In August 2008, I went on my first mission trip to San Telmo and Tijuana Mexico and it changed my life forever. At that trip, I accepted Christ in my life and had the desire to pursue a career in the medical field after serving as a dental assistant during that trip. A desire was planted in my heart to help people spiritually and medically from a young age. Throughout high school, I went on two more mission trips to Mexico serving as a dental assistant and a VBS teacher. I also took advanced science and Spanish classes to prepare me for medical missions. After much exploring and praying, God revealed His calling of nursing to me. I am now a nursing major and Hispanic Studies minor at Illinois Wesleyan University. I am so thankful that God showed me early His plan for me career wise. I love nursing and caring for others in a holistic manner. Although medical missions was always on my heart since 2008, I was unsure of how much of my life I wanted to commit to missions. I always envisioned myself working as an nurse in the states and serve occasionally on short term mission trips. God answered that question when I went to The Gambia in June 2014 for my first medical mission trip. This was my first medical mission trip for me using nursing skill and not assisting the dentist. It was such a life-changing and enriching trip for me. I fell in love with the Brikama community I stayed with during the trip. It was such a blessing experience to help at the clinic with my mission team and the Gambian brothers and sisters who translated. After much prayer, God revealed to me that I will be pursuing medical missions long term. The verses I received while I was praying about medical mission was Matthew 19:16-30. I had the strong conviction to surrender everything to God and follow Him. Even after the trip, I've been praying about medical missions and my heart is still the same. Despite much oppositions, I've decided to obey His calling and prepare for long term medical missions. Right now, I am in the process of finishing nursing school as well as finding a sending agency. I have two main prayer requests as of now. 1. For God to reveal where He wants me to serve. Right now, my heart is in The Gambia. But I'd like confirmation from God that this is a nation God wants to send me to rather than my own selfish desire. 2. For my parent's heart and support. They love me and the Lord, but they are quite fearful that I want to pursue long term medical mission. Please pray that God will reveal my calling to them as well and they can support me. This preparation time has been very difficult for me because I want to be on the mission field right now, but I know that God's timing is perfect and that He will bring me to the right place at the right time. Thank you so much for your time in reading my story! God bless!
