What comes to
mind when you hear “missionary?” Are you like me and think of someone who moves
away from home, gives up everyday conveniences and comforts to go knock on
doors and tell people about Jesus? Well,
that is exactly the idea I had of the missionary job description. That is the idea I had, until I met Rachel and Jason Helm.
door to door… to door to door…
I have gained a
whole new perspective of ministry, missionaries and the missionary
lifestyle. The stereotypes often put
full time missions at either extremes: easy trouble-free or sacrificial, dirty
and difficult. Marrion-Webster
Dictionary definition is:
mis·sion·ar·y [mish-uh-ner-ee]
1. a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities, as educational or hospital
work.
2. a person strongly in favor of a program, set of principles,
etc., who attempts to persuade or convert others.
3. a person who is sent on a mission.
My understanding
was limited to the first definition only.
I had placed the concept in a box; assuming missionaries were required
to ask, “do you know Jesus?” to everyone they encounter. It sounds silly really, but if I examine my
beliefs and stereotypes, this is exactly what I come up with. Not now.
It’s month 5 on the World Race. I
have been an active missionary in 5 countries with numerous ministries and
countless missions. It has been eye and
mind opening. Most influential in my
enlightenment has been my current set of contacts.
In Xia Xia, Mozambique
there are several missionary families: one from Indiana, one from Texas,
one from South Africa
and one house-divided from Oklahoma/South Africa. I have had the opportunity to meet them all
and get a glimpse into their varied missions.
Unlike I had envisioned one family doesn’t do just one thing;
missionaries are the go-to people of the community. They teach, they feed, they house, they
build…they do it all. Life as a
missionary doesn’t center around a single activity. Instead as a missionary you must be flexible
and willing to take nearly anything that comes your way. Basically, life must be lived by faith.
A missionary life
is really a life lived away from home, working with a different culture group
than your own, while focusing on a particular “mission.” It can seem like life
as a missionary is narrowly focused on the mission, yet “missions” are simply
objectives and objective are as varied as the people who set them. Missionaries
are impassioned people with particular goals….I’ve learned that contrary to my
beliefs I want to be a missionary.
That’s right-I want to live overseas. I have a passion for education. I love teaching English and coordinating
travel. As I travel to different
countries and live in new cultures, the Lord is certainly showing me things. I love to plan trips-for myself, my friends
or anyone that will let me help!. In
planning trips, I enjoy organizing people’s activities such as cultural events,
dining opportunities, leisure pursuits, etc. teaching and learning about cultures.
It seems that I am certainly cut out to be a Missionary (loosely
translated).
