Day in the Life...of a Mom who plans to be a MissionChik

Desiree Graham is a single mom, is training to be a nurse, and hopes one day to do medical missions in Africa. Have you ever thought about working to make a difference in a different country? Do you desire to help in medical missions, build a water well for a community, construct homes? Join us as Desiree talks about her hopes, dreams, and challenges to become a MissionChik.

Suzie Eller: Desiree, I am excited to talk with you about your missions dreams. I don't know if you know this, but I'm a MissionChik, too, but on short-term trips. I've been able to sail deep into the heart of the rain forest on the Amazon in Brazil, worked in El Salvador among children torn by civil conflict, and traveled throughout Europe in Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Tell me which country you hope to one day serve as a Missionary.

Desiree: That's incredible! I'd love to visit the rainforest, I'm sure it's lovely (minus the mosquitoes! :) As for which country I'd like to serve, my heart has been drawn to Africa for years, but I'm also interested in serving Spanish speaking countries as well.

SE: Mosquitoes, pihrannas, and crocodiles, but it was amazing in spite of that. You're a nurse, correct? Are you interested in medical missions?

DG: Actually, right now I'm a part-time CHHA (certified home health aide) and a full-time nursing major in college. I have this dream of setting up medical clinics in different poverty stricken villages twice a year or so. I've been a part of this in the Dominican Republic and it's absolutely amazing! The people stood in these never ending lines all day with their children and waited patiently for us to help give them exams, medicine, and vitamins. We also ministered to them, prayed with them, administered HIV/AIDS education, and passed out toys to the children.

SE: There's a pressing need, especially among HIV/AIDS-affected countries.

You have young children. Do they know about your goal to be a Missionary? What do they think?

DG: They are so excited! I'm looking forward to taking them, one by one, on their first mission trips. I am constantly teaching them about world conditions and challenges, and showing them videos and pictures. It's so precious to hear them praying for the hungry children of the world during our family prayer time. God has already blessed them with beautiful hearts filled with compassion and charity!

SE: What can people do to help who may not have a desire to live in or travel to a different culture and nation?

DG: Great question! God asks every person to be a part of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19! "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." I would recommend that everyone take at least one short-term mission trip though. This experience will change you for life, no matter who you are, and help ensure that you have a passion for supporting the work of mission, in some fashion, throughout your life.

In addition, praying specifically for missions endeavors and missionaries is a huge blessing, as well as supporting the work with finances. Individuals, or families, can adopt a missionary or two and support them both spiritually and financially. (Make a list of their needs and prayers and commit to pray regularly for them.) Many of them are facing conditions and dangers constantly and truly covet our prayers. This is also a great way to give children a chance to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission!

SE: I know one way to help is to support a person who is trying to save for a missions trip. In our church, many teens may not have the funds. They raise money all year, but for some families it's just not feasible, and yet a mission trip can not only affect others, it really impacts a teen's perspective. Perhaps some of the readers know of teens like this in their own community or church. You may not be able to pay all of their way, but even small amounts make a difference.

You are very open about your faith. I love that. Can you share a little bit about your faith journey?

DG: Well, I was said a prayer of salvation at 16 when a friend in school invited me to a youth celebration. (I didn't even know it was a church function.) Nothing much changed until I had encounters with some 'Rhemanites,' a water, and a Holy Spirit baptism! I began to understand, somewhat, the meaning of a real and personal relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I began going to church regularly around Easter of 2004. (The free Easter egg hunt lured me in.)

I joined a faith and Spirit filled church where the preacher was a world renowned Bible teacher. I was fed soup, salad, meat, veggies, AND dessert...fast. My knowledge of God and the Word seriously exploded! After three years I recognized what God had planned for my life, changed my college major to nursing, and attended Victory Bible Institute/Victory World Missions Training Center. I finally had direction in life and it felt/feels GREAT!

Having said all that, for a long time while I was sitting under great teaching in church and school, I had refused to let some things go in my life that I knew were wrong for me. We all have different things God's dealing with us on, and some things may not even seem wrong to others, but we know and feel that they're wrong for us. (Does that make sense?) Anyway, it wasn't until I truly fell on my knees, broken and humbled, before God, willing to surrender anything and everything, in response to His overwhelming love for me, that I truly began to live! I would give up all my hopes, dreams, plans, EVERYTHING just to sit at His feet and love Him! I found this was the moment God had been waiting for. I now walk in a peace, joy, and contentedness that I have never known before in my life.

Now there are so many opportunities to help and encourage others, as well as the incredible blessing of God flowing freely in my life! I can't describe the difference!

SE: What is a typical day in the life of a single mom going to school works full-time and who is also a MissionChik.

DG: Wow! I get up around 6 am and sluggishly make my way to the coffeepot. I have some quiet time, reading the Bible, praying, maybe doing a daily devotional study, (currently, Purpose Driven Life for the 4th time,) or journaling. ***If I make time for this, my day is ALWAYS pleasant and smooth regardless of the challenges I face, but if I miss this time it doesn't usually turn out so great and I tend to be more cranky and impatient***

The kids get up and we all get ready for school around 7 am. I get them dropped off at two different schools, in two sides of town (technically different towns,) and off to see my first patient by 9 am. I see anywhere between 4-6 patients per day in between classes, which times and days vary with each new semester. I pick up the kiddos early, (meaning before they go to after school care,) if I can finish in time, and we may go to a park or McD's (the one with the playground, of course.) Sometimes I use an extra hour or two here or there (that's not needed for studying) for cleaning, visiting with a friend I rarely get to see, or, on a particularly rough day I may take a short nap.

I usually pick the kiddos up from daycare anywhere between 4 - 6pm. We move on to dinner, homework, basketball or cheerleading practice (new this month), or church, or family movie night, then baths, family prayer & devotion time, a personal bedtime story for each child, mommy & me time, before I tuck them into bed :) After all the commotion, I enjoy quiet time checking emails, studying, etc. before I spend a little quiet time with God and go to bed at 10 pm. (Well, I'm working on the 10 pm deadline....it rarely happens right now.)

SE: Anything else you want to share?

DG: It's two hours past my bedtime and I can barely keep my eyes open...so I'll save it for my blog :) http://missionchik.wordpress.com/

SE: If you want to connect with this MissionChik, check out her ML page and leave a comment. Also, she's the new facilitator for the Christian Momlogic book club, which has started. Join Desiree and the rest of her group here.