But take heart; I have overcome the world

John 16:33

Hello everyone!

This week I felt a better understanding that God came down in physical form through His son and conquered the earth.

I sometimes wake up with a heavy heart, one that consumes me. It makes me want to drop everything and move overseas; leaving me feeling anxious, confused, and saddened.

But as I come to truly appreciate what God has done and His power, peace washes over me.

He had this beautiful, grand design in letting His son die on the cross:

-Though we are sinners, we are forgiven and offered the free gift of eternal life in heaven

-Once we have accepted this gift, we are reborn and start our new lives to serve the purpose we were created for.

We were forgiven so that we could teach others about forgiveness

-Through the Great Commission, we are called to “Go and tell the world” and promised that once every ear has heard, He will come again and save His children from this world.

And with this understanding, we know that it is not because of anything we can do, but what He already did!

Some people might be called to a permanent ministry overseas and we are called the spread The Gospel to every nation, but for now you are right where God needs you.

Compassion International has some awesome stuff going on! They have created a new app that better connects you with your sponsored child! Also if you are a sponsor, you have a supper cool opportunity to volunteer with Compassion and Casting Crowns to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. On 05/02/2015 at the Cedar Park Center in Center Park, TX; Casting Crowns will be holding a concert in partner with Compassion and you can play a key role in getting children sponsored! How awesome?!

IT’S TIME TO GET OUR PRAYER ON!

Be-A-Voice

We have a brother in Christ to keep in our daily prayers!

Praise God for justice in IJM Kenya’s case with Maya, a young girl who was sexually abused and later threatened by her neighbor. Despite pressure from the perpetrator’s relatives to drop accusations, Maya and her family worked alongside IJM to bring the case to an end. On Tuesday, the perpetrator was found guilty on the charge of defilement and scheduled for sentencing on April 14th. Praise God that Maya and her family can return to their lives, confident that this man is no longer free to hurt anyone else. Please continue to pray for restoration and healing as Maya finishes up her counseling with IJM’s Aftercare team later this spring.

Latin America

Pray for peace and courage for six young women who are testifying about the abuse of commercial sexual exploitation they suffered in the Dominican Republic. Praise God for the availability of a closed-circuit camera in which IJM’s clients can securely give their testimonies. Pray that these survivors would speak their testimonies boldly and truthfully. Pray also for their continued restoration and that the case against the suspected trafficker would continue quickly and without significant obstacles.

South Asia

Praise God for escaped laborers in South Asia who went straight to a government official to share of the forced labor slavery. The government official worked with our team to rescue those left in the facility. Praise God for all those who are safe from harm because of the diligent work of the government.

Southeast Asia

Praise God for the 114 citizenship applications approved by a local official in Thailand! IJM Thailand has worked continuously to advocate to the sheriff the rights these hill tribes have to everyday, social services such as education and health care. Becoming Thai citizens gives them hope for life outside of poverty. Pray that the remaining 85 applications in this group will receive approval in the following weeks.

Africa

Pray for favor in obtaining the necessary permits for our Field Office Directors in Kenya and Gulu. As both directors have recently transitioned into their new positions, they are still working out the final logistics involved in their proper registration. Please pray for favor with the officials involved in the process as the teams in Kenya and Uganda continue to work towards obtaining the proper permissions.

Latin America

Join us in giving thanks to God for the creation of a formal Sex Crimes Investigation Specialization within the National Police Academy in Guatemala. All police investigators must now pass the Specialization in order to qualify for deployment to the Sex Crimes Unit of the police. IJM is grateful that an inaugural class of 74 agents commenced the month-long training course on March 2. The March trainings are a collaborative effort of IJM, the Specialization School of the National Police Academy, the Presidential Police Reform Commission, the Secretariat Against Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Trafficking, and UNICEF. Pray that logistics of the course would go smoothly and that the agents would be compelled to implement what they learn to their everyday work.

South Asia

Praise God for five girls who were rescued from trafficking in South Asia. They were desperate to leave their place of abuse and were courageous in their statements to police. Pray for their restoration and for a strong legal case against their alleged abusers.

Southeast Asia

Praise God that a community in Thailand received the news of justice for its children this week and hope for protection in the future. The third and final perpetrator in a child sexual assault case received 50 years in prison. Please pray for the young boys who need continued healing and support as they move past their trauma.

The staff of IJM the Netherlands will have a retreat next Wednesday. Please pray for a day of encouragement and refreshment. Also pray that God would draw them closer to him and to each other.

Please pray for an analytical thinker to join our team as the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager to assist with strategy and budgeting as we seek justice for the poor and most vulnerable. This individual will contribute their knowledge and experience tracking expenses at multiple levels to manage IJM’s complex multimillion-dollar budgets.

Please spend time every day praying for these people, others like that, and the people who are working to help them! #freedomfriday

 “Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

-Kendall Smith