Why Africa?

Almost three years ago I sat in church listening to our pastor talk about the pandemic that was sweeping through the continent of Africa. Nation by nation was being (and still is) destroyed by AIDS. People my age were dying by the minute. Mothers, fathers, children, most of whom were innocent, loosing everything. As a social science major, looking at a future in Family Counseling, I was deeply moved that there were literally millions of children who had no parents due to this deadly pandemic. Surely there was a way to help. But could I possibly be one who would be called upon to bring hope & healing to such a dire situation? As I continued to hear about what has been called the worst pandemic in the history of the world, I also continued to pray & seek God's direction in my life. I knew that a decision to go to Africa was not one to be made lightly. My faith told me to seek earnestly the path for my life. I considered all of my options: Graduate school, moving back to my hometown, getting a job & enjoying not being a student for a while; moving to Texas to seek another ministry opportunity....or AFRICA. The more I prayed, the more my heart was pulled to Africa. (I mean, look at the faces of these children!) I also received many "signs" or confirmations that I should go, which I plan to talk about here as well. It is my hope that this story will be yet another story of God's faithfulness--the faithfulness of a loving Father who continues to be faithful in spite of the worst that the world has to offer.