An adventure is a fine thing from the comfort of one’s own armchair, but to sign up for a year in a country I had barely heard about before volunteering to serve as God’s tool? I will admit to definite trepidation when I think too hard about this crazy thing I’m signing myself up to do. However, as I told God when I first applied, ‘Alright, I’ll do this, I’ll trust you, even though I’m scared. You’re there, and if you want me there, I’ll be the safest I’ll ever be in this world.’
I have always loved traveling, but I generally travel with my family. When I first heard about Adventist Frontier Mission’s short term mission work opportunities, my initial thought was that it sounded like an excellent idea…for some other person. However, as I spent time and communion with God and other Christians who had made the commitment, I kept on coming back to AFM. Then I decided I was being insane, and no way did God actually want or expect me to go to the other side of the world, plenty of sick people here. I shoved all thoughts of leaving the country and moving 3000 miles away from everyone I know out of my head, but like the proverbial elephant in the room, I came back to start my final semester of nursing school still thinking about the prospect. Finally, after praying and arguing with God up and down for a couple of weeks, I threw up my hands and admitted defeat. I emailed the contact and got an application, filled it out, sent it in, and told God firmly, ‘Now, I think you’re crazy, but we have a little time. You and I can change our minds about this insanity. I applied. If I actually get an interview, then we’ll talk further.’
God must spend an awful amount of time in exasperated laughter at the stubbornness of humans. To my utter amazement and chagrin, I got an interview. I believe that was the moment I truly started to believe that I might leave the country for a year after finishing Nursing School. After the interview, it took a few weeks to hear back due to the prayer and thoughtful process that goes into selecting people to serve overseas. When I didn’t hear from them for awhile, I’m rather ashamed to admit I lost faith for a bit, trying to convince myself that I hadn’t actually wanted the job anyway, and God had many fine people who were probably way more qualified then I could be able to serve.
After praying and leaving it in God’s hands, and fully admitting to him that I would actually be extremely honored to serve overseas, but that I would happily serve in the USA if that is what he wanted, I left it in his hands, and waited patiently, relying on the great distraction that is Nursing School.
However, God does laugh, I got this crazy offer to go overseas and serve God and after a few hesitant days of trepidation on my part, I plucked up my courage, and accepted. In accepting, I felt a strange sense of peace, and joy that this is where God was leading me, even in the midst of my fear. “My God shall supply all your needs, according to his riches in glory,” (Philippians 4:19), and Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Anyway, I’m not the best at this blogging business, but someone once said that it is essentially an online diary, and I’m quite good at talking to myself.

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