Travel to Thailand was LONG! Jet lag was very real and exhaustion took over, but I think I'm adjusting well. The food is amazing by the way!! We started orientation today and exchanged our U.S money for Baht. It's finally becoming real! I'M IN THAILAND!! It's the most surreal feeling ever. I would have never pictured my life to look like this at this very moment and it is all because of Him that I can. The hearts of the staff members of Thrive and my fellow classmates are incomparable. The passion that lies in each individual is unreal and I am so blessed to be a part of this. God is doing amazing things here already. Thank you to every person that made this possible for me through your support. Nothing has gone unnoticed and it has been a vital part in getting me here! You're continued prayers are appreciated! I can't wait to update you as we get through orientation and get started in our field work. You can follow my blog here as well as the Justice School blog to stay updated. https://thejusticeschool.wordpress.com
When I began this journey to Thailand and saw the amount I needed to fundraise, I thought the number was too big and impossible to raise. I had always heard of God providing in miraculous ways through different friends that had done long term missions, but when it becomes a part of your life it doesn’t seem real or possible until it happens.
I could have easily turned away when I saw the cost of The Justice School and my flesh wanted me to. I love to do things on my own and be in control, but this was something I couldn’t do on my own or in my control. I have learned that when God calls you to step out in Faith to do something for His glory that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. It’s never easy to ask for help to get to a place God has called you, but He doesn’t call us to do life alone or without any help. If I have learned anything thus far it is that. He doesn’t call us into something He doesn’t already have a plan for. I have seen his provision every month since I started this journey. There have been times when I thought I wouldn’t make a deadline and I got a random check from someone. There is nothing more nerve racking then that, but I have learned time and time again that I have to trust Him to provide because He will.
My favorite provision story has happened all within a few days. It amazes me to see how you can meet a deadline in just a few days! I hadn’t looked at my site in a while because January for some reason has just been crazy and I hadn’t even had a moment to think about fundraising. I was trying to get the shirt orders organized and placed and collect the money for it and when they arrived I had to go through the order to get them ready to hand out. God totally knew I would need His help this month so I could rest before school started. In just a few days I had a few donations come in that I definitely wasn’t expecting and it was then that I truly saw God’s faithfulness and provision through the impossible circumstances. I saw a guy currently across the world give money while he himself had been fundraising and not working. I saw a couple who just had a baby and is looking for a house give money. And these were not small donations. And if God already didn’t have me emotional enough, He took it to the next level and had someone give a donation that took me to my next deadline and then some! I can’t even begin to describe what it feels like to be on this side of things and to see God move in those around me through their giving. It has definitely stretched my faith and trust in God. I can’t wait to have more provision stories to tell as I continue on this journey. I’m grateful to all of those that have generously given to make this dream of mine a reality and I am so thankful for the many prayers that have been prayed.
If you would like to join my journey and keep up with me please message me about how you can help. I have a prayer team list set up so if you would like to be a part of that I can definitely add you to that. I also have a group where I post updates that I can add you to.
If you would like to be a part of my journey financially you can give here: https://www.grouprev.com/tjs2016micarogers#.VjqLSzL80vQ.facebook
Together we can end human trafficking and change the world! Everyone deserves to be FREE!
This weekend I took a trip to Austin to spend some time with one of my very best friends as she prepares to become a mommy in the next week. It was so fun getting to shop around for last minute things to finish Hannah Rose’s room. Even though it was nice to get away for the weekend and have some fun, I couldn’t help but feel slightly discouraged. Not because I wasn’t married or about to have a baby, simply for the fact that I have my dream at my fingertips, yet it feels so far away. In seven months I will be in Thailand learning more about human trafficking and how to prevent, raise awareness, and restore these children that have been beaten and broken down. I get to share the love of Christ with them and be a part of God healing their brokenness. I’m so overjoyed by that thought. How cool will it be to get to see lives transformed in the midst of such a horrific scene. Yet I find myself discouraged. Why....
When I think about my dream big moment it’s me having an organization and teaching people about human trafficking and helping restore the lives of those that are SURVIVORS. Of course there are always obstacles that come with big dreams which can be very discouraging.
I know deep down in my heart that this is my next step to learning how to use what I already have to stop this injustice. The discouraging part for me is knowing that I have to raise $6400 in 6 months. My first deadline of $1500 on December 7th secures my spot, and when you are uncertain of how funds will come in it can be scary. I pride myself in doing things on my own and I absolutely hate asking for help, because then I feel like I have failed. This is something God has been working on in my life over the past ten months. It’s not easy to let go of the reigns of your life and it’s most definitely not easy to ask for help, but God did not intend for us to do things by ourselves. (Not an easy lesson)
On my drive home from Austin, I was praying and listening to worship music and talking to God. I was telling Him about my frustrations and my fears. That alone made me feel less discouraged. I began listening to Natalie Grant and her song “Your Great Name” came on and these lyrics just stayed with me.
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
He used this song to remind me that He is not a God that discourages or places fear or doubt, that is what the enemy does. He is a FaithFULL God that PROVIDES, ENCOURAGES, and BRINGS HOPE and JOY.
I am so thankful for these little reminders that speak volumes. There is NO room for doubt in my life!
If you would like to partner with me through prayer, I would absolutely love that. I feel the enemy so strongly working against me which means I’m supposed to go to Thailand because HUGE things are going to take place.
What to pray for:
1. Finances. Please pray for finances to come through in abundance and that there would be no place for worry.
2. Pray for my spiritual walk in this season that I may grow deeper with the Lord.
3. Pray for my team! I see Satan is already plotting against quite a few of us, so we all need a covering of prayer.
4. Pray for the Staff of The Justice School and Thrive Rescue. Pray for a refreshment of energy and for love that moves mountains. Also pray against all attacks of the enemy.
Lastly, if you would like to donate to me or any of the other team members you can go directly to my fundraising site or The Justice School Website below!
