More Touchdowns and parties Upstairs

Today, the women on the volunteer team visited a rehabilitation center for victims of sex trade and abuse. The center teaches the women valuable skills, like sewing and English, so that they can make a living on their own. Today, the volunteers shared how to raise children, taught them how to do embroidery and one volunteer who is a certified masseuse gave hand massages to all the women :)

The stories these women share are heart wrenching and sometimes it's hard for me to imagine the pain and suffering that they have endured. One woman, "L", was only 16 when her aunt sold her into prostitution. Her aunt still tells her to this day that she should come back and be a prostitute so she could make more money. This girl has to keep the center a secret from her aunt. Some girls would be killed if their families knew they were going to this rehabilitation center during the day. Another girl escaped from a situation that was essentially slavery in which she could never repay a debt in her lifetime and so she was forced into prostitution. When she finally escaped, she left her sister behind. This girl actually went back into prostitution in the village she escaped from so she could save her sister and so they could escape together.

Today "L" along with three other ladies made decisions and "joined the family".

If you want to know more about this center, please visit their website below. You can purchase purses, cards, jewelry and more made by the ladies at this center through their online catalog or in-person at their store in Gainsville.

http://www.rahabsrope.com/about_us.html

Team Update

Just wanted to give a quick update and let you know that a lady "joined the family" this week. It was incredible! I wish could replay it on video for you somehow. Really cool!

Showing the team around at a local market

Also, we've just finished our second day of our breast cancer awareness training. We were able to share with several ladies over the last two days. Here's a picture of some of the team with our interpreters.

This little girl is the daughter of one of the women on the team. She came with us to the hospital to do the breast cancer awareness program and was quite the attraction! All the nationals wanted to touch her hair and have their picture taken with her. She was so good and never complained once! She even asked me to teach her some phrases in the local language so she could talk to the ladies. What a sweet girl!

10-14 August PR

10th - Volunteers: pray against sickness & that God would keep them safe as they are in the city

11th - Volunteers: pray for the ladies as they lead Breast Cancer Awareness camps in local hospitals

12th - Volunteers: ask that God would give the male volunteers discernment & boldness as they share today

13th - Volunteers: ask that the Spirit would give each volunteer boldness to share with many people today

14th - Volunteers: pray for wisdom & discernment for the team leaders as they determine the next step in their church partnership

Weekend PR

8th - Volunteers: ask that the Father would be preparing the way for the volunteers even now

9th - Volunteers: ask that everyone would make their flights on time and arrive safely

Request for next week's volunteer team

Hi Friends,
Please be lifting up a 14-person volunteer team coming in this Saturday. They'll be here one week to do breast cancer awareness camps, build relationships and share their stories throughout the city. We have 5 returnees on this trip which I think is pretty awesome. I've loved partnering with this group in the past and their investment and love for the people here.

Please ask that...
-they make all their flights
-their luggage makes all the flights, too
-good health during their stay
-restful sleep and extra energy as they battle jet lag
-open doors to pray and love on the ladies we'll be teaching at the women's health seminar
-that He would guide our steps as we prayer walk around the city on Monday
-for me to be a good hostess to the team, provide a great orientation, and to take a step back to let this team do their thing
-that I would have extra energy to keep me going next week (this introvert will be in extrovert land overload next week!)
-for our translators who don't know Him
-that He would humble us and use us for His glory
-that we would trust His plans fully next week even when they change
-good attitudes and servant's hearts
-bold words
-His mercy

Thanks for thinking of the team and me next week!

3-7 August PR

3rd - City Revival: that God will give His people a passion for missions & planting churches.

4th - City Revival: that God will call thousands to ministry, missions & Christian service.

5th - City Revival: that God will pour out His Spirit like a mighty purifying fire

6th - City Revival: for a move of conviction & salvation to engulf major communities of cultural influence (gov't officials).

7th - Volunteers: lift up the volunteer team as they make last minute preps. to leave

Weekend PR

1st - City Revival: that God will bring unity among local churches in this city.

2nd - City Revival: that God would fill His people with a passion to see people saved.