There’s something so refreshing about the start of a new year. It’s a chance to turn the page, to leave behind the mistakes, failures, and regrets of the past, and to begin again.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Guatemala attending a language school. It was an intense yet deeply rewarding time of growth and connection. With six hours of Spanish-only classes each day from Monday to Friday, my brain was constantly in overdrive, but the challenge was worth every moment.

Hello Friends,

As we step into this new year, it’s natural to look back and celebrate the highlights of the past—moments when things went just right and we saw incredible progress. Yet, God continually calls us forward, encouraging us to trust Him as we press on into what’s next. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13-14, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Hello Friends!

We all have our own way of celebrating this season, don’t we? Some of you are Hallmark Channel regulars, watching each new Christmas movie where the snow falls, the inn is saved, the happy couple kiss, and where little holiday magic (and maybe a touch of mistletoe) guarantees a happy ending. 

I first learned about Dare For More in March of 2022 when they came to my church. I wasn't able to attend that year due to being induced with my fourth baby, but I remember the ladies in my family talking about how amazing the conference was and how wonderful of a speaker Reba was. I started to look into Dare For More after that and was amazed with their mission to help women and children and hoped that one day I could do something to help too.

As the CEO of a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and restoring victims of human trafficking, I have witnessed how societal and political shifts influence criminal activity. As we approach the establishment of a new U.S. President, I believe we are on the brink of a significant surge in trafficking activity.

One of things the women at the safe house are doing is gardening to produce their own vegetables and herbs for food for the safe house. What is really awesome to see is that the women are gaining confidence with each new task they are learning.

Years ago, after reading Mark Batterson’s book The Circle Maker, I was struck by how the principles mentioned in his book—Dream Big, Pray Hard, and Think Long—aligned perfectly with the core values of Dare for More. We liked the way he worded things so good that we adopted his wording.

I’m writing to you from a hotel in Reno, NV, in the midst of my busy fall meeting schedule. I just returned from a wonderful weekend in Alturas, California, where I had the privilege of sharing God’s Word with women from Northern California, Oregon, and Nevada.

We are excited to introduce you to the newest member of our team at DFM.  Meet Ana Ricardo!

Imagine walking into a football stadium on game day. The energy is electric. Fans are roaring, their cheers so deafening that the quarterback has to call a time-out because he can’t hear the play. Flags are waving, hands are raised, and excitement is palpable.

I teach art history at a large public high school in Tennessee. Recently I asked my high school art history students to describe Donatello’s sculpture of Mary Magdalene in detail. They noticed all of the troubling details Donatello intended for his viewer to see. After doing so, they were asked to detail what they imagined about this woman and what they felt when viewing the piece. I found myself in awe reading student responses.

As the crisp air of fall rolls in, our team is embracing the season with cozy blankets, warm cups of coffee, and—our new favorite—soft and stylish sweatshirts! We’re thrilled to welcome this beautiful time of year and want to share some exciting updates with you.

We talk about this struggle constantly. It comes up in Bible study, in small group discussion, one on one counseling, from the pulpit, and most piercing: in the quiet of the night as we are alone with our own thoughts, ….the struggle for who has our heart, who holds our highest affection, who is at the highest in our hearts. People or God.

One thing that’s unique about our safe house, is that we accept mothers and their children.  One of the precious families in our safe house is a mother and her six children.  Before entering our home, one of her daughters was removed from her house due to the abuse, and placed in an orphanage.  Because this mother sought refuge in our safe house, we were able to immediately pursue reuniting this mom and her daughter.

Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee, the warmth of the cup seeping into your hands as you take a deep breath. The world feels heavy today. Maybe it’s the weight of a broken relationship, the sting of betrayal, or the ache of a burden you never thought you’d carry. Whatever it is, it’s hard. It’s raw.

As summer fades and school routines settle in, we at Dare for More are gearing up for one of our busiest seasons. The fall is packed with mission trips, speaking engagements, and exciting plans for the future. We’re grateful for your continued support and prayers as we dive into this season.

Being on staff with DFM for the last 2 years I have heard all about what is going on in Guatemala, but from a distance; the answers to prayer, the beautiful products, and the impact on the people, but I longed to see it for myself.

I was so grateful when an opportunity opened up during July of this year. But preparing for this trip was a big task for this mama.

Have you ever found yourself looking back and realizing you missed the significance of a moment? Maybe it was a conversation with a loved one, a moment with your child, an opportunity to help a stranger or a quiet moment with the Lord. Often, we are too consumed with our daily routines and distractions to notice these precious instances until they are gone.

Reba’s Recovery and Recent Travels

First and foremost, our CEO, Reba, is recovering remarkably well from her recent knee replacement surgery. She still has several months of recovery before she is expected to be back to normal, but she just returned from a fruitful trip to Guatemala. We ask for your continued prayers for her healing and strength as her travel schedule picks back up and she begins to get back to her normal schedule.