Dear Friends and Family,
I have been struggling for days of what to post on this first blog, I find it only appropriate that as I start this new journey partnering with many of you through prayer and support, that I share with you the calling I have received that led to this path. So I would like to share a little bit of my testimony, hopefully allowing you to get a glimpse of who I am. I wish I had time to share with you my life, because it is proof that God can save the least deserving people.
Growing up in a Christian home, I thought I had it all together. My grandpa (Bruce Radaker) my father (Bruce Wilson) and three of my brothers and a sister are all pastors. I thought that because I had all these influences and because I went to church every Sunday, that I automatically was a good Christian. It wasn't until the last couple years that I realized I knew who God was, but I didn't know him as my own personal savior. Because of this, I led myself down a very destructive path, I tried to follow my own will, I ran from God’s calling on my life, and because of this, I faced many
trials.
Over the course of 3 years I faced sickness, loss of relationships with my family, brokenness of a marriage, loss of 2 babies, disappointment, and relationships with people who were very unfaithful. Because of all these trials, I felt like I was nothing. Like I had nothing to offer God or another person. I thought that I didn't deserve God. I stopped going to church, stopped even trying to communicate with God, and allowed my family to slip away from me. It wasn't until I allowed myself to feel the conviction of God that I was changed.
One day, after not attending church for a year, I decided to go. I sat in the very last row, arms crossed, thinking "God, why am I here?" The answer came so quickly. My heart began to pound, and the tears started to flow. I realized at that very moment that my God still loved me, that his love was so much greater than I had thought. I literally ran out of church after the sermon and called my family to make things right. They couldn't believe what was happening, because that very same day, at their home church, my sister went to the alter on my behalf. She knew I was living in sin and needed God's saving grace. Her congregation surrounded her and prayed for me. It was like I felt the power of their prayer as I sat in the last row of that church.
A couple of months later I met God at the alter and prayed that he take my life and make
it his. The burden was lifted, the scars healed. I began praying for direction in my life. For years I had been running from any plan God had, and now had a passion for that plan. I prayed for some sort of missionary position that allowed me to use my nursing skills. A year later I went on a short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. One evening I was sitting outside the compound on a bench just watching the kids play. Jim McDonald sat across from me on the next bench. We got to talking and I told him of what I had been praying for. He immediately started laughing. I could not figure out what I said that was so funny, and was feeling a little insecure! Jim proceeded to tell me that he had been praying for over 2 years for a nurse missionary with MGM. My heart lit up, it was as though Jesus Christ was standing next to me holding the door open saying "here is my path". So after much prayer, I have decided to join the MGM team!
Sometimes I feel unworthy because of my past, but am reminded that God has washed away my sin; he forgave me and has created a clean heart in me. Now I am able to wake up every day praising my God for his goodness and mercy.
As this new journey starts, I ask that you remember this. Our selves may be imperfect, incapable and weak. But our souls are the image of the living GOD!! I'm excited for what the future holds and invite you all to follow my blogs and would appreciate prayer, not only for my serving, but for the hearts of the Americans that are traveling on these trips, and for the hearts of the people of the Dominican Republic, as we minister to them daily!
God Bless,
Jessica
I have been struggling for days of what to post on this first blog, I find it only appropriate that as I start this new journey partnering with many of you through prayer and support, that I share with you the calling I have received that led to this path. So I would like to share a little bit of my testimony, hopefully allowing you to get a glimpse of who I am. I wish I had time to share with you my life, because it is proof that God can save the least deserving people.
Growing up in a Christian home, I thought I had it all together. My grandpa (Bruce Radaker) my father (Bruce Wilson) and three of my brothers and a sister are all pastors. I thought that because I had all these influences and because I went to church every Sunday, that I automatically was a good Christian. It wasn't until the last couple years that I realized I knew who God was, but I didn't know him as my own personal savior. Because of this, I led myself down a very destructive path, I tried to follow my own will, I ran from God’s calling on my life, and because of this, I faced many
trials.
Over the course of 3 years I faced sickness, loss of relationships with my family, brokenness of a marriage, loss of 2 babies, disappointment, and relationships with people who were very unfaithful. Because of all these trials, I felt like I was nothing. Like I had nothing to offer God or another person. I thought that I didn't deserve God. I stopped going to church, stopped even trying to communicate with God, and allowed my family to slip away from me. It wasn't until I allowed myself to feel the conviction of God that I was changed.
One day, after not attending church for a year, I decided to go. I sat in the very last row, arms crossed, thinking "God, why am I here?" The answer came so quickly. My heart began to pound, and the tears started to flow. I realized at that very moment that my God still loved me, that his love was so much greater than I had thought. I literally ran out of church after the sermon and called my family to make things right. They couldn't believe what was happening, because that very same day, at their home church, my sister went to the alter on my behalf. She knew I was living in sin and needed God's saving grace. Her congregation surrounded her and prayed for me. It was like I felt the power of their prayer as I sat in the last row of that church.
A couple of months later I met God at the alter and prayed that he take my life and make
it his. The burden was lifted, the scars healed. I began praying for direction in my life. For years I had been running from any plan God had, and now had a passion for that plan. I prayed for some sort of missionary position that allowed me to use my nursing skills. A year later I went on a short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. One evening I was sitting outside the compound on a bench just watching the kids play. Jim McDonald sat across from me on the next bench. We got to talking and I told him of what I had been praying for. He immediately started laughing. I could not figure out what I said that was so funny, and was feeling a little insecure! Jim proceeded to tell me that he had been praying for over 2 years for a nurse missionary with MGM. My heart lit up, it was as though Jesus Christ was standing next to me holding the door open saying "here is my path". So after much prayer, I have decided to join the MGM team!
Sometimes I feel unworthy because of my past, but am reminded that God has washed away my sin; he forgave me and has created a clean heart in me. Now I am able to wake up every day praising my God for his goodness and mercy.
As this new journey starts, I ask that you remember this. Our selves may be imperfect, incapable and weak. But our souls are the image of the living GOD!! I'm excited for what the future holds and invite you all to follow my blogs and would appreciate prayer, not only for my serving, but for the hearts of the Americans that are traveling on these trips, and for the hearts of the people of the Dominican Republic, as we minister to them daily!
God Bless,
Jessica