Dear friends & family,
We are approaching a time in life where we must make big decisions regarding our future. We do not believe that anyone should have to choose one passion over another, and for this reason we are choosing to create a combined path between industry work and the mission field. We are writing this letter to inform you of an incredible opportunity that has been given to us. About a year ago, we discovered an organization called Wipe Every Tear that completely captured our hearts. God caught us off guard by placing an undeniable desire in our hearts to serve alongside this amazing organization. Through prayer and petition (Philippians 4:6) here we are, a year later, with an extraordinary opportunity to finally make a difference! A few short weeks ago we accepted an offer to travel to Angeles City, Philippines to work with women in the sex trafficking industry through an international organization, Wipe Every Tear. This trip, which will take place in July, will be an incredible opportunity to bring love, hope, and freedom to women trapped in this dehumanizing industry.
Most women in the sex trade have been deceived by false job offers, such as a waitress position, or other opportunities to receive schooling. Due to high poverty rates and families to care for, these ladies jump on the opportunity to make money to support their families, only to find out that they are not working in a restaurant but rather one of the infamous bars. These bars force the women to dance in scanty wear until a “customer” comes to order their services for the night. Women
often internalize such incredible amounts of shame that they come to believe they are irredeemable and worth less than other human beings. The mission of Wipe Every Tear is to give these women an alternate way of doing life. Wipe Every Tear staff, missionaries, and short-term volunteers go into these bars and offer these ladies schooling, housing, and food for not only themselves, but for their children as well. This is all free of charge for the women as Wipe Every Tear fundraises to support more than 80 women in both the Philippines and Thailand whom have accepted the invitation to a liberated life, one that they could never have dreamed of while working in these oppressive
conditions. Many women find this invitation too good to be true. Skeptical that there is a catch attached to the offer, many women initially decline. It typically takes time to establish rapport with the ladies, and nothing establishes trust more than seeing previous enslaved women triumphantly marching into the bars, along with staff and volunteers, and sharing the good news with women currently enslaved. Each story of transformation highlights an incredibly courageous lady stepping towards believing that human beings were created for abundant life rather than oppression and slavery.
When the opportunity arose for us to join this trip, we were immediately overwhelmed with God’s love and blessing. It is amazing how quickly and abundantly God has moved in our lives since we made the conscience decision to be obedient to His word. When we obediently said YES to His call for this mission trip we did not fully understand everything it entailed, and as we learn more and more about the darkness that we will be going into we couldn’t help but to grow fearful of what we will be experiencing. However, we were immediately reminded of Psalms 27:1:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
This verse has been, and will continue to be, the prayer over our lives and this trip. There is no reason for us to fear the darkness for our Lord has already won. God will do mighty works in the lives of these beautiful girls, as well as in my own heart. We, as children of God, will be able to shout as one “I am free.”
We are attempting to fundraise to go to the Philippines and spread the love that God has given us to the women in bars and streets. Ways to support are first and foremost through prayer. Nothing moves like interceding on behalf of another, and we would be greatly encouraged by any prayers for this trip. Financial support is also much needed, as our costs for this trip are $3,000 for each of us. If you or someone you know would be interested in supporting financially, you can give online through our Kindful pages or make a check out to Wipe Every Tear – subject line “Paisley Beach” or “Macenzie Hester.”
Kindful Fundraising Pages:
https://wipeeverytear.kindful.com/philippines-july-2017/paisley-beach-mission-trip
https://wipeeverytear.kindful.com/philippines-july-2017/macenzie-hester-mission-trip
Mail checks to:
6604 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83706
Thank you so much for reading this letter. Be encouraged knowing that no matter how small we may feel in this world, the Lord is able to use you for beauty and the ushering in of life in the midst of incredibly unfavorable circumstances.
With deep appreciation,
Paisley & Macenzie