Vlady Fresh

About ten years ago I realized that when God needed to communicate something to me, he often did so in threes. I can’t remember specific occasions now but I distinctly recall noting the pattern because it occurred so frequently. This often happened through combinations of events and experiences such as my morning scripture reading, a conversation with a fraternity brother, and the Sunday sermon. This comes to mind because I recently had this type of experience while seeking God regarding life after Cambodia.

In early February I began praying regarding my future with Public Health. I prayed for God to confirm his choice of school by either getting me into a doctoral program or by providing a full ride for masters studies. Feeling a bit selfish for praying along these lines, I began praying regarding the use of this degree. Specifically, since Cambodia is developing so quickly, is there another place where I might better invest my life? I soon found myself praying regarding sub-Saharan Africa. That was interesting because I’ve never before even wanted to visit Africa outside of Egypt and Morocco.

On February 16 our family attended a friend’s birthday party. At the party I met Francis, a Marist missionary from Ghana. Never having met a Ghanian before I was glad to meet him. Soon we were talking about our backgrounds, how we ended up in Cambodia and what we’re doing for work now. At the of our conversation, Francis looked at me directly in the eye and asked me to go to Ghana upon completion of my studies. I told him that it wasn’t my decision but God’s and jokingly said if he wanted me to go he’d better pray. He laughed for a moment and then said with a straight face, “Really. I’d love it if you’d consider going to Ghana.” After listening to why he wanted me to go to Ghana, we set off to meet other people. Toward the end of the party more than one person came up to me and said that Francis also told them he wanted me to work in Ghana. I asked Sam, who knows Francis quite well, if he tends to do this all the time. She replied, “No. Actually I’ve never seen him act that way before.”

On February 27 I received notice from U. Washington that I received a Research Assistantship that would give me a full ride plus a stipend. A few days later I received notice of my match for a research mentor. I googled him and found an e-mail diary chronicling a life changing experience he had in Ghana. Soon after that my professor contacted me with two research proposals, one of which was research the presence of Dengue Fever in Ghana.

So there you have it. A time of prayer, a chance meeting with the only African missionary I’ve met here, and an invitation from a secular University all pointing me in the same direction. Coincidence? Possibly, but with eyes of faith I tend to read these events and as a confirmation that attending U. Washington was God’s best for me.

Oh, I almost forgot one last detail. The name of Francis’ hometown in Ghana is, when translated into English, “If you love me, come.”