Emily Loo, 2011, Singapore
Emily with the elderly from Dialect Service
I served as a volunteer in the Dialect Service since 2007 and later joined the church in a full-time capacity in the Dialect Service department from 2012 to 2019. My job scope included visiting the elderly, accompanying them to their medical appointments, helping out in funeral arrangements and just being a listening ear to them. I enjoyed what I did and felt a sense of fulfilment serving the elderly.
In 2018, Pastor Maria, the pastor overseeing the Dialect Service, encouraged me to upgrade myself by taking up part time studies in counselling and social work. However, I was uncertain of my commitment and interest and pushed the thought aside. During one of my visitation rounds, I had to rush an elderly to the hospital due to an emergency. While waiting for the doctor, the elderly lady turned to me and said, “God is asking you to be a nurse. It’s never too late to be one.” I was astonished by what she said; but deep down inside, I believe a seed was sown in my heart that day.
This was not the only occasion that I felt God speaking to me. One day, I came across an advertisement which read: “Care to Go Beyond”. Out of curiosity, I looked it up on Google. Lo and behold, there were many testimonies of individuals who had switched careers to nursing. Even on my holiday, I found myself in deep thoughts about nursing and even went online to check out the courses.
In the beginning of 2019, after much prayer, I decided to take action and spoke to my family about it. They unanimously supported my decision to take up a nursing course. Although there were other “voices” and opinions regarding my decision, I sensed the peace of God in my heart and decided to approach Pastor Maria about my plans. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make—in order to do a full-time nursing diploma, I had to quit my job in church.
Even with much prayer and assurance, I still had some doubts as to whether this was really the will and plan of God for my life. He knew my conflicting thoughts and once again, He spoke during a leader’s session with visiting speaker, Pastor Gary Heyes, who prophesied over me. He said, “I see medical grace upon you. I see you in a nurse gown walking down the hall with a compassionate spirit.” I knew in that instant, that every step I had taken had been guided by the Lord. The prophecy gave me the boost of assurance I needed for the career switch.
I’m now in the final year of my nursing course and will be graduating in 2022. For my final semester, we are required to choose our first choice of discipline. Needless to say, I have a heart to serve the elderly and I have chosen Gerontology. I will put my heart and soul to acquire the knowledge I need, and strive to be the best patient advocate I can be to be used by God to serve the elderly.
Emily praying for an elderly during a Christmas service
If you are at the crossroads of a career switch and unsure if the decision is aligned with God’s plan, I would encourage you to take time to pray and seek the Lord. The Bible says in 1 Pet 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer.” I am certain that God will speak to you and direct you as you seek His will.