September & October

Wow. So much to update everyone on - read below for the following:

• Justin's Trip to Africa
• Ann's Soul Searching
• Visitors
• Biggest Loser!

Hopefully the pictures will keep you entertained throughout :) Miss you guys!

Justin's Trip to Africa

Just to let you know, VisionFund currently oversees a network of approximately 40 Microfinance Institutions (or MFIs).  These MFIs were previously managed loosely through the different World Vision offices spread across the different countries, and we are in the process of consolidating these MFIs under VisionFund ownership and control.  The purpose of my trip was to go visit our MFIs in Uganda and Kenya to meet with their management and staff and to perform a review of their operations and systems prior to consolidation. To learn more, go to: http://www.visionfundinternational.org/VisionFund/VisionFundweb.nsf 

I really enjoyed interacting with the staff and the people on the ground there.  It’s a great encouragement to meet people come from a completely different background, worldview, and way of life yet worship and serve the same God.  I also had a chance to go on a quick one-day safari during my weekend stay there where I visited Nakuru National Park in Kenya.  There I saw lions, monkeys, zebras, and flamingos in their natural habitat.  It felt like a reverse experience of being at the zoo where I was confined to the space of our tour van while the animals around me were free to move about. My least favorite part of the trip were the stomach issues. Thank God I didn’t get sick the entire trip until the very end. It was a LONG 26 hour flight back home.

I met a few clients during my time there.  One used her loan to start a chicken farm.  She used the money to build a chicken coop, and buy feed.  She had previously been left by her husband with no money to care for her family, but now had the means feed her children and send them to school.  Another loan recipient used his loan to start a food stand, and another used a loan to convert an old building to an inn.

Working in Los Angeles behind a desk and computer, it’s easy to be removed from the work that’s actually going on on the ground. Visiting these MFIs and hearing the stories about lives that have been changed through the work of these MFIs help confirm that the seemingly endless spreadsheets I work with help further the work that goes on around the world.

During the trip, God taught me just how fortunate I am; fortunate to have been born in the US and not have to worry about where my next meal is going to come from, and fortunate to have the opportunity to work for an organization that strives bring about God’s kingdom in places of poverty and suffering.

Soul Searching

While Justin was in Africa, I had some great opportunities to start experimenting with some of the things I feel God has placed on my heart. Since Justin works for World Vision, and they do effective work to alleviate global poverty, I thought I'd see what it's like to volunteer for them. Thankfully two of his female co-workers kindly went with me (I don't know that many people in LA that would blindly volunteer at an event where they had no idea what they'd be doing). Turns out there was a Women of Faith conference and they partner with World Vision for child sponsorship. Our job (with these BRIGHT ORANGE World Vision aprons - people would think we worked for Home Depot) was to simply walk up and down the aisles during breaks and collect people's child sponsorship or help them find the kid of their choice (country, gender, age, etc.). Two things I got out of that day: I need to write my child more often because I met so many ladies who have a relationship with their kids. Secondly, we got to listen to all the women speakers and turns out these old ladies have some pretty godly advice! My favorite one was: "change can be good"... Oh and it was entertaining to see Amy Grant perform live even though I'm undecided on her. (see below)

Another topic I experimented with was the issue of human trafficking. There is a clear burden that can only be God-given for this issue, so thankfully there was an entire conference with ALL faith-based LA organizations getting together not far from where we live. Seriously, what are the odds? I got to meet so many different organizations doing great work ranging from awareness, legal intervention, to rescue and restoration.  God showed me how great a heart he has for those who are oppressed, marginalized, and exploited. Through prayer, he also showed me that I want to get involved in the rescue and restoration side of the fight against trafficking. 

Is anyone still reading? Just testing. Well one of the organizations that I got wind of was called Night Light International. They are a Christian organization whose goal is to provide alternative employment to women in Bangkok, Thailand to make jewelry, so they can leave their jobs at the "bars" and be given a full salary with benefits. Women in that culture are responsible for sending money back home, not the men. Believe me, none of these women wanted to work at the "bars", but faced such poverty that this was their only choice. Night Light not only provides a way out, but also counsels the women as they come out of that life and gives them the hope and restoration in Christ. 

The next part I am still trying to full grasp. After several tries, I was able to meet with the director to discuss ways I could volunteer while I figure out what I want to do with my life. Instead of telling me right away their needs, she asked me where my skills and passions lie. I told her finance/accounting, organized, attention to detail, etc. She looks at me funny and says "I've been praying for the past 6 months for someone to fill a finance/accounting position. There was no funding for it up until now". (Jaw drop). We just looked at each other and couldn't believe it. So a few weeks later and lots of prayer sprinkled all over...I am going to start tomorrow (pending board approval) on a contract basis for 3 months, we'll see what happens after that!

There were and are tons of concerns circling my head. The pay was a huge struggle. I realized my identity was still tied somehow to what kind of company I worked for and how much I made. A huge lesson God is teaching me right now is that my identity, worth, and fulfillment truly lie in Him and Him alone. Not Jesus PLUS something else. The viability of the organization was also a huge struggle. I like to work for big companies, the kind that aren't going anywhere for 100 years. God reminded me that it's not up to me to control my destiny and that I will have to trust Him step by step as much as I want to minimize risk around me. As an additional note, I have the most supportive husband. Justin affirmed the path God was taking me on and did not balk at the pay or unpredictable future. Gosh, it really makes me wish I didn't give him such a hard time about moving to LA for World Vision...;)

As this blog post has gone way too long, we will leave you with pictures to tell the rest of the story.

Andrea's parents visit LA (Getty Museum)

Justin's Mom visits LA (LACMA)

At a live taping of Biggest Loser. Pictured: Hannah and Olivia (the winner) from last season's episode of Biggest Loser

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Although Justin and I have been apart periodically because of his work, we still find time together. Scrambled to find the best picture of us 2 on my phone...with Mark and Johanna for Sunday brunch