Meet Vilnise: No Pat Answers

I grew up in a family with my parents and two brothers. My mom was a Christian, but not my dad. In children’s church I always learned to follow Jesus and I wanted to.

My dad eventually became a Christian also, and I ended up at Discipleship Church. I was baptized there, and I’ve been there ever since 2012.

When I finished school, a lot of money was needed if I was going to continue to study. I had an uncle who helped me with school, but when he died I had no idea what was going to happen. I asked God for His direction, and I was truly crowing closer to Him each day. I was about to finish high school, and I asked the Lord to show me what to do next, because I didn’t have any direction.

I finished school, and a person close to me told me they thought I should study theology. I had never thought of that in my life, and I asked God to give me a clear response. Another young woman came later and told me the same thing. I kept praying for direction, but meanwhile I headed out in a sensical direction, studying something that could be profitable first. I headed to the University of Limonade, asked them what I could study, and literally just picked a domaine at random…I didn’t even know what it was.

I started going to classes and there were so many voices telling me so many thing and I didn’t even understand what they were saying…it was like the Lord’s voice was so loud in my spirit that He was blocking everything else out. I couldn’t focus on pusing what made worldly sense.

I finally left, and I came to Emmaus. I signed up for a class and that was it. I have never looked back. This is what I’m supposed to be doing, and this is where I’m supposed to be.

I keep telling Him to use me to help. I’ve always feel so limited in helping people understand the Bible. I always just have some church responses, but I have always felt like I wasn’t saying ANYTHING.  

I want to understand and study the Bible to help ANSWER the questions, not with pat answers, but with the meaningful truth that is God’s Word.  I want to be able to answer the questions of the people in my village and life with the truth and with depth and with courage.  I need to have His word to do this. I have never regretted nor looked back.  I’d love to be able to teach His word, not like the amazing teachers here do with students, but just to those around me, in small ways, discipling.  

I love learning with the professors here. I’ve had several courses with Dr. Tsoukalas, with Ms. Pam, with Dr. Fanfan…and they have been so interesting, so good. Even the homework has been so rich.  The classes push me to reflect so much and to grow.

I am also so blessed by the relationships I have with the other students.  Even though all these relationships aren’t perfect, there is SO MUCH respect for one another here…so much respect between staff and students and students and staff.  I am happy every day that I am here.  

Pray that I would stick with the route He has given me.  Pray for my good courage and my good commitment.  Pray that I would hold on to His will! 

To be a part of a story like Vilnise’s, please give online here now or send checks payable to Emmaus University to 3170 Airmans Drive Unit 1153-EUH Fort Pierce, FL  34946