I'm not holding starving babies in Africa anymore.
I'm not the one out serving a warm meal of rice and vegetables into a plastic bag for the family that can't afford bowls.
I'm not teaching English to young girls in Thailand who were weeks ago, just about to be sold into prostitution.
I'm not sitting on a street curb, with a child asleep in my arms, who hasn't slept since yesterday and hasn't had a warm meal in days until tonight.
I'm not "on the field" doing the work that was heart-renching and life-fulfilling, all at the same time. I'm not the one sharing those stories right now.
I've had to come to the realization, time and time again. That I am a MISSIONARY.
I am a full time missionary.
God uses me as I sit at a desk, looking at a computer screen, typing away.
The stories I shared with you as God sent me around the world, to 3 continents and 11 different countires, were stories He knew would be written, knew I would be a part of. However, the environment and opportunity had to be created for me take part in it.
Someone, multiple someones, including my current boss and friend, Tim Fizzell, helped make ministry happen. Through there communication with ministry hosts, obtaining new contacts, building on past relationships, and furthering the Great Commission in reaching those places that have yet to be reached. Those places where help is needed, but don't have the resources or hands and feet enough to share who Jesus is and how much He desires to be in relationship with them.
I needed someone, our squad needed someone to be sitting at a desk day after day, behind a screen, typing away… praying every moment, sending texts and emails all hours of the day. Without there help, it would have been a whole lot harder. I would say impossible, but nothing is impossible for our Papa. Our Papa desires for us at the office to be taking steps each and every day, helping to make ministry not only a possibility, but to establish and strengthen relationships around the world.
One of the squads, F squad, whom I have been with since I came to Gainesville in September, arrived in Riga, Latvia the day before Easter!!! Exclaimations points, you say, but you really have no idea the miracle it is to be even able to say this, because in February, all we had was one contact! That contact, said she could host a team of 6-7 individuals, but would well exceed the cost of our budget, 3 times!!! However, as we put one foot in front of the other, praying throughout our communication, costs came down and we ended up having more contacts than we know what to do with. This is our [World Race] first time in Latvia!!
After spending 8 months in summer around the world, F squad entered Riga, in an all-out snowstorm, wearing tanktops, shorts and sandels. Talk about a shock to the system. I remember this the day we traveled from 90 degree weather with 90% humidity in Malaysia to 40 degree weather not including the wind chill factor in Southeast China, and then traveled onto Harbin where I learned I had just arrived in a place where it was simply too cold to snow. Yikes!
Here's a little snippet from Amanda Kerr's blog about their arrival in Riga, Latvia:
"We knew it would be cold in Riga, but the snowfall that welcomed us as we flew in was an amazing surprise! Snow is unheard of in April, so we knew it was a special gift from God!Many of us had been dreaming and hoping for snow, after spending 9 months in some of the hottest countries in the world. When we stepped off the plane many of us were in shorts, chacos, and t-shirts. As we walked in the freezing
temperatures and snow to the bus stop, we knew some extra clothing was needed ASAP. Through a series of events, several Racers met some Latvian Christians ur first night in Riga. This meeting turned into an Easter miracle! Several families from this church pulled together and cooked dinner for all 50 of us on Easter AND collected tons of extra shoes, boots, jackets, and winter clothing from their congregation to give us at no cost! They also let us use their church building and pool for baptisms and worship. Now that is the Kingdom of God! Within 24 hours of meeting our Latvian brothers and sisters, they fed us, clothed us, and shared their entire Easter Sunday.
My squad is the first to venture into Latvia, so it was amazing to see God provide in miraculous ways through His Church! So many times we wonder why we don’t see God provide for our physical needs but I think that’s because we often don’t give Him the opportunity. In every other country we have visited, we had plans, contacts, and a schedule. We could control the situation, so we did. But here we had nothing: very little money for food and many Racers had NO money for winter clothes. God knew that and since we couldn’t provide for or control the situation, it gave Him the space to move and provide Himself. I want more of that in my life. I want less control and more trust. Because let’s be honest, how much sweeter would life be if I didn’t try to meet every need on my own, but instead trusted God to provide for me? He knows all my needs, even the ones I don’t. I want to live dependent on my Father; I tasted of His generous goodness in Riga and I want more! "
The Lord provided for them and He will continue to provide. Praises to our Papa!!
Today, I am a missionary. I was yesterday and I was even back in September when I first came. It just doesn't evoke the same images, as when we first think: Missionary. Someone has to go, I went out August 2011, but there must also be those who stay behind and support them and help get them where they are called to go. I didn't stop being a missionary when I stepped back on American soil just 9 months ago. I have the distinct honor and privilege to stay behind and say, "Go! Go with everything that the Lord has equipped you with, Go!"
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me, encouraged me, financially supported me. I am here, in Gainesville, because the Lord sent me and I said, "Yes" and you sent me!
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I am still looking for financial and prayer partners as I continue my time with F and K Squads. F Squad returns in May and K squad returns in July. If you have any questions, please email me: [email protected] or FB message me.
-Click here
or
-Send a check to :
‘Adventures in Missions’
Attn: Laura Williams
6000 Wellspring Road
Gainesville, Ga 30506
Be sure to make checks payable to ‘Adventures in Missions’!
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."
~ Philippians 1:3-5
