Season of Transitions

Dear Friend, 

Transitions are hard. They are beautiful they are painful they are like feeling the growth happen right here and now, watching the world turn, noticing. Life never really stays the same, but in times of big transitions, everything feels like its tipping sideways and what was home and comfort and knowing is slipping away... 
I am finding my self now surrounded in this new season of transition. Here it is. What will the new adventure bring? what do i want to be sure not to loose in the changing? 
Here is a letter i wrote to my financial supporters, who have walked with me over many years, partnering with me in creating and growing the Abolitionist Network. It is a bitter sweet moment to push send. 
thank you for reading, for praying, and for considering giving to support this new chapter (including a new blog on the way): 

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Dear ......, 
Thank you so very much for your financial support and prayers over the years for me and the work of the Abolitionist Network - training and connecting churches and ministries in the Greater Boston area to better understand and work together to abolish the systems of human trafficking! We wouldn't be where we are today without you! 

I have been counting up some numbers, and realized that since 2010, when there were no Christian ministries in Greater Boston focused on human trafficking specifically, and the Church was barely aware of it, now today there are 18 ministries (including 3 Christian-based safe houses open) and over 30 churches engaged in the Network! God has clearly been at work! Here is a quote from one of the pastor of a network member church: 

"Our church’s vision is to “live like Jesus.” As a pastor, I deeply appreciate how the Abolitionist Network has helped our church practically live out our mission. I look forward to a continued partnership and the ability to learn from the resources and relationships with which the Abolitionist Network provides City Church" 

-Pastor David Hill

I am also super excited about this video that I helped produce this spring, along with Vision New England and EGC Films: The Voices of Human trafficking 2017. 

To me this project is really a testimony to God's faithfulness in calling His people to bring His light of freedom into the darkness of exploitation and trafficking! And again this would not have been possible without your support over the years. 

So here is the Big News: In the midst of this season of growth and exciting opportunities, God is calling me and my husband Jared out of Boston into a new season of ministry! 

We are excited to pursue this new calling and will be moving out of Boston in early July. The vision is to be a part of a Christian community living sustainably (permaculture gardens and food forests and creative ways to make electricity), taking care of God's creation, and creating a place of hospitality and restoration for people on their journeys of recovery and healing. Perhaps from addictions, or abusive relationships, or even burn out from ministry. We aren't sure where this community will be - if it already exists for us to join, or if we will be starting something new eventually - so we are going to travel for the next year, exploring what is already going on, and discerning where God is calling us to plug in. 

You may be asking, What about the Abolitionist Network and all that is happening in Boston?! Yes, this is a big change! I am working with EGC's leadership to identify a new director for the network, someone who can come in and lead this network of amazing abolitionists on to new levels interrupting the systems of human trafficking! The network is providing input and support during this transition, and the leadership of EGC is fully supportive, helping this transition be successful. 

So what does this mean for you and your support as a donor? 

We joyfully trust God to provide for both the Abolitionist Network and our new adventure, and invite you to discern what God might be calling you to support. 

• If you are interested in continuing to support me and Jared that would be awesome! Starting in July you can transfer your donations over to our account at Christ Church San Francisco (where Jared went to church while he lived in SF, where I met him). They will be overseeing our ministry during this next year. 
• f you would like to continue supporting the Abolitionist Network and the new director who will be coming in that would be amazing! Please let me know and I can follow up with next steps.

And whether you want to keep donating to us in our travels, continue supporting the Abolitionist Network, or pause your donations at this time, would you please consider giving a generous one-time gift to help make this transition and set up the Abolitionist Network for a successful new season?  We have a very special fundraiser/ celebration/ going away party coming up June 22^nd and your one-time gift would give us a great head start on our goal of $20K!  To give, please go to egc.org/give and write in AbNet Fundraiser in the “For” box.

Please join us at 6:30PM on June 22^nd at River of Life Church in Jamaica Plain for this special celebration! You’ve been such a critical part of this wonderful journey -- it would be awesome to have you there for all that God has done and what else he will do! 

Thank you again for your generous support! 

Many blessings 

Sarah