I am so grateful that for over 30 years I have been able to call West Africa my home. Loving and working with kids, particularly adolescents, has been my passion since my university years. At 60 years old, it is relationships that I find most impactful and meaningful. I love kids! There have been different ways that God has enabled me to be involved with kids and their families.
After the privilege of growing up in a ministry family, I graduated with a degree in nursing from Biola University. Stateside work included home church youth ministry, camping, and school nursing. All were foundational building blocks in which I used my training as a nurse and nurturer. Six weeks after arriving in West Africa for a 2-year term, I realized that I wanted to put my roots down long-term in Africa. I worked for 12 years in a medical clinic connected to a residential international school. I loved it!
Twenty years ago, I moved to a neighboring country after a civil war closed the school where I worked. Although the French language was used in my new adopted country and community, I worked on learning the local language. Not an easy task!
I continued to interact with young people and adults in the rural community. I lived in a mud hut half of each week. It was really challenging to train village health workers. Living in a town with a large university numbering over 15,000 students plus numerous professional schools means there are many students in the area. After a few years of village community health work, I decided to focus my energies on health education with students in town. For several years I have had a hostel in my home for university gals. I enjoy having 3-5 women share my home with me. We study the Bible and pray together each day. There are so many opportunities to learn from one another and grow into the people God desires us to be. Our creator is amazing, and each person is created unique and in the image of God. Their university years of study end but the relationships continue.
In conjunction with national co-workers, I have been able to teach and equip kids in wholistic health measures to improve their well-being and that of their families. I discuss topics like hand washing hygiene, how to make rehydration solution, first aid skills, and when to go to the hospital rather than treat something at home. This happens in schools, orphanages, clubs, seminars, and churches.
Right now, I am mentoring two women from different parts of the country in how to teach gals to know their worth, identity, belonging, and reason for being alive. I was trained as a facilitator thru Dignity Campaign, an African based organization. In addition, we talk about development and care for the female body. I look forward to seeing what I have been teaching touch other communities with God’s love!
Hospitality and housing gals are two of my greatest joys in recent years. I see patients each morning from my front porch clinic, have open houses where young people can be heard and fed, and find it is a super way to build community in an area where there are few people that are not of the majority religion.
I am grateful that I can live with and love the next generation!
Projects:
– Compassion Needs – Click to learn more!
