Freedom International

Rachel Roberts

From: Kimmell, IN

Arrived in the Dominican: September 15, 2014

Current Financial Support Level: 85%

My Testimony

I was blessed to be born into a family with parents who love the Lord and who made it clear to me at a young age that I was a sinner, and that I was in need of a Savior.  I accepted Christ at the age of four, praying with my mother in our living room.  As I grew, Satan gained footholds in my life, and I struggled with years of confusion and doubt, distrusting my memory and the motives of my 4-year-old self.  The summer before 7^th grade, I attended a Christian summer camp where God pricked my heart, and I rededicated my life to the Lord.  I was baptized my junior year of high school. As a student at Cedarville University, I attended a chapel service where God transformed the way I thought about foreign missions. I had often wondered about my willingness to go to the mission field if God should call me.  I struggled because I wondered, “Is God calling me?  How will I know?”  In one blinding moment, God said to me, “It doesn’t matter if you know.  You need to be willing to go whether I call you or not.”  How freeing to realize that I didn’t have to know the future, but how humbling to realize that I wasn’t willing.  I began to pray that God would change my heart and make me willing.  He has been faithful to do so and has led me though a number of experiences that have fit me for the work He has me in today. As a part of my student teaching internship, I was privileged to take part in an overseas internship program which allowed me to teach in a private school in the Dominican Republic.  After completing half my student teaching there, I received permission from Cedarville to spend a week with Freedom before returning to the States to complete my student teaching.  As I approached graduation, God provided the funds for a year-long Freedom internship, unrequested!  He allowed me to return for a second year before ultimately leading me to commit to long-term service with Freedom.  Praise Him for His faithfulness and provision along each step of life’s journey!

Rachel