What are you supporting?
Yes, in the literal sense you're supporting me, my call, and most importantly God... but it's so much more in depth than that! Currently, more than 50 girls call the Ecuador Hope House their home! Most arrive with pasts full of severe and traumatic experiences. Approximately 85% percent of indigenous girls are subjected to sexual abuse by the time they are 14 and the Morona-Santiago province is home to the highest rate of mothers under the age of 12. Their villages' offer little in the way of resources or education. Without another option present, many of these girls face the grim reality of marriage when they are just 11-13 years old. They come with a hope of a different future.
The mission of the Ecuador Hope House is to "give every girl the opportunity for a thriving future through education, life skills, and eternal hope." In order to fulfill that mission, the missionary team, and I myself, recognize that each girl that comes into the home must be addressed and cared for holistically. I am so excited to be joining a tremendous team that believes in living the way Jesus did- caring not only for each girl's heart and spiritual needs, but also their physical, emotional, and psychological needs as well!
So , where do I come in?
The Ecuador Hope House provides spiritual enrichment through biblical integration and church involvement, as well as full educational opportunities to each and every girl. But currently, no staff member is formally trained to address the critical psycho-social needs presented.
Combining my two loves, as the Hope House Counselor, I aim to abet my faith with the use of my extensive training. Having completed my Master of Social Work, I focused my studies on groups and their development and community building.
I hope to add to the programming already provided at the Hope House by creating and coordinating several faucets of psycho-social education and helping further provide a safe space for each of these girls to address topics such as Building Healthy Relationships, Trust, Forgiveness of Self and Others, Overcoming Shame, Etc.
But I can't do it without you!
Here's the thing, I've been around itinerating Missionaries my WHOLE life. It was never a question in my household- if someone was called to go, my parents were going to do anything they could to help get them on the field.
But, MAN OH MAN. I am only at the very beginning of this journey and I have a whole new sense of appreciation for each and every individual, couple, and family that has gone before me (and subsequently taught me how to do all of this). Trying to balance work, commuting between Pittsburgh and Kentucky each weekend (yes- I still live and work in Pennsylvania! ha!), and creating new partnerships is a whole different level of busy than I ever imagined- and that is coming from someone who has never known how to slow down! BUT GOD. I need to stop right there and say it again, BUT GOD.
The needs presented by the girls of the Ecuador Hope House are close to my heart and ever pressing. I became a social worker (seriously, I decide my life's occupations when I was 12!) to give hope to young girls and I'm being given an amazing opportunity to fulfill that call. The past month and a half have been a bit of a blur, but I am overwhelmed with the levels of support that have been shown to me already! Each and every person who has reached out, donated, or scheduled me to come speak at a service is already considered a faithful partner and friend.
But- I'm being ambitious. I have 1 year to raise all of the funds and support needed for my two year budget...I want to do it in 8 months! That's right, 8 MONTHS! This goal would have me leaving for South America in August rather than next January.
So, now I have a question for you? Will you partner with me?
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Commit to Pray for me daily- I wouldn't be doing any of this without prayer holding my arms up through it all.
Can you Support me Financially? I need to raise just under $2,500 in monthly pledges to fulfill this call. (Giving.ag.org Account #2983757...All donations are tax- deductible!)
Sign up for my Newsletter- I want you to be a part of this journey! Stay up to date with how it goes both before and after I leave for the field!
