I remember going on my first international mission trip and I was asked the same question so many times and I simply did not know how to answer. Maybe you too have had this thought or have been asked it yourself. “What about the issues in America?” “Why try and go help them, when there are hungry people right next door?”
The reality of it is yes. I can walk less than two miles and encounter people who are hungry and in need of food to eat. Within that same two miles, I can find a person who is homeless and asleep in the cold tonight. & I am sure that within my own dorm building I could find a handful of people who are far from Jesus and never accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. Yes, there are hurting, sick, hungry, and dying people everywhere. That is certainly true!
I encountered a homeless man a week or so ago. We passed by him in the car and then went to McDonald’s to grab him a hot meal. Two double cheeseburgers, fries, cookies, and a water bottle later I left McDonald’s and approached this kind man. He did not speak much English and was obviously homeless. I talked with him for a moment, prayed for him, and then hugged him before leaving. That night, I replayed that moment in my head numerous times. It didn’t cost me much to buy him a meal, it did not make much of my time to speak to him, and I could tell by the look in his eyes it meant a lot to him to have hot food and be hugged by a stranger. I laid in bed and liked so many people have asked me before wondered why I was going abroad. The money I will be spending on airfare alone could go to feed and love on so many people just like the man I meet that Sunday.
I’ve learned that God is not scared of my questions and insecurities. Like any good Father, He wants me to talk with Him, when I understand and when I do not. So, in full reverence and respect, I cried out to Him and asked Him why. Why have you given me a heart for the nations when there are hurting people right by my side? Why have you called me to the World Race? I honestly, did not understand.
& God is the good and loving Father that He is, yet again quieted my heart and reminded me of His love not only for me but for ALL people, of ALL nations. Yes, there are hurting people here in America. But there are also hurting people in El Salvador, in Vietnam and Cambodia, in Romania, and in Ethiopia and Uganda. Those hurting people across the seas are in need of God’s love and grace just as much as the person beside me. When it is all said and done, it will be worth every penny paid to love on the broken across the seas as it was worth every penny I paid at McDonald’s to buy that man a hot meal. His worth is no greater than their worth. Just as my worth is no greater than His worth, simply because I had the money to buy it, that’s just foolish.
Secondly, He reminded me that I am not the only one He has called. Which humbled me really quickly! It’s funny to me, how I can be so quick to think that God had only chosen me or only given me the heart to help those who are hurting! Um… NO! Again, that is just foolish. I can step on that plane and serve around the world in full confidence that God already has someone serving here, in America, working on addressing the needs in my own country. He has called me to go on the world race in the fall, not stay in the United States to serve and I can walk in obedience to that or I can shy away in fear, thinking I know what is best, and God can easily send someone else to do what He called me to do. I am not insensible to the Lord. However, in His love for me He fills this broken vessel up to love others and proclaim His gospel! & that my friends, gets me really excited! Excited to cross the oceans and severe and excited to cross the street to love on people!
& finally, I am to love people and serve people regardless of where He has me placed! I am to love people and serve people in VA, just as much as NC, just as much in Uganda, or Serbia. The location I am in does not change my calling as a Child of God!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
XOXO, Lauren
