In
this process God introduced me to a new group of friends who pray for me daily
and challenge me in my walk with Christ. I went from being an Elementary
Education major to a Pre-Nursing major during the middle of my junior year.
Changing my major was one of the most difficult decisions I made in college. I
came to realize it was one of the best decisions I made. Since I am a hands on
learner and learn best by doing, school has always been a difficult struggle
for me. After finishing my pre-requisites for nursing school at MSU, I packed
my things in good ole Starkville, and began the four-hour drive home. As I was
driving, I realized just how low my confidence was in terms of academics. I
couldn’t look at a textbook, my backpack, or even hear someone mention the word
nursing school without a rush of anxiety and panic pump throughout my veins.
In
June I was given a rare opportunity. A nursing position opened up for the
summer for Dr. Clay Rainer, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor at
Bayside Orthopaedics. He is a doctor that loves to teach and thoroughly enjoys
every second of doing so. Dr. Rainer went the extra mile and took a little time
each day to teach me something new. Through Dr. Rainer taking time and patience
to see that I gained as much knowledge as I possibly could, I now have
confidence in myself that I had forgotten existed. Unbeknownst to me this
summer, God was using my experience working with Dr. Rainer to prepare me for
the next exciting chapter in my life, Africa.
I
will be leaving around the first of January and returning in April. I will be
living in Kapsowar, Kenya, working in a hospital with some friends of ours that
we have known for twenty years, Bill and Laura Rhodes. We lived next door to
them in student housing at University Medical Center in Jackson, Ms, when my
dad first started medical school. The Rhodes have been missionaries living in
Kapsowar since 1999. Dr. Bill is the primary surgeon for a population of around
350,000 people. Doctors, nurses, and medical students from all over the world
come to this hospital to help out where needed, and to learn in the third world
setting. I’m looking forward to the challenges of learning a new culture, as
well as understanding how God will continue to “work out His plan” for my life.
During my time in Kapsowar I am asking for prayers for my
safety, continued faith, and patience in serving the Lord. I also ask that you
pray for my parents not to be nervous wrecks during this time as well! I have
been living at home while working several jobs this summer to help reach my
financial goal of around $5000 for
my three-month trip. If you feel led to help support me financially you can do
so by a tax-deductible donation by through
The Way Community Church, or by keeping me in your thoughts and prayers
while I am in Kapsowar, Kenya. I am so excited to see what God has in store for
me these next few months, and I am so excited that you are going to be coming
along for a small portion of this ride!
In Him,
Julie Carter
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