Big Announcement, Big Lessons

I find myself having writer's block. I have such exciting news to share with all of you, and yet no way to eloquently tell my news and share my story. So here goes...sorry for the disjointed writing.

I just got accepted on a medical missions trip to Haiti this fall! I will be going as a seating system specialist, and the team will be fitting people with donated wheelchairs who would otherwise be home-bound or have to be carried everywhere, as well as sharing the gospel. It's a different twist on missions work, but seems to fit very well with my gifts.

For a year, I've experienced a deep knowledge that I was called to use my professional skills for medical missions. It is truly an indescribable, unequivocal feeling, something that comes from deep within you. The calling made no rational sense, and I couldn't (and still can't) explain it with any sort of logic. Furthermore, I knew without a doubt I was called to go to Haiti...a place unstable and some say without much hope.

When I first felt the call, I was really confused...was I trying to show off my mad-awesome physical therapy skills, trying to steal the glory from God? Do other people feel/hear/know the call like my own experience? How do you really know this is what you're supposed to do?

What I've learned over the past year from prayer, reading Scripture and a variety of Christian writers, and wisdom from other believers is this: You don't know. You must learn to step out in faith and trust God. However, you do know that lack of immediate obedience is disobedience.

Over the past year, waiting and praying for this opportunity, I've learned so much:

I've learned to act, not just think, in faith.
I've learned to pray and ask others to pray for me.
I've learned to trust God's perfect timing and his plan for me.
I've learned to see missions opportunities in my daily life and act on them.

And most of all:

I've learned that I am truly a humble servant of God.

When I found out I actually was going to Haiti this fall, I felt humbled more than the excitement, fear, and surprise at the reality of the situation. God really does want to use me, in my brokenness, frequent crankiness, and episodes of general yucky behavior for the glory and renewal of his kingdom. He sees past all of my junk, to who I am and am supposed to be in him.

Just coming to this place in this adventure has been such a ride with so many awesome lessons along the way, with so much more to come in the months leading up to my trip at the end of September. Moving forward, I would covet your prayers as I prepare for this trip, spiritually, financially, and physically.


I will post more details on the trip and specific needs in the near future here on my blog. Details are currently still being finalized, but for now you can check out Wheels For the World. Thanks in advance for your support. :)