Well, here it is. -- The day that I have been looking forward to for almost 11 months months now, yet one of the hardest days for me emotionally... I am sad, anxious, excited, and overwhelmed all at the same time (some of which feeling guilty for). These past 3 months have been incredible! I have been blessed with such amazing family and friends that I honestly can't imagine my life without. However, this only makes my goodbyes all the more difficult... And while this may be one of the hardest things I've had to do, I am looking to this journey ahead of me with much excitement and hope.
Someone recently told me, "We don't need to take God outside of the box. He's never been in the box! In fact, it is us who needs to step out of the box and start allowing Him to move in BIG ways!" This has really got me thinking about how often I get in the way of the great things He has planned (whether through fear, doubt, ignorance, resistance, etc.) and how He has been asking me to step out of the box to see what I've been missing out on. By doing so, I have begun to see even bigger dreams with an even greater expectation of what He is capable of. He has called me to release the captives and care for the broken; I believe He is going to do just that and so much more! I pray that I continue to walk in courage to do things beyond my own strength so that I might be a warrior for His cause - shining His light in the darkness with everything I say and everything I do, even in the face of danger and persecution. So, allow me to dream big for a second: I want lost souls to find Him; I want evil-doers to turn from their ways and be warriors for His cause; I want women and children to no longer live in fear, but find restoration in His arms; I want a new wave of hope to sweep across Thailand and all the surrounding nations; I want an undeniable joy to fills the hearts of the broken and hurting; I want us to be a people of love that is a catalyst for undeniable impact!... This may seem like a big dream, but I serve a BIG God who is more than capable! My prayer would be that we are all willing to see His big dreams outside our box and step out in faith to bring them to fullness. And I cannot wait to see this masterpiece unfold!! BIG things are happening! :) ~Ephesians 3:14-21 Well Thailand, here I come!!... :) *Keeping you in the loop: Thanks to all of your generous support, I have raised $6,000 in one-time donations and $650 in monthly donors! This is just incredible and I am so grateful! So thank you!! Also, thank you to the two anonymous donors! Though I don't know who you are, know that I appreciate it a lot and pray that God blesses you in return! While some of the extra one-time donations will help on the months I do not reach my needs, I am still in need of another $250 more in monthly donations. If you feel this is something you want to get behind, but aren't sure yet, please contact me and I will answer any questions you may have! Once again, Thank you for all your encouragement and support!!!! I am also sending out more detailed email updates so if you would like to be included, email @ [email protected] so that I have your email address and can send you one as well :)
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A six-year-old girl clenches her teddy bear with panic in her eyes as a coldhearted man carries her into a dark disheveled building and places her in a room. Outside the door, two men negotiate how much he would pay to have sex with her. This innocent little girl soon faces the reality of the life that lay before her – countless customers, day in and day out, paying a small price to strip her of any human dignity, leaving her deeper in despair… This is the image that has haunted my mind, day in and day out for the pat three years. I've heard some of the most disturbing stories of the realities within Human Trafficking (many too graphic to repeat) and it makes me sick to my stomach! Like many who hear these heart-wrenching stories, I continually found myself saying "That is so awful!! Isn't anyone doing anything about this??" but soon realized that wasn't enough... My passion grew and I wanted to do something about it! In full surrender I uttered the words, "Here I am Lord, send me!" Little did I know, that is exactly what He was going to do. A few weeks before graduation, I had a dream. ~ I was talking to a mentor about what to do with my life and he asked me what I would do if nothing stopped me or held me back. Without any hesitation, I told him I would open up a Safe House for women and children coming out of brothels. He said "Then DO IT!!" ~ I didn't think much about it until I had the exact same dream two nights later. Only this time, I began to see more (more vivid than any before)... I was in a house with women and children all around. Some were learning job skills and crafts, while others were writing down their names for the first time. There were major breakthroughs in the PTSD counseling programs where freedom could be seen in their eyes. The atmosphere radiated so much joy and peace as they were being shown how loved and valuable they are in the eyes of the Father. -- like someone awakening Hope. Something so amazing about this dream, is that it never leaves me. I find that when I am discouraged or wrestling with doubt, I dream of it again. Each time with new details revealed and I wake with a sense of undeniable purpose. This is the vision I see for the ministry that God has called me to. I don't know the timeline of when this is going to take place, but I am being obedient in following Him to Thailand in order to gain the knowledge and experience I need to one day successfully launch some. *Keeping you in the loop: I have raised $3,500 in one-time donations and all of my one time expenses are paid for! Praise God!!! I have also raised $550 in monthly donors (Thank you!!), which means I still need another $350 before I leave. That sounds like a lot, but that only means 17 people who could make a commitment of $20 a month or 35 people who could do $10 a month. Thank you for your support!! I want to start off by truly thanking everyone who has offered me encouragement, prayer, and financial support to make this 'dream' a reality. It means more to me than most realize. I thought I would take this time to also let people know where I stand in terms of fundraising.
There are some one time expenses that I will need to have upfront when I get to Thailand such as (all estimated costs): Visa/Governmental Fees ($650), Orientation/Training program ($250), Annual Health Insurance ($500), a Motorbike Purchase -- if the Lord permits ($1,000), bringing hope and joy to the oppressed (Priceless)... *Sorry couldn't help it :)* Once I arrive, my monthly living expenses (including the ministry work I will be doing) will be around $850-950. I have struggled for a while with the thought of asking people for financial help, but God has continued to show me that people are not supporting my personal gain, but rather making an investment into the Kingdom to do the work He has planned. Someone once told me "Some people who don't have the ability or the opportunity to go and be on the front lines, desire to at least be a part of the process in helping send you. You may be the hands and feet, but it's important to be connected with the body - after all they work together." Knowing this, I do not want to get in the way of His plans and provisions by being too prideful in asking for help. So I would like you to prayerfully consider in sharing with this mission; whether that be a one-time gift, or a monthly donation -- every bit helps! Regardless of the amount (if any), I plan on staying connected with 'you' as much as possible so that you can have a picture of what your support is going to and the impact it is making. So, please send me an email at [email protected] so that I have your email address and can keep in touch with you. :) Thank you! *Keeping you in the loop: So far the Lord has provided $3,000 in one-time donations and $125 in monthly donations. The goal is to have $950 in monthly donors. This means, I need 25 of you who will do $30 a month, or 40 of you will do $20, or even if 80 of you will do $10 a month. If you would like to partner with me in this fight against Human Trafficking, you can send a check to: CORD Ministries International P.O. Box 635 Kittredge, CO 80457 Please include Shannon Halloran #1010 on the memo line, as well as specify if it is a one-time gift or a monthly donation. *all donations are tax-deductible! :) Once again, thank you SO much to all of those who have walked along side of me through this process!!! <3 Ephesians 2:8-10 I have been wrestling for the "right" thing to say to people who are afraid that I am putting myself in the face of danger and I am having to justify why God is sending me to Thailand. Frankly, I think I have been trying to convince myself. As I prepare to leave, it is easy to let my head take over and control all of the details -- and in turn, push my heart aside. There are normal fears (or concerns) that arise in situations like these; however, if I continue to let my head control my steps, I am never going to reach the heights my heart is leading me to. In the past few weeks, I have been so overwhelmed by His love and peace that it's all beginning to make sense. Let me shed a little bit of light on where I am coming from... God often speaks to us through our hearts and reveals deeper insight than our minds or words can even comprehend. When we try to explain them, they simply just don't make sense to those around us. It didn't make sense when God asked Noah to build a big boat in the middle of the desert; it didn't make sense for Moses to flea toward the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army charging them; it didn't make sense when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac when He promised that he would be the father of many nations. From our limited perspectives God often doesn't make sense... But when we take a step back and remember what He has already done, what He is presently doing, and the promises He has laid before us, we begin to see He is painting a Masterpiece! God often calls us out of our comfort zones to greater heights, but we have become experts of excuses and justifications. We let our minds rule rather than listening to the deeper words He has impressed upon our hearts. He has called me to reach outside of myself in order to reach those who have been trampled on by the face of evil. "Standing with the oppressed, even in the face of personal danger, is simply the only effective strategy for securing change and bringing to life the deep hope that freedom is possible" (Terrify No More). I have begun to see myself within the brushstrokes of the masterpiece He is painting. It has cast out all fear, overwhelming me with an unexplainable peace and courage. I no longer feel like I have to justify why I am spilling my life upon the canvas; the question I pose is why would I NOT want to be a part of this incredible masterpiece??? Without a shadow of a doubt, I am fearlessly ready!! :) I cannot wait to see what He is going to paint!! *I would challenge you to put your logic aside and ask yourself "What am I passionate about; what would I do if nothing held me back or stood in my way?" When you find your answer, I think you may have caught a glimpse of your brushstroke within this Masterpiece... ISAIAH 61 <3 I am very excited to announce that with the Lord's provisions, I will be on a plane on August 20th heading to Chiang Mai, Thailand!! :D :D The preparations are continuing to fall into place, and now with a date set, 'we' have a timeline to work off of.
*Snap shot* I am being sent by CORD Ministries International to work with Family Connection Foundation --(learn more about them through the links posted on the right-hand side) for a starting term of two years. During this time, I will be interning and observing with some of their projects in order to gain a comprehensive understanding and experience of different SafeHouses in the region. With knowing that my dream is to one day open one (or several), I am hoping this will give me the right skills and further clarity of what kind of SafeHouse to start. After all, not all SafeHouses are the same or are operated in the same way. I am honestly SO excited to see what God has in store, even though I know it will probably be one of the hardest things I have ever done. With continuing to prepare, I have begun teaching myself Thai. It is going to be a hard and long learning process; one of which I hope will get easier with being immersed in the culture and having a Thai tutor for the first couple of months. This part of the process is very important, because the faster I learn the language, the more I will be involved in the SafeHouse operations (not to mention it plays into so many other aspects of me living in Thailand). So prayers are definitely appreciated! On a similar note, I am already aware of the fact that, while I am going to be experiencing more joy than I ever have before, this is going to require more strength than of my own will. So, I have started what some may call a journal of encouragement. If I come across a verse in the Bible, read something in a book, hear the Lord tell me something, or someone shares something with me (etc.) that I know would be a good reminder while facing challenging situations, I am writing it down. So, if there is anything that you think would be of an encouragement for me, please share it with me! I am all ears! :) And thank you for all of you who have already been such an encouragement to me! It means more than you know!! <3 Well you spend four years (roughly) being asked, "What are you going to do when you graduate college?!" Well, I've graduated and I'm doing what every other new member to society is doing -- paying back student loans... "Welcome to the real world, that will be $30,000 please!"
I am guessing the ones reading my blogs know me and know that I don't usually do things like everybody else; So, rather than leaving you guessing, I'm moving to Thailand! When I was there 2 and a half years ago, I fell in love with the culture and people and knew someday I would find myself going back. Never did I imagine it would be so soon! At this point though, I can't see myself doing anything else. When I was trying to figure out my future my Dad asked me something I will never forget "If you could do one thing in your life, not a job title or description, what would you want to do?" and I told him I want to show people how truly loved and worthy they are in the Lord. So, I am going to spend the rest of my life doing just that! I may not have the rest of my life planned out and this may lead me in different directions, but for now I am being called to Southeast Asia to work with Human Trafficking victims and I can't wait to see the Lord work through it!! For now, I am living in the moment and cherishing the time I get with family and friends here in the States. I would love to hear from you, so please contact me! :) |
Archives
August 2013
SupportIf you would like to financially support me or HOS, you can go online and give:
https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=535530DBD93C42E OR, you can send a check (with Shannon Halloran #1010 on the memo line) to: CORD Ministries International P.O. Box 102 Wheaton, IL 60187-1020 * All Tax deductible gift* Questions: Director of CORD Ministries Michael Ullrich (303)-994-4754 [email protected]
LiNksFamily Connection Foundation:
http://www.thaiconnections.org/ Cord Ministries International: http://cordmin.com/wp/ |