At that time, all we had received were our passports. And we knew there was a real Call to the Mission Field. We just didn't know where God would lead us.
At first, we thought the door to Ireland was opening. But then there was silence. So the Lord opened the door to Florence, Italy, instead. We went to Florence the summer of 2013.
In 2014, we bought our house. The budget has been tight--and a constant adjustment. We do not have the money we used to. It has been an adjustment.
This summer, God supernaturally provided a way for us to take the family to National Fine Arts in Orlando, Florida. Raylee had received Top Third in the state in Short Sermon, Jr., and got invited to Nationals. Through summer school, summer online class, and an interim--in addition to Stephen's work and contributions and contributions from his family--we were able to go. We also got to take the kids to Disneyworld and Universal Studios, a real dream-come-true for our family.
Next summer, the men of District 2 are planning a trip to Ireland to work on the construction of a new church there--as I understand it, they are converting an old store to a church in some city in Ireland. Stephen is getting to go to one of our "I's"!
About a week ago, I noticed that Global Missions had posted new opportunities for their missions trips for 2016. I looked at Ireland--my friend Raelynn is planning on going back to Cork, Ireland, this year. We have discussed going there together on a missions trip.
But then I thought, "Lord, you KNOW I want to go to Europe. Pretty much anywhere in Europe. But where do YOU want me to go? If I went somewhere OUTSIDE of my comfort zone, where would you send me? And I checked the Africa postings--nothing spoke to me. I checked Asia. And there it was.
Calcutta.
Oh my gosh, Calcutta, I thought.
Mother Teresa Calcutta. Missionaries of Mercy Calcutta.
Calcutta.
Could this be it? I wondered.
And then I remembered:
When I fasted for a year and a half about my life, years ago now, I had asked God to have His Will: Lord, please let me know if I am going to get married and have a family. If I'm not, if that isn't for me, then let me know and I will go on the Missions Field. I will go where you want me to go--I will go to India and help the Missionaries of Mercy.
And I started crying. Is it time for me to go, then? Will India be my next mission, my next journey?
I told my husband, Stephen, about it.
"India?" he said.
"Yes, Calcutta."
He thought for a moment, I could see him thinking.
"Remember, Calcutta is where..." I started.
"I know," he said. "I know why you want to go."
He knows Mother Teresa is one of my heroes and one of my greatest inspirations.
"Mother Teresa..."
"I know," he said.
"If I can raise the money--and it would have to be God--I will go."
Stephen agreed. He understands my heart and the importance of this place for me.
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Honestly, I'm still seeking God about it.
The actual trip is to Calcutta to work with the famous Buntain ministry--these people were friends with Mother Teresa! I would be helping them, but I hope to get time to see Mother's ministry as well, if God calls me there.
I have told a few people about what God is dealing with me about. I've received mixed reviews.
Stephen told me tonight, "You know my policy on it."
"What's your policy?" I asked.
"If God's calling you, you must go."
I agree with him. We've seen it too many times. If God has called me, he will make a way.
I told Raelynn last week that I wasn't going with her to Cork this year--that I felt God calling me elsewhere. Sunday, I told her where. She, of course, was excited for me and confirmed that God would make a way if I were to go.
I mentioned to my American Literature class about the Call to India. They mentioned how hot it is there, how the water is polluted, the sickness that is there, reminding me of the fact that I will be in HOT TEMPERATURES. And then I started thinking about how the heat gives me migraines. And then I started thinking, "I'm 44 years old. I struggle to maintain my energy levels. I am going through the change. What am I THINKING going to India?!?!? How can this be GOD?!?"
Today, I shared with Susan Hill about the India Calling. She was supportive.
When I went to church today, I talked to Sherry Stacy, our Children's Church pastor, about the Calling. I confessed that I was worried about the logistics and realities of it all.
She told me about a personal experience of hers a few years back. The people who helped her with VBS told her they couldn't help that year. She was thinking of calling VBS off because she couldn't do it on her own, she was "too old" to do it on her own. She wasn't equipped to do it all on her own. So before she called it off, she went to the altar to pray. "God, show me Your Will." And He did. He showed her PRECISELY what to do. Every detail. But she had physical issues with her gallbladder that year. After she went to the altar, God touched her body and she didn't have any trouble with her gallbladder for the three weeks of preparation and performance. She said, after VBS, it started hurting again. But during the Calling, it didn't hurt at all.
I told her, "I need to get before the Lord!"
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So, right now, I'm in the process of "getting before the Lord" and seeking His will.
I sent an email to Global Missions today, expressing a general (non-committal) interest in the trip to India.
I haven't heard back, but I'll definitley update when I do.
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I suppose the thing that blew my mind today was when I was talking to Susan. I told her that two years ago (it's actually been three), that God had called me to three countries that start with the letter I.
And then I realized: India was my Fourth I!
