When I went on my first mission trip in 2009 I was shocked to learn that missionaries were not just missionaries. I had some idea that all they did was serve God and left the 9-5 to someone else. Then I found out one was a banker, the other a vet. It perplexed me. I had never considered that these people would still have to work for a living. Sometimes I wish they didn’t have to, but it benefited them. They could help people in their communities in various ways and then introduce them to God.
I loved it. But for a long time it stopped me from pursuing missions. My career choice is wildlife biology, I want to study animal ecology, how animals react to changes in their environment. HOW WOULD THAT HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE STARVING? As a banker you can help people learn how to manage money, help make them self sufficient. As a vet you can assist in taking care of sick live stock. What can I do to help?
Through my travels through Costa Rica I learned there’s a lot I can do. Specifically with people who are still very dependent on their natural resources for everyday life. I could assist in management practices. However regardless of how beneficial my career choice may be I should not let that stop me in my desire to help. I should never have let something stop me from wanting to bring people to Christ, especially something so ridiculous as not being able to help in the way I thought I would.
In the last month I have prayed a lot about this trip and I have had one thing confirmed. I am a really bad listener. I always have been. Probably because I like to be 100% sure of something and that’s hard to be when God doesn’t just speak directly into your head, but rather shows you. So I decided if I got accepted then that was confirmation God wanted me on this trip. By the end of the week I had payed my initial donation to ‘secure my place’ on the trip.
I truly believe God wants me on this trip and never feel closer to him then in the field when you have to depend on him.
