Q: When did you first know you were called to work overseas?

When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to go overseas on a short-term trip with my youth group.  While I was there, God opened my eyes to see how lost the people in that area were, and He began to grow in me a passion for reaching that people group.

Q: What life experiences did you have that helped you prepare to go overseas?

I’ve always had a love for languages and learning about other cultures.  All my life I’ve been drawn to people from other countries and have always tried to learn words from their cultures.  My education in teaching English helped prepare me in practical ways for teaching here.  In addition to that, while I was in university, I had an opportunity to do a teaching internship in a similar country to the one I’m now living in, and God used that to confirm that He was leading me to this area of the world.  My experiences there also helped make the transition to living here easier.

Q: How would you describe your first year working overseas?

There were lots of ups and downs.  I expected there to be more culture shock, but my earlier experiences overseas eased a lot of that.  That said, there were definitely times of frustration and confusion when things did not happen the way I expected them to.  I’ve been blessed to have a really close-knit group of fellow workers the whole time I’ve been overseas, and that also really helped in making my first year a positive experience.

Q: What are some of the ways you have been affirmed in following father’s leading?

Seeing the doors He has opened has been a big affirmation.  After working for a couple of years, I felt I needed to spend time studying the local language, and he made a way for me to return to the same country and study here without working full-time.  He has also given me many opportunities to share my faith with local friends, and I even have one friend who I am able to read the Word with regularly.

Q: What is something that would surprise others about work or the people you are called to serve?

I think many people would be surprised at how open the locals here are to talking about faith.  Many people assume that because it’s a strict country, those conversations would be difficult, but the reality is that because their faith dictates so much of their lives, there are many opportunities to share.

Q: What advice would you give to those considering working overseas?

Don’t doubt God’s ability to equip you!  I had no interest in ever leaving Manitoba before I went on my first trip in high school, but God, in his great mercy, changed my heart completely so that when it was time to move overseas, I could hardly wait to go, and now it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else.

Q: How can people support you?

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