When I was six my family packed up and moved across the country to the Seattle area to help with a church plant. As I watched my parents as a young child, God was teaching me principles in church planting and sacrificing comforts in life and following Him no matter the call...principles that shaped me but I didn't even recognize yet.
I recognized my need for a Savior as a seven year old in Seattle. I had been sent to my room after doing something wrong probably having to do with a bad attitude but I don't remember exactly. While sitting there I began to realize that my wrong is why God had to send Jesus. My dad prayed with me and immediately began to disciple me with literature to help me grow and reminding me to spend time in His word.
When I was nine years old we moved back to Tennessee. I don't remember anything about our G.A. class growing up except tearing cotton off the back of the tablecloth and throwing it in people's hair (poor choice but still a memory) and learning about the people group of Burkino Faso. I was in G.A.s for years where each week we learned about a different missionary and the people group they were serving and the only people group I remember is from Africa. This was my first introduction to the need in Africa and God began growing my love for Africa even though I was blind to it.
As a young teenager, I remember listening to Kevin Wright tell stories of his two years in Africa as a journeyman. I remember thinking that the stories he told sounded like they were straight out of the Bible with miraculous protection and people coming to know Christ in large numbers. That was my first close touch with Africa and it was imprinted on my mind.
As a 16 year old I gave up basketball because it required many camps throughout the summer and I felt God calling me to serve in the summers at a sweet little piece of my heart called Logan Valley. Giving up basketball also meant I needed to find an after school job so I started working at the local hardware/gift store. After a few weeks working there one of my teachers, who worked at Walmart part-time, asked if I would apply for a cashier position in the pharmacy. I was not having much fun sorting screws and cleaning the dishes for the bridal registries so I thought sure why not. God was preparing me to be a pharmacist.
One of my best friend's since nursery followed God's call to Africa as a journeyman and I followed her updates and stories diligently. I prayed for her and the work they were doing fervently and unknown to me God was working in my heart growing a love for his people in Africa through my prayers.
After EJ and I were married some sweet friends of ours were going to Africa (Burkino Faso to be more precise) for two weeks and they asked us to stay at their house and care for their two teenage daughters and their puppy while they were gone. Chipping away at our hearts, molding us and preparing us, God used that time to deepen our burden for Africa and allowed us to experience as a family unit the reality of leaving father and mother and daughters to follow Him.
I defaulted to pharmacy in college because I enjoyed my job and enjoyed helping people. My default was God's plan all along. Shortly after finishing pharmacy school God rocked my world and I realized I was going through the motions of a pharmacist and I had so many opportunities to minister each day that I was missing because my goal wasn't telling people about Jesus as I went. I began to pray for open eyes so that I could see the hurt and pain around me and praying for boldness to pray and minister as the Spirit led. God answered those prayers and I knew God had called me to be a pharmacist for His glory.
Our church began partnering with an organization called Church Missions Network and the college class we lead was asked to pray about creating a team to go to Kenya the summer of 2013. I wanted to go but didn't feel God was leading me at that time. As the team returned and told stories of their journey my heart ached to go. I began praying for the next year and possibility of going but again didn't feel led so I came to the realization that when my girls were older I would go. I continued praying for the people of Kenya and the people involved in the ministry there but wasn't praying about going anymore. The Spirit began prompting me not long after the team returned in 2014 and I began my 20 questions game with God that He so patiently plays with me. I reminded him that He had not been leading me there because my girls were so young and we had already finalized the proposal that when they were older I would go. He chuckled and said they are older than they were last year. We went 'round and 'round for weeks...me knowing He was calling me but me wanting Him to audibly say to me GO TO KENYA WITH CMN IN 2015! I prayed for clarity and God so graciously answered through His Word one morning and asked a few of our students that had been before to pray with me as I listened to His voice.
I was reading through Hebrews and reached chapter 3 where verses 7-8 say "That is why the Holy Spirit says, 'Today when you hear his voice, don't harden your hearts...". I stopped and prayed, "God are you talking to me here?" I continued to read and verse 15 says "Today when you hear his voice, don't harden your hears as Israel did when they rebelled." I closed my Bible and prayed, "God I am pretty sure you are calling me to Kenya next summer. I want to go but not if you aren't calling me there. Make it very clear to me that is where you want me. Thank you for your patience and love."
The next morning I picked back up with Hebrews 3:16 and I reached chapter 4 verse 7 which says, "Today when you hear his voice, don't harden your hearts." I closed my Bible and thanked God for his clear call and his patience with me. Before work I printed the CMN application.
I completed the application and put it in the mail on a Saturday morning. Sunday morning Ensley wanted to go to "big church" with us to see the baptism of one of our students. The service started with Pastor Jonathon Abongo from Katito Baptist Church in Kenya telling us of the work God is doing in Kenya and thanking our church for the partnership with CMN. I smiled and thanked God for the assurance. As Jonathon began to close he said "You will come to Kenya and you will be blessed." EJ knew of my wrestling with God the past few weeks and knew I had surrendered to His call but we had not discussed it with the girls at this point (I had just put my application in the mail the day before.) Ensley was sitting in my lap and turned with her finger on my chest said "He is talking to you, Mommy." I began sobbing and said, "Yes, baby, He is."
After the service I told my two sweet prayer partners in this journey about the recent events and that I was going to Africa. They took me to meet Phil (founder of CMN) and Jonathon. I was introduced as the pharmacist which apparently is a big deal on these medical mission trips. They expressed excitement because the need for pharmacists is great but they have so few willing to go. God has had a plan for me all along and He is giving me glimpses in unexpected ways.
As the time for trip drew closer I held these memories close as a reminder that He has called me and He will be with me. I was not afraid for me or my family because I completely trusted His call and knew no matter what happened He would be glorified. I have returned from my first (but not last) trip to Kenya and I am not the same. As I continue to adjust to the 8 hour time change getting up at 3-4am I will try to post precious moments and pictures and ways you can join in praying for the work God is doing in Africa.
