By Bridget Brewster
G.L.O.B.A.L. Board Director; Co-Founder, Agape International Mission
Living in Cambodia, our mission staying open depends on Godʼs provision through His people. We have been on the highest of mountains, and in the lowest of valleys. There are months we are fiscally very healthy. Other months, well, not so much, “Maybe in 3 days it all shuts down.” But this work is all Godʼs doing, so we have faith it wonʼt close. The ministry in 9 years has grown from 250 church plants to over 1,000, a single restoration home with a school for sexually trafficked girls grown from holding 24 girls to 68; over 500 girls successfully reintegrated into communities. Also, God added 3 transitional homes, 4 employment centers, computer labs, 2 outreach beauty salons, a free health care clinic, a thriving church set in a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah with a robust Kidʼs Klub, an Emergency Foster Care program, a Lordʼs gym (with professionally trained kick boxers), school for 360 children with plans for expansion to accommodate 1500, a tool to prevent trafficking as well as education. Humanitarian aid providing for hundreds to sometimes thousands every month. There are so many miracle stories from here to there. Our beginning budget in 2005 was 70,000 USD a year. Today it is over 3 million. At this time of year, we normally find ourselves in the financial valley. Each time God is faithful, we have our faith that has been tested and refined. A staff that has stayed with us throughout the good and the bad for 9 years and experienced tremendous growth. Today, Pastor Chantha of Rahabʼs House in Svay Pak had us both in tears. We needed to hire 5 new house moms for the Emergency Foster Care program this month. We have no money for salaries, not for any staff. Yet these new 5, not knowing when God will provide, accepted the positions knowing He will. “Just for Godʼs glory, because of their faith in Him, for the care, protection and restoration of the children, they said we donʼt care. We know in His time God will provide. We start now, ok?” I live and work with incurable abolitionists on fire for Christ, I am blessed and encouraged indeed. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-14 “We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice. We are a faith-based, nonpartisan organization that seeks to extend the conversation about justice with a posture of dignity and respect.