It all started last summer. Well, actually, the summer before. Well, when I really think about it, it started over 20 years ago, when I first heard of Mercy Ships. I was immediately enthralled with their work: providing medical care to the poor and forgotten in Africa. I thought to myself, "If I ever become a nurse, THAT is what I want to do!" Since then, I've kept tabs on their ministry, always hoping, someday...
Fast forward 20+ years. In the summer of 2010, while recovering both from a fractured ankle and a broken heart after spending 3 months in post-earthquake Haiti, I read a book titled The Hole in Our Gospel. It reached into the depths of my aching heart and gave it a purpose. To go. To do. Something, anything to help this hurting world. To go, but how/when/where? That's when it dawned on me; it was time to apply to Mercy Ships, and see if God would open the door.
I was accepted, but was unable to serve in the time slot they wanted me due to my still-recovering ankle.
Then, in summer 2011, I began dreaming again about Mercy Ships. But I wanted to make sure that it was what God wanted me to do. So I decided that I would not contact them, and that I would leave it in God's hands. THREE DAYS later, I received an email from Mercy Ships, asking if I could serve sometime in the first half of 2012. Where? Togo, Africa. Ohhh, I just love how our God works. He not only let me know that He indeed wanted me to go, but also, to go to Togo. God has a great sense of humor.
Nancy: Lord, I want to go!
God: OK.
Nancy: Where, Lord?
God: Togo.
Nancy: Yes, that's what I said, I want TO GO.
God: Yes, that's what I said, TOGO.
Nancy: Huh? Sometimes I don't understand You, Lord.
God: You will soon. The email's coming.
And so, on March 11, I gotta go...to Togo :)
