Jodie Schooley

Jodie Schooley had a godly mother who taught her how to love God and love people. Born in Ohio and raised in Virginia, Jodie, her twin sister Jill and older sister Jenny had experienced the love of God at a young age. Their mother was faithful to keep her girls in church and that decision had a profound impact on the direction their lives would take as young adults.

Jodie was born again at age 11, and filled with the Holy Spirit at 19. She remembers the experience vividly. She was attending a revival meeting and reading Acts chapter 2. She knew that she needed the power of the Holy Spirit in her life and was ready to receive it. She says about that day, "That experience totally changed my life! It brought me closer to God and deepened my prayer life."

When she was praying about what career direction God had for her, she heard the word "nurse" in her spirit. She enrolled in a college nursing program and by God's grace passed the course. Jodie explains her feelings at that time. "I knew that I would use my nursing skills on the mission field one day. Then I remember seeing a TV program about AIDS orphans dying with no one to care for them. I had my Bible open and the Lord was speaking to me from John 14:18 - "I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you." Then the Lord really began to give me a burden to see orphans taken care of. I wanted to go right away but the door didn't open until 8 years later. The Lord knew that I would need that preparation time. "

After traveling on two different short term missions trips to East Africa with HWCM Director Rita Langeland, Jodie was asked to pray about moving to Tanzania to help establish the Treasures of Africa Children's Home. The door swung wide open for Jodie to walk into her destiny as a missionary nurse in 2006. She moved to Moshi, Tanzania to assume the position of Medical Director for the new orphanage. "Africa had been on my heart for a long time. I felt peace that this was the time to go, so I stepped out and here I am in Tanzania!"

When asked what she likes most about living in Africa, she replied, "No speed limits!! Honestly, I have really enjoyed being in a place that has been on my heart for so long. Africa is just beautiful. The people are so friendly here in Tanzania. I have really enjoyed working under HWC and being able to help start an orphanage. It has been an amazing experience."

Among the most compelling things she has seen in her years of living in East Africa, Jodie says that the changes she has witnessed in the TOA children has been the most profound. "I have truly been amazed at the transformation in our kids' lives, physically, academically, and emotionally. It's just beautiful to watch a child grow in the natural sense, but also in the spiritual sense. All of our kids are learning how much God loves them. I often think what their lives would be like if they had not received help. Where would they be now, how would their health be, would they get to go to school, and what would they become when they are older? It's been amazing to watch God take care of His children every day!"

When asked what she missed most about living in the USA, she answered, "My family, my church, air conditioning and Taco Bell!"

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