I went to a college group at a local church where many of my friends attended and I met new people who asked me what college I went to and what I did. Considering they are all in school and I’m not I didn’t know exactly what to say so I said “uhh I’m a missionary”. My good friend gave me a look and him and I were not sure if I can say that considering I have only been on one mission trip and my next one doesn’t start until September. Later that night a friend I knew back in high school reached out to me over the internet. She has asked me: how do I know God is real? And to my reply I said I know God is real because I love others through him. Without God being the center of my life I have no proper structure. When I am in a trial instead of blaming God for torturing me like we so often believe I turn to God for guidance. To this she has told me she was confused about her faith in her religion that isn’t Christianity and if she should go to a college for that religion and why she fears what might happen if she doesn’t continue to be active in that religion. I told her she did not have to do anything she did not want to do and she can say no. She told me she felt she was looked down upon in her religion because she did not “fit the mold” and I told her there is no such thing as a “perfect Christian” either nor should there be a mold for the member of a church. I invited her to my church and she said she would love to check it out sometime. I tried to encourage her to the best of my ability without overstepping the boundaries of saying “leave your religion”. I instead informed her she needs to be in an environment where she is best able to grow in her faith. In all this I realize she felt able to come to me in this time of spiritual confusion and I was able to help her through the spirit of God. This is mission work that I’m able to do from home. I have not left America for this trip but the need for God’s love is everywhere and this experience alone reminded me of that.
