Wow. So much has happened since I last had a solid internet connection! I can’t even begin to decide what to share from my time here in Tacloban; it’s been absolutely incredible. Therefore, while I figure out how to condense a solid two weeks of the most recent happenings into five minutes, let me share something from a while back.
On the flight here to the Philippines, I wrote a journal entry on a topic that has come up over and over again in discussion since being on the race. I originally wasn’t planning on posting this, but as the message has changed so many of us already, I thought “Why not?”. So here it is, written on September 10th…11th? from somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.
Often times, we define this as “the moment”. This is when it all starts, the day we’ve been anticipating for so long. We look to each other and say, “This is it!” or “Can you believe we’re finally going to be real missionaries?!” And it’s true, the reason for all the fundraising has finally arrived. We have the opportunity to fly around the world with the sole purpose of furthering God’s kingdom and doing ministry, while growing closer to Him and living out daily adventures. But why do we need to wait for “the trip” before we feel an urgent need to show Jesus’ love to those around us? While yes, being in a completely different environment gives us a new and fresh perspective, I’ve realized the amazing, life-changing experiences we can live if only we take the chance.
The night before leaving the States, our team decided it was a necessity that all members had experienced the legendary comfort food empire that is Waffle House. Shortly after arriving, my team was blessed in meeting Eunice, our server. Right from the beginning, she was friendly and outgoing, making small talk and taking our order with a huge smile on her face. After noticing the large number of teens invading her workplace, she wondered, “Are y’all going somewhere or doing somethin’ special?” This was an open door directly from God. By us simply going out for a late night fast food run, we had made a friend. We explained where we were all from, why we decided to spend nine months away from everything we know, and what we hoped God would show us while we were away. We found out she “loved Jesus Almighty with every bit of her soul” and after serving us a complimentary bowl of Southern grits, she agreed to let us pray with her. Sitting there, one hand holding a squadmate’s hand, the other holding Eunice’s, I realized just how universal love is. Jesus’ love has no boundaries and that is true absolutely everywhere at any time. I don’t need to go to the Philippines or Swaziland or Nicaragua to be a missionary. God calls us to a lifestyle and it doesn’t matter where we are. We were created for such a time as this and there is always a purpose in where we are at any given moment, we just have to choose into it.
I saw this proven again on the first leg of our journey, Tuesday afternoon. After only a few minutes next to an elderly Californian woman, I learned her church supports missionaries in the Philippines. This was the only common ground she needed. She continued the conversation for the duration of the five-hour flight, honouring me with glimpses into her life. I saw pictures of her grandchildren at their graduation ceremonies, watched a movie with her (which she promised was her absolute favourite and I just had to see it), and received the opportunity to pray for her nieces and nephews and for a leg with a condition making travelling extremely painful. This is what it’s all about. Living in community with Christians all over the world. Showing love in the simplest of ways: a passing smile, an understanding attitude when going through customs, offering to pray for someone who needs healing. That is how Jesus called us to live and that is what it means to be a “real missionary”.
Adventure is a choice. We don’t need to go searching for it in majestic waterfalls or muddy backroads or sketchy night markets. God gave a a whole world of adventure. It’s everywhere, waiting for us to choose it and giving us millions of opportunities to love. Why wait?
