The decision to pursue Kudjip
You gave Your life, I gave You nothing
You poured me grace, that blood keeps on running
A love so great, You took my place
After all that I’ve done, I’ve been forgiven
Those scars made a way to enter Your kingdom
On golden streets beside a King
If you haven’t heard these lyrics from Brandon Lake’s 2025 song, King of Hearts, I hope that you will take a few minutes to listen. The song captures a beautiful story—that of the thief that died on the cross next to Jesus.
Every time I hear it, I feel so much love from Jesus.
He took each of us in and accepted us before we could give anything back to Him. And that’s the point isn’t it? To realize that what we are able to give to Jesus is really insignificant in comparison to what He gave to us. He gave us His LIFE.
Since we do still have some time on this earth, let’s “use our time to show others the way” (Corrie ten Boom, I Stand at the Door and Knock). Paul and I have been praying intentionally for the last two months for our Lord Jesus to show us where He desires us to be. We looked into opportunities to work in Skid Row, Rwanda, Jordan, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea. We explored the idea of working independently with our ministry here in LA county. We spoke with multiple missionary sending organizations.
But most of all, we prayed.
After almost two months of seeking the Lord’s specific will, we both were feeling most sure of the opportunity in Papua New Guinea; however, not all of the other doors had closed. Last week, we decided it was time to fast about the decision. We prayed for the Lord to show us through a very specific communication (or lack thereof) if we should go to Kudjip, PNG. It was such a lovely time, seeking the Lord while going without food. I felt so close to Him and was reminded how deep the love I have for Him is.
Less than twelve hours after ending our fast, we received our answer from the Lord.
I think it must have been the fastest answer to a big decision like this that we’ve ever received! Praise His Holy Name!
The plan is for me to work as a dentist in their hospital, and for Paul to work as a teacher in their missionary kids’ school. I don’t feel qualified. Paul has told me he also doesn’t feel qualified. But it was helpful to be reminded by Arielle Reitsma recently, “He does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called” (Girls Gone Bible, The God Who Rescues). And so, we are going to pursue the opportunity in Kudjip. And since we feel confident that God told us to go, I will join Nehemiah in answering any doubt by saying,
“The God of heaven will give us success” (Nehemiah 2:20).
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us during this time of uncertainty. Please continue to pray with us, for the Lord to make our paths straight.
