How you can be involved

I am only TWO MONTHS from my projected departure date for Doro, Sudan!  However, there is much to be done before that time.

• I have to give away and/or store 36 years of accumulated STUFF.
• I have to say goodbye to hundreds of lovely friends and family.
• I will wrap up my work on the pediatric floor at Mercy Medical Center at the end of March.
• I have to get from 30% support to 100% support in my financial partnerships. 
• I will take an intensive two week tropical medicine course in North Carolina beginning April 11.
• I have to finish reading seveal books required by my mission agency to help prepare me spiritually and emotionally for the work ahead.
• I have to learn at least a little Arabic through my Rosetta Stone software--which I cannot get to operate on my laptop...

...and this is only a partial list of the many tasks waiting to be checked off between my duplex in Arkansas and my tukul in Sudan. 

My hope is to leave for Sudan immediately after the tropical medicine course, however, that will only be possible if I have 100% of my financial support collected and ready to be allocated by my mission agency. SIM's policy is to wait to purchase my plane ticket until the one-time outgoing amount is 100% collected ($15,571) and the full monthly amount is promised ($2213).

It has come to my attention lately that I have not been communicating well the process for joining my support team. I apologize! I am very eager to have people join me so that I can begin serving in Sudan!

Here is the information for giving by snail mail.

• Make your check payable to SIM USA.
• Mail it to SIM USA, Inc., PO Box 7900, Charlotte NC 28241
• Attach a note indicating that it is for the Support account for Sheila West #030279.

It is possible to join my financial support team on-line.

• Click on https://usanet.sim.org/SIMgift/detail.aspx
• Enter Sheila West 030279 on the first line.
• Select "Support" under the designation drop down menu.
• Enter amount to the right.
• Follow the prompts as to whether you want it to be a one time gift or a repetitive gift.

You can donate a tax deductible gift with a credit card or electronic check. Any "monthly" gifts that come in before May will be applied to the one-time outgoing expense.


Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to have a face to face meeting to hear more about the ministry.  It is my pleasure to share about what God is doing with the team currently serving in Doro.

Thank you so much! Please email or call me if you have any questions. I love sharing about the ministry in Sudan so let me know if you would like to meet face to face to hear more about what God is doing through the SIM team among the Maaban in Sudan.

Current prayer requests include

• A closer relationship with and steadfast trust in God for every aspect of my life.
• For conections with those who will partner prayerfully, emotionally and financially with me
• That I will take full advantage of oportunities to learn and grow NOW
• That God will prepare my heart for the ministry ahead
• For peace for my family and friends as I prepare to leave

"The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become."  --Henry Martyn

The opinion of man

I have been struck lately with the amazement and wonder with which people respond when they find out I am moving to Africa. I have received much praise and heard over and over, "I cannot believe you are doing that!" and "You are such a good person." etc. Thank you for sharing your opinion, but I feel really awkward with such accolades.

I do not see this move as a sacrifice. I do not see it as a 'good thing'. It is God's call on my life and to do anything else would find me unfulfilled and living outside the will of God. Frankly, I would be miserable. 


Since I have been on this journey to missionary nursing in Africa I have known much joy and peace. Being in the center of God's will has been the best ride of my life. I cannot wait until He is using me to shine His light in the village of Doro.

I am in awe and so humbled that I GET to move to Africa and live among a people suffering and needing the love and hope of a Savior and the assistance of some people who have something to teach them--and learn from them. I get to be the hands of God providing comfort, support and health education. I get to have my life changed and my faith overhauled by the work I see God doing in a people who seem to have insurmountable obstacles between them and what I think of as an abundant life.

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God."--William Carey

SIM Video clip

Here is a link to a video clip produced by my mission agency, Serving in Mission. I'd much rather tell you about the call on my heart in person--but this will help you get an idea of what, where and why if I am not able to meet with you face to face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNYHMRuz8Qs