| Meanwhile, I came across a magazine called Childview, distributed by World Vision Canada (WVC). One article in this particular issue touched my heart. It was called “Leap of faith”. It told the story of a young graduate who, rather than spending her summer holidays with friends, joined a team of World Vision volunteers who set up and ran a summer camp in Bir Zeit, a small Palestinian community in the Middle East. At the end of the story, there was a toll-free number for anyone wanting some information about Operation Helping Hand. I phoned and requested it. When I received the packet, I noticed that I had four places to chose from. Jerusalem, Romania, Dominican Republic, and Lebanon. As I read, one sentence really caught my eye in the Lebanon pamphlet. “However, sign language, interpreters, and a loving approach often work wonders...” I was awestruck. Finally, I was going to see one of my dreams come true and go into Deaf missions! Wrong! As it turned out, I received a phone call from WVC saying that my timing was off and that I should try again for the summer of 1998. I wanted to ask God “WHY ?”, but I knew there was a reason, which, sooner or later, He’d reveal to me. September rolled around and I started my third year. One thing was different though. The first 2 years, I was very anxious about this whole mission thing and I could not wait to know whether I would be going or not. This time, there was a peace within me. I was not anxious about anything and waited on God. I also prayed differently about it. While at first, I prayed that God would send me into the mission field with Deaf children, I was now telling Him that I was willing to do what He wanted me to do, be what He wanted me to be, and go where He wanted me to go, even if it meant not working with Deaf children. I received my application and noticed that Lebanon was not there but they had replaced it with Zimbabwe. I was ecstatic at the thought of going to Africa. I told my husband, and then called a school friend who happens to be from Zimbabwe. I was not sure what city he was from, however and when I told him that one of the opening was in Harare, he laughed. I asked why he was laughing. With his beautiful African accent, he replied “It is my hometown!” WOW! How could this be? But then, something hit me. Was I going to Africa because of a life-long dream...or was I going there for a mission which God had prepared for me? I applied and asked WVC to chose for me the place where they felt I was needed the most, for I did not want to go to Africa for my own reason, but rather because God wanted me there. So if I ended up in Romania, I would know that this was where God wanted me. I was happy with that. Then things happened very quickly. On January 21, I had a visit from the area manager for the Maritime provinces. Mr. Prosser happened to be in town and he stopped by to answer any question I might have. We had a wonderful talk and when he left, my husband said he had a good feeling about it. Friday, January 23. 1998, I got a call from WVC’s main office, welcoming me on the Operation Helping Hand team. They had used last years references and the report from the area manager to make their decision. Before I had the time to ask, I was told that I was on the Zimbabwe team. YES, I was going to AFRICA! ‘Thank you, Lord’ was all I could think of at that moment. After much support from my family, friends, the church, and many fund-raisers, I had enough money to embark on a life changing experience. My assignment: Chinyaradzo Children’s Home, in Harare, Zimbabwe. The dates: July 6 to 31, 1998. As you embark on this journey with me, do not be surprised if part of you stays there too. You will understand why as you read on. |
| PAGE 4 |