I would like to dedicate this post to my Uncle Dan LaGue. One of the most wise and passionate missionaries I have ever or will ever know in my lifetime. I can honestly say that the Holy Spirit used him to spark this passion I have for spreading the gospel message and embarking on this journey. His perseverance and service until the very end forever changed my life. I love you Uncle Dan and can’t wait to see you again in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Blog Theme: Missionary!
Definition: A person undertaking a mission; related to, engaged in, or devoted to…
My Definition of a Missionary: to hear, heed, and obey the call to lay down ones life to spread the good news of Jesus Christ wherever we may go and to live by the motto: To live is Christ and to die is gain. In a nutshell: THE GREATEST ADVENTURE ONE COULD EVER EMBARK ON!
The first time I had even heard anything about missions work was when my Uncle Dan and Aunt Carol heard the call to take the gospel message to the country of Hungary. I was pretty young when they left. I didn’t really understand why they were gone, all I knew is that my mom always had us pray for safety and favor for them and we would receive update letters from them. One day I remember my mom telling me that Dan and Carol where moving back to America because Dan was sick. Me being young, I immediately connected missions work with getting sick hence the thought process of, “Oh God, I’ll be anything but please don’t call me to be a missionary!� Years passed and my Uncle Dan grew weaker and weaker from his illness but he never gave up on his calling to missions. Finally, he became so weak that he was completely bed-ridden. I had just moved home from college and I got a random phone call from Dan and Carol (at least I thought it was random but God sure knew what He was doing). They asked me if I would be interested in helping with ministry work a couple days a week. I am sooooo thankful for the time that I was able to spend with Uncle Dan! He would tell me stories of his different missions trips, of living in Hungary, and of the Lords constant provision. My Uncle Dan had such an incredible heart to see the lost saved and to see people come to a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ! He faithfully carried out the call to missions even to the very end! When he got to weak to travel or even leave the house we worked together responding to emails from people all over the world inquiring about Jesus! We corresponded with Muslims, Hindu’s, Athiests, etc. I would read the emails that would come in and he would close his eyes, pray, and then respond while I typed. These times were so precious to me. There is one day in particular that stands out to me and changed my life. I was getting ready to leave because Dan was in to much pain to continue working. We always prayed before and after our work sessions so I came and sat by his bed and bowed my head. Instead of starting to pray Uncle Dan asked me softly, “Marie have you ever felt called to be a missionary?� I didn’t respond because I didn’t know what to say. After a few moments of silence he opened his eyes and said, “Marie it truly is the greatest honor a man can have. There is no greater call. You know that phrase “to live is Christ and to die is gain?� I understand that. It is all worth it!� Then he prayed that I would understand that to. My Uncle Dan went to be with the Lord a couple months after that but that moment is still engraved into my brain and will be forever! I can’t wait for the day where I can see him again and say, “Hey Uncle Dan, remember that moment we had and that prayer you prayed…yeah that changed the course of my life and God totally answered your prayer!�
I share this memory with you to say this…it is worth it! Giving your life for the Lord and letting everything else go…it is worth it! My Uncle Dan impacted hundreds of lives while he was here on this earth and his legacy lives on because of his faithfulness until the very end!
Living life for something bigger than yourself. Not just going through the motions day in and day out. Living by faith. It’s worth it! Spending your energy seeking the One: Jesus is the only fulfillment you will find. And when you do find it…you will want to share it with everyone you come in contact with! What do you relate to? What do you engage in? What are you devoted to? Can you honestly say that you live your life by this motto: To live is Christ and to die is gain? Where is your mission field?
I encourage you to get involved! You may be called to GO for a season. You may be called to pray for a certain place or a certain people. You may feel called to support those who are in the mission field. That is between you and the Lord…all that I know is that everyone is called to be a missionary in some way! We are all called to spread the good news that we have received of grace, love, and redemption: JESUS!
Love you all and thank you for your support!
Joyfully,
Marie Olson
