Just a few terms that come to mind as I’m about to embark on this new
adventure. Most of you know by now that Dentistry and Missions are two passions
that I have sought to combine for quite a while now. While I don’t want to talk
about the past I feel like I should mention what God has done and continues to
do. I feel like this quote says it
better than I can: “The enemy’s tactics
haven’t changed since the garden of Eden. He’s still trying to
neutralize us spiritually by getting us to focus on what we’ve done wrong in
the past. Satan uses guilt to turn us into reactionaries. Jesus came to
recondition our spiritual reflexes and turn us into revolutionaries for His
cause. As long as we’re focused on what we’ve done wrong in the
past, we won’t have the energy left to dream the kind of dreams God has in mind
for us. I think there are moments in our lives when we fail so badly we feel
absolutely unworthy to receive the grace of God. Those are the moments that
either make us or break us spiritually. Either we look ourselves into the cage
of guilt, or we experience new dimensions of God’s grace that changes our
lives.”—Mark Batterson
For over a year now I’ve been battling
with these emotions of hurt feelings, guilt, failure, fear and disappointment.
Then I realize that it’s the enemy’s way of winning of over me, keeping me from
looking forward. I’d been saying I was
looking forward but wasn’t really living it. For over a year now I’ve been
getting emails from a Mission called MERCY SHIPS. Emails that were like little
messages from God asking me to trust, have faith, look forward. I finally
filled out the paper work and then just sat on it for couple months. I didn’t
send in it, just held onto it. What was I waiting for you might ask? I HAVE NO
IDEA…ha! I know I was scared of moving forward;
allowing God to work, show grace. To be honest, I still am struggling with
this, BUT the great thing is, I know WHO it is that trying to keep me from
moving forward and he will not win this time. I refuse to let the enemy have
the power anymore. My verse that I have to say over and over again, The LORD upholds all those
who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14.
I sent in my application to Mercy ships
on Friday Oct. 10th. I heard back in an email about possible dates
to serve and when/where on Monday Oct. 13. On Monday Oct. 20th I got
the ok from my Boss to take off 3 weeks. Side note, my office is really busy
and its’ “all hands on deck”, pun intended. Me being gone for 3 weeks is like
out of the question BUT it’s happening because it’s during that time that 3 of
the 5 dentists are taking vacation. YEA! GOD is AWESOME! But wait, there’s
more…..
On Wednesday Oct 22nd I was
officially approved to GO and SERVE with Mercy Ships. A little over a week from the time I sent in
the papers, God moved and set this into motion! Yes, it’s taken me another week
to get my head around the fact that its happening and put it into words and try
and share with you guys. But there it is! What is Mercy Ships?www.mercyships.org
What do I need from you?
PRAYERS, LOTS OF THEM, for all the reason listed above and a couple more I’m
about to share. I would like for you to consider helping with my expenses:
Plane ticket to Africa:
$2,000
Mercy ships/Other: $1,500
I hope you all know how much
I appreciate your support, thoughts and prayers as I continue to follow His
plan for me.
If you would like to help
support me please contact me.
Cell: 336-953-5573
