DAWN PETERLEIN
Go To Nations Missionary to the Philippines
2005 Graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute
2005 Graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute
I attended Christ For The Nations Institute between 2003 and 2005. During my studies, CFNI allowed you to take Children and Family Ministries with some of your electives in missions and I was struggling between the two, so I was able to get the best of both worlds.
Each year I chose to do a missions trip for my summer credit and when I went to the Philippines, I fell in love with Asia. I returned to the Philippines immediately following my CFNI graduation for about 5 months where I worked with Camp Sonshine. I wanted tostep into missions full-time so I went back to the United States to attended Go To Nations' Missionary Preparation and Orientation Training but I became a bit intimidated by partner building. I was very independent and didn't like to ask for help or financial support.
I continued to go on several short-term missions, but after 7 years, I realized my purpose was not to work a typical 9-5 job. I was called to be in Asia. I saved for a year so that I could return to the Philippines. While I was there, God said to me, "No more independent missions. You are called to be a team."
I went on to do the Timothy Internship Program in Thailand and then re-joined as a missionary with Go To Nations by completing the Missionary Preparation and Orientation Training again. God changed my thinking from, I have to do this, to I get to do this! when it came to partnership building.
I went on to do the Timothy Internship Program in Thailand and then re-joined as a missionary with Go To Nations by completing the Missionary Preparation and Orientation Training again. God changed my thinking from, I have to do this, to I get to do this! when it came to partnership building.
I now use what I have learned in training when working with the children who live in the landfill in the Philippines. Working with them has opened doors for me and my missionary team to also minister to their families. We have now planted 3 Bible studies in the area; an area that was once filled with witch doctors and drug lords. Not only are their lives being transformed, but so is mine!
Have you ever realized the first couple of letters of Gods name is GO? And the first few of Satans is SAT? I am so thankful I didn't let the enemy defeat me and that I was able to overcome my fears and go to Asia. It is His command - Go!
