I was a senior in high school when I first felt a clear calling to missionary work. There was one evening as I was standing on a Hillside in Mexico, under the stars and singing praises alongside other youths, when the speaker asked which of us would commit to long-term missionary work, and by then I had no problem stepping forward because I had already felt God leading me in that direction. Since I was about to graduate and the guidance counselor said she wouldn’t permit me to have “stay at home mom” as my goal, I started leaning towards healthcare because I so much enjoyed taking care of my disabled grandmother during weekends in high school. I applied to college as a nurse, but Dr. Sisel had convinced me that I probably didn’t want to take orders from doctors for my entire life, so I started charting my path towards medical missions as a doctor. I know that I was made to be a missionary because my heart responds to stories of international service in a moving, longing sort of way that I don’t experience from any other area. My closest friends have been those like Bekah Bennett and Taryn Green who shared my passion for international work, and every time I attend a conference or participate in a mission trip, I feel fulfilled, almost like the fire in my spirit has been rekindled. During medical school, I felt a sense of peace and purpose and an unmistakable, nearly audible voice reassuring me that this is a calling. Was faithful during residency to bloom where I am planted and helped develop service projects in my underserved city, but I continued to feel like I am called to serve elsewhere. At that time I knew I would feel such a sense of loss like I was not being the person I was made to be if I never made it onto the mission field for long-term missions. These past 2 years living in Malawi have confirmed my calling. Greg and I can serve the Lord together there, and help other missionaries and local pastors and people from all strata of society. I love reading books from other missionaries to keep myself reminded of why I’m there on the rough days, but I would definitely say that Mother Theresa stands out as my greatest inspiration and hero. I would never want the kind of spiritual darkness she struggled through, but her passion for the poor and giving of herself was extraordinary. I probably will never go as far as her and praise God, it looks like, for now, my calling is a different type of ministry than hers, but she greatly inspires me as the ultimate example of giving and walking with the poor.