School might be over but the IJM prep has just begun. Read about the prayer gathering, fundraising updates, but most importantly ORIENTATION AT IJM HEADQUARTERS!
IJM Prayer Gathering – Twin Cities
One of the recent IJM adventures was attending the local prayer gathering with IJM volunteers, staff members, and advocates from around the Twin Cities. I’ll be the first to admit that praying in a group setting is not my idea of a fun evening activity, but it was a powerful experience. We alternated between worship (my favorite), hearing stories from the field office, and praying together over specific needs. It was beautiful to see how many people came to the event especially knowing that these were held all over the country. IJM’s field offices are all abroad so it can feel overwhelming to be an advocate in the US, but through the staff’s stories we were shown the true power of prayer. My favorite part of the night was skyping in a staff member from one of the field offices in Africa who was able to tell us more in-depth about the work they are doing and what specifically we could pray for them about. If you want to be part of the IJM prayer team or learn more about their views on prayer, click here. If you want to volunteer locally for IJM click here.
Fundraising – More Consistently
Now that I am totally done with school I am able to pour into my fundraising full time. As some of you have noticed, my friends have created a Facebook page to help build more community and offer short updates on where we are at. The current update is that we are doing well, but far from where we need to be. At the moment we are at about $3000, which has helped cover orientation fees and will be able to get me successfully to Bolivia. The problem is that I will also need to be able to live and eat and have transportation once I move (La Paz is very hilly and rainy so I’ve been told walking is not very practical… and food is a good thing to be able to afford). You will be receiving a nice combination of letters and emails from me shortly as my team and I amp up our fundraising efforts. Now that we have tax deductible giving options and more personal options, it will be easier than ever to facilitate the finances. I’m also excited because some of the sessions at orientation are focussed on fundraising.
Orientation at IJM Headquarters!
I am so so excited to say that I have safely made it to DC for a week-long orientation at IJM headquarters! The itinerary is packed and we will be very busy learning about IJM, our specific roles, the different field offices, professional development, self defense, spiritual formation, international travelling, CPR and first aid, the enneagram, attending our commissioning ceremony, and so much more. The orientation is for all 81 interns and fellows, which means I will get to meet others who are preparing to work around the world combatting different forms of human trafficking! IJM works with cases of land theft, sex trafficking, police abuses of power, citizens rights abuse, sexual violence against children (my focus in Bolivia), and forced labor slavery. This is why most of us will be going abroad to see how their transformative justice model works in developing systems in comparison with our relatively stable one here. I know I will learn tons.
I am blessed with the opportunity to stay with a current intern that I met back during my spring visit to DC, which has helped keep costs low. I have also already learned so much from her in the few hours we’ve shared together. DC has been one of my favorite cities since I first visited and I’m so excited for all that awaits – you know the next blog post will be PACKED with information. If you want to learn more about the work at the other field offices and different forms of human trafficking IJM focuses on, click here.
Updates:
- Safely made it to DC!
- Past $3000 in fundraising!
- Facebook page still going strong!
- Hazel found a home!
- Starting to get to know more IJM staff and logistics!
- Beginning the applications and travel-prep process!
- Peanut butter is expensive in Bolivia and I’m now accepting separate donations for my pb fund!
Prayer Requests:
- For good relationship building at orientation
- Peace through information overload
- That I can dress appropriately for each session (did you know there’s a difference between business casual, smart casual, and business smart casual?!)
- For continued fundraising success and partners
- For continued relationship building with you all 🙂
- Continued self growth
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