We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
“It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a missions project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream, and struggle. Servanthood is a fine place to begin, but gradually we move toward mutual love, genuine relationships. And that’s where things get messy. When people begin moving beyond charity and toward justice and solidary with the poor and oppressed, as Jesus did, they get in trouble. Once we are actually friends with folks in struggle, we start to ask why the poor are poor, which is never as popular as giving to charity. One of my friends has a shirt marked with the words of the late Catholic bishop Dom Helder Camara: ‘ When I fed the hungry, they called me a saint. When I asked why people are hungry, they called me a communist.’ Charity wins awards and applause, but joining the poor gets you killed. People do not get crucified for charity. People are crucified for living out a love that disrupts the social order, that calls forth a new world. People are not crucified for helping poor people. People are crucified for joining them.”
– Shaine Claiborne- The Irresistable Revolution
I went on my first official mission trip through the Auburn Wesley Foundation. We spent spring break in the slums of Jamaica doing construction and children’s ministry. We slept in a small church with no air conditioning. It hadn’t rained in a while, so there wasn’t enough water in the pump system for showers until day four. The kids were amazed by our fancy digital cameras…my memory card was literally filled up just ten minutes after letting a young girl play with it. There were no televisions, no iPods, no computers. No washing machines, no designer clothes, no fast food restaurants. According to our standards, these people didn’t have anything. But it was very obvious that they possessed something I had never experienced before. They were joyful. They had contentment in Christ, and their hospitality was so humbling. I went on the trip with a mindset of “saving” these people…of changing them – but it was me that was changed.
Since then, God has placed within me a heart for world missions. I don’t want to travel the world to “Americanize” developing nations. I want to be in relationship with people. I want to live in community. I want to play games, share stories, and listen to dreams. I first discovered the World Race over a year ago. I looked at pictures and read blogs, but I didn’t ponder too much on it. Sure, it would be the most amazing experience ever, but it was just so big. I could never do something like that. As the months passed, I began to be more and more confused about what to do after graduating. Seminary was a possibility…or interning at Wesley…or looking for a job in the real world. The more I thought and prayed, the more God continued to push me toward the World Race. There was just one small problem – I didn’t want to do it. Let me rephrase that….the thought of actually going through with it was terrifying. I’m a big fan of my comfort zone. I’m a big fan of my “Halley time”. However, I was being pushed to step out on faith and be bold. I want to do something relevant. I want to be challenged. I want to make a difference. I want to live as Jesus lived, not just admire who He was. I’m still terrified, but I now have a peace and joy about this adventure that I can’t describle.
One of my favorite songs is “Here I Am, Lord”, but I’ve been convicted about one small word in the chorus (thanks to my college minister).
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord
I will go, Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
I believe we are all called to be missionaries. We’ve all received the Great Commission. You might be called to travel to the other side of the world. You might be called to minister to those living in your own home. The question isn’t IF we are called, but WHEN. It’s time to respond.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
–Isaiah 6:8
