The story is often told that when you pray to the Heavenly Father, asking for His leading in whichever direction He gives, wonderful things happen to you.

Sadly, many of us don’t care for the answer we receive and decide to do something else — something that we’d rather have done all along and expected God to provide.

Amanda Mathis Bonner was not in the last category.

Bonner, a graduate of Etowah High School, was a prayer warrior for a long time before becoming a top track and field athlete. She earned a scholarship to Bevill State Community College.

Though she excelled in her studies and could have furthered her athletic abilities at a higher level, Bonner felt led to transfer to the University of West Alabama in Livingston to complete her education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science.

Then, as graduation drew closer and she had to make a decision, she felt a special calling — one that would completely change her life.

Bonner followed that call and enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, earning a Master of Arts degree in youth ministry. Now, she needed a job.

The answer came from an unexpected source. Bonner was hired as program director at Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center in eastern Kentucky.

Aldersgate is a 354-acre Christian retreat, recreation, R.V., camping and worship center owned and operated by the United Methodist Church of Kentucky.

“We’re located in the foothills of Appalachia,” Bonner said. “Aldersgate is near Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Park (where this writer has spent time), about 50 miles east of Richmond, Virginia.”

A few months ago, the Aldersgate Camping Committee developed and voted to move forward with a director of operations position and chose Bonner for the task.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” she said, her excitement evident during a long-distance telephone interview. “God does work in mysterious ways.”

Bonner and her husband, Joel (who serves as the camp’s food director), live in nearby Ravenna, Kentucky, and are foster parents to a 4–month old boy who came to them when he was just three days old. “We are excited to have this child and may open our home to others later on,” she said.