Why I Am Going

I was reared in an aura of missions teaching and continually confronted with the need to commit one’s life for missionary service, and stood with my youth group on numerous occasions, signifying my willingness to go should the Lord so lead. However, it seemed as though the Lord indicated that my life would be better spent here in a sending role. In the ensuing years and in many ways, I closed my heart even to short term endeavors, despite the remnant of a faint desire for such an engagement. Then during Missions Conference 2007, the Lord began to move once again. On the closing night of the conference, Pastor Wilburn asked, “Is this the year?” My heart began to resonate with an unequivocal YES! I began to believe that this was the year for such a pursuit and to move in the direction I sensed the Lord was leading.

After prayer and consultation with my pastor and various missionaries, it seemed as though my gifts, abilities, and interests aligned themselves most closely with the needs of the ABWE work at Santiago Christian Academy in Chile, South America. Therefore, I will be going there to assist with their work from June 3-July2, 2008. At this point, plans are for me to be involved with their library, working with cataloging as well as with the students who are using the library for varying purposes. I hope to attend and experience a Spanish-speaking church and to minister to nationals as the need arises and the Lord allows. I would like to leave you with several prayer requests.
• Health and safety in travel; traveling alone is somewhat daunting
• My ministry with those at Santiago Christian Academy and in Chile, more specifically that I would
– Share the love of Christ effectively as I step out of my comfort zone
– Connect in spiritual and eternal relationships with missionaries, those at SCA and with national believers
– Serve those the Lord places in my way in His enablement as He affords the opportunity
• That my own walk with the Lord would be deepened
• That my eyes would be further opened to the vast needs of men, women, and children without Christ, regardless of their culture
• Above all that the Lord would be glorified in my life and through my ministry during this endeavor