Today, I introduce Tonya Nash, a “newbie” (like myself) to the Sierra Leone mission trip. I look forward to the “stories” she and I will have when we return from our maiden voyage. I ask you to pray fervently for Tonya today. She works hard as a Physician’s Assistant at Eagle Creek Medical Center in Buchanan, Tennessee and has endured an especially challenging week. Then this morning, a water pipe burst in an upstairs wall of her home and she experienced a hard “rainfall” from the ceiling into her kitchen. She has been working hard to “go with the flow” (her words, I promise). Pray that her family finds a good plumber and that her home suffers minimal damage.
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| A Favorite Bible Verse of Tonya's |
I never cease to be amazed at the path God directs me down. I was a stay-at-home mom when our kids were little and wouldn’t trade that special time with my children for anything. But I knew that when my kids left home I would need something to keep me busy (and we had 2 kids to get through college) so I went back to college and got my master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. At the time I went to PA school, I was so very fortunate to be one of only 24 students accepted into one of only two programs in Tennessee. Getting that degree was a real accomplishment for it wasn't easy. I am certain there were days when God’s footprints were the only ones seen in the sand. I finished the same year that my son graduated from high school. He went off to college and I began working full time. A few years later, when Laura went to college, my supervising physician put me in charge of building and opening Eagle Creek Clinic. During this entire time, I have felt God’s guidance and loving arms around me. Certainly, you can see God’s handiwork in keeping me busy and focused at times when I needed it most.
I continue to feel God’s guidance as we prepare for our trip to Sierra Leone, West Africa. My beautiful daughter, Laura, and God working through her, led to my participation in this mission trip. (Stay tuned for her introduction on March 5th, as I am certain she will share her path.) This is my path...Laura asked me to go with her, so I am going. I love people and caring for people so I will go and serve as I can. I am eager to share this very special trip with Laura and pray daily that God works through me to help in any way possible. Maybe, this trip be the first of many for me as my team members haven’t been able to stop with just one.
I am also pleased to share this trip with some team members that have been special to me throughout my life. Debbie Jelks and I went to high school together, worked at McDonalds, and she was in color guard when I was in band. Debbie’s oldest son and my youngest are the same age and they were in Mother’s Morning Out together. Now, we're both employees of Henry County Medical Center. It's amazing how paths cross. Through the years, Carol Doster has coached and encouraged me as an aerobics instructor (and as I recall Debbie was in lots of those classes). Carol was also a Sunday School classmate. Having Carol and my paths cross with this trip is going to make it even better. Rebecca Selby, I may forever think of her as – Becca, a little girl. Surely she can’t be about to graduate from college! She was in my Club 56 group and I worked with her as an acolyte. Now she's a beautiful grown woman. (makes me feel old! LOL) Then there is Dr. Debi. She cared for my kids along with so many children of Henry County. I recall the time worked on Jonathan’s toe and he kicked her tray and made a big mess. She was so patient with him. She saw Laura through a chronic illness requiring a referral to Vanderbilt and I heard multiple praises of Dr. Debi’s medical work-up from the specialists we saw. Henry County is fortunate Dr. Debi chose to call it “home.” Debi allowed me to shadow her when I was trying to decide whether to go to PA school. And now as He directs our paths, we are packing to go to a foreign country and provide medical care together. I pray that I can be an assistant to the work that she has planned and that my medical skills are useful for the children of Sierra Leone. Robert Hill and Jane Etheridge, He has directed our paths together and I look forward to what He has planned for us and to getting to know you both better.
In preparation for the trip, I read a physician’s thoughts about how short term missions “will rarely have a major impact on the indigenous culture of regional health statistics.” This comment was disappointing at first, making me to realize that there is so much work to be done and our team of 8 can only accomplish a limited amount of work during the 6 clinics we hold. But I also read that short term missions “will often show you more about yourself and your relationship with God than about anything else.” I believe our team will make a difference, one child at a time and I know He will be working with us. I know this trip is going to be a blessing to all involved and I look forward to this time bringing me closer to Him!
I want to give a very special “THANK YOU” to my husband and family and everyone in our church and community that has supported our trip in so many ways I am so very thankful for this opportunity and for my team members willingness to give of themselves and their time so that this trip is possible. I look forward to getting to know each of them more as we serve the children and people of Sierra Leone and spreading His word as He directs our paths to do His works. "
Tonya
Tonya
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