What do you picture when you think of missionaries?
Do you see a white man or woman smiling down at a dozen African children?
Do you see a person trying to keep a low profile in China while working in an underground church?
Do you see a long skirt, t-shirt, hair covered by a bandana or other type of scarf, and a rockin’ pair of Tevas?
* Tricia, one of our squeaders in Rwanda *
What do you see when you think of where missionaries live?
Do you see a hut in a remote village in South America?
Do you picture no electricity or running water?
Do you see a group of women hand-washing their laundry?
Do you picture a road in India that doubles as a toilet?
It is perfectly okay if these are some of the things you picture.
I did.
Until I went on The World Race.
You see, I have had a very unique “missionary” experience. Let me shine a little light on my trip…
Each month, I have lived in a city or within walking distance of a city.
I had air-conditioned housing for 3 months.
In each country, I had a bed to sleep in — only twice did I have to share that bed.
* please notice the a/c right next to my bed. *
I never used my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, or tent — they were not necessary for me.
For 6 months, a washing machine cleaned my clothes. For 3 months, an African woman cleaned them. I washed my own clothes for only two months.
I did not bucket-shower until month 5 — and even then, it was with hot water. Oh yeah, I had hot water showers for 5 months [one was a bucket], cold showers for 3 months, and bucket showers for only 4.
I did not use a squatty potty until month 5 — and used them for only 3 months total. The other 8 months I had a western toilet at my disposal.
I have never gone without electricity for an extended amount of time.
For 7 months, I had internet access from my bed.
Coffee shops, ice cream, and pizza were almost always at my fingertips.
I have lived in apartments, hostels, YWAM dormitories, and the house of a Ugandan prince.
I have had amazing rooftops, backyards, and pet dogs.
* view from our backyard in Kenya *
I was never required to wear a long skirt.
I gave my Tevas away because I never wore them.
I tell you all of this to explain the lessons learned through this trip…
You see, before actually being on the field, I was EXCITED about sleeping in my tent, bathing in rivers, living village life [I went camping with friends a week before launch because I love that kind of thing].
After living in Manila, Philippines, I began praying for village life. I began asking God to place me in the most remote part of every country we were visiting.
Month 2, city life again….and the cycle continued month after month.
I began asking questions. Why am I always in the city? Why can I not have a “missionary” experience? I just didn’t understand. I became frustrated with my accommodations each month. [Yes, please picture me complaining about a hot shower and Wifi from my own, comfortable bed].
It wasn’t until Month 10 that I really started to understand why I have had the race I have had.
My perception of missionaries was super distorted before The World Race.
Camping every month would have been easy for me.
Not bathing for a week? No problem.
What have I learned?
It is possible to be a missionary and have good accommodations. It is possible to be a missionary and not live in a hut in a far-off village in Africa. People in cities need God’s love just as much as, if not more than people in those villages.
It is okay to enjoy what God has given me. I have no reason to feel guilty for living in a nice house with air-con while I go to minister to families in the slum. I do not have to live in poverty in order to love people who do. [I can, yes, but that is not a requirement].
Prior to this year, had I been an outsider looking at my World Race trip, I may not have really seen myself as a “missionary.” Now, my perception is a bit different. We are all missionaries wherever we are — whether that be in your own home, the local soup kitchen, or in your office at work.
We are called to bring the Kingdom to Earth in whatever capacity we can. Sometimes that looks like ministering from a hut in the middle of nowhere Africa. Sometimes that looks like showing the CEO of your company God’s love. It’s all same same. 🙂
** Special Note. I did NOT have a typical World Race experience. On the Q, I have had the “best” experience accommodations-wise. Most of The Q did experience village life, road-as-a-toilet India, hand-washing clothes, & bathing in rivers… **
