I am called to model bravery, faith and courage. I do this by going on mission trips, and by living beyond my head-injury to become an encourager for others.
My small group life is incorporated in my mission groups. I also get support from my family, special friends, and from my fellow mission team members. I am just beginning to recognize that I do support others.
God Is calling me to personal growth in my communication skills, in Bible Study, and in my voice becoming a clear instrument for His use.
God instilled in me a love for all He made. As I went through college and found my first job, He helped me to focus my efforts on encouraging people not to waste food. I also was (and still am) a great lover of the natural world and all It has to offer. While I was learning and teaching and serving God in an open camp environment, I was head-injured, which put an abrupt end to this phase of my life.
God reinforced my fellowship of believers. I get spiritual support and encouragement from this fellowship, which includes my biological family as well as my church family. They encourage me at all times, in my various mission projects. As a handicapped individual, I have a unique opportunity to be a source of encouragement to others, as I live past the limitation of my disabilities, seeking to become all God is calling me to be.
God is calling me to:
1. Love Jesus
This is my number one mission in life: to glorify Jesus Christ, as I am able, not letting my handicaps define my life.
2. Love the people in my life
I love my family (which includes 2 'quite-a-handful' puppies!), my close friends, and my church family. I am so grateful to be a part of West Hills' choir and receive affirmations from other members of the choir.
3. Support Bread for the World
In the midst of my ongoing recovery, I was introduced to Bread for the World again. That has become a priority mission in my life. I give monetarily to Bread for the World, but my mission work for Bread is me, taking the initiative to write to my congressmen and encourage them to vote in favor of bills that are being discussed that, in the end, will help every person on this planet be treated equally.
4. Support CROP Walk
Shortly after I finished needing a wheelchair, I went on my first CROP Walk, which introduced me to Church World Service/CROP, and which eventually let me find my calling to be on the Omaha CROP Walk planning committee.
5. Faith at Work
In the midst of my recovery, I was introduced to Faith at Work, which is helping me live my faith.
6. National Wildlife Federation
I became aware once more of the National Wildlife Federation, which is my 'life line' to being a part of God's creation.
7. Young Life
I was involved in a Young Life mission group, one which helped kids with disabilities learn that God does indeed love them, and He does want to use them. Being a part of this group helped me to recognize that God loves me and He does have a call for me.
8. Mission Outreach Trips
I went on my first mission outreach to Ecuador, as a volunteer for For His Children. A year later I went on a mission trip to a Crow Indian tribe in Montana. These mission trips were a challenge to my perception of who I am as a handicapped person. I have begun to recognize that I do encourage others as I try my best to do what I can do. I will have another opportunity to grow in my awareness of my help/encouragement as I embark on a mission trip to Honduras and to Germany with fellow members of West Hills Presbyterian Church.
9. To support others as I am able
I do inventory and help collate at Automatic Printing, my family's business; I give blood/platelets to the Red Cross; I volunteer at the Salvation Army; I support Presbyterian Outreach; I serve on West Hills' Adult Ed. Committee ('99-'02).
I will do my best. I will keep learning who God is and what God wants me to know about my life. Anymore, I have a hard time remembering exact phrases that talk about God and what He is saying to me, but I am only head-injured, not heart-injured! My heart is growing and becoming more attuned to helping others. At the same time, I must pray for my heart to stay attuned to my own needs, so I can keep abreast of God's leading in my life.
Jana Prescott lives in Omaha NE. She is a member of West Hills Presbyterian Church.