The Call
THE CALL!
While on a mission trip to the Global Samaritan Orphanage in Zambia, Africa this past August, Karen & I discovered we were both being challenged to re-focus our lives. Karen had always had a heart for children and Africa while I had experienced a lifetime as an engineer and an entrepreneur - always knowing there was something missing that I could never seem to identify. The experience of that trip opened the possibilities that were exactly what we both had been looking for.
From the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt drawn to that place. As we went about the work of the mission, each day I felt more and more "at home" . I began to see myself doing that work full time. And, the beauty of it was - for the first time that I could remember - I felt like I was "in my element". I have been looking for my passion since high school days. I have done everything I was "suppose" to do..finished college, started a career, climbed the corporate ladder, went into business for myself...etc...but I never really found my "passion". I now see that God was preparing me for "such a time as this". He waited until now to open my eyes to a new purpose that I could really become passionate about.
One nite while in Africa I told Karen about what I was feeling. Aprehensively, I told her that I could see myself being there all the time - thinking that would "blow her out of the water". She just smiled and said, she was thinking the very same thing but, was afraid to tell me fearing it might "blow me out of the water". We laughed, we cried, we prayed, then, we fell into a sweet sleep.
Later that week, we learned that the orphanage was looking for a couple that could live on the compound and serve as liaisons for the orphanage to assist teams traveling there on mission trips. They needed someone who could coordinate the mission activities, interact with the local villages and pastors, plan and develop projects for the teams, work with the orphanage to further the Global Samaritan vision, perform "all around" "fix-it" tasks, ....etc. Someone who could work with the children and assist the staff in teaching and loving them. With my engineering background and various basic mechanical skills and Karen's 15 plus years experiene in assisting with elementary education, we realized that what they needed was exactly what Karen and I felt was "right down our alley". Isn't it amazing how God knits these things together so perfectly??
When we returned home, we contacted Global Samaritans and expressed our interest. Within 4 months, they asked us if we would GO!
We said "Thank you, Father" ...and then, we said "YES"!
Our tour will begin in May and contnue until late August. Please join with us in daily prayer as we prepare ourselves spiritually, physically, mentally and financially to begin this work. We are so blessed to have this opportunity to apply our lives to God's plan in Africa.
Africa Missions Team
1 Comment
