“It is time to move out from where you are… if you remain, you will neither be hot nor cold but lukewarm and I will spit you out… Get up and pack your bags and get ready to move out…!” This was part of a prophecy given one Sunday evening in the Holybush Christian Fellowship, North England. I started attending this fellowship in late 1979 and witnessed such tremendous works of God that it reminded me of the book of Acts. The leader, a God fearing farmer, was well respected by all for his sensitivity to the Spirit of God in leadership.

Shortly after the young man giving the prophecy began to speak, the Spirit of God started to deal with me. I had been praying concerning something the Lord had impressed on my heart towards the end of the previous year and now it was getting to the time I needed to make a decision but there were still some uncertainty. After the prophecy, God impressed me to go forward and share with the fellowship what was on my heart. With trembling knees and racing heart I went forward and was given the microphone. I, shakily, began to share how I felt God was challenging me to take two months off from work and go on a mission trip to Europe. It would be almost impossible to get two months leave from work in the summer, although I was prepared to take unpaid leave. Afraid of my request being rejected I had been putting off approaching the nursing manager but after the prophecy I felt God was challenging me to go ahead and do this. Several members from the fellowship gathered around me and prayed and I just knew the outcome would be rewarding.

The very next day I approached my nurse manager concerning my wish to take two months leave. She strongly affirmed that this would not be possible, looking sternly at me she inquired, “so what are you going to do then?” “I guess I shall just have to leave my job,” was my reply. An un-awaited response, she looked me in the eyes and asked, “Have you seriously thought of the consequence? There are very little vacancies in the field of nursing.” I informed her that God told me to go and I knew that he would provide for my needs.

That very day after work one of the lecturers from the school of nursing where I trained, informed me that they had been approved to do a nursing course I had been trying for years to secure a place on. I went there after work and put in my application for the course and, before knowing if I would be accepted, I wrote a letter of resignation from the post I held. There was a deep inner peace and confidence that God was working on taking care of my needs.

My mission trip was planned. My last working day was quickly approaching. Two days before I was due to leave for Europe I got the interview for the course. It would be a week before I would be informed if I were one of the ten successful applicants.

My mother read the letter of acceptation to me over the phone. I sent a written reply to confirm my acceptation. God planned everything perfectly. The course was due to start one week after my return from Europe. My accommodation was secured with a friend, in her lovely country bungalow. After the course I got a full time job working for the same hospital.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”(Ephesians 3:20)

Sharon Henningham