They held fast to Godnever loosened their gripand obeyed to the letter everything God had commanded. And God, for his part, held fast to them through all their adventures. 2 Kings 18:6

Three months ago, I heard news I didn't want to hear- that my ACL (a ligament in my knee) had completely detached during a ski accident. With no hope of it healing naturally, I was told I would not be able to ski again without surgery and would need to begin a rigorous physiotherapy regime in order to be able to engage in normal everyday activities.

Yet in just a few weeks' time, I will be heading 15,000ft up the Andes in Peru to see one of the wonders of the world #MachuPicchu. And Ill be doing it on horse back- 6 hrs a day in the saddle navigating tiny mountain trails at high altitude, covering over 100km, then a final 4 hrs climb on foot to the top.

Why?

Because as a leader of a charity that helps people overcome the injuries of their hearts and minds; a ministry that says to people, Come, climb the mountain of your healing journey, I cannot back down because of fear or lack of willingness to put in the hard work required for such a journey.

I am raising money for Mercy UKs work of course, but for me its even more significant than that. I will be walking in their shoes - those brave young women who come to our Mercy home to continue their freedom climb to wholeness and inner healing. They often dont start from a place of strength, they start from a place of acute injury. I want to remember how hard it can be to recover from an injury, to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough, to follow the instructions given to me by the experts and to grow in self-discipline and resilience. All because the view is worth it. Freedom is worth it. Healing is possible, recovery is tangible, transformation is within reach for all of us because of Jesus, who partners with us along the way. In the coming weeks and months, I will need His strength, I will need His grace, I will need His perseverance but more than any of it, I need His healing.

This journey will run parallel to the journey each one of our precious young women undertake as they choose to take on their own adversaries, face their fears and battle for their freedom through our residential programme. Throughout the campaign you will get to hear from some of our precious residents as we follow their Mercy journey alongside my own.

Every adventure has an adversary, every journey has mountains to climb, valleys to cross and twists and turns in the road. The very nature of adventure is in the discomfort required to step out of the ordinary and to face the possibility of pain and failure, in the pursuit of something more.

Through our residential home, over 300 young women have embarked on their own Mercy journey at the risk of pain or failure, to face their adversaries and find freedom and victory from issues such as eating-disorders, self-harm, or the effects of abuse in all its forms.

"I will forever be grateful that I was blessed with the opportunity to come to Mercy. That I had the privilege to sit under such amazing teachings and having all that time to just be. Be with God, be with people, simply just be... what a joy it is to live! " - Former Resident of Mercy UK

No matter how big or small the amount you can give, we would love you to join us on this journey. But no journey is complete without companions. Across the country, there are many supporters hosting their own fundraisers whether through reaching their own new heights by skydiving, riding the journey by any means and any distance, or by hosting a Peruvian themed party with friends. If you would like to host a fundraiser event or would like one of our fundraising packs, get in touch with our team!

By supporting our latest adventure by donating, praying or sharing about our work, you can make another young womans Mercy journey possible today!

And the best news - every £ you give will be match-funded so there is no better time to give than right now!

Thank you so very much on behalf of everyone at Mercy UK.

Arianna Walker.