When I was a little girl, I used to tell everyone, “I’m going to be a missionary when I grow up!” It wasn’t until years later that I learned I didn’t need to make that dream come true. In my thinking, the right connections were important to seeing my dream become a reality, so I attended my church’s Bible college. That connection led to a six-week internship at a sister church in Mexico.
My dream was taking shape, and I was finally on the mission field. It was during that six-week internship in Mexico when God planted a seed in my heart that would blossom years later. We did a lot of street evangelism and hospital ministry there. During one of the hospital visits, I saw a lady sitting in the waiting area. I immediately knew I was supposed to ask her if I could pray for her. As I walked up to her, she put her arms out and said, “Don’t touch me; I’m dirty.” I stretched out my arms and said “I’ll make you clean” and hugged her.
It was strange to me that I said that, but as I held her and she began to cry, I knew God was doing something. I prayed with her, and then she told me why she was crying. The night before, she’d had a dream. A man dressed in white came to her, and she told Him not to touch her because she was dirty. But He stretched out His hands and said, “I’ll make you clean.” I told her that the man she saw was Jesus and that He had sent me to tell her about His love for her. She received Jesus that day!
I was awed as I realized what God had just done through me. God did all the work—through me.
After a second six-week internship, I moved to Mexico as a full-time missionary, working with the church’s youth pastor and the praise and worship team and teaching English. Even though my days were packed from start to finish, I managed to take Charis Bible College courses online. I downloaded the audio files and listened to them as I walked or rode the bus between my home and the places where I ministered. The teaching I got at Charis opened my eyes to see that I was relying on my own works and ability to do God’s will. I learned that Jesus can make connections for me that I’d never be able to make. I was freed from pleasing people and relying on religious politics for advancement. I found freedom when I began to rest in Him and let Him do the work.
My journey has led me to Charis World Outreach, where I work with missionaries around the world, helping to spread the same message of God’s unconditional love that changed my own heart. That little-girl dream was much bigger than I ever imagined. It was a God-sized dream that only He could bring to pass.
Do you want to reach the nations of the world with the Gospel or support those going out onto the mission field? Help fund global missions, at www.awmi.net/donation. You can also learn more about the Missions Track at Charis Bible College here!
