Dear friends and family:
Things here are going well and expanding quickly, which I think I say every time I write. We are launching a café in the red light district this December among other new projects that I will share later. For the past 18 months now I have focused primarily on opening a transitional home for girls between 18 and 22 who are leaving the safe house. I can hardly believe it, but we are celebrating the completion of our first year in just a few weeks. For me, this has been one of the most challenging and most rewarding seasons of my life. It has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager to take in this age group, although I never imagined it would unfold quite the way it has here. Housing for girls aging out of the system does not exist widely in Brazil and many leave shelters with no where to go but back to the streets. My work this year has included finding and training staff, developing a mentorship program, creating the home structure, crisis response, treatment planning, laughing, laughing until I cry, crying until I can finally laugh, and spending most of my days and nights with the girls who came through our doors.
We have decided with the close of our first year, to call the apartment, Casa Hadassa. In the Biblical account of Esther, Queen Esther holds the birth name Hadassa. Hadassa was born to a Hebrew family and orphaned as a child. Through a long complicated string of events she was eventually chosen by the King to replace his former Queen. However, because of ethnic tension, Hadassa was forced to conceal her identity. When the time comes for Queen Esther to reveal who she is, it is the truth of her lineage that saves the entire Jewish nation from genocide. We are choosing to align with the courage and boldness of Hadassa, who did not run from her past, but through embracing her identity, forever changes the destiny of Israel. Our girls have come through so much disappointment and trauma. Some days it feels unbearable, even for me, to know what they have suffered and what they are feeling. But we believe in who they are and the purpose over each of their lives. They are fearless, they are fighters, and I do not have words to express what a privilege it is to walk with them daily. They have already changed my life and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them.
Helping to shelter for the homeless has been an intersting journey. Living as a missionary, housing and residency are ongoing battles for our staff as well. Homelessness doesn’t necessarily mean you are living in the streets. It means you don’t have a place to call your own. I have had an apartment here in Brazil, for about a year and a half now. However before this, it was necessary to move 12 times since 2010. In retrospect, I am thankful for that season of uprooting, because I can understand now, in a small way, what it is like to lack the security of a steady home. Providing that for others today is all the sweeter. God has been very faithful to cover my personal rent, but I am currently in another transition regarding my living situation and facing some unexpected dental work. With Giving Tuesday and the year end ahead, if you would like to sew into my ministry or these needs, please know that all donations are tax deductible through the “partner” link below.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. I am beyond grateful and hope you are surrounded with the peace of God this holiday season.