From a young age I had the knowledge that I needed Jesus in my life for forgiveness of my sins. This burning desire to tell others about Jesus had me witnessing to my friends in school.
I can remember back in Grade One a friend of mine wanted to accept Jesus into her life, so we knelt down beside a toilet in the girls bathroom during lunch break and I led her to the Lord. (The bathroom was the only place I could think of that was private!)
When I got home from school that day I was so excited to share with my mom the good news of what had happened. After I told her, with tears in my eyes, I said these words “Mommy, can I ask Jesus into my heart, too?” I was a missionary before my time!!
I’m thankful my story doesn’t end there…
Through the years God has deepened my understanding of His grace and love, and His ability to change lives that surrender to Him! In the early 1980’s God led my family into a singing ministry, “The Singing Hills.” This had us touring full-time across Canada and the States for more than 30 years.
During the beginning years of our touring ministry, my parents joined NCEM and were missionaries with them for many years to follow. What a great foundation that gave our singing ministry as we were starting out. From a young age, it allowed me to see God answer prayers as my parents exhibited “living by faith” for our daily needs. It taught me from youth to pray, expecting God to answer needs, even in the smallest details of life.
So now, as I fast forward to present day, it’s no surprise to me that God has once again called me into a “faith lifestyle,” as I came on board with NCEM as a missionary candidate in October of 2021, in preparation to be a full-time career missionary!
I was asked to come and be a part of the Tribal Trails TV ministry, and that seemed a likely place for me to be as I started out TV taping with them when I was only 8 years old.
When I think back to being a young girl, watching all that went on behind the scenes to make the Tribal Trails program come about, it intrigued me. I wanted to run the cameras, and understand how everything worked! Now I will have the opportunity to be in front of the camera, but also working behind the scenes. And because we’ve taped throughout the years with Tribal Trails, it’s kind of like coming back to be with family as I re-connect with the crew. It’s a full circle moment in my life for sure!
The reason I felt a peace about working with Tribal Trails is the effectiveness of reaching First Nations people, and many others, with the message of Jesus, right from their TV sets! What an amazing outlet for sharing God’s Word through testimony and song.
I know that if God could find my family on the Six Nations Reserve in southern Ontario, and change our lives … then no one is beyond His reach! I’m excited for all that God has for me in the days ahead, and anticipate good things for the glory of His Kingdom!
To think, what started in the heart of a little girl back many years ago, began a ministry journey for me that has lasted throughout my entire life! And even though I might have been a “missionary before my time” in my early years, I fully know that God had a plan even back then! I pray God’s continued presence as I begin this exciting new chapter in my life with NCEM and Tribal Trails.
