The past few years have brought into
my life a journey of unusual and remarkable experiences I would never have
planned. This journey has brought me to my recent college graduation along with
a variety of possibilities for my next step. Although a traditional career path
is an option, I have decided to continue on a journey that is both unique and
challenging. To follow this path, I need your help and support. I write this to
invite you to share this journey with me.
Past experiences living and working in developing countries
such as Zambia, Mexico, South Africa, and Uganda, as well as cities close to
home like Coatesville, Grove City, and New Orleans have instilled in me a passion for rescuing,
empowering, and enabling those unable to do so for themselves, particularly
women. I have been given the opportunity to work alongside women at risk for
human trafficking and prostitution as a project manager with Freedom Stones. On
August 5th, this role will take me to Pattaya, Thailand, a town known worldwide for its widespread sex tourism.
Prostitution is a
thriving industry in Pattaya. It is a popular option for so many women living
in poverty with so few opportunities. Through my role in Pattaya, I will work
directly with the artisans, targeted women from the local slum community.
Through jewelry production they are able to generate enough income to escape
the oppressive sex trade. I will also work alongside the women to empower them
through holistic training and skills, enabling them to live in the full freedom
God desires for them.
The mission of Freedom Stones is to “transform individuals and entire
communities, so that they can begin to walk in their God-given destinies free
from extreme poverty, oppression, and injustice…through holistic skills
development, social entrepreneurship, and a micro lending strategy.” In
Thailand, Freedom Stones partners with Pattaya Slum Ministries to employ women
as artisans through jewelry production, while also teaching them holistically
in finances, health and nutrition, and trafficking awareness.
Freedom
Stones desires the artisans to be self-sufficient and as a nonprofit 501c3 tax exempt organization, the majority of the jewelry sales profit is
given to the women as living wages. Those of us working for Freedom Stones receive
a small stipend for housing each month, but must raise all other living
expenses. I will need to raise monthly an estimated $1,000 for each of the next twelve months for food, utilities, language
school, etc. I will also need to raise an initial
$2,000 for the costs of travel to Thailand and other necessities such
as a obtaining a Visa. And this is why I
have come to you: I need financial help, and I am asking you to be a part of my
support community.
Also Pattaya is a
dark place, and moving there alone will be challenging. So I am asking you to
also support me in prayer and in community. I will need encouragement and the
assurance that I am not doing this alone. I thank God that He has already
placed you in my community, and I ask that you continue to do so even more in
this next step of my journey.
