When I decided to follow God's call to missions I asked Him if I could please go to Africa and work with orphans. He sent me there with a passage from His word that has changed my life entirely.
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3
God has spoken clearly to me through these words and has taught me many lessons using them as well. I once thought that it was my verse just for Africa but I am learning that it is so much more. When I decided to make my church in Korea, Jubilee, my home, He revealed that the passage in Luke where Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1 is Jubilee's theme verse. This verse is exactly the work the Lord has given me to do. I have it tattooed on my shoulder and written on my heart. It is the missions focus of so many organizations I am encountering lately and I know it is for an incredible purpose.
Just before I was to return to the US in March, another English church in Korea, Onnuri, was hosting an event called Freedom Sunday. Their guest was the author of a book and founder of an NGO called Not For Sale. Their mission is to expose the horrors of the human trafficking industry and rescue and restore its victims. Words can't express the exuberant amount of emotions I felt that day. I wanted to do something immediately. I was ready to join whatever missions organization or partner with any church that would get me in the field the fastest, but that wasn't exactly God's timing. So I've been to meetings, read articles, watched videos and organized prayer meetings to get the word out and pursue this invitation to follow the Lord's leading. Currently I'm trying to start up a ministry at Jubilee that meets regularly for prayer and seeks to "bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." My heart is not for the victims alone, although there are over 30 million slaves worldwide today. But the traffickers and "clients" are loved by God as well, and the enemy has a tight hold on them. I know that this is enemy territory and as I continue following God down this path, danger will surely unfold, but He took the nails for me and I owe Him my life.
Please take some time and research this horrible industry. Just a couple of facts to get you started... The number 2 country for women being sex trafficked is South Korea. The number 1 city in the United States that sells sex trafficked women is Atlanta. It's not a foreign problem. My home is both countries, I have to respond.
Check out the links below...
Not For Sale
Exodus Cry Prayer Movement, City in Focus: Seoul, South Korea
Nefarious, A documentary on modern day sex slavery.
Check out the links below...
Not For Sale
Exodus Cry Prayer Movement, City in Focus: Seoul, South Korea
Nefarious, A documentary on modern day sex slavery.
1 comment:
Good morning Kristin! I just read through all your blogs and looked at your pictures. Your writing is wonderful, the thoughts on your heart are full of strength and maturity and will encourage anyone who reads them. I think it is especially wise of you to be able to discern how our love grows beyond what we thought possible with the addition of children and then you related it to how you feel about your two homes! Just wanted you to know I appreciate the many ways you are using your talents for the Lord! May he bless you even more and keep your eyes open to how he is doing that! Love ya, mrs. Karen
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