Ten Years ago, I stepped on a plane to serve as a summer missionary in Nepal. I had heard I would be spending the summer doing medical work, and I was very excited about that prospect. Sure I had no medical training, but I had watched lots of episodes of ER on tv, so that counted, right?
My dream had always been to serve God overseas. This was one step in that dream. However, I quickly found, as we generally do, God’s dreams for me were different than I had planned.
That summer, our team’s job assignment was to make maxi pads for the maternity ward. Yes, you read that right, making maxi’s for the glory of the Lord.
It seemed so mundane. It was very unlike I had planned. It was not a great missionary glory story.
Sometimes the steps to our God-sized dreams seem so mundane. They are very unlike what we have planned. They are not the glory story we had planned– but God is doing kingdom work behind the scenes. (<====Click to Tweet)
Maxipad making led to a desire and a calling to go back and serve God in Nepal full time. This led to leaving everything I knew and loved in America to go live in Kathmandu Nepal for two years.
In those years, I learned the language, learned the people, and the culture. In those years, I fell in love with the people, the culture, and the God who had called me so far out of my comfort zone.
God-sized dreams evolve and change, even if we feel more comfortable when they stay the same! (<====Click to Tweet)
I thought I would stay in Nepal forever, but God began to work on my heart, calling me to return back to America, get my Masters in Christian counseling, with an emphasis on trauma, and start a ministry called Coming Alive Ministries
That’s where the title “For Such a Time as This” comes in.
In the Book of Esther, Esther is called to do something scary. She has the chance to go before the king and ask for his help in saving her people. It would take bravery. Our kingdom work takes bravery.
It would take using her months of training to be a princess. Often God uses practical training for our dreams.
It would take being in the right place at the right time.
Esther 4:14 And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
In the month of May I got to experience what I call my Esther moment when I returned to Nepal.
This time, I was there to help after two large earthquakes had devastated an already desperately poor third world country.
God put together all kinds of pieces for this dream He had dreamed for me.
I already spoke the language fluently.
I had a degree in trauma counseling.
And I had a love for these people.
For such a time as this. I will never forget the first village we went to. There was nothing that remained standing. There was a pancaked church with 8 bodies still inside. And there was a group of those that had survived, bandaged and bruised as they were, huddled under a small piece of tin. And they were looking for hope.
I opened my mouth and was able to speak in their language. Simply be with them. To walk them through this unspeakable trauma.
Village after village this happened. They came for hope.
It was a God sized dream that I would never have dreamed.
God is putting together the puzzle pieces of your life for His kingdom work, for such a time as this. (<====Click to Tweet)
How have you seen Him call you for such a time as this?
Shared by : Jennifer Hand
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So so good. I’m still trying to figure out what is happening with my own dream(s). I am identifying this mesh of talent, desire, and training that doesn’t fit nicely into a pre-fab square-peg. I don’t know if that means I’m being called to something outside of a box, something that is unique yet useful, I’m not sure. And it’s a liiiiiitle scary – I’m so excited about what it could be, but have no idea what it could be! My personality and bend are not good at taking the step in front of me when I can’t see the rest of the staircase. Thankfully, the Lord knows me well and is comforting me with truths of Who He is so I remember I’m held in His hands at all times. Thanks for this! I enjoyed it – it was encouraging!
Praying for you my fellow dreamer. It’s so hard to fit dreams into already created boxes, so maybe God is calling you to make your own box. I will be praying for you as you take the next steps.. I love that God does comfort us with the truth of Who He is. Many blessings dreamer..
so good! Thank you for sharing, it was a timely word.
Cherise.. thank you so much for stopping by. Exciting to think what God has for our “such a time as this “.. praying for yours fellow dreamer sister..
I love your story, Jennifer! It is so awesome, when we can put together all the pieces that God planned. He knew how the pieces would all fit together, so you could help people when they needed it. God bless you for following God’s direction, and serving in Nepal for Him.
Janet– It truly is amazing to see how God puts together all the pieces that He has planned. Thanks for stopping by and for sharing 🙂 blessings fellow dreamer
beautiful post! One of your best, and wonderful to see God’s plan for you unfold!
thank you so much bestie.. your friendship is one of the BEST parts of Gods plan for my life.. love you girl
Ditto!
Jenn- Maxi pad making for His glory, I love it! And how awesome that He brought you back, for such a time as this, to minister again. I think both instances were probably just as important in God’s eyes- when you follow His lead and serve the King it matters for eternity. Love to you!