Dear Friends,
It is amazing what God can do in one year. Actually, less than one year ago, I would have questioned my own motives in what I am about to share with you. And today, I have never been so certain of something in my life. For those of you who know me, you know I am a bumbling, broken, clumsy spirit, who desires nothing more than to pursue my Savior with all of my heart. I am certainly not shy about what goes on inside my head, and sharing my experiences, in hopes that others will not follow some of my examples. That is how I learn…by falling and getting up again and again. And that is why I am writing to you today. I have a beautiful story of redemption in my heart, and I want to share it with others, not only here, but also across the world, and I want to start this in Ghana, Africa.
If your jaw just dropped, welcome to my world. It is the craziest thing I have ever heard. Me, AFRICA? What? I can recall a conversation in May of 2010 where I blatantly stated that I was “happy right here, with all of this” (referencing my comfortable life) and “why do we need to travel across the world, when there are people here to minister too as well”. Albeit true, and I certainly have a heart for domestic missions, we are called to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”(Matthew 28:19-20) That can mean several things to different people, and to me, it means traveling to Africa. My dear friend who traveled to Zambia, Africa last year came back with a beautiful story of miracles and His love. When she looked at me and said “you HAVE to go, Nikki, they need to hear your story”, I laughed inside my head. I had ZERO desire to do so, but little by little God has been chipping away my doubts and fears. I began to pursue missional opportunities for the coming year, to anywhere BUT Africa, in November. I had also begun a growing and wonderful friendship with someone with a heart, and plan to travel, for Africa. She off-handedly asked me to join her, and to my own surprise, I said yes. With much prayer and debating with God, that is how I am here.
In April of this year, I will travel to Nalerigu, Ghana to work with The Baptist Medical Centre (http://baptistmedicalcentre.org/) there.
The team in which I am traveling with will be working in the hospital, which houses 123 patient beds and remains overloaded. My part in this trip will reside predominately with an orphanage on campus, sharing the Love of Jesus Christ with the children, and whatever else I can get my hands into to serve. It is my most honest step of faith, as I truly am not sure what this journey will mean for me, except the most desirable outcome, a closer relationship with my Beloved. From the BMC website, “Currently the BMC is a 123 bed hospital whose reputation brings people from as far south as Accra, as far east as Togo and Nigeria, and as far north as Burkina Faso and Mali. Most recent yearly statistics are as follows: 60,000 outpatient visits, 10,000 inpatients, 1,200 major operations, and 2,500-3,000 minor procedures. Over that past 50 years, it is estimated that over 3 million patients have visited the hospital and around 70 Baptist churches have been planted in Northern Ghana.” I have included links below to a video and article that particularly touched my heart as I have been on this pursuit to Nalerigu.
Most importantly, I need you for this trip. I need your prayers. I know this is an obedient walk of faith, but it will not happen without some serious praying over the next couple of months.
Please pray:
- that I would be prepared over the next couple of months by being faithful to spend time praying and in the Word
- for the children in Nalerigu that I will meet
- for the team that I am traveling with; two doctors that will work in the BMC
- for the predominately Muslim population in Northern Ghana; that God would prepare their hearts for His Gospel to be shared with them
- for BMC, Greg Nyhus, and other missionaries there; that God will sustain and continue to encourage them
For updates on this journey and my walk with God, please visit my blog at http://nikkirodden.blogspot.com/. Thank you for your time and encouragement. If you would like to support my mission financially, please send gifts before March 15th to The Church in the Center, P.O. Box 300781, Houston, TX 77230, with “Ghana NR” in the memo line.
grace & peace,
nikki rodden
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I love it!!! Sorry I hadn't written back yet, but I guess you've already finalized it. It looks great. You will fall in love!! :)
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