Several months ago I applied for an internship with an organization called Experience Mission. I graduate college in May and knew if I didn't leave now, I never would. My heart has always longed to do missions. I didn't even have a place in mind, I just knew I wanted to go. I would read in Isaiah chapter 6 where the Lord asks "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" and Isaiah answers "Here I am! Send me." Over the years I found that being the cry of my heart as well-send me!
When applying for this internship there were several places I could be sent. I had no control over my placement (and trust me-I like control.) The organization sends teams to places like: Denver, Atlanta, LA, NYC, Chicago, Navajo reservations, and several international locations such as Haiti, Mexico, and Jamaica. I didn't have a preference. I pictured myself loving on people in all of those locations. However, in talking about this Summer with friends I jokingly said there were two places I didn't want to go: Joplin Mo (for obvious reasons), and Appalachia. I once watched a documentary over a family that lived in Appalachia West Virginia. It was terrifying. Shoot-outs, robberies, gas-huffing, drug dealing, pill popping, murders and tap dancing are the images that flood my mind when thinking about that area. So it is no wonder my top choice for mission work wouldn't be in the Appalachian mountains.
After I would make the joke about being placed in Appalachia almost every person said something along the lines of "You know that is where you are going to be sent now, right?" And I would laugh and say "yes, probably so." The Lord has a funny way of working in my life.
On Tuesday I received my placement. Part of the email stated the following: "This Summer you will primarily be serving in Gary, West Virginia. We really feel like you will be a great fit there and are extremely excited to see the ways God will use you!" Gary West Virginia, in the appalachian mountains. The Lord has a funny way of working in my life.
Over the past couple days I have been doing my research, looking up pictures and statistics of the area. Gary is in McDowell county, which is the southernmost county in West Virginia. The county also happens to be one of the poorest in the United States. Once a booming coal mining town, now a place in need of hope. Half of the children in the area are part of families who live below the poverty level. The median income level for the area is just over $16,000. Only half the residents have a high school diploma.
As I learn more about this community, the more my heart begins to ache for them. I am excited at the opportunity to walk beside people and hear their stories of living in such an impoverished community and the hardships it entails. I want to love on the children whose families can't provide for them because of the depleting coal mining industry. I want to help the widow with basic home repairs while sharing the love and eternal joy found only in Christ. The Lord has a funny way of working in my life.
I want to thank all of you who have prayed for me, and with me along this journey. However, it is just beginning and I ask that you continue to pray for me, for my teammates, and for the people of Mcdowell county. Your support and prayers do not go unanswered or unnoticed. I will be leaving in less than a month for training in Michigan and shortly thereafter for a Summer in the Appalachian Mountains. Yeah, the Lord definitely has a funny way of working in my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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