I don’t really know how to explain this, but I will try. The Nationals who are serving the Lord in all the countries I have been to are extremely humble. They view it as a complete honor and privilege to be serving the Lord. They are so desperate for their people to know the One who saved them from their hopeless lives.
When we were in Brasov, I was able to go to a little church with two of my squad mates. The pastor eagerly came over to introduce himself. I told him honestly that I was excited to be there. He looked shocked and exclaimed, “You are excited to be in this church, Wow! We are so thankful and honored you came to this church.� This pastor who has devoted his life to these Romanians, being persecuted for his faith, was feeling honored that we three novice missionaries came to his church!?
He made us feel valuable and truly like daughters of the King! He was such an encouragement. All the missionaries we get to work with are my heroes! I could write a book about how much I have learned from them, and how they have laid down everything for the gospel!
But they do not act like they are notable heroes. They are servants! We have come to serve, encourage, aid and love them and yet they turn around and graciously serve us. (Hint, if you ever have a chance to have a family who has come to the States from missions over for dinner, PLEASE DO! I can’t tell you enough how incredibly wonderful it is to be invited over to a family’s home for lovely conversation and a homemade meal around a dinner table in a HOME!). They cheerfully take on a herd of young adults and treat us like their own family.
We are family actually, because we all have the same heavenly Father! The unity of the Spirit that is talked about in the scriptures is universally true among those who follow Jesus. It has been incredible to have a family everywhere I go around the world. One of the best ways to teach people is not just telling them but living it. These missionaries aren’t telling us everything we have to do, they are leading by example.
