God's Wrecking Ball

First phase of my journey: moving out of LA.

I took a road-trip over a thousand miles and four days in a Uhaul, pulling a trailer, with my girlfriend riding shotgun as a sort of "commencement ceremony" to this next year of life.  Besides being costly and time-consuming, it could not have been better.  Making several stops to visit dear friends along the way, we finally made it to the Couve.  Over the next several weeks, I'll be visiting family and friends and doing a little bit of traveling in between.  Although hectic, I look forward to what each new week will bring.

God has not wasted time in preparing me for this next year.  Already, He is at work with His wrecking ball.  Five years in LA meant five years of financial security, five years of every insurance you could think of, five years of a fully stocked cereal shelf, and five years of building up walls of comfort.  I greatly underestimated the affect that not having these comforts would have on me.  To be completely honest, it has taken up a lot of mental real estate, and it shouldn't.


I've been talking the talk of "discomfort" for a while.  I know God does not call me, nor anyone, to a life of comfort.  It's not something for which we should strive.  It's not something for which we should pray. Rather, we should strive for the mission.  We should pray for the mission.  We are all called to a mission, and whether we accept it or not is the difference between warriors and peasants.  It could be a mission of evangelism.  It could be a mission of pastoring.  It could be a mission of parenting.  It could be a mission of learning.  It could be a mission of laboring.  Either way, it's a mission, with a call, waiting for an answer.


My mission this next year is one of justice: to pursue it, deliver it, and promote it.  It's one of leaving my family and friends.  It's one of abandoning a lifestyle.  It's one of entering a world unknown to me.  It's one of discomfort.


It's also one not to be taken alone.  Not one mission is meant as a solo endeavor.  Although there's only one seat being filled on that airplane at the end of June, there's an army of warriors staying on the ground praying, supporting, donating.  That's exactly your role.  That's exactly what I need.  Please join me in this mission through prayer, support, and donations.

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You may have noticed something new on my blog -->   Now, with one click, you can help battle injustice in Rwanda.  Show your support and join the fight.

First things first...

Dear Friends and Family,

As you may or may not have known, I’ve been praying for my next direction in life.  Over recent years, I have realized that I have become too comfortable in Southern California.  Comfort has never been something I’ve strived for, yet here I am, finding myself trapped by the allure.  Although my heart wanted to leave Los Angeles, I know I needed to wait for God’s leading.  Was He going to keep me in LA, or was He going to provide another opportunity?  As doors have closed, I continued to wait on Him.  He has now opened a door of great adventure and opportunity.

Starting at the end of June, I will be leaving the United States and working for International Justice Mission (IJM) as an Investigations Fellow in Rwanda.  IJM is a human rights agency based in Washington, DC that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression internationally. IJM lawyers, investigators, and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators, and to promote functioning public justice systems.  My role as an Investigations Fellow includes leading cases of illegal property seizure and sexual violence, conducting training for the local police, and working alongside other investigators and the local police to apprehend perpetrators.

My move to Rwanda will be for one year and is a volunteer position.  I will receive no pay, and I am responsible for the finances associated with this new journey.  That being said, I need your help, and I need your help in two crucial ways:

1. Prayer.  God is leading me down this path.  It is for Him that I follow.  It is through Him that I will succeed.  However, He does not intend for me to do it alone.  If you do anything at all, please pray - for Rwanda, for IJM, for me.  I will be setting up a Prayer Support Team, and if you will commit to regularly praying for me, I will put you on that list.  In return, I will commit to regularly updating you on how God is working in Rwanda through IJM and me.
2. Financial support.  Below, I’ve listed a projected budget for the year.  You can give in two ways. First, you can give to IJM.  Further information is listed in the attached “How to Provide Financial Support.”  IJM reimburses me through the support that I’ve raised, and your donation is tax-deductible.  Second, you can give directly to me.  There are several costs that aren’t reimbursed by IJM, and that direct donation will be extremely helpful.

Qualified Reimbursements:
Training Week Airfare/Transportation						$400
Training Week Per Diem						$195
Airfare to/from Field Office						$2,500
Visa Runs/Fees/Postage						$400
Support Raising Costs (postage, materials, etc.)						$200
Immunizations						$700
International insurance	$170	/month	X	12	months =	$2,040
Total Estimated Costs:						$6,435
Per Diem:	$35	/day	X	365	days =	$12,775
		Total Suggested Budget:				$19,210
Housing Per Diem:	$20.30	/day	X	365	days =	$7,409.50
		Total Maximum Budget:				$26,619.50

“All that is required for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” - Edmund Burke

Thank you in advance for doing something.  It is with great honor that I partner with you and IJM to battle injustice for Christ in a land that thirsts for it.  If you want to know more about IJM and the work that they do visit www.ijm.org or email me at ams.angelo@gmail.com.  

Thank you and may God bless you greatly,

Anthony Angelo

PS

Also, please forward this blog to, or put me in touch with others who you think would be interested in walking alongside me this next year as well.