I may have to share in front of people and that is my fear.

I’m being real vulnerable here posting some journal entries…

Journal entries:

December 18th 2018

I don’t feel ready for this. I know Asia is still a couple weeks away… but I still feel uneasy about it all.

A new continent, different country, adjusting to life in Asia, and all the different spices I’m sure we’ll have… scares me. Honestly, I’ve been looking forward to this continent ever since signing up on the race. But it’s also been the one I’ve been nervous about.

The fact that I’m going somewhere with lots of people, scares me. Christians are also more persecuted for their faith there… and that’s scary. But I think the thing that scares me the most, is the saddest thing to be scared of. But I’ll write it anyways.

“I may have to share in front of people, and that’s my biggest fear.”

January 5th 2019

Dear Lord, I pray that you will empower us this month as we venture out into the very unknown and uncomfortable. I know this month is going to be difficult, but it’s going to be worth it. Let our words speak truth in all situations and to the people who need to hear it. Let our actions also speak and love louder than words could ever say. Let us be able to see your glory this month, and allow us to empower others from it. 

Also, I just want to thank you so much for the ministry you have blessed us with. Thank you for all the sweet children we have already got to meet. And thank you so much for this host family. We love them all already. 

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I don’t know why it took me 5 1/2 months to speak in front of people (besides my own squad once). I really don’t know why. But now that I’ve done it, I feel so free!

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January 12th 2019

When I prayed this morning about speaking, the Lord heard me when I asked him to use my words for his glory. 

Today we went to a village here to spread awareness about Human Trafficking. They were a beautiful group of people and very responsive to the information we gave them. A lot of them were unaware of the growing problem of human trafficking. So that was sad to hear but so cool to know that what we spoke was heard. 

And since it was so openly heard, I thought I would share it with the rest of you! 

“I want you to imagine with me for a little bit. So please close your eyes and listen. I want you to think about your daughters or your sons. You are in your house working or off at your job. Your children are outside your home playing. You hear laughter.  Everything is normal.

But soon enough an unfamiliar man comes walking down the road. He comes up to your home and asks to talk to you. You agree to talk. He starts telling you all the things that can give your son or daughter a better life. He has connections in the city for your child to get all that they need and more. He sounds very convincing. He offers you money to take your child. Finally he has convinced you enough that he asks to take your child to the city for that better life. What do you decide?

You can now open your eyes. 

Now that’s just one example of how human traffickers can take children away from you. They come promising things and sound very convincing. It’s also important to know that the human trafficker can be a man or a woman. 

And it’s important for you to understand this because it is a growing problem in Asia and all over the world. Studies in Asia show that every eight minutes a child goes missing from Human Trafficking. The ones taken are usually children, specifically girls and young women. 2 main reasons why this happens are because of forced marriages and bonded labour.”

And with that, some of the rest of my team spoke of ways women and girls can take steps to prevent this… as well as how the men and boys can play a big role in protecting their village.

I really probably will regret saying this but honestly, right now, I can’t wait to speak again. 

Here are some photos from this month so far:

Thanks for taking a read!

From the redhead overseas, 

Laiken