Tuesday, May 13, 2014

ACCEPTANCE

Congratulations you have been accepted to serve onboard the m/v Africa Mercy!


These much-awaited words finally arrived.  Joe and I have been praying, planning, and hoping for two years.  No, even longer than that.

When we married in 2005, we knew we wanted to serve God overseas.  We were not sure when or where, but the desire was deeply rooted in our hearts from the beginning of our relationship.  It took years for me to finish school and then get the necessary experience in order to use my knowledge and skills abroad. 

Two years ago, we sat down and researched dozens of mission organizations, looking for the right one; the “right one” being the one where God could use us both.  God has placed Africa in my heart, and I have held it there since I was a child.  Africa.  Yet, we looked worldwide, not wanting to miss a chance for God to lead us.  Yet upon reading the description of Mercy Ships, Joe was certain this was where God wanted us.  I hesitated only because I wanted this so much that I was not sure if I was hearing God’s voice or my own. 

But God has blessed us with true friends, faithful to pray for us during this process.  Even when it seemed God had closed the door to Mercy Ships, we prayed, we hoped.  And, now, God has flung the door wide open.  Truly, prayers have been answered this week.

We begin training in Texas on June 7.  We have five weeks of classroom, followed by a two-week field practicum in Haiti.  Only after this do we join the ship, Africa Mercy, in the Canary Islands on August 2.  From there, we sail to Benin.  This is a small country in western Africa, between Nigeria and Togo.  We will use the sailing time to familiarize ourselves with the ship and its personnel. 


I want to thank all our family and friends who have supported us over the years.  Thank you for praying with us.  Thank you for encouraging us when we were discouraged.  Thank you for sharing our joy.