As most of you know, I am in the midst of a life-changing transition. In January, I will begin a one year fellowship in South Asia with International Justice Mission, a Christian human rights organization based in Washington, D.C. The decision is the culmination of several years of discernment about my next step professionally as well as personally. I am so excited for a position that seems to be an ideal fit for myself and the call I feel God has placed on my life. I will be working as a social work fellow, working along side those already in the field, helping in case management, and any other areas I am needed. I am excited to be able to utilize the skills and education that I have worked hard to earn over the last five years or so, but I am also excited to learn and further my skills in the field from those who have more experience.
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a human rights agency whose mission is to protect people from violent forces of injustice by securing rescue and restoration for victims and ensuring public justice systems work for the poor. For example IJM focuses on bringing freedom, protection, and care to the victims of sexual exploitation and forced labor. IJM partners with government authorities, utilizing laws in place that prohibit such activities, in order to combat sex trafficking and forced labor slavery and to provide freedom and restoration to each individual victim as well as making sure that each perpetrator is prosecuted for their crimes. In addition to providing rescue, and legal aide IJM works to partner with others to provide aftercare services for those rescued to ensure reintegration back into society is successful.
Although I have spent many years training in the area of social work with the hopes of working in this field, and I believe God has called me to move to South Asia, I know that I cannot do this work alone. I am writing this letter to ask you if you would join me in this yearlong adventure!
There are several ways in which I could use your support. First, these fellowships are unpaid. Living and working in South Asia for one year is estimated to cost around $24,000. This amount covers costs such as: international airfare, health insurance, visas, rent, food, and local transportation. I hope to raise the money by the end of December. (Information for supporting this way will be listed at the end of this entry!)
Second, for those of you who are praying people, I would much appreciate your prayers for me, for the IJM staff in South Asia, and for all those I will be serving. It is very important to me to have a large support system around me both before I go, as well as while I am away. If you would like to keep in touch please follow this blog for what I am doing to prepare as well as what I am doing while I am there, including updated prayer requests.
I would just like to say thank you in advance for whatever support you are willing and able to give. I look forward to sharing my experiences in India with you and I am so excited to have you join me in this next step!
***to donate online: https://secure3.convio.net/ijm/site/Donation2?idb=1515869785&df_id=1261&1261.donation=form1 (click the drop down menu, and select my name, Abigail TeBordo) to donate via a check: please mail a check made out to International Justice Mission (do not write my name ANYWHERE) and send it to my address 380 St. Agnes Highway, Cohoes, NY 12047 and I will see that it gets to IJM (all donations are tax exempt!)***Again thank you for your support!
Abigail<3
