I have had a crazy January! I know I am not the only one. Those new year resolutions- starting back to school- getting back in routines or creating new ones- this season is one of changes and excitement for many people! I am one of those people! I am just now getting a taste of what it looks like to be a teacher! Student teaching is going great so far. I am surrounded by a community that loves and cares for the children it sees and goes above and beyond for them. I am learning that maybe mission work isn’t exactly what I have always thought. How does student teaching relate to my mission blog? Well- that is what I am about to tell you!
Let’s think about this… does mission work have to be a specific trip- a specific date- a specific country- out of this country- out of your home state- or even out of your community? NO! The answer is no. I have learned by watching the teachers around me that maybe I have had it all wrong. I imagine missionaries as the people who travel the world, go to sometimes scary places and see all there is to see – the good and the bad- that the world has to offer. Is that true? Do missionaries do that? Yes! They do! However, I do not think you have to travel the world to be mission hearted. I know many missionaries right here in my Morristown community that witness to others daily – even if they may not know it. Teachers, friends, children, mentors, you name it- they have witnessed to me.
You see, I think that witnessing to someone can be as simple as showing them that they are loved. Small things friends, small things. Show an ounce of love and it can grow and spread. Be the person that starts a chain reaction of good deeds and positive actions. If people can see love radiating from someone as little as you or me, imagine what they can feel when they are introduced to the one who created us all. Mission work abroad is VERY important – I definitely think so or I would not be packing up and going. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet and witness to people who have never even heard of Jesus. I just do not want the mission-hearted people who witness in our communities to think they are not noticed. So – go out and do good my friends. Be the light.
I am more than excited to be going to Ecuador in May! I want to thank each and every person who has sent up a prayer for me, encouraged me or supported me financially so far. I have several months left to prepare for my time away and I am loving the self-reflection and growth that this season has given me! I look forward to what the future holds for me as a mission-minded human and a hopeful teacher.
