Julie's Journey

As I reflect on how Christ has led me in life’s travels, my heart is so thankful that God has used you to encourage my walk with Him. The past few years have been full and exciting in both work and ministry. Through camp nursing, helping with the youth group at church, sharing the love of Christ with patients at the hospital, and addressing health concerns in Oaxaca Mexico last June, I see how Christ has been preparing my heart to care for the people of Sudan.

Last July, I began the application process with SIM (Serving in Mission) to help as a nurse at a mission clinic in the South of Sudan. SIM is an interdenominational mission organization that focuses on glorifying Christ by evangelizing the unreached, ministering to human need, discipling believers, and equipping churches to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). The godly testimony of SIM missionaries has influenced my decision to serve with SIM in Sudan.

I am thrilled about the opportunity to learn and serve in Doro, Sudan at the mission hospital. Staffing at the clinic has been limited and caregivers typically see fifty to one-hundred patients a day! Regionally, there are approximately 100,000 people with no access to medication within walking distance. What an amazing privilege to share Christ’s love and provide care in Doro!

I am planning to leave for Sudan in early May of this year and to stay through November. However, the date of my departure depends on being fully-funded for this trip. SIM estimates the total cost to be $12,288.00; this includes the expense of international passage and travel, supplies, immunizations, field-training, health insurance, etc. I must be 80% financially supported one month prior to my departure date. Please prayerfully consider partnering with me by making a contribution to His work in Sudan. Please see the tear-off form below; SIM will provide a tax-deductable receipt for your contributions. I treasure your prayers and thank you for your support! May God bless you as you advance the kingdom by your part in His work!

Above the Clouds

My stomach twisted with anxiety as the plane launched into the shrouded dawn and the lights of Houston shrank beneath me. I felt as helpless over my future as I was over the aircraft's trajectory. The past weeks had been crammed with working nights, mailings, traveling, scheduled interviews; I barely had time to think, or more importantly, to pray about Sudan. The time that I had spent hiking and in prayer was pressured by time constraints. Finally, now that I found myself en route to Charlotte for Sudan field-training at SIM headquarters, I realized that exhaustion had found me.

There is no time more powerfully spent than being quiet before the Lord. In the light of His perfect love, He beautifully confirms His sufficiency for my inadequacies. I prayed and surrendered my fears regarding support raising and nursing in Doro; "Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you," (1 Peter 5:7). Peace enveloped me as the plane slid through layers of clouds, gliding smoothly like a needle through cotton. Then I was suspended in a pristine dawn above an endless foamy sea. The morning was a rainbow; it boasted brilliant red on the horizon and spread its dazzling palate across the sky. Realizing that God had painted this living dawn for such a small audience, I was so comforted that He knows the view above the clouds as well as that of the darkness.

He knows what He has created me to do and will walk with me through the steps to Sudan. When I become focused on myself and my needs, I see only the darkness and rain; I feel the lack of control acutely. But living in full reliance on Christ's will for my life is the best place to be; the assurance of Christ's beautiful love gives me confidence of His provision in my life. And there is nothing that I want more than to be His light in a dark world!

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." Ephesians 5: 8, 10