From Doug Stemen: 5/24/07

God has brought missions into our family in a most remarkable way.
Our daughter, Elisabeth, was drawn to Alex and Gigi Madrid and their desire to start missions work in Bolivia. After much family discussion, we decided to allow Elisabeth to make the trip. She took on all of the legwork in raising the funds and preparing for the trip. Our daughter came home from that first trip so filled with power of God’s work to the less fortunate that Pamela and I were completely overwhelmed. We were somewhat apprehensive when she told us that she would be going on future trips. After discussions with Gigi, we came to know that Elisabeth has a true heart for this work.

With that, Elisabeth made 2 more trips before her Senior year in high School. As her graduation drew near, she came to us and asked that instead of a graduation gift, she would much rather have us all go to Bolivia as a family and share in her love for the children at the orphanage and to more fully understand her desire and love for missions. We agreed and having gone, I can’t imagine not having been there with her. As a family, we saw God working in ways and places that others would view as hopeless. It also allowed us to share such valuable time with other Christians and learning how God can more fully work in our lives through service to others.

The Africa trip, which Elisabeth and I will be taking in 2 weeks, came about in much the same way as Elisabeth’s first trip to Bolivia. When she found out that the Sharps were thinking about returning to Africa, she immediately got on the phone with Teresa from college at Appalachian State to get the details. Three weeks later I received a card in the mail from her saying, “daddy will you please go with me to Africa”?

The day I received the card, my phone rang as I was traveling on business. The voice on the other end said, well dad, did you get my card? I replied that I had. Well, what do you think? I was silent for a moment and she jumped in as always. I know dad, you’re in that box already, worrying about raising the money and all of the details. By the way, I received an e-mail from Pastor Mike. He mentioned that Africa is where he decided that he wanted to go into the ministry. You know this is a God thing and we need to step out and make this happen. At that point, I told her I would call her back in 30 minutes. I stopped at the next rest area and walked and cried, so overwhelmed by what had just happened that I was out of control. I knew she was right and God was showing me the way through her and her heart.

I then called Pamela, and the decision was made. Although I have been filled with apprehension at times, Gods message of hope is much stronger as departure time approaches. The time we will share together and with other Christians will be amazing and rewarding. I hope that this will be the first of many trips to this part of the world for our church.

The trip is especially important in the fact God has led Elisabeth to pursue a career in Public Relations for non-profit organizations with emphasis on Missions. She truly wants to understand the needs of others in as many parts of the world as possible.

Thank you for this time and opportunity to share our family’s journey in missio Dei.