As the time draws near to leave for Jamaica, I continue to marvel at the ways of the Lord. In May, Carmen was asked by Betty Hertzler, our church missions representative, to go to Jamaica this summer to teach Bible School with a Partners in Mission (PIM) team. Ivan and I were very excited with her and encouraged her to go. A week or so later, Betty called me and asked if I would consider going as well. She said that one suggestion of the mission board is that "mother/daughter" teams get involved in missions. Before we even finished our telephone conversation, I declined the offer, mainly because I did not think it was possible to get off of work for an additional two weeks in the summer. (We were already committed to being gone a week in June for a family vacation.) As far as I was concerned, although I would have appreciated the opportunity to go, I felt like the door was closed.

Approximately another week passed. On Wednesday, May 28, I woke up several hours earlier than usual with Jamaica on my mind and was unable to go back to sleep. Since I am a heavy sleeper and am grateful for the snooze alarm so that I am able to wake up gradually, this was very unusual. The question on my mind was "Lord, are you asking me to go Jamaica?" It was impressed upon me that I had just assumed that the "door was closed". I realized that I did not want to be like an unfaithful servant and not even do my part in exploring whether the possibility could become a reality. I was not even sure at that point if there was still a need for someone else to go, but I felt like I should find out.

As soon as Ivan was awake, I shared my thoughts with him and he encouraged me to explore the possibility. I also spoke to Carmen to find out how she felt about it. (I wanted her to have her own experience in Jamaica and did not want her to feel that I was going along to "mother her".) Carmen graciously encouraged me to find out whether or not the Lord was opening this door. The same morning, I sent an e-mail to the three persons at work whose workload would be affected by my absence. I shared much of the above, but explained that I did not desire to go unless it could be with the blessing of all of them. The same morning, they discussed the issue and unanimously encouraged me to go to Jamaica.

With all of this groundwork laid, I contacted Betty the same evening, and shared the story. She offered to contact Ken Horst, the PIM Director, to see if another person was still needed to complete the team. By the next afternoon, everything was approved...just in time for me to apply for a passport by that Friday, the recommended deadline! Amazing!

It is extremely encouraging to see how the Lord works...through the church and the emphasis placed on missions, through early morning "wake-up calls and inner nudgings", and through the encouragement of the people He has placed in my life at home, at church and at work. I am excited to be a part of this missions team. We will be teaching or assisting in two different locations (different weeks) with classes ranging from the very young to adult age. It is my desire to be used as the Lord sees fit. Carmen and I would appreciate your prayers as we follow His leading to Jamaica.