The voice of God in Belarus

Judy Dennis of New Bern, N.C., for the longest time felt a calling to work with special-needs people. But she ended up working in retail -- until 1988, when she became an interim special-needs teacher at a local elementary school. That led to a full-time position, she told the Sun Journal, and she taught special-needs children for seven years until retiring -- or so she thought:

'I experienced burnout like many people do in jobs,' Dennis said. 'The children needing shoes tied, little tables and my arthritis didn’t go well together.'

She went on a mission trip to Belarus this March, where she visited orphanages and schools. She worked with children from 4 to 13 years old. It reminded her of American children with special needs.

'While on the trip, God spoke to me and said I wasn’t through with special-needs kids,' she said. 'He wants me to do something more with children.'

Dennis now is looking at starting a special-needs ministry for children at her church.