Banana Boat Blog - September 2024

    The Whitley family has been busy with missions and ministry. We continue to work with Kainos International to serve victims of human trafficking through advocacy and equine assisted learning here in Texas, and doing online outreaches in Texas and Germany.

 Our daughter took a medical mission trip to Southeast Asia. One son went on a well-digging trip to Africa. The other son and T. went as leaders to youth camp.  

We also spent some time down on the border, sorting clothes and food and then we went across the border into Mexico to deliver supplies to a safe house and immigrant camps.  We delivered backpacks and other supplies to a lady who works with neighborhood children in Mexico, and had the opportunity to work with a safe house to help rescue a woman who was a victim of human trafficking. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and the ongoing efforts in Mexico, Texas, and Germany.

We are so thankful for God’s blessings and opportunities to serve. Thank you so much for partnering with us through prayer and finances.

https://give.txb.org/give/605745/#!/donation/checkout

Real Cowboy Fun

 One of our greatest joys at HADTs Equine Assisted Learning Center is providing a window of joy to survivors of human trafficking. Recently we had a lady and her 10-year-old son visit us at the horse property.  They both enjoyed brushing and leading the horses.   Then the mom showed her son how she could ride. He was amazed that she could do it "all by herself."  When it was his turn to ride, as our ranch hands lead the horse around the arena, he continued to yell "Yee how!" His version of the good old Texas "Yee haw?"  Then he said, "I think I can do this by myself." So, our ranch assistants released the lead rope but stayed right with the horse, as the young man rode "on his own."  Once he dismounted, we asked if he would like to wear our cowboy hat. When he tried it on, he said, "I'm a real cowboy now!" 

 Now, that is good cowboy fun!

Texas Wildflowers

 

We love Texas wildflowers!  They are beautiful, strong, and resilient, much like the ladies we serve with Texas Baptist Missions and Kainos International.  The survivors and victims of human trafficking are strong, beautiful, resilient, and courageous women!  We are continuing to serve women here in Texas, across the United States, and Germany, who are still in trafficking situations in hopes of helping them find freedom.  We continue to advocate for women in hospitals, jails, treatment centers, and safe houses to help give them a voice and hope.  It is such a blessing to serve among these beautiful, brave women.  

Please pray for these women who are victims of trafficking or abuse, to have the courage to escape their traffickers.  

Please pray for the women who are survivors as they continue in the healing and restorative journey.

https://texasbaptists.givingfuel.com/txb-missionary-t-whitley

Icing on the Cake

 

HADT’s Equine Assisted Learning Center is partnering with Kainos International to serve victims of human trafficking.  Recently a survivor from out of state moved in state to a safe house in the local area.  She was very excited to visit the equine learning center.  It was a dream of hers to spend time with horses.  She said that her time with the horses helped her to feel restored and refreshed.  "Icing on the Cake" was how she described having the opportunity to ride a horse.  We enjoy watching God “do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20.   We could never have dreamed what God would do when he opened the doors for HADT’s equine assisted learning center.  It is amazing to see God work through rescued horses to provide healing to victims of human trafficking.

To support these anti-human trafficking ministry efforts, please visit the link below:

https://texasbaptists.givingfuel.com/txb-missionary-t-whitley

Thank you!

Immeasurably More and the Abundant Life

 

God has definitely been doing immeasurably more in ministry during the holidays. Ephesian 3:20. We advocate for survivors of human trafficking.  Over the past year and a half, we have been advocating for a survivor that was baptized on New Years Eve. She is currently doing well in a safe home and looking forward to her new life in Christ.  What a great way to start the new year.

When talking with another lady during the holiday season, she told part of her story because of a comment about how beautiful her Christmas lights and decorations were that adorned her cottage on the survivors’ transitional home property. The lady explained that a few years ago when she was still being trafficked, she had escaped from the traffickers for one evening and was walking in the streets in town.  During this time, she saw houses lit up with Christmas lights and she remembers crying and thinking that she was on the outside… and someday she wished to be on the inside of a cozy home with beautiful decorations.  She said, “now I am on the inside and living the abundant life!”  John 10:10

We are so thankful for God’s blessings and how He is blessing this ministry.  Thank you so much for partnering with us through prayer and finances.

To support these anti-human trafficking ministry efforts, please visit the link below to make a donation through Texas Baptist Missions.

https://texasbaptists.givingfuel.com/txb-missionary-t-whitley