Thirst for learning leads Venezuelan student to Judson

It was a bit frightening to leave family and friends in Caracas, Venezuela, and come to Marion, Ala., but Ginette Hermoso believes she’s where God wants her to be.
   
I see the hand of God in my journey,” she said. “Judson College is where God led me to come and prepare for missions.”
   
After high school Hermoso applied to the University of Venezuela, but was told there was no more space. She was very discouraged until a missionary couple suggested she consider coming to America to study. The missionary wife knew about Judson College, so Hermoso decided to look into this possibility.
   
“I visited Judson in February 2002 with Rev. Cruce (director of missions for Bessemer Baptist Association) and with Howard Brooks, who had agreed with his wife Delores to be my host family,” she said. “The speaker in chapel that day used the story of the prodigal son. I’d just read that story in my devotions … and I felt God was confirming this was where I ought to be.”
   
Hermoso plunged into her studies at Judson last fall in spite of the language barrier. “Language was a problem the first two weeks,” she said. “I understood a lot but it was hard for me to speak fluently. Teachers at Judson were really kind to me and they helped me when I needed it. I was also homesick, but God gave me some wonderful new friends in America, including my host family, the Brookses.”
   
This summer Hermoso is working with Bessemer Association and speaking to churches about missions in Venezuela. She plans to go with an associational missions team to Belize to do language translation, work with children and help with church construction. “Missions is what I want to do,” she said, “and I’m trusting God to lead me in the years ahead.”
   
Reflecting on the leadership of God in her life, Hermoso said Isaiah 43:19 is her favorite Bible verse. “God promised to make the desert bloom with new life,” she said, “and I know he brought water to my desert!” (JC)