I was reading Lamentations this morning and couldn't help feeling overwhelmed with the burden people place on themselves through rebellion towards the truth. Lamentations 1:1b-2 says "She who was like a princess among the provinces has become a slave. She weeps bitterly at night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her..."
Hopelessness. It's heartbreaking. Loneliness and fear, feelings of worthlessness-- these are lies girls put on ourselves. These are lies Satan plants to keep us always feeling like we are incomplete without constantly searching for a man to finally love us and treasure us like we are the most precious gift in the world.
Yet there is no perfect man, and he cannot complete us. So we're left searching again, and sacrificing until we are too weak to keep a spark of hope.
When I was 19, I started helping in my church's youth group. I remember one Sunday morning sitting in church with some youth girls and one leaned up against me and put her head on my shoulder. It was an overwhelming feeling to know that someone could place their complete trust in me and feel safe in my embrace. God spoke to me in that moment and told me that this-- working with girls-- is what He wanted me to do. This was my purpose. And I was given a greater peace than I have ever felt. This desire to work with girls and teach them about their worth and their beauty has not faded. Rather than be remembered, I would rather have the lives of these girls changed by them seeing themselves through God's eyes and finding their worth-- their completeness-- in Him.
I am planning on flying out for Thailand on February 23rd to work at the children's home and refugee camp once again, this time for a three month term. There are kids here from the ages of 5 to 19, all who have been told they are worthless-- that their life has no hope.
Please pray for these people-- the millions of refugees who are persecuted for just being part of the wrong tribe, having the wrong accent, skin color, etc. Please pray that they feel the love of Christ poured onto them. Please pray for them so I can tell them that they are not forgotten-- they are not abandoned! That their American brothers and sisters love them and care about them enough to set aside time to pray for their health, families, lives.
Please pray for me that I can be the woman they need, and the woman God has called to me. That I don't get distracted by unhealthy things. That I see myself as God sees me so I can help these beautiful sons and daughters do the same.

I have recently been told about a Christian beauty shop/daycare opening up in the red light district of India. I want to go SO BAD. Being able to form a relationship with these women and teach them about the truth... give them light in their darkness... let them see how beautiful they are and how much God desires them to the point that He would send His own beloved Son to die for them... they they are wanted, loved, complete in Him.
There is a possibility I will get to at least visit, if not stay for a month or two, at the shop. Please pray that I can go, and if I can that I can learn as much as possible so I can return (Lord-willing for a long term aka 1-2 years) and be prepared mentally, spiritually, and occupationally.
I am so humbled that God would honor with these opportunities. My life will fade away, my name will be forgotten, but for as long as I am here on earth I want the name of Jesus to be glorified through my actions and my love.

If anyone would like more information or to ask any more questions you can email me:
erickson.kelsey@gmail.com

This is a song God has continually put on the radio whenever I am feeling worthless and alone. I pray it brings you the same hope and peace it gives me.

Days will come when you don't have the strength
And all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart
They'd see so much

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Praying that you have the heart to fight
Cuz you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
But they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die!

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
In His eyes
(MercyMe)