Being a missionary is saying yes to being the student and letting God be the teacher. Throughout my entire experience, I have had to trust God.
First, I had to trust that God would provide. I learned about AFM in the middle of 2021, and when I had completed the paperwork, I had two weeks to fundraise all the money needed to attend training. I was sure I would not succeed in raising the money . . . but I forgot that what is impossible for men is possible with God (Mark 10:27). God was faithful to provide, and after the training, it took only about a month to raise all the funds to launch to Benin. This whole experience of fundraising has taught me that if it is God’s plan, then time and finances are no problem for Him.
Second, I had to trust that God had already figured out every detail. When I came to Benin, I only had a one-way ticket. That scared me and caused a lot of stress. I knew that I could have problems entering the borders. I prayed a lot, but I knew it was not a situation I could control, so I surrendered it into God’s hands.
When the plane touched the ground in Benin, my heart started pumping feverishly. I knew that I would soon face the border agents, and they could ask me for proof of my return to Canada, which I did not have. When I arrived at the security station, I did a quick prayer, and soon the man at security called for me. He asked me some questions about my reasons for coming and the work I would do. Then he told me that I was good to go. I was so thankful to God that he did not ask for proof I would return to Canada.
Third, I have learned to trust God’s voice.
In Natitingou, Benin, I started helping a kindergarten teacher at a school near our home. I would walk there a few times each week along with the other missionaries at my project. In the beginning, the situation was difficult because we were not used to instructors being physically and mentally rough on children when they didn’t listen or when they gave a wrong answer.
We have prayed a lot about that situation. At first, we tried to defend the children without offending the teacher. God, however, led us to realize that if we helped the teacher, we could benefit the children and the other instructor at the same time. As we continue to pray, we are starting to see God working in the life of that teacher. She seems happier, and this has impacted her interactions with the children. God is progressively changing the instructor’s heart.
Through this experience, I have learned that sometimes when we are focused on helping certain people or helping in specific ways, God knows who exactly needs our prayers and help and the best way to do so.
Learning to trust God can be a long process—one that is not always easy—because things don’t seem possible for us most of the time. But God is ever faithful.
