#studentmissions

I write this post from a desk. A desk in a small bedroom in a small house in a little place called Collegedale. The truth is a couple of weeks ago I was expecting to be typing my next blog post from the table in the Tasba Raya mission kitchen. I thought I would be sweating just sitting there waiting for the slow internet connection to finally upload my blog post. Instead, the internet is quite trusty and I sit in my own climate controlled little house.

Despite the fact that this is nothing like the place I expected to be at this point, I know that I’m in exactly the place I should be! And I’m content with it too. When I run into people who knew that I was preparing to travel to Nicaragua for the year and they realize that I’m here their reaction is often, “I’m so sorry that you couldn’t go!” I’m sorry it didn’t work out to go at this time too; however I’m happy to be here. I don’t know exactly why I’m back in Tennessee, but I know I will find out eventually!

The doors to Nicaragua have been closed. Quite possibly only temporarily. The unrest could be resolved within the next couple of months and I could be given the opportunity to spend the spring 2016 semester starting in January down at the Tasba Raya clinic in Nicaragua. Or this could be a big stop sign. I may not be given the opportunity to return to Nicaragua. I do know that even though this door has been closed I have been given several open doors to walk through.

It was only a few short weeks before Southern’s school semester started that I found out my departure to Nicaragua would be delayed for at least two months. My original plan was to find out if there were other locations I could go serve as a student missionary in, but I had some difficulty getting information about how long it would take to get relocated and ready to leave again. So I started thinking about enrolling in school again so that I could do something productive while I figured out what my next step was. However, I was worried about losing all the money that my friends and family had donated toward my trip to Nicaragua.

Finally, on the Friday before school started I was able to get some questions answered. The money that had been donated will be reserved for me to use whenever I am able to get connected with another mission experience. So on Friday I quickly registered for my Bachelor nursing classes (a huge open door because I was able to get a full load of classes even though many classes are filled at this point in registration). Then, because I hadn’t known for sure that I’d be here for the semester until Friday, I quickly had to find a place to stay for the semester. I hadn’t registered for on campus housing and I hadn’t talked to anyone about renting for a semester. So Friday afternoon Ana and I spent a lot of time looking at ads, calling people, and visiting houses. Friday night I ended up with two great options. By Sunday I was able to confirm where I would be living and move in. Another door that was wide open for me! It’s difficult to find a place to rent and be able to move in all in a single weekend, but it happened!

So here I am, back in Tennessee, back in school, and thoroughly enjoying life! Of course I’d love to be travelling and putting my nursing skills to use, but I know I’ll have those opportunities again. If this is where God is asking me to be right now, I want to enjoy it, soak it all up, and make the absolute most of it! I’m also excited because at this point I’m just along for the ride. I don’t know what’s coming next. I could be serving my student mission time in January, or I may continue working on my Bachelor’s degree and then serve after I finish my schooling. Whatever the next step may be, I just know that I’m looking forward to it wholeheartedly knowing that in the meantime I am in exactly the place I should be.

I have recently made the decision to serve as a student missionary for several months. I actually don’t know many of the details right now and I have just about as many questions as you all do, but I would like to invite you to journey with me as I start out on this new adventure!

I am currently in the process of applying to specific positions and locations. This past spring break I went on a short mission trip to Francia Sirpi, Nicaragua which became my inspiration to serve in a long term mission. My hope is that I will be able to return to Francia Sirpi in the fall and work in the clinic as a nurse (I graduated with my AS in Nursing last weekend!) As I said I am currently applying for this position, but I will be sure to update you as information becomes available.

Thank you for your support, love, thoughts, and prayers! And welcome to this new page in my book! (Pun totally intended!)

Yokwe (Hello)! My name is Stazy Manueke. I attend La Sierra University and this school year I've decided to dedicate it to Missions and become a SM (Student Missionary).  I've always wanted to get back to the fields of missions due to my high school mission trip I partook in. I was a Senior attending Puget Sound Adventist Academy and that mission trip was the first one I've ever gone on. It was a two-week mission trip to Mexico. Our mission was to build another orphanage for these orphans that lived on top of a hillside. It was the first time I've seen miracles and God's call for me to do missions sometime in the near future. 

For this next school year I will be on the island of Ebeye. It is a part of the Marshall Islands located in the middle of the pacific ocean. It is a mile and a half long island with a estimated population of 15,000 people. Over half of the population are kids. I will be teaching mainly 6th Grade at Ebeye Seventh-day Adventist School.