In college I applied to nursing school and if you know me now I’m a teacher, so something obviously changed along the way. The year I applied they had more than 3 times the applicants than spots. I waited anxiously for my acceptance letter,
sifting through the mail daily and when it arrived in a thin white envelope my hopes were dashed. I was disappointed at this closed door but little did I know that God had quite the adventure planned for me. While I was dreaming of nursing school God was planning Africa!
I had never heard of Mercy Ships, a hospital ship that not only meets the medical needs of those without access but also provides an opportunity for those seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus to live out their faith. I applied and was accepted, along with another college friend. We had to raise money by asking friends and family, which was completely out of my comfort zone. Then came the immunizations and packing for almost 6 months of living overseas. Another I had never . . . I had never been overseas or away from home for that long. I taped pictures of my family on the inside cover of my bible and 6 months later I was on a plane to The Gambia.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Although my plans did not work out, the plans that God had for me were beyond anything I could’ve imagined. The first 3 months were spent digging into the Bible while living on a ship in The Gambia. We also had opportunities to go out into the community and connect with people. The last 2 months the students in my group moved into a couple of houses to do outreach. I volunteered at a local hospital in the women’s ward.
I have learned that when a door closes it’s time for me to be on the lookout for another God adventure.