I scanned my ticket and walked onto the plane. Packed with travelers, I scanned for an open seat–rather an open row. Weary from 10 days of righteous tiredness, I just wanted to find a seat, turn my music on, and check out. I found myself near the last row and, realizing that my dream of a whole row for myself was fleeing, sat by a sturdy and upright man. He wore large, brass-rounded glasses, and had a warm expression. As a lover of oddities, his glasses intrigued me. I tried not to stare, and started to get my pillow out. The flight filled up, and the pre-flight safety rituals began. I felt tiredness and sleep tug at my eyes, and reached for my headphones. Then something else tugged with more urgency. I looked at the man with glasses, set my headphones down, and spoke.
“Are you headed home, or leaving?”
“Headed home, you?
“Same.”
“What brought you to Georgia?”
I told him about my training camp in Gainesville I told him of the beginning of my grand adventure. I told him about my life.
He told me of being a missionary for a large part of his life, being born in Ecuador to missionary parents. He told me of his high school reunion in Georgia, and how it was nice to keep in touch with old friends. He told me about his life.
While this interaction may seem minute and insignificant, in context it was a reassurance of my calling. While at training camp I was stretched, tested, and pushed to the extremes in both my physical and spiritual life. One of my biggest concerns going into a missionary position was evangelization. How was I, a young follower, to show people I had never met about God’s saving power? I was intimidated and scared to try. Over the course of training, I learned that I was looking at evangelization in the wrong light.
Evangelization is not about forcefully converting. It’s not about using cunning, sly words.
Evangelization is about real people, sharing real stories, sharing real life.
Pre-training camp, I would of never spoke to the man with brass-rounded glasses. I would of put my music in, and check out for the flight. I am an introvert, and do not naturally wish to spark conversation with strangers. While there is nothing wrong with being reserved, I experienced something wonderfully arranged by God by stepping out of my comfort zone.
I felt, deep down, called by the Holy Spirit to talk to this man. Being charged and alive from training camp, I listened and followed. What happened can only be explained as God. The wisdom and experience he shared with me affirmed that I was on the right track. He encouraged me, taught me, and showed me, what it was like to live as a traveling missionary.
It is little experiences like this that carry the most weight. While I never prayed over the man, or asked him about his religious life, I evangelized. I shared life with him, and he shared life with me.
For all the future times I find myself in a situation where I have the choice to share life and words with someone, I pray that I take it. I pray that I do not sequester myself from the unmet friends around me who have so much to share.
I cannot wait to launch in September, and share life with people all over the world.
I am not being called to a mission trip. I’m being called to a missional life.
On another note, Training Camp was incredible.
My Squad is such an eclectic group, yet we are all bound together through Christ. We ate nearly every meal with out hands, and slept on the ground. Worship was powerful, and the messages potent. The preparation was extensive, but altogether exciting.
I met a new part of my family. The people I will be sharing life with for the next 9 months are wonderfully and fearfully made. We have been pulled together and united by one mission and one cause: to “Go forth and make disciples of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
Here is a picture of my team. We decided to call ourselves “Team uKNIGHTed”. We are bound together through Christ’s unity, yet fighting for His name and fame. I could not of wished for a more fitting and amazing group.
Please continue to pray and support me as I prepare for launch in September. There is much to be done in six weeks, and financial support is still needed!
Also–I challenge you to live missionally. Your mission field is right in front of you. Whether it be on an airplane, or at the grocery store, people are waiting to be listened to, and begging to share life with you…all you have to do is ask.
Peace and Love,
Ethan
