Vision of Hope has an amazing internship program where women learn about biblical counseling and how to help other women who are struggling with serious, life-dominating problems. One of those women I would like to introduce to you today is Megan! One of our newest interns, Megan came to us in July from Raytown, Missouri. Megan heard about our internship program while doing a google search of women’s treatment centers. She considered working with a different ministry, but after visiting Vision of Hope she decided to come here. Megan has had no previous exposure to biblical counseling, and learning more about this is one thing she is looking forward to. During her time as an intern, Megan would like to see biblical counseling applied and lived out, and to learn all the ins and outs of how a residential treatment center works and runs smoothly.
I have asked Megan to share her testimony with us, and she has been very gracious to do so! Please enjoy this amazing story of God’s faithful love!
“My story starts at Graceway in Kansas City, MO. This is the church I grew up at. Every Sunday I would sit in Sunday School and hear about Jesus, how much he loves me and what he did for me. When I was eight I asked my parents if I could be saved. I prayed a prayer with them Easter night. I was baptized a few months after that, but nothing in my life really changed. When I moved to the Jr. High class at church, they had a Bible reading plan that took us through the Bible in a year. I was excited to read the Bible every day, and this is when I believe I started to grow in my relationship with God. I completed the reading plan my 7thand 8thgrade years. After that, High School for me was stagnant. I didn’t fall away from God, but I wasn’t growing either.
In 2007, I started college at the University of Central Missouri, majoring in Interior Design. In February of my freshman year I went to the Passion Conference. The one thing I can still remember was Louie Giglio asking, “If I had a plane outside waiting to take you to Brazil to speak to people about God, who would get on the plane right now?” I realized that would not have gotten on that plane. I had no desire to leave the country. Looking back on it now, I can see how much God has stretched me and how that would no longer be my answer. The first mission trip I took was over Spring Break in 2009 to St. Louis du Nord, Haiti. Many things impacted me on that trip, but the biggest thing was a little girl. She didn’t want to join in what the other kids were doing, so I had to keep struggling with her so she wouldn’t climb the stairs and leave the group. I was getting very frustrated, when we finally sat down and I started blowing bubbles. After a while, she started blowing bubbles herself. I was so proud of her – I had taught her that. I was filled with so much joy because of the smile on her face, and since then I have taken four more trips to Haiti.
After graduating, I started working at the Christian Campus House at the University of Central Missouri as a Staff Intern where I had the opportunity to meet with college girls and use my artistic talents with many projects. In a normal week, I had lunch with girls where we would talk about how they were growing with Christ, and I was vulnerable with them showing I am still growing as well. I planned for upcoming events, and worked on any creative ideas we may have for our weekly Wednesday night service. I loved going to work every day but this was never in my plans for what I thought I would love to be doing.
After the earthquake in Haiti, I was so upset with the poor housing options being sent to Haiti and how slow the whole process was. Today four years later, people are still living in tents. I have a dream to rebuild Haiti, and whether I am actually the one building the houses or not isn’t what matters most. There are broken families and relationships in Haiti that need building back up as well. I wanted to be a part of the renewing process.
This sent me into seeking out an organization that was working in Haiti. Through New Mission Systems International I spent six months living with a family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I worked with a pastor who had started a school and orphanage. I taught the kids English and learned more about Haiti culture. I am thankful to have had that experience but those were the hardest six months I have ever been though. It showed me that we can’t always fix other people’s problems, and sometimes we must let go so they can do it on their own.
Looking back on how I got to where I am today, I can see that God’s plans are so much more than we can imagine. I stepped out of my comfort zone and became a community group leader, I’ve left the county close to a dozen times now, and I started working for the Campus House when it had nothing to do with my degree. Selfishly, I chose Interior Design, but I can see now how God has used that knowledge to give me a passion and love for people who do not have homes. I would like to work in America doing ministry with people who need the lift to get to where they can be independent. Initially, after completing my internship at Vision of Hope, I would like to be a part of a start up of a home back in my college town for low-income college girls seeking community and help with figuring out what to do, now that they are on their own. I would love to serve overseas again one day as well.”
It is easy to see why we are grateful the Lord has called Megan to Vision of Hope.
Stay tuned, as we will be introducing you another amazing young lady in our next internship post.