A Changed Heart

By |Published On: August 4, 2014|Categories: Articles|

Naomi serving a special needs child in ChinaToday’s post was written by a Global Missions Intern, Naomi. 

“I’m Naomi, an ordinary 22-year-old who thought she knew the plan for her life. Two years ago, if you had told me that I would be serving the Lord in China, I would have said, ‘impossible.’ My story is one that illustrates God’s awesomeness and His love for us no matter where we are in life.

I grew up with two loving Christian parents who taught me to love Jesus with my whole heart. As a teen and into my college years, I gradually pulled away from the church and the Christian faith all together. Sadly, I spent time seeking my own desires when and with whomever I wanted. In March 2013, I was approached by a dear friend who asked me to accompany her on a Joni and Friends internship and serve orphans with disabilities in China. Although the idea of using my degree in sports medicine and pediatric rehabilitation was appealing, I turned down the invitation. In fact, I declined several times – China was just not in my plans for the future. But God had a different idea. As weeks passed, I couldn’t get China out of my head and this relentless persistence convinced me that I needed to go.

When we arrived at the village in China, I immediately felt at peace. My heart had never felt such love and compassion before. I melted at the sight of the children’s joy-filled smiles and loving hearts; they were even open to me, a complete stranger. This overwhelming love and joy grabbed me and has yet to let go. I know God used these special needs kids to show me my need for a Savior and his everlasting love for me.

My life was so deeply impacted, that I decided to return again this year to a Joni and Friends Internship. Both of these internships helped me realize how much I really didn’t know myself, but how much Jesus did. He knew that I would fall in love with the people of China. Using my profession to serve Christ and children with special needs has been a dream come true; it’s like no other job that I have ever had. I’m so thankful that I have been able to be a part of the impact that our internships are making in China. Last summer’s internship impacted me so deeply that I decided to stay on as an intern at Shepherd’s Field Children’s village even after the outreach ended. Every day in China I am reminded of the miraculous power and awesomeness of our Redeeming Lord and Savior.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will direct your path’ –Proverbs 3:5 (NLV)”

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