For such a time as this

I thank God for people who know where they are called and who are bold enough to stay rooted where God has planted them. It is because of faithful people like this that God is able to use them to speak life and vision into those around them and also awaken callings in others. No doubt this is true in my own life and it is because of the team behind Pearl Alliance that I have identified with the call God has placed on my life.

It was 10 months ago that God rocked my world and changed my life forever. I came across the Pearl Alliance web page and made the most heartbreaking discovery: every 30 seconds a child is enslaved. Staring at the screen in front of me, my heart so broken, tears running down my cheeks, I was appalled that this was happening in my world and I had no idea. The Spirit of God spoke to me and confirmed that I was called to fight for His children and serve this ministry. A passion in me ignited and I immediately took action and emailed Austin to find out how I could get involved. To show God that I was truly committed I became a monthly partner and invested in a laptop so that I would be able to research and further educate myself.

Now months later as I search my email archives for the very first letter I wrote that day God so clearly spoke to me, I am reminded again of His faithfulness. It has been quite the journey since first emailing Austin. I didn’t have a clue about where to start, but Austin encouraged me to seek God and always told me, “Prayer will give your passion purpose.” He was absolutely right! As I prayed God poured out His creative inspiration and showed me how to reach my community.

Since my involvement with Pearl Alliance I have hosted 5 fundraiser’s, created a 30 second timer with Human Trafficking facts and Pearl Alliance information, shared with a group of university students about my involvement, told all my friends and family about the cause and issue, donated my birthday to expose the injustice and asked my friends to donate to Pearl Alliance, hosted a yard sale and movie night, seized countless opportunities to share my heart with people everywhere, and I am still as fired up as ever to fight on behalf of those whose voice has been silenced.

I am completely overwhelmed with thanksgiving as I look back on these past 10 months. God’s grace has carried me to a level of influence that I never imagined possible. Recently I had the privilege of meeting some of the Pearl Alliance team and founder. The hands and heart behind this organization are beautiful compassionate servants and they each inspire me in every way. I can’t help but smile when I think about how it all began and how far God has brought me.

I have received a few emails from people who are inspired by what I am doing and who are passionate and want to take action too. This brings me such joy because I know how they feel. It was not more than 10 months ago that I sent my first email inquiring about my own call of action. And so I always email back echoing the words of a great person that once told me, “Prayer will give your passion purpose.”
Pearl Alliance Partners be encouraged this day and know that you are a part of a ministry that is changing the world, making a difference locally, and awakening the call of God in hearts and lives around the world. My story is proof that God can truly use any heart that is willing and obedient.

I am reminded of the words of Mordecai in the book of Esther as he stirred up the call of God in her life by reminding her that she had been placed in the palace for that specific moment. Know that you too hold the ability to inspire and awaken the calling in someone else’s life. If you haven’t acted yet, don’t hesitate- you have been called to be a world changer for such a time as this.

Sincerely... Esther

Do we want to go & cry? or pray, send & rescue?

When I think of my trip to Mumbai, India, I am even now haunted by the image of a far too young mother begging us to take her eight-year-old daughter. The mother was trapped in a brothel after being trafficked from her village in her early teens. She gave birth to her daughter at fourteen. Enslaved for nearly a decade, she’d abandoned all hope for her rescue and yet she cherished one for her daughter.
“Please, please take her! Take her before they take her!”The mother’s heart within me broke. I have four sons and recently became a grandmother. I write today because I want to know the legacy we leave will be truly grand. I want a world where children are not trafficked. I am passionate because I’ve not only heard—I’ve seen—and now, friends for life, I am honored to share this passion with you.

How can we not reach out and rescue rather than simply cry over this issue? All want to go, but who will give? There are God-empowered, strategically placed people in these dark places who need our support if these children are to be rescued.

We are His hands and feet. Let no more children be bought, sold, consumed or demanded; may all living in hopeless shadows be rescued.
I pray this breaks your heart wide and gives you the courage to reach out and rescue by giving generously.

Thank you,

Lisa Bevere