MELODY GAROFALO
Go To Nations International Internship Director
2007 Graduate of Christ For The Nations
I had wanted to be a missionary since I was a little girl. I didn't know how, I just knew that I would have a fulfilled life if I become a missionary but how would I become a missionary since I had never met one? Was this an unrealistic goal? If I become one, for how long? How could I financially sustain myself in the field? These were the basic questions I asked myself.
I was a scientist in Newark, Delaware and while I evaluated the anthrax molecule, I couldn't help of thinking about God's passion in my heart. What am I waiting for I asked myself. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I had a call to the nations and I needed to answer. Two years later, I signed up for the Global Mission School of Missions. My goals were to be a long lasting missionary because I knew I wanted to have good preparation and that I wanted to serve with the best in His field.
I was a scientist in Newark, Delaware and while I evaluated the anthrax molecule, I couldn't help of thinking about God's passion in my heart. What am I waiting for I asked myself. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I had a call to the nations and I needed to answer. Two years later, I signed up for the Global Mission School of Missions. My goals were to be a long lasting missionary because I knew I wanted to have good preparation and that I wanted to serve with the best in His field.
I arrived in Dallas, Texas on the 8th of January, 2007. It was cold and after overcoming some housing challenges, I realized I did not bring bed sheets. For sure I had read the instructions but it must have just slipped my mind. Frustrated by all the changes, decisions, challenges, conflicts, and nuances, I had had it one day. I went to my car and grabbed the wheel and as I bowed my head, I cried.
I looked up at myself in the rear view mirror and told myself that I could just pick up and go. I could quit. I had had everything. None of my challenges, none of my new circumstances were darker than how my life would be if I didn't obey God's call on my life. I knew I couldn't live with myself anymore if I return to a life of disobedience. I knew I could do great things in my life, but nothing would compare to the peace I would have if I answer His call.
I didn't give up and every morning walking to chapel God whispered to me the great things He would do through me. Little Puerto Rican 'ol me. The connections, the lessons, and all the knowledge I learned allowed me to build a strong path to the nations only to be sealed with my internship (field school) with Go To Nations. The Timothy Internship Program gave me practical tools to be successful in the mission field that I didn't know I needed.
My time at CFNI gave me a lot of knowledge and wisdom, and the internship allowed me to practice what was poured into me in the classroom. Today I have graduated over 140 missionaries for field service with Go To Nations as the International Internship Director. These graduates have been trained in Honduras, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and the Philippines.
In addition to the internships, I have trained over 300 pastors on how to strengthen their missions call and increase their efforts in the Great Commission. I serve alongside a mobilization team that is focused on empowering the people of Latin America to become a mission sending force themselves. I wholeheartedly believe that my training at CFNI and with Go To Nations is what has empowered me to serve as a missionary leader. I encourage everyone to go and trust God with their missions call.
My time at CFNI gave me a lot of knowledge and wisdom, and the internship allowed me to practice what was poured into me in the classroom. Today I have graduated over 140 missionaries for field service with Go To Nations as the International Internship Director. These graduates have been trained in Honduras, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and the Philippines.
In addition to the internships, I have trained over 300 pastors on how to strengthen their missions call and increase their efforts in the Great Commission. I serve alongside a mobilization team that is focused on empowering the people of Latin America to become a mission sending force themselves. I wholeheartedly believe that my training at CFNI and with Go To Nations is what has empowered me to serve as a missionary leader. I encourage everyone to go and trust God with their missions call.
