My journey to Namibia started about a year ago. I had woken up one morning to get ready for work, but for some strange reason I just could not get out of bed. It was as if I had absolutely no energy or will to move my body. I figured I’d just call in sick to work and take the day off to relax and rest in my bed, which I could not for the life of me get out of. After about 30 minutes of immobility, suddenly I had a burst of energy and rushed to get ready for work.
As I was walking three blocks from the bus stop to work, at the first intersection I ran into an old college friend who had recently returned from serving with the Peace Corps in Ukraine. I knew she was back, and we kept in touch some while she was gone, but we really didn’t talk that much. For example, I had absolutely no idea she had been working three buildings down from me, and if not for that “too perfect to be a coincidence” encounter, I might never have found out.
After greeting each other and talking for a few minutes, we both headed off to work, and as I walked I carried a huge smile on my face. I was smiling partly because I was so glad to have run into such an amazing woman and friend, but mostly because of the miraculous beauty of the universe and its “coincidences”. I know everything has a reason, and right then and there, I knew the reason for what I had experienced earlier that morning.
That incident reconnected us, and from there we started meeting on random mornings before work to grab coffee and talk. Now you may be wondering what any of this has to do with the Peace Corps… Well, it has EVERYTHING to do with it, because it was from these conversations and the conviction in which my friend spoke about Peace Corps that ignited something within me. It started off very small, so subtle that I really didn’t notice it at first, but it sparked a desire to make a change in my life, to make a change in the world, to do something meaningful and with real purpose, apart from working solely for monetary security and material gain.
At that period in my life, I was unsatisfied with working in the business world, I was seeking direction in my life, I was longing for change…but most importantly I yearned to share with and give to others some of the abundance of blessings that I have received throughout my whole entire life. It was as if my friend was speaking the answer to a question that I had been asking God for a while, “Where do you want me?” And it was through my friend, Kiley, and a convergence of MANY events and inspirations that I finally heard God’s voice whisper softly, “My child, go where I am in need…go to the poor and suffering of your world…help your brothers and sisters whom you love so dearly…it is time to manifest the overflowing love of your heart into healing action…Go my child…go with Love…go with Me…”
This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and the start of a new and wonderful journey…
As I was walking three blocks from the bus stop to work, at the first intersection I ran into an old college friend who had recently returned from serving with the Peace Corps in Ukraine. I knew she was back, and we kept in touch some while she was gone, but we really didn’t talk that much. For example, I had absolutely no idea she had been working three buildings down from me, and if not for that “too perfect to be a coincidence” encounter, I might never have found out.
After greeting each other and talking for a few minutes, we both headed off to work, and as I walked I carried a huge smile on my face. I was smiling partly because I was so glad to have run into such an amazing woman and friend, but mostly because of the miraculous beauty of the universe and its “coincidences”. I know everything has a reason, and right then and there, I knew the reason for what I had experienced earlier that morning.
That incident reconnected us, and from there we started meeting on random mornings before work to grab coffee and talk. Now you may be wondering what any of this has to do with the Peace Corps… Well, it has EVERYTHING to do with it, because it was from these conversations and the conviction in which my friend spoke about Peace Corps that ignited something within me. It started off very small, so subtle that I really didn’t notice it at first, but it sparked a desire to make a change in my life, to make a change in the world, to do something meaningful and with real purpose, apart from working solely for monetary security and material gain.
At that period in my life, I was unsatisfied with working in the business world, I was seeking direction in my life, I was longing for change…but most importantly I yearned to share with and give to others some of the abundance of blessings that I have received throughout my whole entire life. It was as if my friend was speaking the answer to a question that I had been asking God for a while, “Where do you want me?” And it was through my friend, Kiley, and a convergence of MANY events and inspirations that I finally heard God’s voice whisper softly, “My child, go where I am in need…go to the poor and suffering of your world…help your brothers and sisters whom you love so dearly…it is time to manifest the overflowing love of your heart into healing action…Go my child…go with Love…go with Me…”
This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and the start of a new and wonderful journey…
Hey Justin,
ReplyDeleteMy mom actually sent me a link to your blog that she read from a friend of hers who is a nurse at Baylor Grapevine. This is so awesome that God is using you in this way! Keep up the good work!
Natalie 'Heaton' Brouse