One does not know what life may bring them. How does one go about finding what life may bring? I would like to say that is just a roll of dice but it is not that. One must surrender their life to Christ. This starts the process of following God’s will. He want us to get to know Him. It is hard process. There are times when we may almost give up and lose sight of the goal. God does not give up on us. Each time when we forsake our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to return to Him. This is comforting thought.
There were times in my life when I did not follow God the way I should have. I went to school for two years. Should I have not gone? Maybe not at that time. Those two years were years of loneliness. I continued to work my job that I had on the weekends. So, I travelled back and forth to London to attend church and work. But during the week times I got lonely. I am half way between an introvert and extrovert. After class was done many of classmates would go back to their apartments or homes. I would stay at the school and study or go back and start my homework. After a few hours, I would crave time with people. Let me tell you there are times I just want to get away from people. I would find things to do or continue on my homework with long breaks in between.
Fast forward to about ten months after I finished college. I headed down to PA for Faith Builders Reach Conference. It is a mission conference where different mission boards have a job fair for their missions. I only went under the recommendation of my sister Yolanda. I really did not want to go. I was still wanting to continue my education in nursing. I signed up at different missions. Many mission boards were looking for teachers. Well, I am not a teacher. I remember clearly signing up under Olive Branch Mennonite Mission. I told to Stewart and Lucille who were at the table. I remember saying that I could not teach school. Lucille said that Nicaragua Personal Worker would be about the best. I said yes. But I was not going back to Central America. I want to go to Africa.
While I was there, I was touched by the work I58. I thought I could commit three months to refuges. I could serve them chai tea and listen to their stories their. I looked at applying. I would get to certain page. I never got past that page. I do not recall what page but I never got past it.
I returned home. I thought the mission boards would get back to me within in two weeks after being there but they didn’t. Well let me tell I was shocked when the Olive Branch Mennonite Mission contacted me. I clearly remember that day. I was at the main intersection in Linwood. I felt my phone buzz/ring within pocket of my coat. I was driving so I thought “I will get it when I am done driving.” I went to the Elmira Tim Hortons and got a drink through the drive thru. I checked my phone there was voicemail and email from Jeff Brubaker. He was wondering if I would be interested in doing a term of service starting next the year. I was leaving the next day for the states with the youth group. Also, that evening I was hanging out with my group of friends. I kept this secret inside until I got home and told my family.
It was not until the next week that Jeff called me. I asked for time to think and pray about it. I would contact them at the end of the month. I got up early one morning and drove out to the lake to spend time with God and decide what I would say. I came back not having a clear answer. I few days later I got the answer that I needed. I would not go without the support of my family. My parents were not going to support me. I tried calling Jeff a few times but it never went through. I was returning my car rental when he called me back. I told my answer was no. He then told the position was not until next February. I still told him no. He then asked if I would be willingly to keep my name open for a possibility. I said yes.
The summer came and went. I looked at the newsletter for Olive Branch when we got it at church. Part of me was fighting the possibility of going to Grenada or Nicaragua. It was October when I got a call from Jeff again. He said there was position available summer for 2018. Would I be interested in going to Nicaragua? I told him let me think and pray about for two weeks. I knew as I thought and prayed that it was the right time. A week later I called him back and said that I would be interested. Now started the process of the application and waiting.
I filled the application in three weeks’ time. I sent it off to Jeff. Now started the waiting the game. I waited and waited. It was not until February that I got a called from Stewart Martin that my name came up in a meeting about interested in a personal worker in Nicaragua. He wondered if I could have an interview with him and another Canadian board member. The day was planned. I arrived at his home. I knocked on the door. Lucille answered it and asked how I was. I told her I was nervous. She told me there is no need to be nervous. They were just regular people. The interview processed.
During the time, I was waiting for the answer from the board. I joined our youth chorus. We were given this one song called Oceans.
Oceans
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine
Songwriters: Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthel
This song spoke to me. My life was somewhat on a stand still. I did not what the next few years would hold for me. I was letting my Heavenly Father lead. It was a peaceful. Yes, I was uneasy at times. Just talk to my dad. But I was ready for what may lay ahead.
I left feeling nervous and excited about the next few weeks. It would be another period of waiting. Waiting to see if I would be going to Nicaragua. I told the board the night before I would be working nights. On March 5, 2018, Stewart Martin call me and left a voicemail. He asked me to call him back. I sat on steps by our laundry line and called him back. I waited for the call shivering away in the cold. It was sunny outside but a little on the cool side of things. I don’t know why I did not wear a coat.
Stewart answered the phone call and asked how I was doing. He then asked if I wanted to go to Nicaragua. I said if that is where God wants me to be. He said I was approved to go Nicaragua. I started to feel scared and excited at the same time. He told me that Jason Shantz would be in contact with me.
Now I would have to tell my family. I was wanting to tell them that night at supper but not everyone was there. I waited till March 8. We were eating supper when I asked mom if I could have the Spanish cds. I popped a bite of food into my mouth. Mom or Dad said you’re going to Nicaragua. I nodded my head yes. I then told my brothers they could not tell anyone until they went back to school in September.
I waited till the end March before I made it public knowledge. I told my extended family first. . I called my grandparents. I think since I am the first grandchild to do missions on each side family. My grandparents realize the next generation are fulfilling their roles in what God has called. Each reaction was different. I think I surprised them. I then told my aunts and uncles. I got the best reaction from aunt Delores Leis. She kept saying wow. Some people were surprised. Others knew that I wanted to do missions.
There are times that I still fight that I am going to Nicaragua. Some of those times are finishing up at my job and going to Spanish school. Now that is another topic in itself.
But through it all I know God will be strength through the next two years. I have this verse on my card. Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
I ask for prayers as I serve God in Nicaragua.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
A Northern Girl Called South 