Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010
Week of June 17, 2002
Student crosses borders to join Jesus' family
By RENATO GANDIA WCR Staff Writer Radway
Melanie Weeks' journey proved to be both geographical and spiritual. The 23-year-old woman moved from Alexandria, Louisiana to Radway, Alberta, and from building up a career to doing God's will.
"It has been an amazing journey," Weeks, 23 told the WCR.
She is among the 45 first year students - the biggest in the school's history - who finished the program at John Paul II Bible School, June 9.
"Who knew that I would be up here in Canada attending a Bible school. But God fulfilled and satisfied my insatiable thirst to learn more and more about the Church."
Putting her university studies on hold, she came to Radway "because God is tugging" on her.
"It was so intense. I just wanted to be able to focus everything on him and where he is drawing my heart to."
Weeks sampled universities as she searched for a career. Her continued restlessness flashed a red light at her and she realized, "Okay Lord, you are the most important."
The young student heard about the Bible school nine years ago when John Connelly, the associate director, lived in Alexandria while he was doing evangelization. Weeks also had friends who attended the Bible school.
"I knew about it. I knew it was a great thing to be here. But God did not put it in my heart until last year. I got up here and the Lord satisfied everything. I came completely open to what God was wanting."
As she lived within the Bible school community, she experienced a healing from her restlessness through her prayer journey.
When she came to Radway, her biggest struggle was to part from her family.
But being able to say, "Lord, even more than my family, I love you," was a realization that she will continue to cherish for life.
"I want to live for God radically no matter where I am. We have to spread out in the world showing others how to live radically for the Lord."
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