A seed planted

I have always had a desire in my heart to serve people in Africa.  I know the moment the seed was planted in my heart.  I was sitting in a pew at First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, NC and heard missionaries talk about those who don't have everything they need for basic living.  I realized how very blessed I am and there was an awakening that day involving the knowledge that we can help others.

My jobs have gotten me closer to Africa.  I was an international Recruiter for Microsoft, responsible for finding and hiring talent in the Middle East and Africa.  I was a Global Recruiter for PATH (non profit in global health addressing some of the world's most critical health issues), hiring from and for Africa, mostly in developing countries where the projects were being implemented.

Still, I always knew something bigger, something greater would unfold in my life related to Africa.  Once I decided to move back to NC, the dreams that had laid dormant for years came flooding back.  Over just a matter of weeks, conversations happened, doors opened, the path became clear and the journey begins...

This may seem like a random picture and in some ways it is.  I was trying to find something to symbolize the start of the journey.  Well, not so many options in iPhoto.  However, this is what I decided to post.  This is a picture of Cannon Beach, OR.  I am looking through a fence out at the ocean and beautiful landscape.  This makes me think of a whole big world on the other side, yet sometimes there is a wall that prevents us from exploring it.  I have decided to jump over the fence and see what that big ol world has to offer.