I remember as a five year old dreaming that one day I would become a doctor and live and work among the Tuareg people in West Africa. I wanted to make a difference in their lives.

As I grew older and started taking biology classes in high school, that dream began to fade and new ideas of what I wanted to do emerged. I went to university, where I studied communications and political science, and life went on. My dreams changed…or so I thought.

The other day, as I was writing a reflection paper on vocation for one of my grad school courses, it occurred to me that I am currently living the dream of that five year old dreamer. It looks a little different than my five year old self could have pictured—but I am working in community health in a developing country doing what I am passionate about doing. I have the opportunity to minister to people on a variety of levels—primarily through health programs.

 

As I am reflecting on the last three years of working in Jakarta, I realized that when I first decided to move to Indonesia, I never could have imagined how much I would fall in love with this beautiful country. I have had the opportunity to participate in and experience so many incredible things. I’ve gotten to work with an amazing team, start a health education program, develop a nutrition program for our kindergarten students in slum communities, recruit hundreds of volunteers to work in community projects, take teams to other parts of Indonesia, eat the most incredible foods, make amazing friendships, and become a part of an incredible church family.

I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve in Indonesia. And thinking about what I do now as the realization of a dream God gave me 21 years ago is pretty incredible. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and my work in Indonesia over the next years.

The last three years have had a lot of ups, a lot of downs, and everything in between, but in spite of it all, I know I am where I am supposed to be. I am doing what I am passionate about doing. I am living the dream of that five year old little dreamer….