Hello all of my wonderful family and friends!  Over the last year the Lord has caused my heart to become even hungrier for Him, and for a life that serves Him whole heartedly.  He has been reminding me that this world is my temporary home, and the only treasures that last are the ones we store in heaven with Him.

 I have been working at Munson Hospital for four years now and have loved every minute. Not that it has been easy, that is actually very far from the truth. However, I’ve been blessed to be able to minister to people at times when they are hit with some of their lowest points in life. It is in those moments, when we come face to face with the fact that we are not invincible, that we realize we can’t do it alone, we need a Savior who saves us in the darkest parts of our lives, who is with us in the loneliest moments, who loves us when we find it hard to love ourselves, and gives us the strength to have joy in the midst of it all.

I applied for Mercy Ships over a year ago and it is just in the last few months I’ve been accepted to join them in their ministry in Togo Africa for two months. Mercy Ships is a Christian organization which has a ship that they use to sail around West Africa. The ship has been turned into a medical facility which can be used to hold up to 78 patients and houses six operating rooms.  Their mission, “Mercy Ships follows the 2000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor.” I personally will be working with patients postoperatively. I will also have opportunities to join them in ministry in the village on my days off which may include spending time in orphanages, jails, etc.

This opportunity excites my heart! We are called to love like Jesus, who loved us first. This love might look crazy to those around us but He is worth it….deserving of it! Coming face to face with Jesus changes people….! We are the hands and feet of Christ!

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. “

I Peter 4:10-11

                I’ll be posting a blog while over in Togo bnicola.blogspot.com. If you could remember to keep me in your prayers I would be so thankful! Also if any of you want to partner with me financially I’d be so blessed! This trip is going to cost about $3000.00 depending on flight costs. I placed a Donate button on the side of my blog you can use if you'd like to support me in that way! Lord willing I’ll be there from March 9^th till May 7^th.

                Each one of you has been a part of my life in some way over the years. Thank you for taking the time to read this and get excited about what God is doing in Michigan and in Africa. May He receive all the Praise!

Love you all!

Beth Nicola