Well, now that our letters have been mailed and the news has traveled to our family and friends, the questions of “why?/how?/what are you doing?” have probably crossed your mind.
Some people have mentioned they want to follow our blog because never in a million years would they think that me with my germ-phobia mentality could do something like this. I am excited for people to see me overcome some of my greatest fears and challenges.
Here are some answers to your questions:
What are you doing with most of your stuff? Well, we are selling most of it. I am learning that “stuff” only holds you back from doing the things you want to do. Is my IKEA dresser more important than feeding the hungry? No.
You have to raise a lot of money, what happens if you don’t raise what you need? First, we WILL raise our money. I have no doubt. Yes it is a lot of money – but I know there are people/organizations/churches that support people exactly like us! We are also selling our stuff- so we are putting that money towards the trip and supplies we need to purchase as well. I have seen countless times from reading the blogs of those who still need to raise their full amount while on the field- and they do. God provides through His people.
Why would you want me to pay for your vacation? First, this is not a vacation. And if it were we would never ask for support. Jamos and I are giving up everything we know/love to go into the world and love his people. I prefer vacations that have water I can drink from the tap and a soft bed to sleep on with an extra change of clothes. We will be sleeping in a sleeping bag and in our tent- wearing clothes that we wash in a river. We will be watching over orphans, building things I don’t know how to build (yet!), feeding hungry street children, getting women out of human trafficking. This is NOT a vacation. These are very real issues that our world is facing and instead of turning our backs- we are going straight for the people who are in the heart of the issues to set them free.
I could never see you doing anything like this, how are you doing this? Well,this is not me. This is God- showing me strength and unveiling the plans he has for my life. Being a Christian doesn’t mean I get to live a comfortable life. Though, for some, it does. Apparently God wants more from me and because I (and Jamos too) am saying “YES- SEND ME” he is.
What happens when you get back? I am not worried. God called us to do this- he will find us the jobs and the places he wants us to be when we get back. Who knows what we will be called to do- or how our lives will change because of this missionary work.
My memory takes me back to Sunday School when I was in 1st grade. We had a missionary to Africa come to our class. We learned the song, “Be a missionary every day…” and it is true. All of us who love the Lord have a job to do each day. I was talking with a woman who was telling me that she would say “Lord, I will do your will- but don’t send me to Africa” – what if Africa is the exact place you were supposed to be to find the fulfillment and joy that can only come when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing?
How will Jamos and I ever find that purest joy if we are not doing what the Lord wants us to do? Right now, he has called and we are going. We may not have all the answers to all the questions we are being asked – or that you our friends and family may be thinking. No one likes the unknown- especially a control freak like ME! It is an interesting time in our lives and we are thankful you are becoming a part of it.
