"Things to Do Before Becoming a Missionary"

Over the past few weeks, I have been packing up all my worldly possessions, sorting through things to give away, throw away, store at my parents’ house or take with me to Zambia. In the process, I came across a journal from my junior year of college. That year during Spring Break -- March 2002 -- I went with a group of Pre-Med, Nursing, and Biology students from Anderson University on a medical mission trip to rural Honduras. This was my very first experience in medical missions – my first taste of the calling the Lord had placed on my heart nearly 4 years earlier. As you can see, I learned some important lessons on that trip. And thankfully, God has prepared me far beyond this rudimentary to-do list, although I still haven’t learned much about auto mechanics J

Just three weeks left until my departure for Zambia. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness over the years to prepare me for what is to come!

“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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

This week I traveled to Boone, NC to have lunch with Dr. Jim & Martha Foulkes.  Jim and Martha both served at Mukinge Hospital where Jim was a surgeon for 38 years and Martha taught and practiced as a nurse for 25 years. It was so great to hear their stories of decades of ministry!  I read in Jim’s autobiography that it was once the responsibility of the mission doc to provide the meat for the hospital patients and staff, and he did this by taking down an elephant or a big hippo on a safari game hunt each year. Jim was able to answer some long-standing questions about exactly how one gets an elephant from the bush to the freezer.  I am SO thankful that because of poaching laws, this will NOT be part of my duties at Mukinge!  More than hearing their stories, I loved their infectious passion for Mukinge Hospital and the people of Zambia. I am grateful for these wonderful saints, and I am excited to be carrying on in their footsteps at Mukinge.  Their enthusiasm and zeal bring fresh life to the story of Caleb in Joshua 14: “So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” (Joshua 14:10-11)  Thank you Lord for the marvelous things you have done!

Dr. Jim & Martha Foulkes

In this season of thankfulness and celebrating time with family and friends, and especially for me as I am saying goodbye to so many dear friends, I am particularly grateful for those God has put in my life to walk with me and strengthen me on the journey.  There are so many people – so many of YOU – who have encouraged and inspired me, who have been my teachers, my cheerleaders, my coaches, counselors and colleagues, who have sharpened me as iron sharpens iron, and who have faithfully prayed for me through years of study and preparation. I am thankful to be surrounded by “such a great cloud of witnesses” – thankful for each person who has made my life so FULL, who has walked who has cheered me on to keep running this race with perseverance!

 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” 

Hebrews 12:1

The end of Chapter 1

Over the last several years, I have read a number of biographies and autobiographies of medical missionaries. In many of their stories, Chapter 1 is all about childhood, high school, college, medical school, and residency. Then comes Chapter 2: arrival on the mission field.

My life up to this point has been so good and so full. But apparently, it's still Chapter 1. 

The past few months have been busy - I took (and passed!) the American Board of Surgery oral board exam. I completed two weeks of orientation and training with SIM to prepare to be a full-time SIM missionary once I have finished my two-year commitment with Samaritan's Purse. I have been working part time at a community hospital in Lincolnton. I have continued to be very involved with my church - St. Giles Evangelical Presbyterian Church - here in Charlotte.  

Recently, I started the process of packing/selling/giving away all of my earthly possessions in preparation for the big move coming up soon. I have already begun saying goodbye to friends and colleagues, to places and routines, and to the familiar stuff of my life. My thoughts and my prayers have become increasingly focused on Zambia, on Mukinge Hospital, and on what the Lord has in store for me there. 

Chapter 1 is very quickly coming to an end. Stay tuned for Chapter 2...