Claiming Territory

It was Thanksgiving Day. November 23rd, 2006. I woke up bright and early, had devotion, and dashed to the kitchen to prepare some delicious food for our Thanksgiving lunch. Soon, I was joined by two of my siblings. We chatted, cracked jokes, laughed so loud that our laughter could be heard by the neighbors close by. In a few hours, the table was set with a giant baked turkey, fried rice, corn bread, chicken, and more. Shortly, big sis arrived with the most delicious cinnamon flavored pumpkin pie, turkey dressing, and her signature Chinese fried rice. Mom came out from her room, obviously tired from her 12 hour shift the day before at the hospital. She inspected the table as we gathered around the table hungry and ready to munch... "Wow! This is awesome! Well done! Let's pray." Mom raised a chorus and we sang with our hearts filled with joy as we surrounded the dining table, completely grateful for family, victories of 2006, and moments like this. This moment meant everything to me. I bowed my head and reflected on the year: all the peaks and valley experiences. 2006 was a challenging year, but through it all, God had been faithful! Mum said a prayer of thanks and then we began to enjoy the meal together as a family. However, I couldn't ignore the knots in my stomach; my GRE exam was coming up in five days and I was getting extremely nervous. Truthfully, I did not feel prepared. I had only studied for almost a month, but I was still hopeful that I would get a passing score.

The exam day was finally here. November 28, 2006. It was like deja vu all over again. I stood in front of Thompson Prometric Centre and looked at the building for a few minutes and whispered... "God, I never want to visit this place again, Please give me the grace to pass this exam, Amen." I stepped into the building, checked-in and in a few moments, I was sitting in front of a computer about to take the 4-hour long GRE exam. I said a quick prayer and began the exam. It was nerve-wrecking! Four hours later, I was done with the exam and as soon as I clicked "Submit Exam", lo and behold, the scores appeared on the screen. As soon as I added up the scores and saw that there was only a 30 point increment from the last attempt, I froze and just sat there with a million thoughts going through my mind. How will I get admitted into College of Charleston with these scores? When will I finally pass this exam?!! I thought. "God please touch the heart of everyone who will make decisions regarding my admission into College of Charleston." I whispered a little prayer, packed up my stuff, and walked out of the exam center. When I got home that day, I sat in front of my computer reluctant to send an email to Ms. Heather (not her real name) about my GRE scores. Ms. Heather was the director of graduate admission at the College of Charleston. A lovely lady who was so pleasant and positive each time I spoke with her on the phone about the graduate admission process. I finally mustered the courage and sent Ms. Heather the email about my scores and told her to expect the official scores to be sent directly to the school soon. Two days later, Ms. Heather replied. She told me that we would need to discuss the scores as they did not meet the cut-off point required for the program. She promised to talk it over with the Director of the Computer Science department and get back to me. Even with the low GRE scores, I still believed in the God who makes all things possible. I replied back to Ms. Heather and told her that I was disappointed in my scores and the fact that I did not meet the cut-off point. I asked her if I could be admitted on probational basis while I prepared to retake the GRE exam, and get officially admitted when I meet the cut-off point, she said, "Of course!  I'll get back to you on that." Ms. Heather was truly an angel during my graduate admission process. She was God-sent! She called the Director of the Computer Science program and discussed ways that that they could help me get into the program. When there were initial pushbacks by the department, she told them, "All I see on her undergraduate transcript are A's and B's. She is really smart, give her a chance!" It's amazing how God used Ms. Heather to speak on my behalf. They had enough reasons to send me a rejection letter and move on to the next application. But God stepped in and granted me favor before Ms. Heather.

After several discussions on my case between the Graduate Admissions Office and the Computer Science department, the Computer Science department decided to grant me provisional admission as a non-degree-seeking student for Spring 2007 with a few conditions. I was required to take some core Computer Science undergraduate courses since I didn't have a Computer Science background, I was also required to retake the GRE exam and meet the cut-off point before I would be considered as a degree-seeking student. I was told that coming in as a non-degree-seeking student did not guarantee being officially admitted into the graduate program later. I was also asked to expect a letter soon with these conditions clearly stated. I knew this was nothing but the hand of God at work. I couldn't contain my joy. This was the opportunity I needed. I knew that God had begun this good work, and He was going to perfect it and cause me to eventually get admitted as a degree-seeking student.

By faith, I started searching for apartments in Charleston. At this point, I still did not receive the conditional acceptance letter yet. I found a lovely 3-bedroom apartment online with two other roommates and planned a trip to Charleston immediately. I remember my mother's reaction when I told her I was planning to go apartment hunting in Charleston. "Have you received the acceptance letter from the school yet?" "No", I replied. "Do you have money for rent, and tuition?" "The Lord will provide!" I replied. Mum had concerns, but she was very supportive. Few days later, my mum, my sisters, and I headed to Charleston, a two hour drive from Columbia. As soon as we arrived Charleston, I began to pray in my spirit on our way to the apartment. As soon as I stepped foot in Charleston, I began to silently make some decrees... "God, you said in your word that wherever the soles of my feet tread, it belongs to me. I claim every opportunity, open door, and success you have prepared for me in this land. Bring people into my life who will help me at every stage of my Charleston journey. It shall be well with me in every way in Charleston, Amen." My sisters and mum had no idea that the trip to Charleston involved more than just apartment hunting. It was an opportunity for me to claim my territory and speak into existence all the blessings that God had in store for me in Charleston. 

To be continued... 

The Revelations

I remember it vividly. It was October 31st, 2006. I was sitting by a desktop computer in a bedroom. Suddenly, I heard an uproar outside and immediately I ran outside and saw a crowd of people running towards the same direction. I ran along with them without knowing why they were running, or where they were running to. We kept running until we reached what looked like a university compound and soon we arrived at a building. The building seemed really ancient and it was not painted. It looked like an administration building. The crowd ran inside the building, and as soon as I ran in, the doors were closed and no one else was allowed in. We then waited in a room to meet the president of the university to interview us. Then I woke up. I prayed and wrote the dream down in my prayer journal.

This revelation came a day before I applied to College of Charleston for graduate school admission. What I didn't know at the time was that God was showing me a particular building at College of Charleston even before I applied for admission so that in due time, I would know for sure that this was the school that God had pre-ordained for me to attend. Right from the time I received direction from God that the next step was graduate school, I had spent time praying daily for God's direction for my life. I prayed daily for God to direct my steps to the right school, and that He shouldn't allow me to make a move to any place that wasn't His will for me.

November 3rd, 2006 - two days after I applied for admission to College of Charleston, I had another revelation. I saw myself in what looked like my apartment - a new apartment that I had just moved into. In that apartment, I saw a friend Luke (not his real name). Luke told me that he was sent from the College of Charleston Graduate Admissions Office to find out about my immigration status. I told Luke my immigration status and then Luke asked me what I wanted him to tell the Graduate Admissions Team about me. "Tell them that I am very intelligent." I replied. Luke then said that he would relay that to them and also add more great attributes about me. Then I thought, wow, this is my angel sent to speak on my behalf and get me admitted into College of Charleston! Afterwards, Luke began to clean my apartment thoroughly. Then I woke up, prayed, and wrote down the dream in my prayer journal. I wrote down these exact words on my prayer journal as I reflected on the dream: "I think God has already chosen someone in the admissions office at College of Charleston whom I am going to find favor with. He or she will speak positively about my application and push it till I am admitted in Jesus' name, Amen!" Later in my story, you will read about the person whom God used to speak on my behalf and help me get admitted into College of Charleston.

These two revelations from God were significant to my graduate school journey. Later in my story, you will read about the turbulent times that came during my graduate school program, but because God had confirmed through these dreams that it was His will for me to attend College of Charleston, I was so tenacious during that time. My faith was so strong in the face of adversity. A few people told me to quit, but I kept on going. Having that knowledge that God was with me and that I was in His will made me have a crazy kind of faith that I could look at situations that looked like a red sea before me and command them in the name of Jesus to divide and then kept on going. I stared at situations that seemed like mountains, and told my mountains that they will melt in the name of Jesus and kept on going. I saw people in that land who looked like giants before me ready to devour, but I also saw the God in me Who is greater than any giant, and soon my giants began to diminish before me. There were many seasons where I was alone with no friends, no family, but God became closer than anyone could ever be. I had no other choice but to hold unto him so tight because I needed Him so desperately in Charleston. God became more than a friend - He was my guide every step of the way.

To be continued...

Crazy Faith

I greeted the staff of Panera Bread café as I walked in early in the morning - November 1st 2006. I was undoubtedly their first customer of the day. I headed to the back section of the café and picked the most comfortable spot, set my laptop on the table, and pulled out my GRE prep materials. Panera Bread café had become my favorite coffee shop; I visited the coffee shop every single day they were open. They had free Internet, free unlimited coffee refills, and you guessed it - Bread!! LOL. It was almost a week since I resumed preparations for the GRE exams and researching graduate schools. I was making quite a bit of progress on my GRE prep. I had a list of potential graduate schools, but was reluctant to apply to the schools on my list for various reasons - location, admission requirements, program of study, etc. Today was the graduate school application deadline for most colleges for the Spring semester, and so it was crucial to submit an application that day. 

"Good morning ma'am! What can I get for you?" A waiter approached me with a menu. I browsed the menu briefly and then told the waiter, "French Baguette please with some butter... and hot chocolate, thanks!" The waiter acknowledged my order, collected the menu and left while I inhaled the sweet smell of warm freshly baked bread coming from the bakery. Yum! I returned to my GRE studies and when my order arrived, it was a perfect time to let my brain take a break while I savored all the goodness of the French baguette and hot chocolate. I logged into my computer and continued my graduate school research. One college came to mind - College of Charleston; a friend had recently graduated from this college so I decided to check out their website. Everything I read about the school was great - feasible application requirements, perfect Computer Science program and course offerings, great location, proximity to beaches and waterfront parks - I loved everything about this school! Luckily, that day was the application deadline, so I quickly applied for graduate school admission. I submitted applications to other graduate schools as well to increase my chances of receiving an admission letter.

In less than a week, I had submitted all my supporting documents except my GRE scores, and my official transcript. That week, I went to Benedict College to request for my official undergraduate transcript to be sent to the graduate schools I had applied to. I went to the Enrollment Management office and spoke to a student account manager and was denied my transcript release due to my outstanding tuition balance. I knew that the only person who would be able to authorize my transcript release was the college president, so I decided to go to the president's office immediately and petition for my transcript release. I arrived at the president's office reception moments later. I walked up to the administrative assistant and asked if I could see the president. She asked if I had an appointment and I told her that I didn't. She asked why I needed to see the president and then I explained my situation. The admin then told me that the president would be busy for an extended time and would not be able to see me. "It's okay, I'll wait till he is available." I told the admin and then sat down and picked a magazine. Two hours passed, and I was still waiting. Occasionally, the admin would check to see if I was still waiting. Three and a half hours later, I was still waiting. When the admin saw my persistence, she knew I would wait for eight hours or more until the president came out. "Miss?" She called "I will go check and see if the president is available." She went to the president's office in the back and few minutes later, I was asked to go in and see the president. 

The president of Benedict College gave me a warm smile and motioned for me to have a seat as I entered his office. I greeted him and introduced myself and then made my request. The president looked up my account on his computer and told me I had quite a substantial balance that I needed to clear. He asked me if I was willing to pay at least $2,000 upfront, and I told him I unfortunately did not have that amount and then I began to cry. "Do you have a parent I can call?" The president asked. "Yes Sir! My mother." I responded. In a few minutes, I dialed my mother's number on the president's desk phone and when my mother heard me sobbing in the background, it broke her heart. "What's wrong?" She asked. I explained everything to her and she began to encourage me. "Everything will be okay, don't cry!" My mum tried to console me. The president jumped in and introduced himself to my mother and they had a lengthy conversation and then made payment arrangements. After my mother hung up, the president then informed me that my mother had made payment arrangements and that the school was going to release only one transcript. I am eternally grateful to my mother for her love and sacrifice.

I left Benedict College that day happy about my transcript release. My official undergraduate transcript was sent to College of Charleston few days later. Although I couldn't send official transcripts to the other graduate schools to increase my chances of graduate admission, I had faith that my steps were ordered by the Lord, and that if I was only going to send a completed application to just one graduate school, then that had to be the right school for me according to God's will.

To be continued... 

Waiting for a Breakthrough continued...

It was late in the morning mid-August 2006, I laid on my bed starring at the ceiling with a million thoughts running though my mind, then a little hunger pang interrupted my thoughts and I had to quickly decide between the soft butter bread in the kitchen with some hot and crispy chicken nuggets sandwiched in between, or the delicious rice and stew in the fridge. I decided on the bread and chicken nuggets, and then zoomed to the kitchen. This was going to be my third serving so far that morning which was not helping my growing waist and thighs. In two months, I had gained almost 20 pounds! I retuned to the room with a healthy size of bread and more than a few chicken nuggets, hopped on the bed, and began to munch. I reached for the TV remote and switched on the TV. "Here it comes from the Bob Parker studios, on CBS in Hollywood, it's the Price is Right!" The announcer's voice came on with a room full of contestants in a variety of bright colored shirts jumping and cheering. Like always, I imagined being a contestant on the Price is Right, playing the game of plinko, and winning $20,000. That would've solved half of my problems. It had been two months since I lost my daycare job. I was still unable to find another job, and still was unable to pay off my college tuition debt.

After loosing my job at the daycare, I had planned to use my time at home to prepare for the GRE exams, but it was hard to find the zeal to study. I had attempted the exam back in May of that year, but my scores were too low. Feeling discouraged as a result of the low GRE scores, I decided to focus more on finding a good job than trying to get into graduate school. I prayed daily for a breakthrough, but I prayed amiss. I prayed for God to bring my own plans and my heart desires to pass, and failed to pray for God's perfect will to come to fruition. The more my plans failed, the more frustrated I became. In all the disappointments and uncertainties, one thing was sure - my life was carefully orchestrated by God, I just didn't know it yet. Proverbs 16:9 explains this perfectly: "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

I was still munching my bread and chicken nuggets, and then my phone rang. It was my friend Maya (not her real name) whom I had worked with at the daycare. "Hey girl, how have you been? I've got good news for you! Bellsouth Teleperformance is hiring. All you need you need to do is show up dressed for an interview and bring your resume." I was more than delighted to receive the good news. Bellsouth Teleperformance, also known as Calltech was a call center that provided technical support to residential and commercial internet customers. My friends had worked there back in college and would always complain about how stressful the job was. I was desperate for a job at this point and was ready to take on the challenges of working at a call center. The next day, I went to Calltech bright and early with a copy of my resume. I was asked to take a computer test in order to assess my technical skills. Thankfully, I passed the computer test and was asked to wait a bit longer in line to meet the manager for an informal interview. Almost an hour later, I was called into the manager's office for my interview and was offered the job on the spot. I was overjoyed! Although the salary was minimum wage, I was grateful. It was better than nothing.

Two weeks later, I began a one-month training at Calltech. Immediately after my training, I started working as a Tier 1 technical support agent providing support to residential internet customers. Soon, I was moved up to Tier 2 and began providing support to the commercial customers. I absolutely loved the job! This is where I fell in love with Computer Science. It was at Bellsouth Teleperformance that I decided to further my studies in Computer Science instead of Environmental Engineering and then it began to make sense why the Lord had opened several doors for me the past few years in the Computer Science industry. During college, I was an intern at Hampton University, Virginia where I learned Grid Computing and also in college, I had attended a one-week all expense paid workshop at the University of Southern California (USC) where I got to see several presentations by students and computer scientists who were blazing the trail in their field, it all made sense now.

October 26, 2006 is a day I will never forget. A day that God interrupted my plans and began to give me clear directions for the next phase of my life. I sat in my cubicle that day and then a call came in... "Thank you for calling Bellsouth, this is Sana, how may I help you?" I used my best professional voice. "Oh great! Another foreign customer representative!" The caller mumbled. "Are you located in India? 'Cos I need to speak to someone in the United States!" The caller said. "Oh no, I am located in the United States, how may I help you?" I replied. The customer breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded to explain his technical issues which I resolved promptly. It had been two months since I started the job, and had gotten pretty good at resolving technical issues in record time and did excellent on all my call monitoring. Shortly after the call, I got a call from a coworker and was asked to come to the front desk immediately. As I walked to the front desk, I was startled by the little commotion going on and wasn't sure why several people were walking out with boxes and others standing around in little groups chatting with confusing looks on their faces. I approached the front desk and the man who looked like a director, or a manager looked up with a very cold look on his face and said to me: "Please turn in your name tag and access card, we are laying you off along with all our newly hired staff. Our customer service ratings have significantly dropped lately and we believe that lack of experience from our new staff have contributed to this." I froze  with shock and was completely speechless. I turned in my name tag and access card and walked back to my desk really confused. I quickly packed up my stuff and walked out the door without saying any goodbyes the whole time asking God why. To my surprise, I did not shed a tear. In the midst of a very confusing moment, I was at peace and so I began to praise God as I drove home. I felt the joy of the Lord deep inside my heart. As I drove home praising, I heard clearly in my spirit, "The next step is graduate school." The words replayed in my spirit over and over again. There was a certain urgency to that voice and I knew I had to do something immediately. When I got home, I told my mother with a big smile on my face that I just got laid off and she was puzzled as she watched me deliver a sad news with a big grin on my face. Then I told her, "Mum you remember how I've always wanted to return to school for my Masters? I think I need to retake the GRE exam and start applying for Graduate School admission. "You have my full support. Sorry about your job!" My mum replied. That afternoon, I went to the electronic store and bought a laptop, then I went to the book store and bought new sets of GRE preparation materials. I started preparing for GRE, and also started researching potential graduate schools. And so, my long, arduous journey to gain graduate school admission began with God guiding me all the way.

To be continued...

Waiting for a Breakthrough

It was another beautiful spring morning in Columbia, South Carolina - April 2006. I was driving down Columbia College Drive vibing to some nice gospel music on my favorite radio station. I was a block away from my destination and my heart started racing. Finally, I pulled up into the parking lot and paused for a second and took a look at the quaint little building in front of me - Conyers Daycare. I took a few deep breaths, checked my time hastily, and then bowed my head and prayed for an extra dose of anointing to cope with the "terrific" two and three year old pupils in my class at the daycare. As soon as I stepped out of my car, I was startled when heard my name coming from a car at the stop sign to my right. Who could it be? I thought. I scrutinized the car, a Lexus sedan with a lady inside. I couldn't make out the face, so I inched closer and closer to see who it was. OMG!!! That's Linda! (Not her real name) I was finally able to see her face clearly. "Linda!!" I screamed and then motioned for her to pull into the parking lot. Wow! Linda! I hadn't seen her since graduation. She wasn't looking bad at all. Life must has been good to her since graduation. 

Linda pulled into the parking lot. She jumped out of the car, we hugged and exchanged greetings. "Sana, it's been a while! I haven't seen you in forever! Wait, you work here?" She asked. "Yes, I do" I replied. I was both shocked and embarrassed by what happened next. Linda let out a huge laugh and began inspecting the façade of the daycare and even took a peek inside through the window, and then laughed some more. "Sana, you of all people work at a daycare. Hmmm... I thought you would be in graduate school by now, or landed a good job like the others. You always acted like you were so smart back in college." I resisted every urge to respond to Linda the way my mind was telling me to, but instead, I smiled and ignored the insults. "So Linda, where do you work now?" I asked. "Well you know, I work at Benedict College now. I have my own office and all." Linda responded. "Good for you Linda, I'm happy for you! Look I have to go inside. Take care." I walked into the building.

That night, I replayed Linda's words in my mind over and over again. The truth is, just like Linda, I had expected to land a good job after graduation at least to help pay off my tuition debt. I had settled for the daycare job after months of job hunting without success. Linda's words replayed in my mind again, but the voice of God was stronger: "For surely there is an end, and your expectations shall not be cut off". Proverbs 23:18. Immediately, I felt the peace of God. Like David in the bible, I began to encourage myself in the Lord. I prayed a simple prayer that night... "God, I may not be where I want to be yet, but I'm glad that I am exactly where I need to be right now - In Your will. Direct my steps Lord, and do not let me go one step ahead of you, or one step behind you. Amen."

Two months later, I was driving to work on a hot summer day. I looked in the rearview mirror and smiled as I saw my well-pressed dark brown skirt suit hanging in the back of my car. In two hours I would be going for the last of three interviews at the South Carolina DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control). I had fasted and prayed, sowed a seed, anointed my head with oil, decreed, believed, and claimed it!! God really needed to come through for me on this one. DHEC was where I really wanted to work. An hour thirty minutes to the time, and I was already out the door. The interview was great for the most part except that my interviewer believed that I had applied for the wrong job based on my resume. "Ms. Ndon, all I see on your resume are Computer Science experiences - internships and workshops." He said as he lowered his glasses and looked closely at my resume. "I would advice that you either get a job in that field, or further your education in Computer Science." He concluded. I had a feeling that the interviewer was not going to offer me the job despite my convincing answers and taking about all the Environment Science courses I took in college. However, I was sure that I was going to be offered at least one of the three jobs I was interviewed for at DHEC.

The next few days were nerve-wrecking waiting for feedback from DHEC. One week passed, nothing. Second week, nothing. By the third week, the letters started coming in the mail one by one. "Sorry you are not the successful candidate for the job. A more qualified candidate has been selected." When I got the third rejection letter, my world came crashing down and the thought of returning to the daycare job was beyond depressing. I woke up the following morning with a throbbing headache and had no desire to go to work, so I called in sick. Few hours later, the daycare owner called. "Sana why did you call in sick when you know how understaffed we are?" She asked. "I am so sorry, but I am really not feeling well today." I responded. Nothing prepared me for what she was going to say next. "Sana do not come back here again. You are fired!!!"

To be continued...

Graduation Day!

This is my story. A story that proves that God still reveals his plans for our lives, and He uses every experience – both good and bad, and works them together to bring those plans to pass. This is a story of faith. Unwavering faith in God. I pray that all who read this will be encouraged that their light afflictions, which are just for a moment, will work for a far exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17. Some of the names in this blog are changed to protect the identity of the characters in this story.

It was December 12^th, 2005. I stood in line in a hallway at the Benedict College arena awaiting the student procession. After four years of hard work, it was finally graduation day! As I stood, I took frequent glances at my graduation gown, the yellow honor cord on my neck signifying Magna Cum Laude; I couldn’t believe graduation day was already here. The graduates continued to get in line as they arrived and soon it was time for the student procession. We began to walk into the arena with the academic staff, professors who taught me the past four years lined up on both sides of the hallway clapping and cheering as we proceeded to the arena for our graduation ceremony. That moment made my four years at Benedict College worth it. It was an emotional experience.

I walked into an arena full of guests, students, proud parents and then I spotted my mum and siblings on the bleachers waving and beaming with pride. I waved as I approached my seat. After the student and academic processions, the president of the college approached the podium and the ceremony commenced. Then, my favorite part the ceremony came and boy, we were in for a show!! Benedict College graduations were quite interesting and extremely festive. With no limits on the number of guests the graduates could invite, you could be sure that cousins, parents, siblings, church members, uncles, grandparents, et al would be fully represented and ready to show out! As soon as a graduate’s name was called, there would be loud cheers, whistles, sometimes tambourines from the guests and you would hear the mommas screaming, “That’s my baby!!” and calling out the cutest and most embarrassing nicknames, “Go Pookie!!”, “Go Nay Nay, Yes!!.” The graduates didn’t come to play either. They would do flips on the stage after receiving their degree, throw the peace sign, dance, kneel and thank God, or do a step while throwing up their fraternity signs, and others simply walked across the stage with a big smile after receiving their degrees. “Sana Ndon!” my name was called to receive my Bachelor’s degree in Physics, my family and friends jumped up and cheered. I walked across the stage with a huge smile on my face although I had initially contemplated kneeling with my hands up to God right on the stage. God deserved praises for seeing me through college.

After the graduation ceremony, I walked out ready to take on the “real world”. I had my post-graduate life all planned out nicely. I was going to work for a year, take the GRE exam, apply for graduate school to study Environmental Engineering, and get a decent-paying job after graduate school.

I was finally outside the arena then suddenly my mom, family, and friends ran towards me and embraced me with everyone taking turns to congratulate me. I posed for tons of pictures while holding my shiny purple degree holder which I was careful not to open in any of the pictures. Inside the purple degree holder was a nice little letter with the Benedict College letter head reading: “Congratulations on your graduation! You will receive your certificate when your balance of $11, 000 is paid in full”. I held my degree holder with pride and celebrated, we would worry about the letter later.

To be continued….