I am a registered nurse serving in Papua New Guinea to assist in the tribal church planting efforts of New Tribes Missions-PNG. In this diverse country, known as “the Land of the Unexpected”, many people are working hard to engage formerly un-reached people groups with the life-saving good news of Jesus Christ. My part is to help keep them and their families healthy enough to see these works accomplished.
As a registered nurse, I have found opportunities to serve in a wide variety of settings from hospitals to home care, from a hospital ship to temporary clinics, within the U.S. and abroad. More than an interest in medicine, nursing is a means to open doors for someone to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am delighted to have the opportunity for full-time service within the “home of my heart” in Papua New Guinea.
My Testimony:
I grew up as a missionary kid at a Christian youth camp in north-western Pennsylvania. My parents made sure that I and my 5 siblings learned about God and His word. They also made sure that we understood that a relationship with God was something that each of us had to choose for ourselves.
I have a vague memory of standing in front of a church that my dad had spoken at when I was about 4-5yr old, having just heard a message on hell, and, being scared of hell, praying to ask God to save me. No one in my family remembers any such church as I described and though my dad does not shy away from including hell he has never spoken a message on it. But if you were to ask me what my salvation story is, this is what I would have told you.
However, when I was 15 yr old, my dad was teaching our church’s youth group about evidence of salvation. He asked each of us in the youth group to write out our salvation story and to write down one reason why we knew we were saved. I wrote down the story above as I remembered it but despite a lot of thought, I realized that I really couldn’t state one reason how I knew I was saved. I couldn’t come up with anything.
When I talked to my mom about it that night she said, “Well, what are you waiting for? You know what to do.” So right then I prayed and told Jesus that I could do nothing to erase my sin debt, that I know that He died to take my place, and that I accepted his gift of forgiveness, grace, and life. From that day forward, I know that my God is leading me, teaching me, loving me, and using me.
I have been interested in overseas mission for as long as I can remember but it wasn’t until a missions conference during my first year of college that it became a real burden and purpose for me. Since then, God has taken me on many adventures to see Him work.
As for nursing, I have been “doctoring” anything I could get my hands on my whole life (usually the variety of critters that my cat dragged in or the farm animals around us). Using this as a tool, I’ve enjoyed the adventures that God has had me on and the many things He’s taught me by it. And I can’t wait to see where He takes this adventure next!