“It is God’s story, I’m just living it!”
Written by Merla Gogel, SEND Canada Mobilizer
Tiffany has been on a 10-year journey, and one thing she has learned looking back on this time, is that an open heart to God puts a person on an unbelievable path.
Tiffany grew up attending church because it was the family thing to do, but she never became serious about her faith until she began studying at Capernwray Bible School in Australia. During this time, it "clicked" for Tiffany what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
One evening, as a lady was praying with Tiffany, she heard a voice saying, “Go into all the world”. Tiffany wasn’t sure what this could mean for her. That evening she wrote in her journal that she would begin praying to discern exactly what God was saying to her.
Back into the Regular Routine
Tiffany finished her studies at Capernwray then returned home to Alberta. After a few years, she fell back into her routine of going to church and not being intentional about growing her faith. She also began to doubt God, and her interest in attending church waned. However, one Sunday her pastor preached on doubt; the Holy Spirit convicted her and helped her to see again that God is real!
Once more Tiffany began to think and pray about going into all the world. However, she imagined that she would be married and in a supportive role to her husband. One day, Tiffany was listening to a Podcast and the subject was God’s provision. The Holy Spirit impressed on her heart that God would provide her needs according to His will and not according to her wishes.
Since Tiffany was familiar with SEND, she went on their website and saw an accounting opportunity at Okutama Bible Chalet in Japan. Could God be leading her to use her education and work experience in this way? God kept reminding her of this ministry which led Tiffany to fill out SEND’s on-line questionnaire and then begin the application process.
One Step at a Time
Tiffany was initially terrified and was not thrilled about going overseas single, however her deeper desire was to be obedient to God. As the application process progressed, Tiffany became more convinced of her calling. She learned to focus on the next step and not worry about what’s down the road.
After Tiffany was accepted, she was asked by SEND to participate in a vision trip. She thought it would be impossible to get time off from work because of an audit that was going to be conducted while she would be away. She talked with her boss and he went from initially saying “no” to eventually giving his approval. Tiffany experienced God working on her behalf!
During this trip, Tiffany had many questions which she chronicled in her journal. Later, when she re-read these entries, she noticed that after writing her concerns she also wrote “but”, and saw how God had responded to each issue.
While in Japan, Tiffany saw God’s love for the Japanese people and she is developing a heart for them as well. She also observed how family-oriented the SEND Japan missionaries are and experienced their kindness. She is grateful to God for leading her to SEND.
God Provides Again!
One other need that Tiffany had was for a financial coach since raising support was not her forte. After sharing about her future ministry in Japan at her church, a lady contacted Tiffany and offered to coach her even though she was not aware of Tiffany’s hope for this!
Again, Tiffany experienced God going before her!
God promised that he would provide. Tiffany believed that this would begin after her arrival in Japan, however she has experienced God providing in amazing ways and going before her right from the beginning. She is filled with gratitude to God!
Tiffany’s advice to young people is to have an open heart and be willing to follow God. She admits that this is not always easy, however she has experience firsthand that God’s provision outweighs our needs and concerns.
Tiffany is being a willing servant but she sees this as the only appropriate response to God’s call on her life!
Is there anything that God is calling you to do but you are fearful about? What is the next step(s) that you would have to take to obey him in that?
Here are some titles of inspiring missionary biographies
to challenge your faith.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
