As a child my
aunt and grandmother took me to church every Sunday. I accepted Christ at
the age of 6 in children’s church. Around the time I was 12 I really started to
dig into God’s word for myself. I saw God protect me through so many things
during my teenage years. My desire to serve and please him continued to grow as
my relationship with him deepened. When I was a senior in high school I met
many foreign exchange students including one from Spain, Maite, who lived with my
family and I. Several gave their lives to Christ and began attending church
with me. It was during that time that God began to give me a heart for the
nations. I had always loved working with children so I did not know exactly
what it would look like to combine the two. I headed off to college and got a
degree in Elementary Education during which time I was a part of two mission
trips to Korea. At the end of my second year of teaching I felt the Lord
calling me to campus ministry which included international student ministry.
During those five years I was able to serve in campus ministry, children’s
ministry and anything else that was needed at my small church. At the end of
that time I felt like it was time to go back to teaching. I taught second grade
at an extremely difficult public school for two years until God opened the door
for me to go full time on my churches mission team. I missed the kids but was
able to teach the 5th grade girls on Sunday’s.
Upon returning from Africa I
continued to seek the Lord about serving with Mercy Ships. Four days after returning I was certain God was telling my to go join Mercy Ships. I believe that God
is calling me to serve with Mercy Ships Academy because it is a place that the
gifts he has placed in me, experience I have had and deep passions can be used
to minister to children from around the world in the classroom.
I am so excited about the journey ahead!
Shea, I'm so thrilled that God has called you for this journey! I look forward to reading about your experiences and will continue to keep you in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Aubs! I appreciate all the prayers! Thanks again for all the donations for my estate sale too!
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