OK so now that I have your attention with that title let me explain.
I have been away from my family, church, friends, job, and the amazing life I had for 8 months now.
In these 8 months I have been molded more into who God created me to be.
He has crafted in me the ability to hear His voice. To share His words for His people. I never wanted that gift. To be honest I never really wanted any spiritual gifts. I just figured I'd have one some time and didn't think much on it. God has taken me from that place to walking in those gifts He has given me. I know His voice, He reveals prophesy to me, I have been used as His healing hands, I have become gifted at encouragement. These aren't gifts I would have opened at home. God brought me around the world and far from life as I knew it to reveal these wonderful gifts to me.
I was a hard person to live with the first few months on the race. I was missing home like crazy and crying almost every day. I got angry at my team for stupid reasons. God used them to love me unconditionally and show me what walking in His grace looks like. I was prepared by my first team to be an encourager and loving team mate on my second team. My second team has grown the gift of counseling in me. Through God's grace and love for them I have been able to encourage growth in them and receive their encouragement to grow.
I'm about to face another team change as we go into Thailand next month for MANistry and WO-Month. I'll still be on an all girls team as the men from the squad will be serving all together in one part of Thailand and the women serve in another part of Thailand. I have no idea who I will be with or what we will be doing but I do know this. I have been prepared for it by my second team. To pour into my third team. To be bold with the words God gives me, to love them no matter how annoyed I may be, to put them above me in every way, to call out the Jesus I see in them.
Being a missionary really does suck some times. It sucks the selfish right out of you. It sucks the grim off your soul as it's cleaned up by Christ to shine His love more fully in the darkness. It sucks your idea of normal away and gives you a better understanding that God never said "and it was normal", but said"and it was GOOD!"
I'm so far from perfect, but I am loved and cherished by the Perfecter and He continues to make me more like Him every day. I fall on my face and sin still but He is right there to pick me up give me a hug and kiss and wipe the dirt away.
If you think you are being called to the World Race or any other mission please do it! God has great things in store for those who are willing to abandon their "normal" for His "GOOD".
If you are at home and praying for missionaries, I thank you! You are a powerful part of God's plan! You open doors for us to serve with your mighty prayers.
If you are unsure I encourage you to seek His face, Matthew 7:7-8 says "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks the door will be opened."
God has a mighty and wonderful plan for your life and He is inviting you to live it to the fullest.
