You know the time in the life of a flower when it's come forth from the ground, but not yet bloomed? That's where I am in terms of one of my goals (on my list of things to do before I'm 30 - be a counselor to missionaries). Through my roommate, Kate, and her family I learned about the International Mission Board annual meeting for their missionaries each summer. This summer it is in Athens, Greece July 17 – 24th. There will be over 500 families who are missionaries around Europe gathering for worship, fellowship, and renewal. I have been accepted to serve as a counselor on the Member Care Team and meet with individual missionaries to help them process their experiences – the good, bad, and ugly.
As many of you know, I have a background in career counseling, ministry, and a deep passion to help others develop themselves to the glory of God. Back in 2007 when I was with Campus Crusade for Christ International, I had the opportunity to be part of the conference team running logistics for their European STINT (1-year missionaries) Mid-Year conference held in Spain. I was involved in organizing the schedule and witnessing all that God was doing in those teams. One of the greatest things I witnessed was the incorporation of counselors who met the STINT members individually. I got to speak with the counselors about their experiences and loved what I heard. They were helping people in such a great way. It was one of the confirming moments for me that I should pursue a degree in counseling. It also became one of the things I wanted to do in my own career, one day.
Since then, I’ve finished my degree and have my Nationally Certified Counselor credential. I now work with current college students and get to discuss with them what their goals are. Then I work with them to meet those goals. It is a rewarding career and one that has allowed me to really utilize the gifts God has given me.
Now I'm so excited to see how several things in my life and personality are overlapping in this experience. I now get to do one of the things I've wanted to do since I realized it existed in 2007. It amazes me to see examples of God's faithfulness and His provision for our desires. I pray I don't forget this realization when faced with other unmet desires (like wanting to be married already). God plants seeds so intricately we don't even know they are there until they start sprouting!
