God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,

Sent me to set the prisoners free and recovery of sight to the blind (of injustice),

To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”

Ok, where to begin?  What an incredible, fruitful, quick trip we had.  First, let me say thank you to all of you who gave and supported me to go!  I needed this trip is so many ways and let me share why. 

For the last six year of working with The Freedom Project we have done lots of advocacy, we have encouraged people to prevent, protect and join the fight against human trafficking, but most of all we have prayed for release of people and ministry in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Our first stop was a layover in Amsterdam where we met a friend who has been working in the Red Light District.  She sat and told us that the area is getting smaller.  They reach out to women who find themselves working the streets, most from Eastern Europe.  They have seen a handful of ladies come off the streets and now working with a jewelry business and getting discipleship.

On to Latvia where we took a few ladies from a church in Seattle.  We wanted to show them the projects and hopefully get their church involved in adopting one specific project.  We are hoping to open the first rehab center for women in Latvia!  As of right now, their are no rehab centers for women, just men.  Our team called Freedom61(check out their website freedom61.me) is heading up this project.  They have lots of opportunities for internships and need the help.  Let me know if you want to go spend a few weeks, months, years!  We spent time hanging out in their cafe which is in the red light district of Riga. The women come in to get a hot cup of coffee and chat.  So far, the team has been able to help a handful of women come off the streets.  They are employing two ladies with the jewelry making business.  While we were there, one of the ladies was just about to get her first apartment and the government was going to give her little boy back for her to care for.  We went to a secondhand shop and bought her all sorts of items to start her new life.  It was so exciting to be a part of her story!  I came home that night singing Les Miserables.  I thought to myself, this is the “good” ending to that story. 

We prayed over the building that we want to use for the rehab center.  It needs a bit of repair, so we are hoping to get some mission builders to spend time working on it.  Then our next project is to recruit counselors, cooks, people who can love these women. 

We then got on a plane and headed south to Moldova!  It was so good to be back in this little country and see God on the move there!  We gathered with 60 co-workers who are working directly with human trafficking issues.  The weekend was filled with stories from all over Eastern Europe and Russia. 7 girls rescued and safe within just the last few months from our team in Moscow.  They are the only ones we know of that are working in anti-trafficking efforts, meaning rescuing, restoring, educating, you name it!  The stories brought tears of joy to our eyes.  This was the third Shine Conference and the first one that we heard so many success stories!  We had times of sharing what everyone’s needs are, most of them just said people!  They need help, they need transition homes for the gals, they need more tea and supplies. 

We ended the conference by taking a bus around Moldova to see some of the projects we have partnered with. One being a transition home for little girls that have been rescued from abusive orphanages, or trafficked victims. The house was lively, filled with laughter and joy!  We got to see the greenhouses with lots of produces, ready to feed everyone in the house and lots more to share.  We also stopped off at the sewing center which now has several gals working full-time.  They are busy making children’s clothing.  I am happy to see one of my designs being multiplied and selling. I purchased three pieces for my little ones.

All in all this trip was beautiful fruit after much labor! The best part was meeting five students that came to me and told me that Troy spoke in their schools in YWAM and now they are working full time on the mission field and loving every bit of it.  I was blessed to see the fruit of all our sacrifice in letting Troy travel and teach so much.  We need an army, but I will take five for now!  My heart is happy.  I am on a mission this year t o see more people go and help, even if it is short term.  Also to see money raised for a transition home in Moscow, a car for our YWAM team in Moldova and tea, lots of money for tea!

Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated for our family and all of our heros/co-workers on the field.  They definitely need God’s guidance and protection daily.

With Love,

Alisa