I felt calm as I slowly opened my eyes. Was I dreaming? No, I had heard it clearly. Three times I had heard the same words softly repeated.

It was Sabbath morning, and we were on our way to church. It was our last Sabbath at home. We had been home for five weeks, but it felt like I needed more time.

Two months earlier, my mother had had a stroke. We frantically tried to get a flight out, but our payment was rejected. James managed to get hold of a very friendly agent. She apologized for the inconvenience, and we were soon on our way. After a three-hour taxi ride, we arrived safely at the airport that same day. The next 16 hours felt like a lifetime. We didn’t know if my mom would still be alive when we arrived. But God preserved her life, and we spent the next five weeks at her side. We visited her at the hospital three times a day while, in the meantime, we prepared her home for wheelchair access. We managed to modify the shower and get a hospital bed, commode and recliner wheelchair.

Earlier, my mom had undergone five hip surgeries. However, the metal implants caused life-threatening toxicity and had to be removed. The last operation in December 2018 led to the blood clot that caused a severe stroke, paralyzing her right side. She also suffered global aphasia and is unable to speak.

I spent a lot of time talking with God. I didn’t understand. My mom has such a kind heart, and she has suffered so much. I was also questioning my mission calling, feeling guilty about leaving my sister alone to shoulder all the care responsibilities. With my mom, sister and family needing me at home, should I really go back to the field?

“I am calling. Are you ready?” Three times, I heard God ask me that question that Sabbath morning. I knew that He was promising to take care of my mom, sister and family, and that I should trust Him. I had to answer His call again.

It is difficult not to be able to talk to Mom. We still call her daily, and sometimes she gets very frustrated when she is unable to talk to us. She responds positively to hugs and kisses, and we are thankful for that. We trust that God has a plan for her life and ours. We are in His hands.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16 NIV).

• Twitter