Ive learned that, when God is working in your life, you shouldnt be surprised at what He can do and where you can end up. Born and raised in South Africa, I now find myself living in the United Statesby Gods grace.

As I left Johannesburg two years ago to join my family who had moved here ahead of me, I was already in Gods hands, and I didnt even know it. But, at the time, I was very uncertain what the future held. Being a single woman and leaving my home country to make a new life would not be easy. In fact, a move of many thousands of miles would qualify as a crisis in itself. Yet things were to get much worse before they got better.

I had been here only five months when my father died suddenly of a heart attack. I felt desperatenot having any of your lifelong friends at a time like this is devastating! I also had new responsibilitieswhilst still becoming accustomed to living in a new country, I had to be a support to my newly widowed mother.

God had been patient with me in the past and given me so many opportunities to turn to Him, but I always disappointed Him. However, now was a time of crisesliving in a new country, the death of my father and even a trying situation with an ex-boyfriend. So, although I had always thought of myself as a Christian, now I was having serious doubts. My crises were causing me to question the meaning of life. I think its a question we all face at times, but for many of us it sometimes takes a crisis to realize what we need.

I had nowhere to turn but to Himand He gave me the help I needed. He put into my path an on mission Christian, a fellow South African I met through my mothers church. She was so full of Gods unconditional love, and she told me that God was what I needed in my lifenothing else could fill that gap.

I began an evangelistic Bible study with my Christian friend. She was warm, and she opened her home and her heart to my mother and myself when we were in great need. One night at her kitchen table I gave my life completely to God. I didnt know what He expected of me or what would happen to me next, but I had come to the realization that He knew what was best for me. And needed His guidance.

I learned that God never forsakes us, even during the trials of life, but it took the hands and hearts of on mission Christians to show me this truth.

Shelley Inggs, editorial assistant, singgs@namb.net