The images I viewed on the morning of September 11, 2001, will be engraved forever in my memory. As my co-workers and I watched the unfolding news coverage on our local television station, I trembled with fear. Seeing the destruction and loss of life was more than I could comprehend, and I wanted it so much not to be real.

I had worked as a paramedic for the last 13 years, so I knew I had to do something. I felt that I had a moral and ethical responsibility to go and help out in some way.

I contacted the American Red Cross. As I spoke with their officials and other agencies, I learned that they had plenty of medical help and volunteers in the area.

I felt totally helpless because I wanted to go to New York City and help my fellow citizens in this time of need. I thought over and over of what I could do to help. Finally, I realized I needed to ask God what He wanted me to do, not what I thought I needed to do.

Throughout the week I prayed continuously to God and asked for His guidance. It was on the evening of September 16, while my daughter and I were on our way to church, that Gods will came to me. I was to go to New York City to pray and visit with the people there. I thought to myself at first, God, why do you want me to do that when I am trained as a paramedic?

Then I realized God had bigger plans for me. I needed to stop resisting what God wanted me to do. Even though I feared that I would fail on this mission since it was my firstplus my Crohns disease was flaring up, and I would be far from familyI knew God would take care of everything. The time had come in my life for me to walk by faith.

I prayed to God for strength, courage and wisdom. I knew without a doubt what God wanted me to do, and I was going to do His will. By surrendering my life totally to Him, I received an inexplicable peace.

I spoke with my pastor and our church, and they supported me both spiritually and financially. On Sunday, September 23, my church commissioned me to go and serve. On the evening of September 24, a friend and I boarded a bus to New York City.

We arrived on the morning of the 26th. We visited with people from all over the city, praying with them on the subways and streets. We prayed over the pictures of people still missing that were placed throughout the city on walls and fences.

That afternoon we made our way down to Ground Zero. The air was full of the odor of smoldering debris. You could actually feel the grittiness of particles that were still in the air. Ash and dust were everywhere. Seeing the debris and rubble from the World Trade Center was very moving. Just to imagine that all of that debris and rubble was a tomb for thousands of people left me speechless. We had the opportunity to witness and visit with rescue workers and friends of victims at Ground Zero.

The next day we visited with several firefighters throughout the city. As we made our way back to midtown Manhattan, we had a Bible study with some homeless people. We gave them food and blankets, but more important, we gave them the Word of God. As we continued to walk through the city, we talked about Christ and handed out tracks to hundreds of people. What an experience it was to share Gods word and love.

Everyone we spoke to said they knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior except one man by the name of John. We met John down in Times Square. He told me he wanted to know God, and he was depending on me to show him the Way. As we prayed together, God gave me the strength and words of scripture. God was in control, and I wasnt nervous anymore.

Right there in Times Square, John accepted Jesus. I realized at that moment why God had sent me here to pray with people and not to provide medical services.

As John and I shook hands and hugged, I told him that I may never see you again on this earth, but Ill see you in Heaven.  A peace came over Johns face. He went on his way, and my friend and I went to the bus station to board our bus.

We arrived home on September 29, and Im eagerly seeking my next opportunity to be on mission.