Image of Hope

Nearly three years ago, I learned about sex slavery at a women's conference called Pink Impact.  I felt like my heart was twisting and turning as I saw the images and heard the stories.  About six months later I read a book called, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (if you have not read this book, it is an absolute must read).  This book not only took me on my own journey of healing, but stirred the passion in me for victims of sex slavery even more.  So that was it.  I knew that I was going to do something - I had to!

Fast forward to Spring 2010.  I had been begging Andrew, my amazing studly husband, to somehow make room in our teeny tiny miniature (did I say small?) budget for a digital SLR camera.  Photography had always fascinated me, but I thought I wasn't creative enough to be in front of a camera much less behind one.

One day in March I was talking to God about it, "God, please take away this photography obsession or do something because it's getting really old hearing the word 'no'."

And just like that I heard a whisper in my heart, "I made you in my image and since I am creative... you are creative too."

Say whaaaat??!!  "God, King of the Universe, is that YOU??"  Hello... hello... Echo... echo....

Then at that moment, He told me exactly what He wanted me to do with the desire He had placed in my heart for photography.  I was to begin learning so that I could start a non-profit organization that would raise money through taking pictures (engagement, baby, kids, seniors, maternity, etc.) to rescue women out of sex slavery, and it was to be called Image of Hope.

Since that day in March, God has unveiled more and more of what He wants this non-profit to be.  My only request has been that He would teach me quickly and get this thing moving.  The sooner it's up and runnin', the sooner women & children are going to be rescued.  One thing I have learned is that when your will lines up with His, it's like an unstoppable force.  Check this out... in about six months:

• someone raised the money to buy my camera
• money & furniture were donated so I could attend a workshop
• photo editing software & an external hard drive were given to me
• amazing ministry connections and friendships started coming out of nowhere
• photography gigs: birthday parties, maternity, newborn, mom & daughter, etc.

 Can you say, "wowzers??!"  Everything I asked Him for was delivered at lightning speed. 

The dream is big, but He is the King of the Universe (said in a Buzz Lightyear voice).  Nothing is impossible with Him, and He talks to ordinary people just like you and me.  After all, God's plan from the very beginning was to create people who: are made in His image, have a relationship with Him, and bring the lost sons and daughters back to Him.  This is my part to play for the Kingdom of God while I'm on this earth.  What is yours?  Check your heart.  Are the desires in there from Him or from you?  Maybe you could ask Him.... I promise He'll answer.