I'm Melissa. I'm 14. I love Jesus Christ with all my heart! I'm a When I was 12, I went to a missions conference but i was kinda weirded out by some of the people there. I was getting kinda bored and freaked out somewhat. Then they had a moment where they had everyone get into groups and pray for the nation that came up on the screen. I was partnered up with Kate and we prayed through different countries. I was starting to get bored until they got to Iraq. Kate prayed, then she asked me if i wanted to. I nodded and began to pray. I only started praying for 2 seconds, when i started crying, i couldn't control myself. I cried all night. I felt like there was something heavy on my chest. Kate smiled and said "I guess God is calling you to Iraq..." I didn't want to believe. Iraq? really? No! I'd just gotten done hearing stories about the dangerous stuff going on there. Of course I'm not called there. Me. Melissa. The 12 year old girl. The one who is like SUPER shy. And hates talking to people she isn't close to. Me? After that i kinda forgot about it.
Then Heather Mercer came to talk at our church. I was really interested in what she talked about. I wanted to know more so after she was done, i went over and talked to her. As I began talking to her, Kate said "Melissa has a heart for Iraq." Heather looked at me "Really?" she said. "How did you find that out?" I started telling her, then i began sobbing. I had the same feeling i did before. Heather hugged me, and prayed for me. Then she told me "Tomorrow i'm having breakfast with some of the people from the church, you should come." And i did. So at 5:00am Kate and I went over to meet with some of the people at my church and Heather. Heather told her story in much more details. She told me about the women in Iraq, and about them hurting. After we were done, i hugged Heather goodbye. I was torn between 3 countries, India, somewhere in Africa, and Iraq. So that night i wrote in my journal the list of those 3 countries. Then after them i wrote 'If i'm called to here, let this happen, etc.' The Iraq thing was the only thing that happened.One year later, we went to the same mission retreat as last time. And guess who talked? Heather!! Both of the missionaries had their own session each day in that weekend. I went to all of Heather's. I got to meet her 
Iraqi friend too. He was really nice. I was fun getting to know him. After the retreat, my GrandKate bought me Heather's book 'Prisoners of Hope' I couldn't put it down. She talked about the women there, and my heart broke for them. I found out that God wanted me to work with the women there. What they are going through is just heartbreaking. I want to help them feel like they're worth more then they are treated. I've been called crazy before, and i just smile and say "Oh i know i'm crazy. I'm crazy for God." So that's how i felt called to Iraq. But until then, i'm going to be with my family in Uganda :)
Iraqi friend too. He was really nice. I was fun getting to know him. After the retreat, my GrandKate bought me Heather's book 'Prisoners of Hope' I couldn't put it down. She talked about the women there, and my heart broke for them. I found out that God wanted me to work with the women there. What they are going through is just heartbreaking. I want to help them feel like they're worth more then they are treated. I've been called crazy before, and i just smile and say "Oh i know i'm crazy. I'm crazy for God." So that's how i felt called to Iraq. But until then, i'm going to be with my family in Uganda :)I also love photography, it's my favorite thing to do! I take my camera with me everywhere, and i take pictures of everything. I got my first camera when i was 10. It had a very small screen, didn't have any sound, and you had to slide the front to turn it on..it wasn't the best, but i loved it! Then when i turned 13 i got a purple Kodak digital camera. I loved it SO much (plus it had sound)! Then last year on my 14th birthday i got a Kodak Z981 :) It's name is Demetri! I take him with me everywhere! I'm still learning about photography, but i'm proud of my work. So that's me :)
Be sure to check out my photography blog! Click HERE to check it out!
