I sent this letter out when I first let everyone know that I would be leaving for the Philippines. I thought it would be best to add it here too so that everyone would be up-to-date and so that I can keep everything documented here just in case others join me on my adventure later :)
To my dearest friends and family,
If you have, at some point in recent history, uttered the words "So Daphne, what areyou going to do next?" Most likely you received a response that included the following: a look of panic and/or disgust; a casual form of "I have NO idea;"and then a great, outlandish, and elaborate plan such as, going to graduate school, moving to Haiti, joining the Peace Corps, moving to another state far away (Colorado, Utah, Texas were all mentioned to someone at some point), or finding a job in NC and staying right where I am. To those of you who had to listen to every single one of these plans as I floundered around in a sea of possibilities, thank you for your patience and understanding and I apologize for the undue amount of stress I put on you! While many of you may have thought that I was ridiculous, I can honestly admit that I had no clue where God's plan would take me and (SURPRISE!!!!) I still don't. BUT I have discovered the first step in His plan and I hope to describe what that is to you as well as convey my deepest passions, just in case you haven't been able to see them thus far. So this is me being as real with you as I can be through mere words.
The International Justice Mission states that:
"Trafficking in humans generates profits in excess of 12 billion dollars a year for those who, by force and deception, sell human lives into slavery and sexual bondage. Nearly 2 million children are exploited in the commercial sex industry. The AIDS pandemic continues to rage, and the oppression of trafficking victims in the global sex trade contributes to the disease's spread...In the Philippines, where some estimates suggest that as many as 100,000 children are victims of commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking remains a serious problem..."
So just in case you haven't heard by now or you haven't been able to put 2 and 2 together, I'm going to the Philippines at the end of October! And not only do I get to be closer to my sister (which will still be a12 hour bus ride) but I get to work with a population and for a cause that has gripped my heart for as long as I can remember. I will be working with Naomi Hamilton in Metro Manila. She has established two facilities to provide refuge for victims of the Asian sex industry. "Safe Refuge" offers a new life and hope to many women and children who would otherwise have none. I will be holding and loving on babies and counseling with the women of Safe Refuge along with many other jobs that I may be needed for. I am so excited about this opportunity to work with Naomi and to learn from her and others who are currently working with her.
I want to thank you so much for bearing with me as I have searched for direction and guidance. Your advice and wisdom has been priceless and much appreciated and your prayers have held me together. While I realize that this may seem like a small step to some, I am confident that the path that lies ahead will be nothing short of incredible. So please, stay tuned for what is to come because I couldn't have made it this far without you and I can't continue on without you either. Your support and prayers are irreplaceable and I thank you in advance for your continued support and prayers!!!!!
Following Him forward,
Daphne
To my dearest friends and family,
If you have, at some point in recent history, uttered the words "So Daphne, what areyou going to do next?" Most likely you received a response that included the following: a look of panic and/or disgust; a casual form of "I have NO idea;"and then a great, outlandish, and elaborate plan such as, going to graduate school, moving to Haiti, joining the Peace Corps, moving to another state far away (Colorado, Utah, Texas were all mentioned to someone at some point), or finding a job in NC and staying right where I am. To those of you who had to listen to every single one of these plans as I floundered around in a sea of possibilities, thank you for your patience and understanding and I apologize for the undue amount of stress I put on you! While many of you may have thought that I was ridiculous, I can honestly admit that I had no clue where God's plan would take me and (SURPRISE!!!!) I still don't. BUT I have discovered the first step in His plan and I hope to describe what that is to you as well as convey my deepest passions, just in case you haven't been able to see them thus far. So this is me being as real with you as I can be through mere words.
The International Justice Mission states that:
"Trafficking in humans generates profits in excess of 12 billion dollars a year for those who, by force and deception, sell human lives into slavery and sexual bondage. Nearly 2 million children are exploited in the commercial sex industry. The AIDS pandemic continues to rage, and the oppression of trafficking victims in the global sex trade contributes to the disease's spread...In the Philippines, where some estimates suggest that as many as 100,000 children are victims of commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking remains a serious problem..."
So just in case you haven't heard by now or you haven't been able to put 2 and 2 together, I'm going to the Philippines at the end of October! And not only do I get to be closer to my sister (which will still be a12 hour bus ride) but I get to work with a population and for a cause that has gripped my heart for as long as I can remember. I will be working with Naomi Hamilton in Metro Manila. She has established two facilities to provide refuge for victims of the Asian sex industry. "Safe Refuge" offers a new life and hope to many women and children who would otherwise have none. I will be holding and loving on babies and counseling with the women of Safe Refuge along with many other jobs that I may be needed for. I am so excited about this opportunity to work with Naomi and to learn from her and others who are currently working with her.
I want to thank you so much for bearing with me as I have searched for direction and guidance. Your advice and wisdom has been priceless and much appreciated and your prayers have held me together. While I realize that this may seem like a small step to some, I am confident that the path that lies ahead will be nothing short of incredible. So please, stay tuned for what is to come because I couldn't have made it this far without you and I can't continue on without you either. Your support and prayers are irreplaceable and I thank you in advance for your continued support and prayers!!!!!
Following Him forward,
Daphne
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