I, Annie, have a confession. I've been struggling with anger lately. Let me explain:

My mission has begun its yearly push of raising money to support missionaries and missions. Once again I see how we are struggling to come up with new strategies to shake loose some change from the pockets of the body of Christ. "You know if you give just $3 a month you could make a huge difference in missions!" $3!

Honestly I don't feel like we are doing you justice. Jesus didn't make a big deal over the pocket change of the rich. Jesus brought attention to the widow's mite. The song "Take my Life and Let It Be" has a line in it: "not a mite would I withhold." I feel like we are encouraging you to give up your pocket change and applauding your efforts. It is just not doing you justice and its not encouraging you to follow the teachings of Jesus.

So, I wrestle with anger: anger that we are settling for a strategy that expects so little from those who have so much; angry, that the women are desperate for work and the answer lies in your hands.

 

I look into the faces of desperate women. "Please, can I just have a job? I don't want to prostitute anymore. I can't take it." "I'm 20 years old; I have a one-month old baby. I tried prostituting for over a week but I was just too scared to give in and have sex with the men. Can I please have a job with you? " Good business sense says no! We are nearly up to 40 women and the balance in the bank is not sufficient. But I hear the words of another prostitute, "If I die and go to hell it will be better than this," and my heart says "yes."

But, it's not really my decision or the team of NightLight's. The women here on the streets often use the English phrase, "Up to you!" And, now, we in turn say to you, "It's up to you!" You, - who pray for us; you, - who pray for these women to be delivered and for the exploitation of prostitution and trafficking to end; you, - who say, "Praise God!" when you hear that 4 more came in this week seeking employment.

This is really your decision. Do we say "Yes" You see, the opportunity is here. The harvest is plentiful. But, we can't do it alone. We need you, the body of Christ, to share the financial burden. So, I feel angry and frustrated when I have to beg for $3 of pocket change.

I look into the face of a young desperate prostitute and wonder how to tell her that our answer to her freedom depends on whether or not the wealthier Christians will give up their pocket change.

She is waiting for our answer; she, and so many others. What will it be? Yes or no? It's up to you.

Annie Dieselberg

NightLight