Hello there! My name is Joy Nelson and this is my journey.
At 50 years old, after raising my two sons and daughter and seeing them established, God began a new chapter in my life: teaching and serving Jesus in Burundi, Africa!
God is fulfilling a dream from my childhood–although the path that I was on during my adult life was looking like that dream would not reach fulfillment. For 23 years, I was in a difficult marriage that ended in divorce. Surely God would not use someone as tainted as me to serve Him overseas! But God has a way of using us despite our failings, if we are truly repentant, teachable and willing.
I lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) as a missionary kid for 2 1/2 years. God planted a love for Africa in me at that point. As I have been growing in my walk with the Lord, I am learning how to follow His leading, and He is leading me to Burundi August of 2018! If you would like to know more about the process God took me on, read my blog post titled: God’s Winding Path.
For those who don’t know where Burundi is, click below and look for the small red country!
Burundi is a beautiful country that has had war and poverty for too long. I came initially to teach special education at Discovery School in the capital city of Bujumbura, and have moved now to operating as a chaplain/counselor (once the Special Education department was established). I teach Bible in all the lower grades once a month, and talk with middle and high school students one-on-one throughout the course of the year, as well as helping to teach the 9th grade Bible class.
Surprisingly, my COUSIN Jesse and his wife Joy founded this Christian school, which caters to those who can’t afford a costly high quality education.
Discovery School in Burundi has a fantastic website for you to check out:
Jesse and Joy Johnson just formed the special education department in the 2017-2018, so I came to Burundi to help them to fully establish that. I am excited to be able to openly teach and share the Hope that I have found in Jesus, as well as help students who struggle with academics.
I also have a big heart for prayer, and have taken on praying for every middle and high school student that I talk with one-on-one. I desire to be used by God however He sees fit. I can confidently say that Burundi is part of His mission for me. And I say yes!
Burundi Joy 
