A Night of Rescue

Last night was my Mission Rescue fundraiser event. Together with Tami Kent and Joyce Kelly, we planned an awareness event about human trafficking around the world, including my upcoming trip to Cambodia. We planned the event, and then watched as God took over and did some amazing things. I hope I can even begin to communicate the greatness that was Mission Rescue.

Tami, Joyce and I began planning about 2 months ago. The three of us were brought together under pretty unique circumstances, and so early on we knew God has His hand on our event. He provided the location [The Empress Tea Room], the desserts [Bonefish Grill], the vendors [Heaven Rules, Eye Heart World, Mustard Seed Jewelry], and the volunteers….with no out of pocket cost! Seriously, what a blessing.

We began promoting it, and again I knew that God was at work. The majority of the RVSP’s were people I didn’t even know, which was exciting that I’d be able to meet and share with so many new people.

The day of the event arrived and my stress level was at max. One of our speakers from a local organization was in the hospital and couldn’t attend. So I called one of their volunteers who already planned on attending, and she stepped up to speak. Then I get a call from my pastor who was supposed to close the night with a song, and him and his entire family was sick, and couldn’t make it either. I was like God, what’s going on? I get to the Empress Tea Room and tell Tami about the music, and she tells me her 13-year-old son has a song that he wrote that I should hear. He played it for me, and I knew what God was doing.

The event itself went off with out a hitch. I saw friends, family, familiar faces and new faces. Each person that spoke shared with such passion and such intensity, that it was impossible to miss what was happening. The videos were educational, heartbreaking, and inspirational. When it came time for me to speak, I was sure I’d screw it up. I talk all the time in front of people, but this was different. This was personal stuff about my life that I was sharing. And I so desperately wanted people to catch my heart for this cause and this country. God took over, and my words were the right ones. I’m sure it wasn’t eloquent, but it was what needed to be said. Then Josiah Kent got up to close with his song. And well, just listen for yourself...



By now, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The presence of God has been in our midst. Jamie Kent, Tami’s husband, got up to close the night and he asked how much I still needed for my training funds, and I said about $2,000. And he said, well we raised $1,700 for you tonight. It was all I could do to keep from crying right there on the spot. My training costs are covered! My first 6 months as a full-time missionary are taken care of! GOD IS GOOD.

Now, with future events and additional supporters, I can begin to cover the costs of moving back over to Cambodia. I never thought I’d be this ahead of the game so soon! I was reminded of the verse Romans 8:28 as I left the tea room last night. I think sometimes as Christians, we only use this verse to talk about when really bad things happen in our lives. But last night I saw it how I think Paul meant it. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God orchestrated that event last night, and who supposed to be there, and who was supposed to give. And I’m just humbled to have been a part.