You have asked, I have answered the best I can. Enjoy! 
Now that you’ve done several short term missions projects, what do you see as the pros and cons of short term work versus long term work(whether that be for you, the communities served, the countries, etc.)?
disclaimer: To me, there isn’t really a con to short term work.. BUT if I HAD to do give a “con”…
CONS: (Short Term)
Time- Your time within that community you are serving is very limited, so your conversations, energy, time invested physically is limited. You will not be able to invest as much as a long term missionary. Logistically, some people just can’t. Same with your ability to become immersed in the culture and start to REALLY understand it and feel it as part of your being, and not just a temporary element in your life. I have LOVED living in the communities, with families, eating the traditional foods, learning the dances, playing with the children, wearing the cultural clothes, speaking the beautiful languages and watching people smile as my accent improves… there is nothing like it. I think short term work can really rob you of that experience unfortunatly.
Also, when you are pioneering a community with little to no previous exposure to the gospel, you can’t expect it to just be picked up and applied after you leave. You can’t just give a kid a book, and expect it to learn to read. It takes time to start to see long term effects, that will last long after you leave. You don’t want a community to become depenant upon you/your team/your church’s annual week long trip to their village, but on Jesus. Discipling people to develope and maintian that relationship takes time and accountablility, which is limited by how much time you have to invest.
Pros: You are being obedient and doing the thing. Just responding to a call God has given you, even if for a week long mission trip, has eternal impact and you should totally do it, no question. I think that short term missions is just as important in building the kingdom as long term work. It gives a taste of how the Spirit is moving in the rest of the world and help paint a picture of really how big His love is for the WORLD. Which becomes a different idea completely when you’ve actually had the chance to go out and experience it.
CONS: (Long Term)
Being away from what you know and are comforted by eg, family, friends, a steady income, a steady community, relationships, certain foods, certain stores… I have no shame in admitting I miss Target. Missing out on Holidays, birthdays, weddings, engagements, births, etc…it doesn’t get easier with time, but being away from it lets you appreciate those people and experiences all the more. I personally have learned that my worth doesn’t depend on my involvement in a situation either, like a wedding, birthday or what ever have you. It’s humbling and freeing all at the same time.
PROS: I may have days I hate it, but I love having this extended season of challenge. One of the reasons I signed up for the race was that I wanted God to continue to transform me and show me more- of Himself, His heart for the lost and broken and hurt, and what my role is in all of it. I want to walk away from this experience looking more like Jesus and less like Amelia, and stepping out of those comforts that we too often cling too, has let the “ugly” bubble up so it can be dealt with and let go.
Like I mentioned above, I love having the opportunity to really experience a culture and country. I already know I will intentionally seek out AUTHENTIC food restraunts after re-entry. My exposure to the world has spoiled me in that way. New food, music, clothing style, even the way I worship and pray, will never be the same because of the ways I have now experienced life and God.
What parts of your personality have been allowed to shine? what parts have stayed fairly hidden? I have found that two major qualities that have “shined” are my tendencies to nurture and defend. I has also found a whole new love and understanding for worship, however that one has still remained rather private and I have yet to express it with others. It may just not be the right time. As far as other hidden traits, creativity and innovation haven’t really had a chance to grow an blossom in ways I thought. I have been able to keep a creative journal, write music, and make videos, but I still feel limited somehow. I’m still working on that one.
What is one conviction that has been strengthened during your race?
How I invest my time. Time is so important and really all we have, so how we spend it is very important and not something we can really blame others for. I want how I’ve spent my time to really mean something.
What is something you believe differently now since going?
I am going to replace the word “believe” with “understand” and say that I understand more of just how incredible, complete and pure the love of God is. Walking down the red light district in a city, looking at the men who have come there to seek out trafficked women and realizing that God loves them just as much as He loves me and I don’t deserve grace anymore that they do. They are just lost and don’t understand. Their eyes have not seen and ears have not heard true Freedom in Christ like I have, so they are seeking it where thay have been told they will find it. I can’t let it fill my heart with hatred. It pains me to watch-yes and I have a righteous anger. I have cried so many nights, thinking about the things that have taken place just down the street from where I rested my head at night. But I will forgive them, extend love and smile(like I believe Jesus would), and invite them into somthing that will give them true freedom.
What part of the world would you recommend to do a family mission trip?
Ummm. Tough question. It’s really about where you think God is calling your family. What are your giftings and passions (building things together, self-sutstainable living, childrens ministry, youth, the homeless etc.)? Missions isn’t just about picking something thats out of your comfort zone and letting God use it to shape you and your family. God also gave you passions and a family dynamic to bring Him glory, so ask Him where and what that would look like for your family.
I personally (if I don’t live abroad) would take my kids to eastern Europe, Africa, and SE Asia with my experience so far. I am 99.9% sure I will feel the same about S America once I get there. I think there are very valuable lessons to be learned for families in many different cultures that I have seen. The experience alone will teach your family a lot. I could honestly go on and on but feel free to message me for more questions on this. 🙂
If you could live long term any of the places you have been so far, where would it be?
Romania, Cambodia, and Thailand hands down.
The best thing you have eaten? Er meh gersh. ummm.
Thailand- Kamun Kai (heavenly chicken and rice), Mango and sticky rice together. Its life changing. The Sushi, oh my Lord the Sushi. Just Asian food in general has been great, with the occasional exception.
Albania- Gelato. I felt like I was in Italy,( which was only next door anyways.)
fun fact- the first time I have ever eaten at Chili’s was this last Christmas Eve in Kuala Lumpur.
Have you learned anything about yourself that suprised you?
I am a lot more capable than I thought I was. I have found a lot of new strengths, but along with that comes weaknesses, one of them being pride in areas that I never realized it existed. Something I’ve realized it that I had this mindset that I atcually had that ability to “perfect” certian areas of my life, when the truth is that I can’t. No one can. Im human and not perfect and will never be perfect as long as my spirit is on this Earth, and thats ok. So I can let go and show myself grace when I can’t get it right. Life is an ebb and flow, so you gotta learn go with it even when it’s a struggle.
Have you seen any miracles? So many. I have seen a woman get her hearing back. A woman with bad arthritis walk without pain. A man who couldn’t walk when I met him, run and jump up on the stage a church to tell how God had healed him (read my blog, “A Miracle for Donald” for full story). I met baby Isaac, who had died the night before and came back to life that morning. I met a little girl named Miracle, who medically should not have lived to see her first birthday, and we celebrated her 3rd birthday while I was in Zambia. I have seen demon-tormented women set free. I have seen the miracle of God’s provision in my life and others. (eg. IM FULLY FUNDED! WOOH!) and sooo many other miracles.
What has God shown you since you’ve been gone? He honestly shows me new things everyday.. whether that be of Him, myself, others around me. It’s been really cool.
What have you missed the most from home? This is a floodgate question.
Aside from the obvious “friends & family”, I miss: Coffee Co. Driving- so so much. Target, I love you and we will one day be reunited. Winter, believe it or not. THRIFT STORES. Stargazing and watching meteor showers and the auroras. COOKING AND BAKING I told you this was a floodgate question. HA.
What do think you will do differently when you get back? Will you worry less?
What will you focus your time and energy on? To connect it with any earlier answer, I will invest my time, money and energy differently. I want it to mean something more than myself. I want to live and love generously.
I will hopefully worry less. I have more that enough evidence in my life , especiall in the past 7 months that shows God’s faithfulness and provision, so that really expels any reason to invest time worrying about life.
What is your biggest obstacle that we could be praying about? I am now fully funded for my trip (YEAH BABAY) but I am in need of funds personally. There has been a lot more out of pocket cost than anticipated. We sometimes pay for food (if food budget runs out) and transportation, when we have a “off day” if there is something cool like a waterfall, a national park, souvenirs, musuems, etc. (We have a 23 hr layover in NYC coming up and I would like to leave the airport haha). We also have had the opportunity to personally bless the people we have stayed with and their ministries! Which is actually been really fun to surprise them with! 🙂
I haven’t worked in 8 months, so it makes things challenging, but it’s nothing God can’t provide. He is faithful. So you can be in prayer for the Lords provision and joyful givers! 🙂
ALSO- my team and I are doing Unsung Heroes this month. This is where we go around the country and find potential contacts for future World Race teams and outreaches. We are setting out stepping stones for future missionaries and its really cool. with that, we don’t have a steady plan and its very spirit led. God has provided some free lodging and food already which is really cool, but we would love to meet more contacts too. Pray for responses and clear direction for where He wants us to go. It’s so fun–like a treasure hunt!
At the end of January we are heading into our 8th month and 4th continent, Ecuador!!! I am so excited but please be in prayer as we transition. 🙂
Thank you all for your questions and patience as it took longer than expected for this blog.
Any more questions? feel free to email me! I can do Q&A PartII
Much Love and God bless!
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