Pray

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
I John 5:14
"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..."
Ephesians 6:18
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Prayer is a vital part of my ministry! Here's how you can be praying for me:
  • PRAISE October 23, 2018 - I just returned from a trip to California to visit my brother and his family, as well as friends and supporters of my ministry. I had many opportunities to share about my ministry with new friends and through random conversations.
  • PRAISE October 10, 2018 - My three speaking engagements at Baylor University went well and I was hardly nervous at all! I enjoyed sharing about global healthcare with a large class of freshman healthcare majors, medical ethics in low-resource settings with senior level students, and about my own medical missionary journey with the student PT/OT society.
  • PRAISE October 8, 2018 - How fun to reconnect with M___, a girl who was in the freshmen girls' Bible study I co-led in college. Even after 12 years, we can pick up our friendship because of Christ's love who bonds us together!
  • September 25, 2018 - I'm starting to prep my presentations and lecture powerpoints for several different groups at Baylor University. Pray that I would know how to share the information in an engaging way and that God would open their minds to the idea of long-term global healthcare service.
  • PRAISE September 24, 2018 - I was just awarded a scholarship to attend a huge PT conference in January 2019! I've been asked to speak at this conference, but wasn't sure how I'd pay for the conference fee and travel expenses...this full scholarship offered by my professional organization is a huge blessing!
  • September 3, 2018 - Later this month, I have the opportunity to speak to a group of students at Texas A&M who are involved with the Navigators (whom I was also involved with while a student there). Pray that God will open their hearts to missions during/after college and that I will share Christ well in this setting.
  • September 3, 2018 - Pray for clarity of what to share with a high school through older adult women's group I'll be presenting to on Sunday. It's exciting to have friends of friends ask me to come and share, but I want God to get the glory and also inspire others to reach out within their own community.
  • PRAISE August 31, 2018 - Great conference in Philadelphia this week. Good sessions, interesting conversations with fellow attendees, and a couple leads to follow up on.
  • PRAISE August 12, 2018 - I had a restful time with God at a mini-personal retreat this week!
  • PRAISE August 9, 2018 - I had dinner with 10 middle school and high school girls tonight who've expressed interest in coming along on a short term trip mission trip with me. God is raising up the next generation of missionaries!
  • August 1, 2018 - I head off to Tennessee for four days of training with other medical missionaries. I'm not sure how much more learning I can absorb right now, so pray that I can hold on to some nuggets of truth to take with me!
  • PRAISE July 28, 2018 - I've been asked to speak at a conference for my physical therapy professional organization in January 2019. It's such an honor to share the ministry in Nigeria... but I'm freaking out a little!
  • PRAISE July 25, 2018 - Just finish my first day at work as a PT in this new facility. So far, it looks good!
  • July 2, 2018 - Pray for more energy this week as I drive all over the state of Texas for various meetings and events
  • PRAISE June 30, 2018 - Good visit with my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew this week. I'm learning all about Thomas the Train :)
  • PRAISE June 21, 2018 - Praise God for good job interview this week!
  • June 14, 2018 - I leave tomorrow! So much to do, and so little time! Pray for peace in my heart!
  • April 28, 2018 - I've sent off for my tourist visa to visit another country's fistula hospital. Pray that the visa will be granted without any further issues.
  • April 27, 2018 - I've been asked to speak to the female students at a nursing school/community health worker program where an SIM missionary teaches. I'll be sharing about fistula prevention, basic women's health, and some simple techniques to help with urinary incontinence.
  • PRAISE April 20, 2018 - I've registered for several conferences coming up this summer, geared towards new medical missionaries, medical professionals who work with incontinence, and learning basic trauma healing counseling. Praise God for His provision of finances for these continuing education courses!
  • April 18, 2018 - Three girls are leaving the compound/returning to their home countries this week. Pray for safe flights for all of them, for good goodbyes, and as the rest of us adjust to a smaller group. I've become quite close with one girl and will miss her greatly!
  • April 1, 2018 - My parents will soon arrive here in Jos to do a leadership conference. Pray for good attendance by all!
  • March 28, 2018 - Several of the other girls on the compound will be assisting with an Easter weekend for the 40+ middle-school & high-school girls in our orphans and vulnerable children's center. Pray for energy for the missionaries and good times of learning and fellowship for the girls. 
  • March 26, 2018 - Continue to pray for the violence that's been happening in villages surrounding Jos. Especially pray for peace during the Easter weekend.
  • March 14, 2018 - There's a possibility I can go visit a fistula center in another country and assist their beginning pelvic physical therapy clinic. Pray for the details to be sorted out, including getting a tourist visa.
  • PRAISE March 11, 2018 - Praise God for the safe arrival of some new therapy equipment for the clinic--two electrical stimulation machines I can use for pelvic muscle retraining and for strengthening very weak leg muscles in those who have foot drop. Praise God for a former classmate who contacted her equipment supplier, the generous equipment rep who donated all the supplies, and the kind doctor who brought it all over here for me!
  • February 27, 2018 - Pray for the women who will be coming to the VVF reunion, for safe travels and for open hearts!
  • January 29, 2018 - Pray for a ladies tea I'll be speaking at on Feb 10. I'm excited to share about pelvic health and other women's topics, but pray that I can do it in a modest/conservative way that will be encouraging to all women in attendance.
  • PRAISE January 29, 2018 - Praise God for the safe arrival of two new girls to our compound. Pray for us though as the dynamic changes and friendships stretch to include new people.
  • PRAISE January 27, 2018 - Praise God for the unexpected donation of about $800 in medical equipment for the physical therapy clinic! I'm so excited to have this machine to help retrain pelvic muscles!
  • January 26, 2018 - we have more unrest in the Miango area about 30 minutes outside of town. Pray for safety of our national staff that live there, as well as for a peaceful resolution.
  • January 24, 2018 - I'll be taking on new responsibilities as compound manager for a few months. Pray that nothing breaks, we have no need for large repairs, and that I will have patience and grace through it all!
  • January 16, 2018 - Pray for the health and safety of our missionaries (and the missionaries with other organizations here in Jos). Pray for the speedy healing of a missionary who had a traumatic injury today. I may be a part of the healthcare team in the coming weeks and months, so pray for wisdom as I guide this person's rehab.
  • January 11, 2018 -  I'll be learning the ropes of how to manage this single missionaries' housing compound while our current manager is away for a few months. Pray for grace and a good memory!
  • January 10, 2018 - I'm helping schedule some of the orientation for our new missionaries coming in Jan and Feb. Praise God for families willing to host them for meals and pray that God will bless those new relationships.
  • January 8, 2018 - We are starting a new in-depth Bible study at Challenge. Pray for open and honest conversation, for the Lord to work in our hearts, and for diligence in making life change. We're working through some of the modules from www.PracticingTheWay.org and I'm super excited!
  • PRAISE January 7, 2018 - Praise God for a wonderful Spiritual Life Conference, for good teaching, and for times of fellowship. Pray that we will all be renewed to jump back into ministry.
  • January 5, 2018 - Pray for the health of several missionaries within the larger missions community in Jos (there are other ministries with personnel here besides SIM), and for rest and renewal for the admin teams who've had to organize their care.
  • December 4, 2017 - Safe travels as several of us take a trip to another city for a bit of rest and relaxation. Pray for good conversations and wonderful memories.
  • PRAISE December 3, 2017 - Praise God that the church drama portraying SIM's beginnings and the calling of its three founders back in 1893 went well. May God inspire a new generation of Nigerians to take the gospel even farther North than ever before dreamed!
  • November 24, 2017 -  Pray for D__, a patient I've been working with for some time. Progress is slow, but she continues to show diligence in her exercises and is in good spirits. Pray for good re-entry as she returns home soon.
  • November 15, 2017 - Week 2 of mentoring with the new missionary went well. Pray for continued good relationships
  • PRAISE November 13, 2017 - The girls and I have started a 3x/wk exercise program. I'm so grateful to have a structured and regular time of exercise and for friends to do it with me!
  • November 6, 2017 - Pray for favor from the committee that is reviewing my patient case study to finish the Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy and Postpartum PT. The patient's diagnosis is odd for any American PT to treat and I had to be creative with my therapy since I don't have access to many of the treatment techniques we were taught in my certification courses. Pray that the committee will realize my unique situation and also see that I have demonstrated competence to be awarded this certificate.
  • PRAISE November 5, 2017 - Our new missionary has arrived! Praise God for safe flights and a good transition here so far.
  • October 20, 2017 - Please pray for the communities in and around the Miango area that have been attacked in the last month. This is about 1hr away from Jos, but so far has been restricted just to that area. There have been many villagers who've lost their lives (30+), their homes, and over 1000 people are displaced. SIM and many local churches have begun relief work there, but tensions continue to be high and the underlying cause of the tribal warring has not been resolved. (http://blueprintafric.com/2017/10/over-30-houses-burnt-eight-arrested-as-crisis-engulf-plateau-community)
  • PRAISE October 9, 2017 - I just discharged a patient home who had wonderful improvement in her urinary leakage after just three sessions over the course of a week and a half. This was a huge encouragement to the nurse aide who's been working with me, as she had been the one to do most of the treatment with this lady! Praise God we have the skills to help these women who don't qualify for additional surgeries!
  • PRAISE October 6, 2017 - Praise God for deepening mentoring relationship/friendship with one of the missionary wives.
  • October 2, 2017 - I've been asked to mentor a new missionary who will be arriving in November. Please pray for her last few weeks at home and that she and I will hit it off when she arrives.
  • September 30, 2017 - Pray for the 100+ people that attended the Salt & Light conferences my parents taught using material from the Equip organization. Each of the attendees was encouraged to start their own 12-wk round-table group focused on facilitating personal growth. It's a new thing for Nigerian leaders to use a round-table format instead of a lecture format; pray that these leaders will learn to listen to the wisdom of others. 
  • PRAISE September 20, 2017 - I've been encouraged by my friends N & S who are serving in Kenya to jump back into Hausa study. Pray that I will carve out time in my schedule to make this a priority.
  • August 5, 2017 - I am staying with a Nigerian family this weekend as part of my cultural acquisition and learning module. Pray that I will ask good questions, not accidentally do or say anything offensive, and that this will be an encouraging experience for all of us.
  • August 4, 2017 - H__, the patient I will be writing about, is going home today. Pray for a good reunion with her family. And pray that she will return in 3 months for her followup visit so that I can finish collecting the data I need.
  • PRAISE August 2, 2017 - I've been here 5 months now. WOW!
  • PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE July 31, 2017 - I've been looking for a patient to write a case report on in order to finish one of my PT certifications in women's health. Just this week a patient came in that fits all the criteria for my case report--and she speaks/reads/writes in excellent English!
  • PRAISE July 26, 2017 - Praise God for the safe trip we had to northern Nigeria, for the village medical outreach we assisted with, and the visits to the local churches.
  • PRAISE July 23, 2017 - I'm FINALLY over the GI/stomach bug I had for almost 10 days. Praise God!
  • PRAISE July 12, 2017 - We had a good time last night in our summer Bible Study. We studied Jesus' healing of the leper and the paralytic in Luke 5, and then looked at how we could apply Jesus' method of interacting with these marginalized/outcast people into our own ministries. There were 6 of us gathered last night and it was good to hear from each person as we dug into the passage.
  • July 9, 2017 - pray for logistics to go smoothly for the trip to northern Nigeria, that everyone who plans to go is able to make it, and that God would start preparing the hearts of those we'll meet.
  • PRAISE July 7, 2017 - Safe arrival of A__, another young lady who will be serving here with SIM for one year. That makes 4 of us who are here for 1-2 years.
  • PRAISE July 4, 2017 - I had a good time at the youth fellowship meeting at the Hausa church I've planned to attend. Pray that I will find some Nigerian friends there.
  • PRAISE June 20, 2017 - My parents' time here has been encouraging and productive thus far as they've met with various ministry leaders here and assisted with small projects.
  • PRAISE June 19, 2017 - Mom and I were able to clean and prepare the room that will be used as a physical therapy clinic. Now we're going to hang curtains and wait for the carpenter to finish building the exam table for me.
  • June 6, 2017 - pray for the chaplains that work at Bingham University Teaching Hospital (of which Evangel VVF Center is a part of). They not only minister to critically ill patients and their families, but they do some counselling and also function as social workers to an extent. 
  • PRAISE June 6, 2017 - I had a really good conversation yesterday with the nurse aide who will be translating for me and assisting in my pelvic PT clinic. We brainstormed ideas to improve patient retention and attendance at followup visits, understanding of and compliance with home exercise programs, and even schedule and workflow to improve efficiency.
  • June 5, 2017 - Continue to pray for C__. I had to relay some difficult news to her this morning, and encourage her to continue trusting the Lord for any further healing He may choose to give her. Pray for her family to receive her warmly back into their home and for necessary funding for wheelchair and any house modifications that may be necessary.
  • PRAISE June 4, 2017 - There is visible evidence that the soon-to-be-PT room is being cleared out! I hope to be utilizing it within the next two weeks.
  • PRAISE May 31, 2017 - Our first of the bunch of short term missionaries arrived today, safe and sound. 
  • PRAISE May 30, 2017 - My mom's visa application was approved and her passport was mailed back! She and Dad are all set to come see me!
  • May 26, 2017 - Pray that my mother's visa application is processed quickly so my parents can come visit me. We think the application and her passport may be lost somewhere at the Nigerian embassy in D.C.
  • May 26, 2017 - PRAY FOR TWO OF OUR SIM NIGERIA MISSIONARIES WITH SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WERE RECENTLY DIAGNOSED! They will soon be receiving medical care in the Western world, but please pray for their families and for the staff left behind who will be taking on their responsibilities.
  • May 24, 2017 - pray for C__, a new patient I saw today. I'll be seeing her for some serious injuries to her spine/back and she now depends on a wheelchair for mobility. Pray that I will have patience in working with her, creativity to think of new and inventive ways to make her more independent, and for wisdom regarding her treatment.
  • May 16, 2017 - we've decided on a room in which to set up my clinic, but it's currently being used as a storage/records room. Pray that everything will be moved out in a timely manner so we can completely clean it and so that I can begin seeing patients in my own space soon. -- or I guess pray for more patience for me as I wait for things to happen on "African time!"
  • May 15, 2017 - we have medical students in the VVF center this week (Evangel is part of Bingham University Teaching Hospital which is run by ECWA, one of the largest church denominations here). The 18 students will be observing in clinic and in surgery, as well as spending a bit of time seeing what I do with pelvic PT. Pray that they will listen well, observe and ask questions, and hopefully remember to screen for fistula in all their post-natal patients, even if they decide not to specialize in fistula or OB/GYN
  • May 8, 2017 - we have 5 short term missionaries coming for various lengths during the summer, and the first one is coming at the end of the month. There is much work to be done on the various apartments in this complex as many have not been used in some years. While we thank God for a "full house" this summer, pray that all the handymen are timely and that any major remodeling goes well. I think I'll just be involved in the washing linens/wiping down surfaces/cleaning cabinets out/restocking kitchens.
  • PRAISE May 8, 2017 - thank God for the rain! I think rainy season is FINALLY here since it's raining almost every day. The weather hasn't quite cooled off yet, but that will happen soon!
  • May 4, 2017 - Hausa class ends next week. Pray that as I transition to the hospital full-time, I will continue to review my notebooks and be confident to use what I know!
  • May 3, 2017 - I just attended a 2-day summit meeting. Thank God for good conversations regarding the current SIM ministries to marginalized and vulnerable people groups in Nigeria, as well as the productive brainstorming sessions we had with our Nigerian partners regarding potential new avenues to reach out to these groups.
  • PRAISE April 29, 2017 - there are several short-term people coming to serve in Jos this summer, so I will have new neighbors. Pray that remaining financial support comes in for these people, and that their travel plans will be finalized.
  • April 12, 2017 - There has been an outbreak of meningitis in Nigeria with over 250 deaths so far. Pray that the new vaccines for this strain will arrive soon and that this outbreak will be controlled. (Yes, I've been vaccinated against the strain that's popped up in Nigeria, so I'm fine!)
  • PRAISE April 10, 2017 - I got to babysit for another missionary family today. Watching a toddler play provides some sense of normalcy in this sometimes-confusing culture.
  • PRAISE April 10, 2017 - PRAISE GOD FOR RAIN!!!!! It rained slowly but steadily all night long. It will be a few more weeks until rainy season starts, but I am grateful for this rain to keep the dust down.
  • PRAISE April 7, 2017 - I had a really good time at the ladies' exercise class today. I'm grateful to have this outlet for my own health and sanity!
  • April 6, 2017 - pray for retention of Hausa grammar and sentence structure. I'm struggling with  conjugating the various pronouns (as compared to English  where we conjugate the verbs) in the different tenses. We've just increased to 4x/wk instead  of 3x/wk classes this month.
  • April 2, 2017 - pray that God would direct me to a church home here. There are so many options! (Western style at the Christian school, English service in a Nigerian church, a Hausa church, etc.)
  • PRAISE April 2, 2017 - I attended church today with a Nigerian family. The service was entirely in Hausa, but I was able to pick out a few words in the sermon. Following along in the Hausa hymnal with songs set to familiar hymn tunes helped me with pronunciation.
  • March 31, 2017 - I've been battling some minor GI issues, likely due to the new foods and being on a strong antibiotic/anti-malarial medication. Pray this goes away soon!
  • PRAISE March 26, 2017 - I FINALLY have good internet that will allow me to Skype and blog and post photos. Thanks for being patient with me!
  • March 20, 2017 - I am starting to build relationships with the compound guards, the lady that sells food just outside the gate, and the family that runs the provision shop around the corner. Pray that I will have confidence to use my Hausa with them, and that God will deepen these relationships.
  • February 7, 2017 - one of my hardest goodbyes is coming up this week. Pray that I will be able to make memories and say goodbye well.
  • PRAISE February 7, 2017 - I've gone through all of my belongings, given away tons, and made piles of stuff to take with me. Thank God for a spirit of "throw it out/give it away!" and that I've been able to make these decisions without too much emotion
  • PRAISE February 4, 2017 - my Nigerian visa and new passport arrived!
  • January 24, 2017 - I'm in the last week of MTI. Pray that I will remain engaged in class and with my small group, and not start to focus on what needs to be done when I return to TX. Also, I'm feeling the pressure to start counting down the days until I leave--and that just makes me sad. Pray I can stay involved in the moment and the people in that moment.
  • PRAISE January 22, 2017 - I was able to spend the weekend with two girlfriends from 9 years ago. We were able to recount how God has been working in our lives and share stories with each other. 
  • January 19, 2017 - Pray that I will continue to press in deeper with my small group here at MTI. I am so grateful for the 3 other ladies in my group and look forward to remaining in contact with them.
  • January 4, 2017 - Pray that I would have tuned ears and a flexible mouth during phonetics training. Today, most of the sounds we learned are not found in English!
  • PRAISE January 3, 2017 - Safe arrival to Colorado, and for the time I got to spend with the young lady who mentored me in college.
  • November 22, 2016 - Pray for the short time I'll have to share during announcements at my home church this Sunday (Nov 27). I'm excited to share what God is doing in my life and invite my church family to partner with me. 
  • PRAISE November 20, 2016 - Praise God for two presentations last week that went well. I had the opportunity to share about the work God has done in my life over the last 10 years, what God is doing in Africa, and my ministry with SIM to over 70 people. Several of the youth in attendance are trying to figure out what to do with their life, and I pray that my words inspired them to seek out their God-given life purpose.
  • PRAISE November 11, 2016 - I RECEIVED THE FINAL APPROVAL FOR MY CERTIFICATE IN PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY! I've been working on the course work for this certification for nearly 3 years, and my patient case report was finally accepted.
  • November 3, 2016 - safe travel as I drive to a conference on M*slim evangelism, as well as the meetings I have scheduled with people that live in the central Texas area.
  • PRAISE October 30, 2016 - praise God for the opportunity to share my story with others, and for the recent conversations I've had to reconnect with old friends.
  • October 23, 2016 - diligence in making contact with people, and energy as I transition to a season of full-time prayer and financial support raising
  • NIGERIA October 21, 2016 - pray for the many Nigerian women who are caught in sex-trafficking and prostitution. Just this week there is quite a bit of sex-trafficking happening at a trade fair held one block away from the SIM hospital in Jos. (www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/213296-commercial-sex-workers-take-jos-trade-fair.html)
  • October 13, 2016 - openness and receptivity in each of the missionary training sessions. There's so much good information being presented that I don't want to forget!
  • PRAISE October 10, 2016 - enjoyable time so far at missionary training, encouraging conversations with other attendees, and a sweet roommate
  • October 9, 2016 - ability to clearly present my testimony to the SIM staff during missionary training ANSWERED: This went well and I actually finished before the time limit! I'm excited to hone my presentation during our course next week on support raising
  • October 3, 2016 - Safe driving to SIM headquarters for missionary training ANSWERED: The drive was a bit scary as Hurricane Matthew brought a lot of severe weather, but I made it safely. 
  • PRAISE Sept 14, 2016 - I needed to purchase a new laptop before leaving for the mission field (and to take with me to missionary training courses this fall), God provided a GREAT deal and a coupon for a brand new laptop!
  • Aug 27, 2016 - Memory and good retention of Hausa vocabulary words