Through this summer’s mission trips together, Beau and I have formed a close partnership, and now, I am honored to step into a new leadership role within this impactful organization. Recently, we visited India, Peru, and China, where we saw both immense challenges and remarkable faith in the lives of the people we serve. These experiences have reinforced the importance of not only meeting physical needs but also supporting spiritual growth within each community.
Around 15 years ago, a mutual friend introduced me to Beau Sides, who shared his vision for a new ministry supporting widows and orphans in China. Since then, we’ve developed a strong friendship through many mission trips together. As my family and I enter a new life chapter, Beau asked me to take on leadership of Global Partners in Life, which has developed a network of dedicated partners worldwide. Recently, we traveled to India, witnessing both the challenges and the impact of our efforts on widows and orphans. Solar panels installed at a home in Guma now provide much-needed cooling, and we spent time with the children in the orphanage, whose strong faith endures despite cultural pressures. We also met with widows in urban slums and shared moments of encouragement with pastors, seeing firsthand the spiritual and physical needs of the people.
In early August, Beau and I led a team to work alongside our partners in Lima, Peru, supporting vulnerable communities in the city’s expanding shantytowns. At New Life Children’s Home, we helped build nine homes for widows, constructed a community kitchen, and provided Bibles, blankets, and other supplies. At a local school, we shared testimonies and served over 800 students, with nearly 670 students committing to Christ. Additionally, we shared the Gospel with cadets at the National Police Academy, where 120 responded positively. Our time with the children’s home residents was heartwarming as we served, played, and shared meals, inspired by the steadfast ministry led by Mike and Chelene Kennedy, a partnership Global Partners in Life is proud to support.
In China, our main goal was to deliver financial support to our partners, but unexpected banking challenges made it difficult. After multiple attempts, we successfully exchanged the funds, allowing us to reconnect with leaders like Sarah and XiaoJun, who courageously grow a network of house churches under considerable pressure. We also met with Caleb, a former student deeply concerned about China’s youth, as laws prevent them from attending church, leading to a decline in younger congregants. He now uses your donations to fund pastors who travel to serve struggling rural churches. Despite these obstacles, our partners are empowered by your support to continue their mission, embodying the call to serve even in a challenging harvest.
As I look back on these recent trips, I am deeply moved by the power of compassion and the strength of our partners who face immense challenges daily. Each interaction affirmed that this work is crucial, whether providing physical resources or spiritual support to widows, orphans, and vulnerable communities. Through your generous support, Global Partners in Life is able to not only meet needs but also bring hope, encouragement, and transformation to areas often marked by hardship. I am grateful to serve alongside dedicated individuals like Beau and our many partners around the world, and I look forward to continuing this journey, trusting in God’s guidance and provision.
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