Let me tell you a story..

All about how, I began a journey.

For many years I have searched, hoped, and prayed that life would take a new direction. I had been feeling the tug of taking a big step, making a life change for sometime and now the time has come. I have been accepted to join Mercy Ships on their boat in West Africa as a Human Resources Facilitator for the next 2 years. It is truly a dream come true.

For those that have been around and known I did not take this lightly. I have been working on it seriously and it's been my prayer request for a full 2 years. There just comes a time where you either keep praying or actually listen to God and take the leap of faith. I guess when they contact you only hours after you send the application, it's a pretty clear indication the big guy upstairs needs you to leap for it. How could I not go for it. Mercy Ships does so many wonderful things that I feel so strongly about and can stand behind 100%. Let me just share a few of their fun facts ( heads up, I am a fact nerd).

• Performed services for 2.35 million direct beneficiaries, valued at more than $1 billion.
• Performed more than 61,000 operations such as cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, straightening of crossed eyes, orthopedic, facial reconstruction, and obstetric fistula repair.
• Treated over 539,000 patients in village clinics
• Educated 5,770 local health care teachers, who have in turn trained multiple thousands in primary health care.
• Trained over 29,400 local medical professionals in modern health care techniques.
• Completed over 1,100 community development projects focusing on water, sanitation, education, infrastructure development, and agriculture.
• Completed over 575 port visits in 54 developing nations and 18 developed nations.

Seriously, so amazing! I believe this opportunity I have is going to be an incredible blessing and a life changing time that I will cherish all of my days. I can not wait to be there, in AFRICA!!

Until than I am really going to need patience and to trust that it will all work out. I have sold all my things and I have quit my job in the insurance world (cubicleville) to go volunteer in Africa. That's a big step I would say. These next weeks are going to be full of fundraising, visits with family and friends, and preparation both physically and spiritually.

Oh man, it's about to get crazy, but I like it.

PRAY FOR ME! PRAY FOR THEM! PRAY FOR EVERYBODY!