"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
- Psalm 23:4
Africa & Europe
Praise God for our wonderful new West Africa Director, Anita Budu.
She assumed leadership of the team on Jan. 1 after serving on the Ghana team in various leadership roles since 2015. Anita received her master’s in social work from Middlesex University, London, and has more than 15 years of experience in child protection and service provision for vulnerable populations. Anita shares that she has found encouragement from John 1:5, which says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Anita says, "It is a reminder that God’s love and light will always win in this work, where there is so much hopelessness and darkness." Pray for God's blessing on her as she steps into this new role leading the West Africa Anti-Trafficking programs.
Latin America
Pray for a breakthrough in the Dominican Republic and the passing of an updated anti-trafficking law.
Since 2018, the national anti-trafficking coalition in the Dominican Republic has faithfully advocated for the updated anti-trafficking law, which is critical to ensure better prosecution, protection for victims and care for survivors. A month ago, this law finally made it to the Dominican Senate for revision. Pray that the senators and their staffers who review this law will be moved to respond with justice and approve it with no further delay.
South Asia
Please pray for critical stakeholder meetings this week that will impact our expansion in South Asia. Our leaders are set to meet with a diverse group of partners, survivors and other local leaders about how we can combat bonded labor together in a powerful new way. Pray for great connections with these leaders, safe travel between sites and deep joy in this important calling we share.
Asia Pacific
Please pray for our investigations and law enforcement teams in the Philippines as they prepare for an upcoming training. This training on Basic Internet Crimes Against Children will be held with local law enforcement from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3. Pray that the training participants, mainly police partners, will find the training fruitful and effective!
IJM Global Office & Partners
The IJM global office is located in the United States. IJM has Partner Offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, South Korea, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Praise God for a podcast that will provide an opportunity to reach new audiences! IJM North America Regional President Melissa Russel recorded a podcast episode with the Table, a Dallas Theological Seminary podcast. She discussed her work with IJM over the past years, IJM's theory of change and the ministry of justice that IJM is pursuing. Please join us in praying that this podcast touches the hearts of new audiences across North America!
The updates we share on survivors or their cases can become sensitive over time. To respect and protect
them, please refrain from posting these prayer requests online.
