My college president used to tell us in Chapel, “Don’t doubt in he dark what God shows you in the light.” I also think of Paul’s words to the young churches he had founded, “We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

The issue of student loans and getting work is a real problem these days. However, this does not mean that the Lord can’t lead you on to His perfect will and provide for your needs. “The One who has called you is faithful…” (1 Thes 5:24).

My suggestions: • Review God’s call to mission. Thank Him for it, and remind Him that it is His responsibility to care for you and help you to serve Him where He wants you to be. • Keep looking for work, even if it is low entry job. Use this experience to learn new dimensions about life. Get to know the people you are working with, possibly the kind of people you haven’t been able to meet before. • Keep serving in the church, even as a volunteer. You are learning to minister, you are learning about the strengths and weakness of a congregation, and you are showing the leadership that you serve God not just because you get paid for it. This last aspect will be important when you talk to them about supporting you as a missionary. • Form a small prayer group of like minded people who like you, believe in you, and share your dream. Pray for the people you are witnessing to, for your finances, for the people you would like to serve among one day. • Be faithful in your quiet time each day. Grow in intercession.

I am not suggesting that this experience will be an easy one. You will struggle to believe God is there. You may be humiliated in your work. You may begin to wonder if you’ll ever get to where you want to go. But in and through it all, Sharlene, I believe you will get to know the Lord better. You will get to know yourself better. And I’m quite sure that the Lord will begin preparing you for what He has in store for the future.