For those of you who do not know, I applied and was accepted into an internship program with the International Justice Mission. The injustice of human trafficking has been weighing heavily on my heart for years now, and this internship will be the first step from transitioning from a would-be career in music to a must-be career of providing justice for those caught in sex slavery. Since I am not able to tell you much about what I will be doing until I'm in Manila, my blog updates for the next several months will be about my spiritual preparation, what I am currently doing in Grand Rapids, and keeping you updated on how my fundraising is going (Yes, I understand that we all just went, "Oh yeah, money," and then gulped out of guilt or frustration and are now going to go for a walk/smoke. It's okay. God provides.)
Looking Ahead!
What I CAN tell you, is that when I say "The Philippines," most of you will think of this:
On the contrary, I will be going to the most densely populated city on planet earth. The much more appropriate picture would be:
No water, lots of sun, and an easily burnt, mildly upset, introvert.
But this week, my first support letter went into the mail! If you do not think you've been sent a support letter, please ask for one! I would love to send a letter your way. I need prayer warriors as much as I need money. My email address is whitney.custis.wilson@gmail.com, and I would love to hear from all of you and answer any/all questions!
What is happening NOW!
What is happening now is that God is whipping me into shape. I found myself praying about a week ago that God would use me for something that no one else wants to do in the fight against human trafficking. Whether that be hanging out in the slums, or sitting at a desk, I wanted God to know I am 100% in. Done deal. Whitney + Jesus= Hooray. Living pawn. All that.
What a dangerous prayer to pray.
If God were as avid a texter as I am, God and I would have probably had this post-prayer text conversation:
God: LOL.
Me: ...That's rather ominous, Lord.
God: ROFL, for real.
Me: ...God...
God: Was that in vain, or are you trying to get my attention?
Me: Your attention! You're freaking me out!
God: LOL.
I can guess that is how that conversation would have gone because over the past week, I have flushed crack down toilets, walked/jogged/sprinted down the most dangerous streets in the city, made threatening phone calls, received threatening phone calls, driven to every mental health facility in the area, been in the emergency room, learned that the mental health system is pitted against the poor, seen a woman's stitches from where she was stabbed in the chest, walked with prostitutes, learned about AIDS, watched a woman find Jesus, and maybe aided in the kidnapping of someone's house cat.
And that was all to help one person, and possibly to un-help one cat.
And this was all 15 minutes from my house... Imagine what's happening 15 minutes from your house!
Training week one has officially come to a close. There have been no serious ramifications other than falling asleep face-first in some ice cream, causing that ice cream to melt, and ultimately resulting in me missing out on an ice cream experience. An experience I never take for granted.
But in all seriousness, despite the week being crazy and learning that there are many jobs that people don't want to do, and that the human trafficking problem is so big that we need social workers, and mental health clinics, and new laws to protect women, and what seems like a kazillion other things, God has been completely faithful. He has brought people to me when I have needed them, and allowed me to carry some things on my own. He is always my refuge and my strength (I just love that, don't you?).
My love to each of you,
Whitney
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