So since I was a little girl, my Mom always called me her “international child”. Most of my friends were not from around these parts. I had a best friend in middle school named Eugene Lai. Boy was he smart. We would compete on any and EVERY test or assignment. He even taught me how to count in Chinese, which I can still do til this day (only up to 20 so don’t get too excited).
I have felt like such an “outsider” most of my life wondering why I didn’t fit in well with my culture. Don’t hear me hating on Americans…just hear me saying that most of my life I have been drawn to people who look nothing like me, talk nothing like me, think nothing like me and live nothing like me. For the past decade I have been asking God, “What can I do with my life from this point on? You KNOW I love foreign people, I don’t want to live in the states, I have a heart for justice and believe in fighting for that; I want to be totally immersed in another culture….what are you calling me to do God? PLEEEASSSSE TELL ME!” So I began crazy, mad research to find the answer. I even flew out to Denver, Colorado recently to check out the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies at DU. I was wanting to pursue an advanced degree in either International Studies, Global Studies, Anthropology, etc. I love God’s sense of humor though. It wasn’t until last year when I was visiting church with one of my FAVE missionary families (who are guest house managers for World Orphans in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti), that it hit me like a ton of bricks. My friend Ted Barlow introduced me to the guest pastor who was speaking that night at their church saying, “And this is Melissa. She’s being called into missions but she doesn’t know it yet”. Funny how other people spout out a one-liner and it changes your life forever.
After that night, I really began praying and seeking the Lord about living my life for Him on the mission field, in a foreign land, probably in a third world country. It was during this time that all my longings, even since a young child, started to make sense and take shape. It was crystal clear. God has been calling me into missions for a long time...I just wasn’t in tune with His voice enough to get a clue!
Fast forward to Feb 2nd-13th, 2012. I went on a medical mission trip to Hyderabad, India (and some surrounding villages). In our conversations of getting to know one another, one of the ladies on the trip mentioned The World Race. *Mental note taken* After praying about this endeavour, I know God is calling me to be part of this great story He has written…before time existed.
I don’t want to settle for ordinary things. I’m willing to take a major, MAJOR risk in my life and leave my professional career as a registered nurse to become a missionary. I‘m taking the chance of a lifetime and saying yes to Jesus. I’m hoping to change the course of generations. Would you partner with me in this? You will be helping to touch many lives…not just mine! (Go to the “support me!” link if God is calling you to support me!)
