By: Elba Duson
“It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Romans 9:16).
Thinking about the way God called me makes me very nostalgic. I was born in a very beautiful and happy town called Bayaguana, in the Dominican Republic. I am the oldest of two siblings, and ever since we were little, we have been very close. Along with my mother, we were a part of the Church of the Nazarene, and we always served in different ministries. A peculiar question constantly swirled around in my mind: what does God expect of me? At the age of 16, God moved my heart in a special way: I made the decision to give my life completely to him and start growing in him while I continued to discover his will.
Multitasking was one of the characteristics that defined me. I would get involved in everything: worship, dance, theater, children’s ministry, missions, my work, university, etc. I always believed that I could push myself harder and harder regardless of my physical and emotional health. As a consequence of this, I had a lot of stress, and was like a roadrunner trying to speed down a path. After a lot of exhaustion, I stopped, and my mother wisely told me these words that I treasure in my heart to this day: “God is not interested in you doing many things for him. He’d rather have you do one if you do it well.” From that moment my attitude changed, and I asked the Lord to allow me to focus on one thing for him and put all my heart and strength into it.
That one thing became missions. The more I got involved and learned about the need for workers for the harvest, the more I felt that special call from God for my life. In 2017 I communicated to my leaders my desire to serve as a volunteer missionary with Genesis, and I began my process as a candidate. I worked hard to finish college and focused on mobilizing my district for missions and planting a new church in my neighborhood.
One day my dear sister suddenly died. During the most difficult moment of my life, where I felt that my heart was closing and my spirits were low, God began to open doors. I got a call from my district superintendent saying, “Elba, we are ready to send you as a Genesis missionary next year.” But how could that be if my family needed my comfort and support?
1 Corinthians 2:14 says: “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” God works in mysterious ways and meets you at your time of greatest need, right when you feel that your strength is not the same or that you are not enough. I couldn’t understand why the Lord would take my sister away, but still my heart and love for him and his mission kept urging me to say, “I will go”. The process was not easy, but God was faithful and still is. In a special way, I received the support of my family, church, friends, and community.
I finally managed to travel to Guatemala to serve and plant a church for two years. It was a great challenge to do so in a time of pandemic, but I was able to see the power and glory of God manifested in many ways. The Lord has formed in me a stronger and more dependent character and a great passion to bring salvation and life to other people. God has guided me so that I continue to respond to his call, and as I look back, I am thankful for all he has done.
It is the Lord’s desire that we preach his word at all times. He allows things to happen in our lives for a purpose. He makes the ordinary into something extraordinary and lets our experiences in life serve as an example and testimony to reach many. Today I challenge you to put your life, your future, your dreams, and everything you are into the hands of the Lord. Trust him, and his plan will be done in your life. You will not regret it! His will for us is good, pleasing, and perfect!
*Elba Duson has served as a missionary in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. She is currently the Missions Mobilization Coordinator for the Mesocentral Field.
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