Friends,

At this time, I am working for a non-profit organization in Billings, Montana, called CLDI. Their mission is to work in a low-income part of the city to bring transformation through the gospel by rebuilding lives, restoring families, and re-neighboring communities. I am specifically working within their youth discipleship program and a recovery house that they have for women coming out of addiction and abuse. I am also committing to living within the neighborhood that we are focusing on bringing the gospel to. Both the location of my living situation and the work that I am doing bring difficulties, and yet I feel convicted that this kind of work is truly what Jesus means when He said to love our neighbor as ourselves. I have felt a call upon my heart to go where the Lord leads even if it is in the middle of hardship and brokenness. As I walk forward into this, I would ask that you would pray first and foremost for the people that I get to interact with. Pray for their hearts to be softened to the gospel, pray for peace and restoration in their lives and relationships, pray that the Lord would bring healing to the inner-city of Billings. Secondly, please pray for courage and protection as my co-workers and I continue fighting for the hearts of each individual impacted by CLDI. If you feel led to give financially to this cause, that would also be an answer to prayer. To do so, you can:

1. Write checks to CLDI and in the memo write: CLDI Internship/Amaya Van Essen. The address is PO Box 3381, Billings, MT 59103. 

2. Give online through the website. Once there, select "Area of Greatest Need" as the campaign and put Amaya Van Essen in the donation note.

You will receive a donation receipt for tax purposes at the end of the year. 

Thank you all for your support. May the Lord receive all the glory.

-Amaya