The professors voice was unusually strong as he made his announcement. “It is compulsory for every student of this College to be an active part of a missions prayer group.” As he proceeded to name several countries, I was feeling uncomfortable.

“And finally, Africa!” He said emphatically! “Please be sure to sign your name on the sign-up sheets in the main building today.” I suddenly felt weak with a rush of nervous tension racing through my body. I whispered audibly, “No God, not Africa” My girlfriend seated beside me heard my verbal response and whispered, ‘are you okay! “No! “ I curtly replied.

I thought back to the day I fully surrender to the call of God on my life. It was a marked
experience of brokenness, tears and yielding. I promised God that I would serve Him the best I could in ministry. I would be a Pastor’s wife and contribute to whatever church God called us to. I had only one condition. “God, never, ever ask me to go to Africa!”

Perhaps it was the stories I had heard of the “Dark Continent” from missionaries and their often terrifying experiences that made we draw erroneous conclusions and I drew a line in my commitment to God.… Read the rest