I was born in the city of Brazzaville, Congo, where my parents were missionaries to the blind. It had been arranged that I would be born in Canada in the middle of February, but because I didn’t think that would be very glamorous, I decided to come six weeks early, when my father was on the other side of the country. In Congo it is illegal for children to be born at home because of the unsanitary conditions, but thankfully God arranged for someone to bring the mail to our phone-less house (it was very unusual for anyone to bring us the mail because we lived at the end of a long dirt road), and this person happened to have a neighbor who was a nurse, and so I quite unexpectedly and illegally popped into the world, a sinner from birth.

God in His goodness saved me from a few things that threatened to harm me when I was young, from jaundice, large parasites burrowing under my skin and chiggers in my feet to a poisonous snake bite. I guess I didn’t figure this was exciting enough for me, so when we arrived in Canada, I threw a paper bag on my head and tumbled down a large set of stairs onto a concrete floor. My mom was scared that I’d have permanent brain damage from this incident. We still aren’t sure, but we think God saved me from that, too.

As was apparent, not only was I a law-breaker, but a rather foolish one at that. I have always needed a Father God to rely on, a loving God who wouldn’t reject me for my stupidity and evil actions. Thankfully, my parents taught me all about Him and for as long as I can remember I have always believed in Him.

There are a few other events that stick out in my memory. My older sister went through a severe case of anorexia to where she stood at five foot seven, weighed 68 pounds and the doctors feared for her life. Incidentally, around the same time my lungs, which probably weren’t developed properly from my premature birth, caused me problems and my dad drove me to emergency because I couldn’t breathe. Today my sister is one of the most passionate Christians I know, one who has completed a mission trip to Lebanon where someone on her team was shot for being a missionary and who is now an associate editor for Living Light News in Edmonton. She and her husband are also very involved in Young Life ministry.

My parents have been through a lot, and their faith has inspired me to likewise put my faith in Christ. They've endured living far below the poverty line with four kids, my nanny (grandma) committing suicide, and raising yours truly. Within the last couple of years my mom has been through multiple surgeries to deal with a 5cm by 7cm brain tumor. Life has not always been easy, but all along it has been gudied by the Lord’s goodness and filled with His blessings. My mom has recovered well from her surgery and is still confident in God’s love and faithfulness and is thankful for answered prayers. As John writes, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1). God’s love along with my parent’s love and faith have given me great hope in my eternal family.

I was home-schooled up until high school, because of our frequent moving (I’ve lived in 8 houses), so entry into high school was quite an experience. Unsure of myself and feeling alone, I had to decide whether to pursue the things of this world, such as popularity, or whether to follow God no matter where He leads. I decided, along with Job, that "Though He slay me,yet will I trust in Him." Certainly life hasn't been perfect since then. For example, my dog Argus, who was also my closest companion, had to be put down due to cancer. However, in the face of any trouble God has always been faithful to me. He has blessed me with tremendous friends and a family that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Throughout my life, I have learned that my only hope is to put my faith in Christ, and to trust in Him and in His death and resurrection above anything else in the world. No matter what, His love has held my life together - no matter how dismal the world has seemed, I know I have a heavenly Father whose love for me is deeper than any ocean. My relationship with Him is the greatest treasure I have ever known, and is something that I am willing to die for.