him for His provision!
Amen and amen,
-Jackie