By Kristin Hallman
After my father’s passing in January, I tried to focus my attention to positive and happy subjects. After all, I just didn’t need or want any more disheartening subjects in my life. I needed to see and feel hope and joy. And they came in the most unusual way, through stories of human trafficking and of overcoming all odds.
In February, our MOPS group held a servant event to help women who have been rescued and need rescuing from human trafficking. Initially, I had planned on not going, because I just didn’t feel as if I could deal with more discouraging information in my life.
Yet, at 5 o’clock the night of the event (about an hour and a half beforehand), I felt God encourage me to go for the mere reason of social interaction. He was definitely appealing to my extroverted nature.
It turns out that most of the stories we heard that night were hopeful and uplifting; women who had been rescued from human trafficking and given a safe place to live and work. I came home from that event full of passion for these women.
I am sure I talked my husband’s ear off for the better part of an hour. At this time, I felt the possibility of getting involved with this company; however, something never quite felt right. Yet, God was preparing me for more.
A week later, Lynn Corker came and spoke to our MOPS group about Women of the Pearl. Again, my heart was stirred for these women in Uganda. Her stories of their faith, strength, perseverance, and compassion again pressed on my heart.
At the end of her talk she mentioned another trip to Uganda happening in the summer, and I felt this urging. However, I dismissed it as quickly as it appeared.
I was too nervous to speak to her about how I felt or to get more information about the trip. And again, just as before, when my husband came home from work that night, he had to listen to me talk for a better part of an hour about Women of the Pearl, but no mention of the upcoming trip.
Nevertheless, God wasn’t done with me. He kept putting this ministry on my heart and on Palm Sunday, He put His plan back in action. We happened to sit in an unusual spot in church that day, because our three-year-old wanted to pick our seats. And who should sit in front of us, but Lynn.
He kept putting this ministry on my heart and on Palm Sunday, He put His plan back in action.
God spoke to me again about talking to her, and this time I bravely initiated a conversation with her about the possibility of me going on the upcoming trip. And after a conversation with her on the phone, I saw how God had been preparing me for this mission, for this trip.
I was going to Uganda! I thought, “OK, God, I am being brave. I listened to you.” Stupid me, He was NOT done yet!
During my time of considering this trip, God kept pressing on me to allow others to be a part of my mission. He wanted me to ask people to pray for me and the mission. I thought, “That is easy enough God. I feel comfortable asking people to pray for the mission.”
During my time of considering this trip, God kept pressing on me to allow others to be a part of my mission.
Then He urged me to fundraise and ask people to pray about whether to support me monetarily. I thought, “NO WAY! God, I am not one to ask for monetary help. I do not fundraise, that is just not my personality.” As if He needed me to tell him that … He knows me; He created me.
However, the urging became stronger and stronger. I finally gave in, and so here I am writing about fundraising and what God is doing in my life and BEING BRAVE!
If you are interested in hearing more find me or email me, Kristin, and I can tell you more about Women of the Pearl, our next mission, and how you can support me and the mission. Thank you.
