As long as I can remember, my grandmother has prayed for and encouraged me to serve the Lord with all my heart. Her vision that my life would be lived as an evangelist has given me real inspiration. All my life I have seen her pray for missionaries around the world. I now am on that missionary “list”. She has continued steadfast in her prayers for me no matter where the Lord has led me.
I was born in upstate New York. I was 9 when my family moved to Arkansas. I came to know the Lord at this tender age. During this time, a very mission minded family reached out to me and took me to church. Although the idea of giving my life to Christ seemed a little bit confusing, I made the commitment. I have not turned back. As I grew in my understanding of what God’s plan and purpose was for my life, my love for Him grew deeper. Following high school, I attended a Christian college. I placed my college ventures on hold, however, as the Lord seemed to have another plan for me at that time, missions!
I have been on short-term missions to Alaska and Poland. While in Alaska, the missions group did VBS, back yard Bible clubs and youth camp. Upon returning from that trip, I started teaching Sunday school and continued teaching VBS. I also taught Children’s choir just to be of any assistance I could. During the mission trip to Poland, I discovered my calling to prayer and my compassion for special needs children. Even though I felt God used me in a tremendous way on the mission field, obviously, my work in this area was not over. He would give me perhaps an even greater challenge, being a witness among my peer group!
My much loved interest in cooking has brought me to San Francisco, where I live on Treasure Island as a culinary student. Many students in the job corps struggle with addictions and other offensive behaviors. My work as a bold witness for the Lord is cut out for me on a regular basis. I will soon complete the required course work and be challenged again to find God’s career path for me. Spiritually, I have been richly fed at an amazing church called Cornerstone. At this church, we are urged to serve in the area of our giftedness or calling. The Urban Ministry at Cornerstone has allowed me to be used in the area of my strength – evangelism. As we reach out to the homeless community and minister to fatherless children, I feel fulfilled.
My passion for helping special needs children and their families has led me to a family that attends Cornerstone. I feel especially blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of their lives. The aide I have given to this single mother and her four children has been quite enriching. The autistic eight-year-old boy that I spend much of my time with is amazing. Just seeing his smiling face gives me a lift. The World race mission’s trip will take me to another evangelical level but, I believe the great commission is being fulfilled as I allow God to use my gifts to further His kingdom right here in San Francisco.
I feel like going on the World Race will be living out God’s call for me to “…..Go into
all the world……” My Grandmother’s prayer that God uses me to further His kingdom has been heard and will be accomplished as I go and continue in the work of the Lord.
